Our Defensive Alignment....

[Angry Pope]

From PFW...take it for what it is worth....

The Raiders would love to see second-round pick Thomas Howard or fourth-rounder Darnell Bing (a safety at USC) develop quickly and make a push for the strong-side LB job, but the coaching staff apparently is content with maintaining more of a 4-2-5 base alignment defensively until it feels comfortable having three linebackers on the field. Early indications are that SS Derrick Gibson will continue to be used closer to the line of scrimmage and over the tight end, almost as a linebacker, Stuart Schweigert will remain at free safety and rookie DB Michael Huff will man the “rover” role previously held by Charles Woodson and Renaldo Hill. The feeling is that this will free up Huff to showcase his versatility and see the entire field. Veteran CBs Tyrone Poole and Duane Starks, both free-agent additions, are believed to be too small to handle the rover position and likely will provide experienced depth at corner behind starters Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington.

[Rupert]

Duh! I was fairly certain Poole and Starks were too small to be anything other than depth at CB. Cooper will back up both Gibson and Huff in the big nickel. Personnel-wise we should be better off than we were last year with this setup.

Still, Williams and Howard should both be good enough to allow us to use a true 4-3 defense. Howard might be a little behind the curve to start the season, but I don't think we'll be able to keep him off the field for long. He's a gamer.

Bing might be able to step in for Gibson near the line and over the TE, and will probably be a good backup at WLB for Morrison.

Either way, I like the idea that we've picked an identity on defense. Too long our idea has been a middle of the road bend but don't break kind of thing. There's a vast difference between limiting what the offense can do and "don't let 'em score quickly".

[Angry Pope]

With the new talent, I also like our ability to better disguise our coverage.

[CrossBones]

Yeah -- guys, I think that artilce was just sayin' "until things get settled in" we'll use the 4-2-5 base alignment. But I think we have the personnnel now to run a legit 4-3. Might take a little time but we might just have the horses.

[Rupert]

Without question. If a team wants to replace a TE or RB with a WR we don't necessarily need to go to a nickel defense. Huff can cover and the extra LB can either drop into a zone or pressure the passer.

The real question will be having Gibson react properly as a backer. If his problem is brains, then we're not going to get him to work up closer to the LOS. I think that's part of the idea of teaching Bing the LB position, and bringing in Howard. Speed at the backer position helps our versatility. We don't have to necessarily match up to every personnel move the opponent makes. We simply adjust the coverage and soldier on. It's a great thing.

Personally, I think Al realized that by getting the proper personnel on D we could actually make what Ryan was trying to do last season work. My overwhelming impression of last season was, "Shit! If we just had a couple better guys out there we'd be doing pretty well."

I think we did better in the draft than I expected us to do. Granted all this youth might take a couple seasons to put it all together, but I'm extremely encouraged.

With everything we're hearing out of mini-camp, I would expect even more players to want to stay in the future.

[CrossBones]

Nice take there Mr. X and O! Very nice take.

Gibson could be a key. Is he smart enough? Hmmmm...not sure.

[Angry Pope]

Clayton on the linebacker position in general....

Speedy WLBs coveted during draft, free agency

John Clayton


An interesting evolution is happening at the outside linebacker position.

Thirteen of the 25 teams playing 4-3 defenses made moves to acquire weakside linebackers this offseason. Much of the change relates to the popularity of Tony Dungy's Cover 2 defense, which asks for more speed and playmaking ability from defenders. The entire NFC North, which features three new head coaches, is going to the Cover 2 to keep up with Bears coach Lovie Smith, a Dungy disciple while an assistant at Tampa Bay.


The Lions took Ernie Sims with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft.With what was considered the best draft class of linebackers in years, the Packers selected A.J. Hawk, the Lions took Ernie Sims and the Vikings drafted Chad Greenway. All three are natural weakside linebackers because of their speed. In today's game, the prototype outside linebacker destined for the weakside is about 235 pounds and runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. In the case of Sims, the Lions didn't care that he was only 5-foot-11. In the Dungy Cover 2, lack of height means nothing. Speed is everything.

Defensive coordinators have nicknamed the weakside linebacker the "Will." Well, where there is a Will, there is a new way.

"You want as much speed as possible on defense," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "Overall, speed at the linebacker position has been increasing. Speed is the name of the game now."

Speed is the reason the Panthers took James Anderson of Virginia Tech in the third round. He runs a 4.59 in the 40 and weighs just 229 pounds. Coach John Fox will use Anderson's rookie season to groom him to be a weakside linebacker. The Raiders drafted Thomas Howard of UTEP in the second round. He has 4.42 speed, ideal for the Will. The Redskins traded up in the second round to get their weakside linebacker of the future, Rocky McIntosh, who has 4.63 speed.

