Raider Denfense - What's up?

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RaiderIVlife

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I'm practically beside myself with how poorly this unit is playing. As bad as the FS & backup CB's have been, the real culprit has been this defensive line.

Fuck Quinten Moses. He's totally irrelavent IMO. Warren Sapp & Derrick Burgess haven't done squat, Tommy Kelly has been largely invisible and is already rotating in at DT as much as RDE. Turdell Sands has had very little impact, etc. etc. etc.

The best lineman IMO have been Gerrard Warren & Jay Richardson (though you tape demons might disprove this theory).

Solution?

It might sound crazy, but I'm tempted to throw in a heatlhy dose of 3/4 Defense. :D Seriously.

I think a front consisting of Sands/Warren, Kelly & Richardson with Sam Williams, Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard & Derrick Burgess (split with Clemons) rushing the passer from different angles might be the way to go IMHO.

I think Richardson, strangely, could be the key ingredient. Go figure.

This also means that I'm comfortable with limiting Warren Sapp to limited downs when we switch to 4/3.

I really want to see guys like Sam Williams & Thomas Howard getting after the QB. Morrison and our DB's will pick the fruit when they generate some pressure.

Fire Away.
 
I agree that the lack of a pass rush is making our pass D look very pedestrian... but sacks sometimes come in waves... I'll give it to the bye week before I throw the towel in on Burgess, Sapp, and Kelly.

I think the LBs (especially Morrison) have been equally poor in stopping the run. I'm seeing a lot of overpursuing and poor angles. As much as I want to blast Stu... if the LBs do their job, the RB should never make it that far into our secondary... On a side note, props to Huff for his best game as a pro on Sunday. Hopefully he turned the corner on Sunday.
 
We've tackled poorly, but I think that is more due to the poor angles (overpursuit as you say).

Travis Henry worked us pretty good this Past Sunday.

I'm curious to see how we deal the more straightline and physical RB in Clevelend......
 
RaiderIVlife said:
We've tackled poorly, but I think that is more due to the poor angles (overpursuit as you say).

Travis Henry worked us pretty good this Past Sunday.

I'm curious to see how we deal the more straightline and physical RB in Clevelend......
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Exactly.

We're arm tackling and we need to stop. Jamal Lewis was a beast against Cincy. I'm not looking forward to facing off against the Browns after that performance last week. They really turned it around. I hope our defense nuts up. They need to put up this weekend.
 
Slow Start

Let's not forget that we started out worse in our first 2 games last year. Offensively speaking, Lions and Broncos 2007 = Chargers, Ravens 2006.
In 2006 we gave up 55 points and and 568 yards in our first two games and recorded 2 sacks and one INT.
In 2007 we have given up 56 points and an atrocious 837 yards in our first two games but have also recorded 4 sacks and 4 INTs.

If I could put my finger on one element of the 2006 D that impressed me was that they didn't give up a ot of points over the course of the year. Bend don't break so to speak. They kept a lot of scoring drives to FG attempts and that more than anything kept the Raiders in games.

But the O in 2007 has been forcing teams to try and score more in the second half by putting up points. The D came around last year and I think it will again.
 
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I don't fault Burgess and Sapp so much since teams have been doubling them pretty consistently... Matter of fact, Sapp's more or less been doing what is asked of him, which is shoot the gap, but he just hasn't been able to close some sacks... I'd like to see us line up Burgess two or three yards wider than he currently does since Sam Williams has enough size to play head up across the RT... At the very least, this forces the Rt to really move his feet, takes the angle away from a RB chip and opens up some blitz lanes...


I've found the game plans really lacking myself... We just faced a young QB and basically sat back in our base defense on run downs and went to to the nickle packages on passing downs... I guess the assumtion is that our front four can beat their front six on a regular basis... I know that's long been an Al Davis theory, but if it were applicable to today's NFL, teams with superior fronts like the Ravens and Bears wouldn't be sending an extra body or two on just about every down... I was thinking Ryan was going to install more of the 46 defense, but all I've seen so far is some pedestrian zone blitz looks...

We need to change things up and create pressure from different angles by stunting the D-linemen and blitzing..... For whatever reasons, we've become primarily a read and react defense and it shows with all the missed tackles... When you see that many missed tackles, it's a pretty good sign that your guys are out of position because of late reads... and I really don't like that we're setting Scwheigert as the force player so often... That's swell to do when you're setting up a sure tackling Brian Dawkins, not so much with our guy... I understand the theory of having the OLB's have edge-in responsibilities against a cut back running scheme, but we're kind of setting a dive tackler like Scwheig up to fail there IMO...

Right now I'd assign the coaches game plans 70% blame with players carrying 30%... As fast as we are in the back 7, there's really no excuse to not take more chances with blitzes, and that includes more run blitzes... Play cover two with the safeties, press man with the corners and blitz the crap out of the QB...

