Raiders move Penn from left to right
At one point Tuesday, tackle Donald Penn realized he was standing on the wrong side of the Raiders’ offensive huddle.
It wasn’t just a product of his long injury hiatus. Penn, who has made three Pro Bowls as a left tackle, practiced for the first time this training camp Tuesday — and did so at a new position, right tackle.
The Raiders used their first-round draft pick this year on tackle Kolton Miller, who has worked exclusively on the left side in camp.
Donald Penn had been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of camp recovering from Lisfranc foot surgery.
The Raiders also have been without a clear starter on the right side, where Ian Silberman has taken the majority of first-team reps.
Penn, 35, had been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of camp recovering from Lisfranc foot surgery he underwent in December. He said the Raiders mentioned the possibility of his moving to the right side earlier this offseason, then asked him to shift Tuesday morning — an indication they intend to make Miller their starting left tackle.
“I told them, ‘I’m willing to do whatever it
takes to help this team win,’ ” Penn said, “‘and if you guys feel like that’s going to be in the best interest of the team, I’ll do it.’
“Today it felt very awkward and rusty. But I need time to develop. I don’t know if that’s going to be a permanent thing or not yet. But it is something we’re testing out and I told them I’m all for it. We’ve got a young kid (Miller) over there and he’s doing a lot of good things.”
In 2016, Penn played 24 snaps in Week 1 at right tackle and did not allow a pressure in 18 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He otherwise has been on the left side.
Penn said at times Tuesday he got into a left-handed stance and almost went the wrong way on an audible at the line. He has been studying the Raiders’ new offense from the perspective of a left tackle and said some movements felt “backward.”
“That’s part of what’s going to take a little bit of time,” Penn said, “but I’m out here working. These guys have been working their butt off, man. I just wanted to hop in and not miss a beat.”
In a padded practice that featured some contact, Penn took nearly every rep with the first-team offense. Quarterback Derek Carr, who has played most of four NFL seasons with Penn protecting his blind side, said it was “a little different” lining up with Penn to his right.
“But that’s why you have good players,” Carr said, “so when things happen, you can put guys in different spots.”
The Raiders opened camp with apparent competition at right tackle, but Breno Giacomini has missed most of camp with a knee injury, rookie third-round pick Brandon Parker missed time with an ankle injury and David Sharpe, last year’s fourthround pick, has not emerged as a starting option.
Miller, the No. 15 overall pick in April, played on the right side the majority of the time at UCLA. He moved to left tackle his final season and has stated a preference for staying there. Miller played two series in the Raiders’ preseason opener against Detroit, and was called for a holding penalty on the first drive that negated a 60-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, but otherwise looked comfortable.
Penn started 170 straight regular-season games at left tackle before getting injured last season, and said his brief stint at right tackle in 2016 felt like “holding on for dear life.” After Oakland drafted Miller, Penn reportedly placed an indignant phone call that night to head coach Jon Gruden.
While rehabbing, though, Penn could be seen at times watching practice and giving advice to Miller during drills. And several times Tuesday, Penn reiterated his openness to changing positions.
“I’m not stupid, I’m not dumb,” Penn said. “I’m 35 years old . ... I don’t want to play football too much longer myself. So I understand what’s going on here, and I’m just trying to help as much as possible.”
Penn termed his recovery from foot surgery, which took longer than he expected, a “humbling experience.” His return to practice came one day after he and the Raiders reportedly agreed to restructure the contract that he signed last year after holding out from training camp.
Penn was set to make $6 million in base salary this season with $3 million guaranteed and the potential for more than $3 million in roster and game-day bonuses. According to reports, the reworked deal would increase Penn’s guaranteed money but likely result in an overall pay cut.
On Tuesday, Penn said he was glad to return to the field, where it appears he will help Miller anchor the Raiders’ offensive line.
“Me and Kolton, we’re developing a good friendship,” Penn said. “I want to have him ready so when he goes out there, he can succeed. It’s not like I’m over here jealous or mad. I’m trying to help the team out so the kid can be as good as possible.”