Because the weakside linebacker plays on the opposite side of the field as the tight end, he isn't bothered as much by big blockers. Offenses tend to run plays to the tight end side, away from the weakside linebackers, which is why faster linebackers can make up more ground and make plays. Plus, they are a threat to blitz and are used to cover the deep zone in pass defense.

"I see a time pretty soon where you are going to see three linebackers on the field who will pretty much all look the same," Titans general manager Floyd Reese said. "Those old 6-4, 255-pound strongside linebackers are being weeded out and being replaced by faster guys. Pretty soon, you are going to see three linebackers out there who aren't going to be as big but are out there because of speed."

The change is happening at a lightning pace. The Panthers scratched their heads when their weakside linebacker, Will Witherspoon, went to the St. Louis Rams and was installed at middle linebacker after signing a six-year, $33 million contract. He's 6-1 and 231 pounds, but he's fast. Speed is needed to cover that deep zone, and the Rams already have a weakside linebacker: 5-10, 231-pound Dexter Coakley. Pisa Tinoisamoa (6-1, 235) plays on the strong side.

St. Louis is one of the first teams to have three weakside-type guys starting at all three linebacker positions. But it won't be the last.

Reese is guiding the transition with his Titans. He drafted 235-pound Keith Bulluck in 2000 even though he had that dreaded tag of not taking on blocks. Bulluck made plays because of his speed and quickness and established himself as a Pro Bowler, the ideal weakside linebacker. During the offseason, the Titans signed former Colt David Thornton, whom Dungy groomed to be a Derrick Brooks-like weakside linebacker.

What do you do with two weakside linebackers? Simple. Bulluck plays right outside linebacker and Thornton plays on the left. They can make plays from either side of the field regardless of what offenses do with the tight end. Coach Jeff Fisher knows he has two quick linebackers who can make plays on the outside.

"The Tampa 2 enables a team to play with seven defenders in the box and be able to play coverage," Reese said. "It becomes demanding because the linebackers have to have speed to help with the coverage. When you hear people talking about needing more speed on defense, they start at linebacker, and that usually means the weakside linebacker position."

Dungy's defense is revolutionizing the league because it's allowing coaches to use personnel in a variety of ways. A big college safety can put on a few pounds and be a weakside linebacker. The Colts won 14 games last season with a 5-11, 235-pound middle linebacker, Gary Brackett.

And the evolution isn't stopping at linebacker. Weakside linebacker bodies are taking over the strongside position. Those 6-4, 255-pound strongside linebackers are getting a try at defensive end if they have the quickness to get to the quarterback. Dungy is taking some 265- to 275-pound defensive ends and putting them at tackle to take advantage of their quickness. Dungy, like Bill Belichick and others, has turned cornerbacks into safeties and switched them back when necessary.

NFL defenses are geared more toward speed, and the pace is quickening. When in doubt, teams will draft a quick defender ahead of an offensive skill player because speedy defenders are harder to find as the draft proceeds. Still, the weakside linebacker position is the gateway to beginning the process of overhauling a slow defense.

If that weakside linebacker is slow, he better move to the strong side. And if he's still too slow at strongside linebacker, he better move off the field.

The Seahawks spent $54 million to get a weakside linebacker, Julian Peterson, who has the speed to cover a tight end or a halfback. The Giants are thinking about putting LaVar Arrington on the strong side, but he's one of those rare weakside linebackers who is big enough to knock down tackles yet fast enough to get to the quarterback.

Whether it's weak side or strong side, the evolution at linebacker has everything to do with speed, and in reality those positions are becoming interchangeable. It won't be long before moving to the strong side will be considered a sign that a player is losing a step because of the extra speed required on the weak side. But, eventually, offenses will adjust to the increasing speed and smaller defensive bodies running around.

"Eventually, teams will line up in two-tight-end sets and pound the ball with the running game," Reese said.

Until then, enjoy the speed.

[Rupert]

You know, that's interesting, but I think Howard was drafted as an OLB because we're woefully short on them. If we need him at Sam, that's where he'll be. I think he was drafted to be the Sam backer not the Will.

The Raiders have always liked size AND speed. Howard is both big and fast.

And if you take Clayton's speed at Will idea seriously, you have to question why Morrison plays there with a speed of 4.7 in the 40.

Seriously though. I think Williams has the inside line to the Sam (strange how Sam has the Sam position locked up) with Howard the likely successor. Morrison will probably stay the Will until Clark goes in a year or two when Bing will take over the Will, and Morrison will move inside to Mike.

That's just the way I see things going.

The Raiders won't adopt the media darling Covre-2 (I hate it BTW, but then again, I think zones are for sissies). The Raiders are going to remain a predominantly man team. No matter what you run, speed is the thing you need. In fact, you need less speed in a zone, just better recognition.

