Defense!

[cheapshotartist]

As everyone already knows our run defense and defense in general has been one of our major weakness for several seasons now. Former DC Rob Ryan caught a lot of grief from the Raider Nation over "his" defense. Was this his defense or was a taking orders from Al as was suggested by our former head coach? Now don't turn this into a f*** Kiffin thread. LOL. Will our new DC improve our run defense? Will he use the blitz more? Will we still play man? What about all the dead weight and over paid stiffs? If I were calling the shots these defensive players would not be starting.

Kelly
Burgess
Morrison
Howard
Richardson
Huff
Eugene

Why would I replace these players? They don't make plays! Morrison and Howard get a INT every now and then but when teams run the ball they get man handled and run over or if they find the ball carrier they miss the tackle. Kelly was not even drafted yet Al paid his azz how many millions? What has he done to earn this money? What has Richardson done to be our starting DE? Burgess can only pass rush and teams know this so they double team his azz and he disappears. Huff is Huff and Eugene would be a back up on any team but ours. I would show Sands big outta shape fat no playing weak azz the nearest door with IR Sam Williams right behind his azz. In order to have a good defense you need good players. Players who can tackle! Who in their right mind would draft defensive players who can't tackle? I mean the most important thing for a defensive player to do is tackle the man with the ball. Yet year after year our defense can't tackle. Al needs to stop drafting big mofos who are weak and can't play. Being big don't mean sh!t if you play with a little heart. Stop drafting fast DB's who can't cover and stop drafting Safety's who can't hit or cover. Defense wins championships and until we address or weak azz front seven we will continue to be bottom feeders in the AFC West. Thoughts?
:csa:

[GenRaider]

Marshall, from what I know of him as a DC in Seattle, Carolina, and SF does like to blitz. But make no mistake about it, our corners will be stuck on an island, playing more man or bump and run coverage which is not necessairly a bad thing considering how we stink in zone defense.

But we do need to improve the play of our front seven in one way or another. Whether we run blitz or do different things which stops the run is debatable.

We need to start to stockpile players from round 2-7 on defense (assuming we go in a different direction in round 1). There are some prospects at DE, DT, and LB in the draft.

Here are some of the top players from Mike Lombardi's blog site... This list comes from a couple of scouts:

(Late 1st/Early Second)

DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (6-7, 260)

DE Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 287)

DE Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 295)

DT Evander Hood, Missouri (6-3, 295)

DT Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1, 295)

OLB Connor Barwin, Cincinnati (6-4, 255)

OLB Brian Cushing, USC (6-4, 243)

ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (6-2, 240)

CB Darius Butler, Connecticut (5-11, 187)

CB Vontae Davis, Illinois (6-0, 205)

CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt (5-10, 184)

(Second Round Caliber)

DE David Veikune, Hawaii (6-2, 255)

DT Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 326)

OLB Larry English, Northern Illinois (6-2, 254)

CB Asher Allen, Georgia (5-10, 198)

CB Coye Francies, San Jose State (6-0 179)

FS Louis Delmas, Western Michigan (6-0, 196)

SS William Moore, Missouri (6-1, 226)

SS Patrick Chung, Oregon (5-11, 210)

(Late Second/ Third round)

DE Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond (6-3, 267)

DE Paul Kruger, Utah (6-5, 265)

DT Mitch King, Iowa (6-2, 275)

DT Fili Moala, USC (6-5, 305)

OLB Clint Sintim, Virginia (6-3, 249)

CB Jairus Byrd, Oregon (6-0 200)

FS Sherrod Martin, Troy (6-1, 193)

SS Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest (6-2, 214)

(Third Round Caliber)

DT Dorell Scott, Clemson (6-3, 310)

DT Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 295)

DT Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU (6-3, 290)

OLB Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida (6-2, 235)

OLB Marcus Freeman, Ohio State (6-1, 238)

ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh (6-1, 240)

CB Victor Harris, Virginia Tech (5-11, 195)

CB Kevin Barnes, Maryland (6-0, 189)

FS Rashad Johnson, Alabama (6-0, 190)