It's funny that the 34 defense gets mentioned because I remember reading a draft profile that said quite a few teams projected Jay Richardson as a 34 OLB... The Adalius Thomas effect if you will... may be time to pick your bro's brain a little Rob...
 
SoCalRaider said:
...........As much as I want to blast Stu... if the LBs do their job, the RB should never make it that far into our secondary... On a side note, props to Huff for his best game as a pro on Sunday. Hopefully he turned the corner on Sunday.
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I think we are working on getting better.....but we all know we aren't getting the pass rush we are used to. I think that will get better.
It's sad to say but Warren has been one of the best linemen we have had this year.
The linebackers are playing ok. Howard is looking stellar and Morrison is solid. I am still waiting on SAM to make that step forward. I am starting to wonder if he is gonna be starting here next year. I am not happy with the DB in general. The corners haven't played that well from Aso on down. We need to play more press and let Nnamdi check these recievers at the line and press the shit out of them. This give the line more time to rush and lets our wr's do what they do best (man to man).
We all know Huff hasn't shown much but played better last game. Stu blow goat in the last game and if he plays like that again. He needs pulled.
Then again lets not start handing out award to Huff for one good game, he needs to turn that corner and he better do it now.

I still believe in this coaching staff both Kiffin and Ryan, Kiffin has brought something to this team I haven't seen from this team for some time. We all know from the last few years Ryan is a good coach and these first few games looks like he is trying to hard.

I have to give them the benefit of the doubt right now it's early and as bad as we were last year and the year before....so on and so on. I see some life here that I can get used to for some time. I truly believe this team we have here will turn the corner and make this franchise great again........

...........and if you listen closely I think the autumn wind was playing in the background while I pontificated......;)
 
actually I'm fine with Aso. I'm a little concerned with Fabs. Huff is improving but still needs a few more steps up. Its Schweig and most of the backup DBs that I'm disappointed in. Routt has good coverage most of the time but when he blows a play he does it well. Carr is a better zone guy then man... but the only one on our team. Starks... hasnt been good. And Eugene sucks big donkey nuts.
 
Frankly I just don't think the defense was as good as advertised last year. I've said that many times and now it's becoming reality. We have issues at safety, DT and DE -- nothing new. Opposing offenses are attacking us differently and more intently with the pass this year since we are scoring more and they have to. So now the defense is being exposed some. Not a surprise at all to me.
 
Raiders | K. Morrison tied for first in takeaways
Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:13:23 -0700

Brad Kuhbander, of KCChiefs.com, reports Oakland Raiders LB Kirk Morrison is tied for first in takeaways with two interceptions.
 
I'm with hb... it's primarily the fault of the game-planning the last 2 weeks and not the players. What's baffling to me is the lack of game adjustments. It was clear by the start of the 2nd quarter vs. Detroit that we couldn't generate a pass rush with just 4. But it was as if calling a blitz was illegal or something judging by how much blitzing we actually tried to do.

Somewhat the same formula vs. the Broncos. Line up 4, see what we have. Got stuffed? Okay, let's do it again. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

I'd like to see more blitzes from Howard and Williams from the edges with the occasional Huff blitz between the RT & RG gap so Sapp gets singled up.

Our defense's ego is a little over-inflated and they've been reading too many of their own press clippings. You can see the arrogance in the game plan with the assumption that our 11 are going to whip your 11 100% of the time, straight up. There's been very little in the way of creative game planning. It's basically been man coverage with a straight 4-man rush. Hell, it's so vanilla that I've only seen 4 DE/DT stunts so far all year.

Ryan needs to tuck his dick back in his pants and start using his brain to come up with something creative.
 
Raider Nation said:
Our defense's ego is a little over-inflated and they've been reading too many of their own press clippings. You can see the arrogance in the game plan with the assumption that our 11 are going to whip your 11 100% of the time, straight up. There's been very little in the way of creative game planning. It's basically been man coverage with a straight 4-man rush. Hell, it's so vanilla that I've only seen 4 DE/DT stunts so far all year.
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And as I and others have said we're trying to do the same things this year that we did last year but it isn't working because teams are being more aggressive in the passing game because the games are in doubt longer. So our deficiencies are being exploited and the lack of adjustments to this is killing us. Because of the lack of pressure on the QB you can't expect our corners to cover NFL wideouts that long. Sooner or later there has to be a breakdown. I'm not even talking about sacks but it's the complete lack of pressure that is killing us.

It's up to Rob ryan to change that and it better start Sunday against Cleveland. Let's not let this backup look like the next coming of John Elway -- please.

See sig.
 
If we had more of a pass rush I think Ryan would be able to play more underneath coverage, which we desperately need.
 