Bottom line, Clayton is a doofus.

[Angry Pope]

Thoughts on wearing our colors....

Mon May 1, 6:05 PM ET


By Michael Huff

I can't believe I'm an Oakland Raider.

After months of pouring my heart and soul into training for the NFL draft, going through combines, and working out non-stop, I got the call I was hoping for all along.

My mom was probably more nervous than I was waiting to hear my name called, so when the Raiders picked me at seven, I think all of us just breathed a huge sigh of relief that the draft process was finally over.

I will never forget the moment though that the phone rang at our house, and Raider's coach Art Shell on the line. I had so many emotions running through me at the time. I thought back to when I played Pee Wee football, to my days at Texas and finally realized that my dream had come true -- I was a professional football player.

I knew all along that the Raiders were a possibility since the pick was between myself and USC quarterback Matt Leinart. But when I heard the phone ring during the seventh pick, I knew someone was looking out for me up above.

Oakland was my last team visit before the draft, and it went the best by far. I love the climate of Oakland, the intense fans they have, and of course the team's history. But the main reason I loved going to Oakland was because that's where former Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson lives.

Charles Woodson was my sports idol growing up, so it was a perfect match for me to get the chance to go to the same team he used to play with. Charles and I have been talking for the last couple of weeks about football and what to expect if I ended up in Oakland. I can't tell you enough what a relief it is to be able to have a person who is a veteran on your side when you need help.

I'm leaving for Oakland in a couple of days for mini camp, so the next couple of days here at home in Grand Prairie, Texas with my family are really important to me.

I haven't found a place to live out in the Oakland area. I think I'm actually going to live in the same place Charles Woodson lived when he was first starring with the Raiders a couple years back.

I can't tell you how hungry I am to play football right now. After spending the last three months running and doing agility drills, I'm just ready to play football and hit somebody again. The coaches haven't told me if I'm going to be a safety or a cornerback yet, but I know that whatever spot they play me, I'll do my best to make the Raiders fans proud when I'm out there on Sunday.

[RaiderIVlife]

Excellent discussion.

Even though the Raiders were relatively successful in employing a base-nickel in 2005, that was born from neccesity more than choice. Meaning we didn't have enough healthy/quality players to run either a 3/4 or 4/3 consistently.

I'm very concerned that this unit would be too light in the pants to run a base nickel. I think teams would punish us with the run and take advantage with the deeper routes as we are forced to walk up 2 safeties to stop the run.

Reason? DT and DE.

With Ted Washington departed, I suppose we are going to start any combination of Tommy Kelly (whom I personally liked at DE !!!), Warren Sapp (way past his prime and returning from a torn R-cuff), Turdell Sands (solid, but plays a bit high and doesn't usually warrant a double team) and Antajj Hawthorne (an unproven lazy penetrator that doesn't play the position well all around). Not good at all.

At this point, I'm praying that Sands & Hawthorne can secure the starting jobs (I know, very dubious), allowing Sapp to play primarily on pass downs and allowing Kelly to play both DE/DT. In all likelihood it will be Kelly & Sands playing most of the run downs in the middle.

The ripple effect comes into play at DE. We have a smallish pass rusher in Burgess. Though he plays extremely hard (and fairly effective against the run) the fact remains, he can get overpowered at the POA and worn down. The other side features Bobby Hamilton who will one day wake up old, Tyler Brayton (NOT a starting DE at this level) and Grant Irons (perhaps marginally better than Brayton, but that's not saying much).

Basically I think this 'D' line while possesing some good pass rush potential, can & will get bullied. This is particularly true if we only have two LB'ers in play. I'd much prefer to see Sam Williams and Howard on the outside with Morrison manning the MLB (where he is better suited IMO). This would allow Clark to b/u up at all three spots and Bing could learn on the job in a limited role.

Based on the roster personal at this point, my preferred starting lineup would be (assuming these player earn the jobs of course):

DE - Derrick Burgess (Lance Johnstone/Tyler Brayton b/u)
DT - Turdell Sands (Tommy Kelly b/u)
DT - Antajj Hawthorne (Warren Sapp b/u)
DE - Tommy Kelly (Bobby Hamilton b/u)

SAM - Williams
MLB - Morrison
WSB - Howard

CB - Washington
CB - Asomugha
FS - Huff
SS - TBD

Danny Clark would be nice insurance to b/u each LB'er slot, Starks & Poole provide nice veteran depth at CB, Schwiegert could b/u Huff at FS, Gibson, Cooper and even perhaps Bing could compete for the SS job.

I think an alignment of this sort would hold up better against strong running teams (AFC West, remember?)

[CrossBones]

Nice take RIVL. Rep!!!!

