How Has Breno Giacomini Done?

One of the story lines this offseason was that the Oakland Raiders gave RT Austin Howard a ton of money to join them and switch positions to OG. The only time I've noticed Howard this season was when he was late to block Quinton Coples:

After Howard left, GM John Idzik signed RT Breno Giacomini, from the Seattle Seahawks. Many people decried this move as a downgrade, and that the team should have kept Howard. Perhaps they're right, and Howard would have done better. However, after two games, I think any notion that Giacomini is a weak link on the offensive line should be put to rest.

In two weeks, Giacomini has allowed three quarterback hurries and one penalty, per ProFootballFocus. He has cumulatively graded positively in both run blocking and pass protection (although I think PFF's grades are useless, I'd like to give you someone else's opinion as well). Among all right tackles that have played 25% of snaps or more, he grades as the twelfth best thus far into the season

On the roster, Willie Colon leads the offensive line in penalties, with three. Brian Winters leads the team in sacks allowed, and hits on the quarterback. Lastly, Giacomini is tied with D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Colon in quarterback hurries.

It would be unrealistic to say Giacomini has been playing like a franchise right tackle. However, he has not been the weak link on this offensive line, a distinction likely reserved for Winters. It is still very early in the season, so the sample size is limited, but thus far, as this offensive line goes, he has been fine; not the best, but not the worst. It will certainly be interesting to keep track of Giacomini and how he does the rest of the season.