Look, in a perfect world, you generate pressure with your front 4 and it allows you to do so much more on the back end.

The problem is that we aren't getting pressure. At all. I'm hopefull to see what Clemons, Richardson & Warren can do with increased reps.....

If not, we really must start sending Williams, Howard & Huff more regularly.

My guess is that Ryan & the Raiders realize this and if the front 4 can't generate pressure by late in the 1st QTR, we'll opt for more blitzing.

I still say we'll see a scheme sans blitzing to open the game, because again, that is the ideal scenario for any DC.
 
BTW, I'm not sure I like our matchup of Fabian Washington against etiher Braylon Edwards or Joe Jueravicous (spelling?) - I think could be too big/physical for Washington.....
 
Article on Burgess and I hate to say it but it is kind of right!!!!


Prior to Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, Oakland Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess, then a Philadelphia Eagle, wrote a first-hand account of what he believed was the most important aspect of any football game.

"Pressuring the quarterback," the Lake City, S.C., native wrote. "I think that's the key to any game. [The] two keys are stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback."

That was nearly three years ago, when Burgess, then 26, was coming off two consecutive injury-filled seasons and was nothing but a rotational end on Philadelphia's championship-caliber defense.

Needless to say, he was a rather modest player back then.

The third-round pick wanted nothing more than to stay healthy and for an NFL ball club to recognize that, when at full strength, he can be a top-tier defensive end in the league.

That postseason, on the road to Super Bowl XXXIX, Burgess made that fact known. The 260-pounder registered a team-leading three sacks in just three playoff outings, including the team's only sack in their 24-21 Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots.

Apparently, Raiders owner Al Davis was watching all along.

Just over a month after the Eagles' heartbreaking defeat, Davis signed Burgess to a five-year, $17.5 million contract to join his team.

"I'm ecstatic and proud to have the opportunity to wear the silver and black," Burgess said after being signed. "I'm joining a quality organization in the Raiders with a great tradition and history."

Burgess, indeed, had plenty to be excited about. The contract he had just signed was a rather hefty one, particularly for a player who had missed 35 games to injury over just a four-season span.

It's safe to say, Davis' risky investment paid off.

Burgess, in his first two years with Oakland, registered 107 tackles and 27 sacks, earning 2005 and '06 Pro Bowl bids along the way.

However, he also earned a slightly bigger ego with each sack he registered and each trip to Honolulu he was rewarded.

As a result, during this past offseason, No. 56 felt it was in his best interest to temporarily hold out from all Raiders' affairs in an attempt to earn himself an even bigger contract. The 29-year-old skipped minicamp and all voluntary practices and workouts leading up to the team's mandatory training camp in late July.

Burgess, along with his agent, felt the contract he was given in 2005 was not representative of the NFL-leading 27 sacks he recorded over two seasons.

At the rate he's at this year, though, the ex-Mississippi standout will have nothing to worry about next offseason. There'll certainly be no need to hold out.

Through the first two weeks of the season, Burgess has tallied just one solo tackle and no sacks. This season's start is a far cry from his league-leading '05 campaign, when he averaged one sack each game.

Even worse for the Raiders is the ripple effect stemming from Burgess' poor play at his end spot. Two weeks in, not one of the team's four starting defensive linemen has registered a single sack and none has 10-plus tackles. Only Burgess' backup, Chris Clemons, and reserve DT Gerard Warren have broke from the defensive line to register sacks.

For a player who felt it necessary to skip out on voluntary workouts in the offseason, Burgess is on a short leash in the eyes of many Raider fans. Already this season, the seven-year veteran has suffered an injured to his calf, and has missed several practices, despite missing zero games to injury the previous two seasons.

At this point, one can only hope Burgess still believes what he did in 2005, when no other owner but Al Davis felt he was worth a big-money contract.

That is, getting to the quarterback is worth a lot more than getting a few extra bucks.

• Anthony Carroll, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
 
Good article. I'm not ready to criticize Burgess, far from it, and my desire to play some 3/4 and rotate him is to complete him "fresh" and reduce the chance for injury, that's all.
 
I dont see the need to dump on Burgess yet. He got off to a slow start but he has been doubled and we dont blitz the QB to help him at all. The guy has been nails for us two seasons in a row. He hasnt even missed a game yet from this injury? This guys article speaks on behalf of Raider fans and he is way off base IMO. I appreciate Burgess and still fully support him. If he wants to re-do his contract, whatever everybody does that when they are underpaid, just like when teams cut guys who dont produce up to their contract. If Burg has a big game and makes 3 sacks like he did in the playoffs against Mike Vick, this guy should have to print this out and eat it. Im not about to start bitching about our pro-bowl DE! Who has more sacks than DB over the last 2 years....nobody.
 
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