(Third-Round/Fourth-Round Caliber)

DT Corvey Irvin, Georgia (6-3, 289)

OLB Zack Follett, California (6-2, 238)

ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic (6-2, 243)

ILB Darry Beckwith, LSU (6-1, 235)

CB Christopher Owens, San Jose State (5-10, 181)

CB Mike Mickens, Cincinnati (5-11, 184)

FS Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (5-10, 195)

FS Darcel McBath, Texas Tech (6-1, 198)

((Fourth-Round Caliber)

DE Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa (6-6, 305)

DE Kyle Moore, USC (6-5, 272)

DT Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (6-4, 331)

DT Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-2, 295)

OLB Nic Harris, Oklahoma (6-3, 233)

OLB Victor Butler, Oregon State (6-2 241)

OLB Cody Brown, Connecticut (6-2, 242)

ILB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina (6-2, 265)

ILB Gerald McRath, Southern Miss (6-3, 220)

CB Keenan Lewis, Oregon State (6-1, 208)

CB Joe Burnett, Central Florida (5-10, 192)

CB Cary Harris, USC (6-0, 187)

FS Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati (6-1, 192)

FS David Bruton, Notre Dame (6-2, 210)

SS Emanuel Cook, South Carolina (5-10, 205)

(Impact Late-Round Caliber)

DE Phillip Hunt, Houston (6-1, 261)

DE Zach Potter, Nebraska (6-7, 279)

DT Myron Pryor, Kentucky (6-0, 310)

DT Roy Miller, Texas (6-1, 310)

OLB Lee Robinson, Alcorn State (6-2, 249)

SS Courtney Greene, Rutgers, (6-1, 211)


http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/03/nfp-draft-value-chart/

[cheapshotartist]

Outstanding list Son I'd be happy to get any of these players because the ones we have now are not getting the job done. I'd clean hose on defense and start from square one.
:csa:

[Gridiron PIRATE]

It's crazy how we haven't been able to stop the run with any consistency for quite some time. That's my biggest gripe. In a (what used to be) run heavy division, we haven't done shit but ride it out with losing seasons. Very disappointing.

I have been down on the scheme (let's see if it changes with a new DC), and as much as i like the players, they allowed the scheme to fail. Do they suck? Well, it's 50/50 with us trying to put players who don't belong into places they shouldn't be.

This is bubble year for 90% of our defensive roster for sure.

[yayarea_raider]

What they need to do on defense is round up everybody and say something like this:

"Listen all you overpaid f*ckin pieces of donkey poo...You are ALL competing for a starting job. The run defense here has been awful and so HAVE YOU Sands! You're going to play better or you're going to sit. No b!tchin, no moanin...no buts.

"I don't care if you feel uneasy or if you have an injury. Just remember that there are other ppl here that want your job and they'll have every opportunity to get it. As of now I only see about four starters on this defense. That's atrocious, especially with two of them being corners.

"You all just need to man up and play."


something like that. I really hope no one is handed starting jobs on defense besides those that are the starters (Kelly, Aso, CJ, Howard)

[cheapshotartist]

It's crazy how we haven't been able to stop the run with any consistency for quite some time. That's my biggest gripe. In a (what used to be) run heavy division, we haven't done shit but ride it out with losing seasons. Very disappointing.

I have been down on the scheme (let's see if it changes with a new DC), and as much as i like the players, they allowed the scheme to fail. Do they suck? Well, it's 50/50 with us trying to put players who don't belong into places they shouldn't be.

This is bubble year for 90% of our defensive roster for sure.

I agree we need a new scheme and some new players with some heart and drive. Our defense use to be feared now teams are glad to play us because they already know what our defense will be doing.
:csa:

[cheapshotartist]

What they need to do on defense is round up everybody and say something like this:

"Listen all you overpaid f*ckin pieces of donkey poo...You are ALL competing for a starting job. The run defense here has been awful and so HAVE YOU Sands! You're going to play better or you're going to sit. No b!tchin, no moanin...no buts.

