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With the Oakland Raiders making moves to solidify their roster, they still have work to do complete their remodeling project. There are still several holes left that they need to address if they expect to fulfill Coach Tom Cable's goal of the playoff tournament.
The Raiders acquisitions from other teams have been almost exclusively on the offensive side of the ball. Of the offensive players, they have been offensive linemen and back -up quarterbacks. Those were two areas of need. However, the defense also needs to be addressed. If the defense is not addressed, 2009 is going to look quite similar to the last six seasons as far as the win/loss record goes. It takes a solid defense to win games, and the Raiders defense has not been solid for years, despite their overrating in 2006.
Priority one: Defensive tackle
The Raiders have been at the bottom of the NFL in run defense for years. The blame can be passed around from the safeties to Rob Ryan, Lane Kiffin, and Al Davis; However when it comes to stopping the run, the primary responsibility belongs to the defensive tackles. In the 4-3 system that the Raiders run, it is the job of the two defensive tackles to clog the running lanes so that opposing backs have to bounce it outside where the more athletic ends and linebackers can make the stop. However, third string running backs have done great impersonations of Emmett Smith as they have run right through the middle of the Raiders defensive line.
Until the Raiders address the defensive tackle situation, they are going to be in the bottom of the NFL against the run. With Tank Johnson now off the market, it is imperative that the Raiders take a defensive tackle with either of their first two picks.
The Raiders tried to fix their run defense by bringing in safety Gibril Wilson. He got a ton of tackles, but a safety fighting for the team lead in tackles in indicitive of a problem with the front line, and the Raiders still ended near the bottom against the run. They need to get a defensive tackle, or it will be yet another year of the Raider Nation watching second tier running backs rack up SportsCenter highlights against the Raiders.
Priority two: Defensive end
The Raiders thought they were putting together a dynamic tandem of cornerbacks when they acquired DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons to line up across from Nnamdi Asomugha. The thoughts of them shutting down offenses lasted until the opening game when Jay Cutler and Eddie Royal made Hall look like a rank amateur. Of course, Hall was gone by midseason and replaced by Chris Johnson, who truly does form a dynamic tandem with Aso. However, no matter how great the corners are, they cannot cover their man eternally and there needs to be pressure on the quarterbacks. The Raiders co-leaders in sacks in 07 had five each. That is unacceptable by any standard. Derrick Burgess should be back healthy, and is in a contract year so he may regain some of his Pro Bowl form, as he wants one more pay day. Rookie Trevor Scott showed flashes of being pass rush specialist, but the Raiders don't have that dominating every down defensive lineman that is part of Raider tradition.
Taking the top two priorities would create a dominating defensive line, which will dictate the game. Games are won and lost in the trenches, and the greatest secondary in the world would still have only limited success without a line that could dictate the game.
Priority three: Safety
With the surprise release of strong safety Gibril Wilson, the Raiders are left with a hole at the safety position. Michael Huff has been a disappointment, Hiram Eugene is a limited overachiever, and Tyvon Branch is an unproven young player. With their being a dearth of safety prospects in free agency, this will be addressed in the coming draft. The Raiders will likely use their third round pick on a safety such as Chip Vaughn or Patrick Chung. Al Davis loves his defensive backs too much to leave this hole unfilled.
Priority four: Strong Side Linebacker
The Raiders have been using stop-gaps at this position for several years. It is not considered a priority by the organization, because the SLB is the player who comes out in the nickle packages. Ricky Brown broke camp as the starter at that position, but went down to injury and was replaced by Jon Alston. Both Brown and Alston are primarily special teams players, but are better suited as rotational linebackers than starters.
Comments
If they go DT DE S in the first 3 rounds, I would not complain at all. Let the young WR pick up the slack this year or get one of the free agents still available to fill the 3rd spot.
Andre Smith @ #7, Brace @ DT in the 2nd and SS, either Vaughn or Chung in the 3rd. Possibly San Jose DE Gilbert in the 4th though this kid is a huge risk also.
The war is won in the trenches. The Raiders need dominant linemen to help JR and stop the run.
We also have a new staff on that side of the ball which I'm thinking can only help. It shouldn't be that hard to find base lineman. We are not talking about pass rushers here. You could move down, pick up Maualuga and Brace and an extra pick. Our run 'D' would be much better with just those two players. Warren and Kelly are decent rushers from the inside and with Burgess and Scott we are not bad on the outside. We need need base players, at least one DT and DE. If Morrison stays in the middle, the need becomes two base DT's and a DE. With Davis not ever trading down, I think we are looking at Crabtree or Raji. With the amont of OL we picked up in the off- season, I don't think we will go OL in round one, unless it's all a smokescreen. Anyway you look at it we need to hit on some players because we need some starters. We need them to come in and make a contribution.
Defensive end in the first, Brace in the 2nd, Vaughn or Chris Clemons in the third, Zach Follett in the 4th, if he's there. All would become immediate starters.
