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Countdown to the 3-4
By Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Saturday, August 19, 2006
NAPA -- There might be some confusion, but the Raiders would rather face it now.
Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers will be the first time Oakland will face a 3-4 defense until it plays San Diego in the Sept. 11 season opener.
With Pittsburgh, Cleveland, the New York Jets and the 49ers also on the regular-season schedule, the Raiders had better be competent against the 3-4, in which there are three linemen and four linebackers.
The Raiders have been preparing for the Chargers for a while, so Oakland will have an opportunity to test some things against the 49ers' 3-4.
"We started (preparing for) that way in the offseason," coach Art Shell said. "We've talked about things, we've done some things, we've worked on some things."
The 3-4, which allows teams to blitz from all angles, could be troublesome for offenses accustomed to facing 4-3 defenses.
"It's mainly about confusion and hesitation to get (the defense) an edge," right tackle Langston Walker said. "That's the whole point, confusion, because most offensive lines aren't used to it."
That's why the Raiders mind an early glimpse of the 3-4. Much of their success this season will hinge on the offensive line becoming comfortable against that defense.
"It changes a lot of rules for the offensive line," Walker said. "We're going to see it a few times. It's good to see it now."
Though an extra linebacker and three linemen might not seem like a big change, the 3-4 makes the offense guess from where extra defenders may come.
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning has dominated the NFL by understanding defenses and picking them apart. But in Manning's recent playoff failures, he's run into the 3-4 defenses of the Patriots and the Steelers. San Diego also has been successful against the Colts' offense.
The Raiders know the 3-4 can be tricky but are more concerned with getting the basics down.
"You just have to switch your brain a little bit," center Jake Grove said. "It's a little different angles, a little different blocking."
Oakland debut
Shell was fired after the Raiders' final season in Los Angeles, so Sunday's game will be his first in Oakland as a Raiders head coach.
Shell was the offensive line coach for Kansas City from 1995 to 1996 and for Atlanta from 1997 to 2000, and he visited Oakland with both teams.
Shell admitted it will be special to coach at McAfee Coliseum.
"The fans kind of intimidate people sometimes," Shell said. "But we have to go out and play well to give our fans something to cheer about."
By Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Saturday, August 19, 2006
NAPA -- There might be some confusion, but the Raiders would rather face it now.
Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers will be the first time Oakland will face a 3-4 defense until it plays San Diego in the Sept. 11 season opener.
With Pittsburgh, Cleveland, the New York Jets and the 49ers also on the regular-season schedule, the Raiders had better be competent against the 3-4, in which there are three linemen and four linebackers.
The Raiders have been preparing for the Chargers for a while, so Oakland will have an opportunity to test some things against the 49ers' 3-4.
"We started (preparing for) that way in the offseason," coach Art Shell said. "We've talked about things, we've done some things, we've worked on some things."
The 3-4, which allows teams to blitz from all angles, could be troublesome for offenses accustomed to facing 4-3 defenses.
"It's mainly about confusion and hesitation to get (the defense) an edge," right tackle Langston Walker said. "That's the whole point, confusion, because most offensive lines aren't used to it."
That's why the Raiders mind an early glimpse of the 3-4. Much of their success this season will hinge on the offensive line becoming comfortable against that defense.
"It changes a lot of rules for the offensive line," Walker said. "We're going to see it a few times. It's good to see it now."
Though an extra linebacker and three linemen might not seem like a big change, the 3-4 makes the offense guess from where extra defenders may come.
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning has dominated the NFL by understanding defenses and picking them apart. But in Manning's recent playoff failures, he's run into the 3-4 defenses of the Patriots and the Steelers. San Diego also has been successful against the Colts' offense.
The Raiders know the 3-4 can be tricky but are more concerned with getting the basics down.
"You just have to switch your brain a little bit," center Jake Grove said. "It's a little different angles, a little different blocking."
Oakland debut
Shell was fired after the Raiders' final season in Los Angeles, so Sunday's game will be his first in Oakland as a Raiders head coach.
Shell was the offensive line coach for Kansas City from 1995 to 1996 and for Atlanta from 1997 to 2000, and he visited Oakland with both teams.
Shell admitted it will be special to coach at McAfee Coliseum.
"The fans kind of intimidate people sometimes," Shell said. "But we have to go out and play well to give our fans something to cheer about."