I think the 4-2-5 is must a band aid until the players get a feel for what's happeneing. (Huff seems the perfect C-Wood clone to play that rover saftey position Charles played ast year) Then I think we have the horses to run a real base 4-3 defense.

We'll see how this developes during training camp but for now i think Ryan will just start where he left off and see how the players fills the gaps.

[RaiderIVlife]

Nice take RIVL. Rep!!!!

I think the 4-2-5 is must a band aid until the players get a feel for what's happeneing. (Huff seems the perfect C-Wood clone to play that rover saftey position Charles played ast year) Then I think we have the horses to run a real base 4-3 defense.

We'll see how this developes during training camp but for now i think Ryan will just start where he left off and see how the players fills the gaps.

You're probably correct in this assesment. It will depend on how quickly certain guys develop (namely Howard & Hawthrone).

Is anyone else concerned about our situation at DT? I certainly am. I really want to see Tommy Kelly play DE (primarily), but it may not be possible if Antajj Hawthorne doesn't develop rapidly. What then? Two small DE's in Burgess & Brayton? I hope not.

[CrossBones]

I think with the addition of Johnstone and with Brayton moving back to DE that Kelly will be moving inside. Persoanlly I like it. He's the future at DT IMO and no time like the present. Kelly is a big man and can probably cause havoc in the middle of the line. I'm not counting on Antajj Hawthorne for much.

But I guess to answer your questions, yeah, I'm a little concerned about DT. But I think we have enough to make it work. The key will be getting that pressure on the QB. It's always the key. With Brayton, Hamilton, johnston and Burgess...I think we have a pretty good rotation that can stay fresh and get after the QB. We have to do a better job than last year. When Burgess wasn't on the QB we were screwed 'cuz there was very little pressure coming from anywhere else.

[Rupert]

I think we're going to see Kelly and Sapp start at DT. It isn't really the Al Davis way, since he likes having an NT out there, but Sands just doesn't have the grunt or the legs to start as an NT.

As much as I like Kelly as a DE, he's ideally suited for DT. He doesn't get enough sacks at DE because he's a step slow. He can beat just about anyone 1-on-1, and putting him inside makes getting to the QB that much easier.

Brayton/Hamilton/Irons at one DE with Burgess/Johnstone/Riddle (where is this guy going to line up, anyone?) at the other, we'll have a constant rotation of pressure from the DE spot.

If we go with history we'll see Burgess/Brayton starting L/R and Hamilton/Johnstone L/R off the bench since that's where they've put in their time in the league. It gives us the ability to go with Burgess/Johnstone as a pass-rush duo and Hamilton/Brayton to stuff the run.

We might go with the two quicker DT's (Sapp/Kelly) and let Clark eat up the extra OL, but that would require backers on both sides and a quick SS near the line to bring down the stud RB's of the West.

Yeah, not having a true NT will require that we change our way of getting after it. And sacrificing Clark would be a sad result for a guy who's brought it big-time. We did that to Biekert and it wore his legs down.

Hawthorne will be coming off the bench. They've been trying to get him into the NT role in Europe, but he's not too keen on it from all appearances. Still the kid might find a reason (read that paycheck) to get excited about the role.

Rashad Moore could be the nose we're looking for. Who knows at this point? They say Moore got a lot of reps in mini-camp because of Sapp being out. We'll see what it all means.

[RaiderIVlife]

I dunno' bro's.

A lineup of Brayton, Kelly, Sapp, and Brugess with only (2) LB'ers would get pummeled IMHO. We'll have to do with speed and the thought of Sapp & Brayton scares the shit out of me.

Ryan Riddle - I'm intriqued by this guy. I think he has a chance to be a Kevin Green type pass rusher......

[Rupert]

We might go with the two quicker DT's (Sapp/Kelly) and let Clark eat up the extra OL, but that would require backers on both sides and a quick SS near the line to bring down the stud RB's of the West.

RIVL:I think we're saying the same thing.

[RaiderIVlife]

So we're going with a "speed" defense - essentially. That's OK if we'er (a) eating up a lot of clock or (b) We are scoring large numbers of points and building up sizeable enough leads to void out the running game.

[CrossBones]

I don't see us with only two linebackedrs for very long if at all. Initially in the first days of training camp, maybe. That's what they know right now. I see Howard, Morrision and Clark (maybe Sam "I Am" with Clark hitting the pine). I'd love to see Morrison move to the middle where I think he is better suited. But then small baby steps might be the better idea at this point. In the end I see a more traditional 4-3 with Huff at SS and Stu at FS. With Aso and Fabs (my favorite Raider on the squad) manning the corners and three of linebackers I mentioned above I think we have some potential. How that "P" translates to Sunday afternoons is another matter.