We have drafted runningbacks, qbs, tes, and receivers in our latest drafts so why not take care of the trenches now and be right back in the playoffs? That's my take.
We have made some additions to the O-line. You are correct, now it is time turn to the D, and the D-line in particular. This offseason is looking pretty good.
Dominant Big Men in the trenches. It made Kerry Collins look like Joe Namath.
Couldn't agree more! My heart goes out to Nick Adenhart who died 6 hours after pitching a shutout 6 innings against the A's last night. He was 21 or 22, and a top rookie prospect pitcher. He was expected to a have a big carer. This would be like Mcfadden dieing on us. He was struck by a hit and run drunk driver after the game who ran a red light. At least god let him live his dream last night by pitching in the majors for a shutout. My heart and prayers go out to the family. Sad day in Baseball
Cheerio, Patrick!!!
I think you've pretty much got a handle on things. I might switch priorities 2 and 4 though. I wouldnt mind seeing BJ Raji in the 1st Round. Also maybe Oakland goes Jarron Gilbert in the 2nd Round. There is a guy that is very similar to Tommy Kelly. He can be used at either DE or DT. That would be a nice pick for Oakland. Paul Kruger would as well. Not sure I like or want Brian Orakpo. Texas alum are...well how shall we say this....very good professional wise.
Ramses Barden in the 3rd round, Jarron Gilbert in the 2nd, and BJ Raji in the 1st would be an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING DRAFT!!! This would fill ALOT of our needs. SS in the 4th.
Well Cheers, Patrick!! Look into some of these names I've thrown out there. Very well could be Raiders on April 25th!!!
Cheers!!!
If Jasper Brinkely out of South Carolina is still available in the 4th round, I'd like to see the raiders pick him up. Would he not be a good fit for the strong side linebacker position. I know they gave that 2nd round tender to Ricky Brown, but come on, last time i checked one needed a little size to play the SLB
raider legend 1 reading my mind!!!! defence defence defence!!! the draft should be mainly defence! and yes it should be those exact names! just maybe not in that order but yes those names should be wearing raider gear monday night againts the boltz: bj raji - jarron gilbert - vaughn - ramses barton - & a hole stuffing crash dummy line backer who wants to make it in the nfl just so he can hit something! we already have good speed linbackers who can stay with pass catching tightends and backs, now we need nose bleeders!!(the john ritchie of linebackers). DEFENCE DEFENCE DEFENCE!
Jamon Meredith is coming to Oakland for a visit tomorrow. He is an offensive tackle that played on both sides. He is predicted to be a second round pick. Down side on him is that he had an ankle injury that dropped him. So with this news, i don't think Raiders are thinking Crabtree now. If so, it would be like Al Davis that wastes our first two picks on guys that are coming back off injuries.
just to throw another name in there how about sean smith who many people are projecting as a safety in the nfl. if smith is on the board for our 2nd round pick hes another name i wouldnt mind the raiders taking. He could develop into a big , fast ballhawking safety. with asomugha and johnson on corner lockdown and branch flying all over the secondary knocking helmets off our secondary would be feared (you know the way it was meant to be feared last year after signing Hall and moving huff to free safety) we still have to stop the run though and i think Raji is the man. imagine him and Kelly( who i thought was good last year considering surgery and the cosistency or lack of that he had beside him)lined up beside each other. the opponents line wont know who to double team. yeah agreed folks defense defense defense.(robiskie and mack are my offensive picks but thats just being greedy) In Al and cable we trust.
i have been looking at the raiders and trust me we are set on our O'line. Raji or maybin are a must 1st rd., jarron gilburt 2nd rd, if we must move up to get him do it, he is a beast and will dominate for us. and in the third RAmses barden if he is still there, he is a great unknown wr from cal-poly 6'6 220 lbs athletic fast and strong as hell i think could be the steal of the draft for us. and in the 4th a solid SS and we would have one hell of a draft ot to mention a hell of an off season. RAAAAAAAIIIIDEEERRSSSSSS afc west champs 09
Hi guys. I'm from Denmark and ain't no football brain, but have been af raiders fan since i was born. I was thinking, with all the mocks and all, that the Raiders could do well with a couple of trades!? If we traded our #7 to the Eagles for their two 1st round picks, A. Walter (Now we have gotten Garcia) for a 2nd rounder and Fargas (I think he's a great asset, but Bush and D-Mac is the future) for a 2nd and 3rd rounder, wouldnt we be able to fill the majority of the gaps? I'm thinking DT and OT in 1st (2'nd and 3'rd best DT is perhaps still on the board and Cable seems to know how to pick a solid OT to fit the scheme), DE, SLB and WR or interior OL in 2nd (Loads of possibilities here), and a couple of safeties in 3rd (Two of the top S prospects)? I know it doesn't seem plausible, especially with Don Al (who seems to be accepting that innovation is inevitable and the way to go), but what would you think if those moves were made? Good or bad moves?
sounds pretty good but i think we would have to trade the first and fargas for those two picks. not a bad idea because if it did happen then would be guaranteed to get the picks we need
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