"I don't care if you feel uneasy or if you have an injury. Just remember that there are other ppl here that want your job and they'll have every opportunity to get it. As of now I only see about four starters on this defense. That's atrocious, especially with two of them being corners.

"You all just need to man up and play."


something like that. I really hope no one is handed starting jobs on defense besides those that are the starters (Kelly, Aso, CJ, Howard)

I hear you Yay its time for these #@!~$%^ to step up or ship out no more free rides. If your azz can't play your azz will be on the streets. F*** how much money your making If a fifth round draft choice is making plays and a 1st rounder ain't guess who gets to start.
:csa:

[yayarea_raider]

I hear you Yay its time for these #@!~$%^ to step up or ship out no more free rides. If your azz can't play your azz will be on the streets. F*** how much money your making If a fifth round draft choice is making plays and a 1st rounder ain't guess who gets to start.
:csa:

:roc:

[GenRaider]

I would love to add either the San Jose State DE (Gilbert) or Richmond's DE (Sidsbury) in round two. If neither one of those two are available, I would trade later down in round two or out of the round and pick back up my 5th and 6th that I lost. Then I would target the Clemson DT (the kid is a player, he just so happen to play on a terrible team wit an inconsistent offense) or the PITT LB.

[Boom]

If we had a dominating force up the middle our linebackes would actually look good. We should draft a DT in the second round, I like how Moala plays, but I question his motor from time to time. he takes plays out at times and just gets lazy, but when his motor is on, he's a strong force. I'd still take ron Brace though if he's available in the second round.

[or24]

I could make a case for 9 or even possibly 10 starting players on our defense that they shouldnt be starting. That's pathetic. Even saying that I personally believe our defense can be better than what we've been watching in recent years. Just look at the Bills game where we contained Marshawn and Edwards was on his back all game, or the 1st KC game where our defense was living in their backfield, or even the Sd game where we shut down LT until the 4th qtr and even sands was plying good lol. When we played those games I saw mistakes by D. Burgess, R. Brown, J. Richardson, S. Routt, D. Hall, and K. Morrison. Everyone else seemed to do their part. Getting after the qb, making solid tackles, and doing a good job in coverage.

[Miklo]

Defense centers around pressure. Pressure leads to picks. Whether we are rushing 4, blitzing, or whatever, we need to get people in here who can clog up the middle and get after the QB. I'm starting to get sick of this finesse defense, we should really opt for a mix of smashmouth/speed. Right now we have nothing but speed, which is why we get pushed around in the run game. I'd like to see a WR, maybe an OT in the draft, and the rest defense. I hope Cable and Co. support competition and nobody gets an automatic starting job.

[cheapshotartist]

Defense centers around pressure. Pressure leads to picks. Whether we are rushing 4, blitzing, or whatever, we need to get people in here who can clog up the middle and get after the QB. I'm starting to get sick of this finesse defense, we should really opt for a mix of smashmouth/speed. Right now we have nothing but speed, which is why we get pushed around in the run game. I'd like to see a WR, maybe an OT in the draft, and the rest defense. I hope Cable and Co. support competition and nobody gets an automatic starting job.

Defense is all about being physical and hitting people. Speed don't mean sh!t if you hit like a b!tch when you get there. A good defensive line puts pressure on the offense and allows your LB's to cover their gaps and/or blitz. We need to start drafting hard nosed defensive players with the ability to knock a mofo out.
:csa:

[cheapshotartist]

If we had a dominating force up the middle our linebackes would actually look good. We should draft a DT in the second round, I like how Moala plays, but I question his motor from time to time. he takes plays out at times and just gets lazy, but when his motor is on, he's a strong force. I'd still take ron Brace though if he's available in the second round.

Very true Boom but we keep getting these "fast" defensive linemen. You don't need to be fast to play on the DL you need quickness and strenth. We need a couple of big hard to move tuff azz defensive tackles.
:csa:

[dirt williams]

I hear ya CSA.

Every position on the D needs an upgrade except for Aso.

I'd like to see Al start in the middle of the front 7 w/ Raji or Brace & Maualuga or Laurianitis.

So many holes.

Need DE & SS that are solid against the run also....

E. Brown or Maybin?

Vaughn or Bruton?

Besides picking up another WR, I'd like to see Al concentrate on the D this year.

[cheapshotartist]

I hear ya CSA.

Every position on the D needs an upgrade except for Aso.

I'd like to see Al start in the middle of the front 7 w/ Raji or Brace & Maualuga or Laurianitis.

So many holes.

Need DE & SS that are solid against the run also....

E. Brown or Maybin?

Vaughn or Bruton?

Besides picking up another WR, I'd like to see Al concentrate on the D this year.

I agree with everything you said dirt Al needs to get bizzey. :csa:

[GenRaider]

Defense centers around pressure. Pressure leads to picks. Whether we are rushing 4, blitzing, or whatever, we need to get people in here who can clog up the middle and get after the QB. I'm starting to get sick of this finesse defense, we should really opt for a mix of smashmouth/speed. Right now we have nothing but speed, which is why we get pushed around in the run game. I'd like to see a WR, maybe an OT in the draft, and the rest defense. I hope Cable and Co. support competition and nobody gets an automatic starting job.

Go defense in rounds 2,3 and 4..

[el boracho]

Go defense in rounds 2,3 and 4..
I would even go D in the first if crab isn't there.

[GenRaider]

I would even go D in the first if crab isn't there.

If Crab is not available trade down. After you trade down, draft Percy HARVIN and the BEST DE on the board.

[el boracho]

If Crab is not available trade down. After you trade down, draft Percy HARVIN and the BEST DE on the board.

That would make to much sense...There's no way Al would do that...

[silver & black]

Defense is all about being physical and hitting people. Speed don't mean sh!t if you hit like a b!tch when you get there. A good defensive line puts pressure on the offense and allows your LB's to cover their gaps and/or blitz. We need to start drafting hard nosed defensive players with the ability to knock a mofo out.
:csa:

:beer:

[GenRaider]

That would make to much sense...There's no way Al would do that...

AL needs to hire me to run the draft for him.

[Nacho Vidal]

I have to admit some of the players listed should not be starting. But to say that Thomas Howard should not be starting???? Who would u start in his place? I know Morrison misses tackles and has a hard time shedding blocks, but who would u start in his place? Another reason these linebackers are not being successful is because the offensive lineman are getting to the second level of the defense. Sands does not get doubled and neither does Warren or Kelly. Its crazy. We need a DT who could take up multiple blockers. Someone like Haynesworth or the Williams bros from Minnesota. It would free up the other players on the line. The talent is just not there on the defensive side of the ball. :619:

[Nacho Vidal]

Even is Crab is there at #7 I would try to trade down with a team like Philly who have 2 first rounders. I believe they have #21 and #28. I would also ask for a 3rd or 4th rounder. We need more players on defense. An outside linebacker, Safety, DT, DE would be nice. I would draft all defense. We have playmakers on offense-except a go to receiver. Pick up a veteran like Holt or Harrison for a one year deal and work with what u got. Next season either get a big time receiver in free agency or pick one up in the draft. :619:

[GenRaider]

Player Profile: DE Paul Kruger, Utah

Feb 03 2009, 03:25 PM
Articles_top
Kruger_homepage

Articles_bottom

Contributed by: Ryan Brooks

Attributes
6’5”, 265 lbs.; 4.70 (40)

Strengths
Kruger has good size for the position and he gets of the ball very quickly. He has outstanding pass rush skills with the spin working best for him. He sheds tackles well and uses his long arms to make plays. His motor runs on high and he was a big part of the recent success by Utah. He plays very hard and his work ethic will not be a question.

Weaknesses
He was on a church mission so he only played two years at Utah, so he will need experience. Kruger is a pass rusher and hasn’t been asked to cover much, so a transition to a 3-4 scheme could be tough on him. He could be a tweener if he doesn’t develop more size, but that isn’t likely and he will more than likely end up on a 4-3 scheme team.

NFL Comparison: Paul Spicer

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Career Stats
26 games played; 124 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks

Honors:
2008: All MWC First Team

http://fantasyfootball.com/article/Player-Profile-DE-Paul-Kruger-Utah/32394

[Boom]

I have to admit some of the players listed should not be starting. But to say that Thomas Howard should not be starting???? Who would u start in his place? I know Morrison misses tackles and has a hard time shedding blocks, but who would u start in his place? Another reason these linebackers are not being successful is because the offensive lineman are getting to the second level of the defense. Sands does not get doubled and neither does Warren or Kelly. Its crazy. We need a DT who could take up multiple blockers. Someone like Haynesworth or the Williams bros from Minnesota. It would free up the other players on the line. The talent is just not there on the defensive side of the ball. :619:

Good post Vidal... That's the reason they are starting, they're the best in their positions at the current moment.

[el boracho]

I have to admit some of the players listed should not be starting. But to say that Thomas Howard should not be starting???? Who would u start in his place? I know Morrison misses tackles and has a hard time shedding blocks, but who would u start in his place? Another reason these linebackers are not being successful is because the offensive lineman are getting to the second level of the defense. Sands does not get doubled and neither does Warren or Kelly. Its crazy. We need a DT who could take up multiple blockers. Someone like Haynesworth or the Williams bros from Minnesota. It would free up the other players on the line. The talent is just not there on the defensive side of the ball. :619:

thats what im talking about Vidal....Our Defensive line is straight garbage...I will always remember when Ray Lewis was upset with Baltimore management because he wanted a dam defensive tackle....Same shxt here in Oak.....We have no dam defensive line whatsoever....Doesnt matter who you have at linebacker your not going to stop the run .....We need some good DTs and DE period.....im all for drafting all defense in this draft...

[cheapshotartist]

Good post Vidal... That's the reason they are starting, they're the best in their positions at the current moment.

Word! :csa:

[Nacho Vidal]

El Boracho your right....Ray Lewis was upset about the same problem we had with our defense and what did Baltimore do.....They listened and picked Ngata and now they have one of the leagues best run defenses in football. Its too bad Al Davis only listens to himself. Maybe we will use our picks on all the fastest guys in the draft. We have needed a good run stuffing DT for ever, and every year what do we get the fastest cornerback in the draft. Thanks Fabin Washington, Michael Huff, and Stanford Routt for stopping the run. We really appreciate the contributions you have all made to ranking us at bottom of the league in run defense. When is AL going to learn this is the greatest priority every year. If he does not address this we are never going to win the AFC west. Every year Kansas City, San Diego, and Denver run the ball down our throats and AL does not seem to care. Would not be surprised if we did not draft a DT in this years draft.:619:

[JRaider17]

Defense has really been a problem for years. Aso is great and we have him for another 2 years, lets not waste them and not fix the line!

[or24]

I have to admit some of the players listed should not be starting. But to say that Thomas Howard should not be starting???? Who would u start in his place? I know Morrison misses tackles and has a hard time shedding blocks, but who would u start in his place? Another reason these linebackers are not being successful is because the offensive lineman are getting to the second level of the defense. Sands does not get doubled and neither does Warren or Kelly. Its crazy. We need a DT who could take up multiple blockers. Someone like Haynesworth or the Williams bros from Minnesota. It would free up the other players on the line. The talent is just not there on the defensive side of the ball. :619:
Maybe the PRODUCTION or RESULTS arent there but the talent is. And our tackles do get doubled. but often they are knocked back several yards giving RB's free lanes and QB's all day to throw. I'm not denying we need a NT though. A good one...


Good post Vidal... That's the reason they are starting, they're the best in their positions at the current moment.
Have to disagree with you. Our coaches dont know who to start. They cannot evaluate talent. Thats why guys like R. Baker, C. Johnson, T. Branch, C. Schilens, etc have been rotting on the bench.

Sam Williams started for the longest time. How can you justify that move? There can be hidden gems on theis roster we dont even know about. I saw better play from Jon Alston than I did R. Brown but who started opening day?

They dont consider these positions of weakness a priority, maybe it has something to do with the fans overhying their own players. They feel they can get away with it if the fans are ok with it...