Raiders defense tries to bring down Larry Johnson of the Chiefs.
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com
One of the key problems with the Oakland Raiders defense has been missed tackles. This has been an ongoing problem for several years, and has been responsible for the Raiders dismal standings in the run defense. The newly revamped coaching staff needs to insure that the Raiders defense is fundamentally sound if they hope to fulfill Tom Cable's goal of the tournament.
Besides tackling, there are other issues that are fundamental to defensive success, which have also been lacking. The Raiders defense has been over aggressive meaning that they have lacked the necessary gap discipline to contain the other team's running game. Rob Ryan has borne the brunt of the criticism for the defensive failings, regardless of how much culpability that he actually had. With Ryan now in Cleveland, it is now on the shoulders of his replacement to insure that the Raiders defense is sound.
Tackling dummy:
The first thing the Raiders need to do is to work on their tackling. Far too often, the Raiders seemed to have a runner trapped in the backfield only to see him break free for a big gain. This would seem like something that defensive players would have been working on since they played in Pop Warner, but it is an ongoing problem in Oakland.
The rumor mill has Michael Huff likely being cut. The biggest knock on him was his tackling or lack thereof. Even the vaunted "Law Firm" has taken their share of criticism for their own missed tackles, as have the defensive line. It would seem that tackling drills should be a high priority for the Raiders come training camp. A team will play like they practice. The key is to reapeat their tackling over and over again until they can get it right every time.
Discipline:
After the Patriots game, the defensive breakdown was attributed to communication problems. The issue is that communication problems among the players on defense should have been taken care of by the end of the preseason. The Raiders defense is a veteran squad that has played together for several years. These are other issues that need to be addressed starting in mini-camps and drilled into their heads by the end of training camp. They need to know their gaps instinctively and stay in those gaps to make sure that opposing backs don't get a cutback lane to brak off huge chunks of yardage.
Marshall also needs to stress to the team that games are played for four quarters. In several games the Raiders had two score leads in the fourth quarter that the defense could not hold. Again, the blame fell on Ryan. The defense needs to hold on to those late leads for the team to turn their fortunes around.
The Raiders have a young core on offense that looks to get better, but they need this veteran defense to hold up their end of the bargain. This is an important area that needs addressed this offseason.
SEE ALSO:
- Late game collapses
- No easy answers for Raiders defense
- Defensive woes fundamental
- A team in crisis
- Raiders must remove dead wood
- Linebcaking situation not so firm
- Defensive line a liability
- Raiders need to build defense
- Recipe for Raiders transformation
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Comments
Patrick, I enjoy your articles. You always have a positive side about the raiders which i can't say about all beat writers that cover them. In your article you said Ryan went to Cincy, he went to Cleveland. Keep up the good work.
You are correct. I got it fixed, thanks.
You have to think that we can and will be alot better on 'D' if they just go back to basics and work on tackling, gap assignments, pad level (see Sands), etc. Some of the things you saw the last couple of years were just embarassing. Just basic ABC's, like the RB cutting back and there would be nobody there and I mean nobody. I am confident that we will be alot better next year. A base DE, NT and nasty MLB would also help tremendously.
All valid points Patrick but the biggest problem as I see it is the lack of dominate linemen. The war is first won in the trenches and when was the last time any of the linemen were even considered for a Pro-bowl. All the high draft picks the Raiders spend on the so called skill positions; QB,RB,WR,CB,LB are wasted because they never allowed to realize their potential without dominate linemen in front of them.
The problems start with the DL. I don't care what scheme you try to run if your DL is a joke you will never be successful.
Agree with your take on the D, but that offense hasn't held up their end for years. This defense remained on the field way too long following 3 and out after 3 and out. That O can only progress with the following distribution: Run DMC (70% of the carries), Bush aka Clydesdale (30%) and Fargas (sidelines and ready to come in to provide breathers or due to in injury issues.
Actually he did say Ryan went to Cleveland "With Ryan now in Cleveland, it is now on the shoulders of his replacement to insure that the Raiders defense is sound."
Chris D, If you are trying to call Michael Bush a Clydesdale. This is the problem with Raider Fans, and Players, and Coaches from the Past. Attention to Detail. It's Obvious Chris D has no Idea what Bush can do. MY Man, take a look at his footage closely then open you're mouth..
GOOOOOOOO RAIDERS
(For Chris D) As much as Raider fans (including myself) would love to see what McFadden could do with the majority of the carriers out of the backfield, I think it is slighty unrealistic at this point. For 2009 McFadden needs to be a 15 carry per game back. They need to spread him out, run screens and line him up as a receiver to keep opposing d's on their toes and well as utilize his skills all over the field. This ultimately will ensure his health later in the season by not putting too much on his shoulders. On the other hand, I do agree that Bush is a Clydesdale, but should be more of a secondhalf back with Fargas starting everygame. I think this team has great depth in the backfield and they cannot put all of their eggs in one basket. Spread the wealth and defenses will be soaking in epson salts the following mornings.
(For Chris D) As much as Raider fans (including myself) would love to see what McFadden could do with the majority of the carriers out of the backfield, I think it is slighty unrealistic at this point. For 2009 McFadden needs to be a 15 carry per game back. They need to spread him out, run screens and line him up as a receiver to keep opposing d's on their toes and well as utilize his skills all over the field. This ultimately will ensure his health later in the season by not putting too much on his shoulders. On the other hand, I do agree that Bush is a Clydesdale, but should be more of a secondhalf back with Fargas starting everygame. I think this team has great depth in the backfield and they cannot put all of their eggs in one basket. Spread the wealth and defenses will be soaking in epson salts the following mornings.
U People have no Idea what an amazing running back Michael Bush is. at Louisville he came in as a QB, already having played db,and TE. A Clydesdale wouldn't be a 2 time runner up Heisman. 2 Time Louisville Mr. Football award.
Had his leg not been injured. He would have been a top 3 Pic and Adrian Peterson would be in his Shadow. Since it's Obvious the team in my Heart 'The Raiders' have no idea what they have. Trade him to The Washington Redskins my home team for Santana Moss, and a 2nd round so I can still Cheer him..
Douche Nozzles
fargas should be a change of pace guy. not a stater. Bush is really good. him and mcfadden should carry the load. so change of pace for fargas or trade him.
i thin kBush is better then Mcfadden. More versatile. More of a natural runner.
You are correct. I got it fixed, thanks.
Big Raid, calm down. I think people calling Bush a clydesdale is ment to be a compliment. Do you know what a clydesdale is? If not, I will tell you. It's a huge, powerful horse, and I'm sure faster than any human on the planet.
With that being said i believe he should start. Mcfadden; sharing carries and moving all over the place. Fargas; sparce carries and an injury replacement, and done at the end of his contract. I was waiting for Bush to get enough carries to get a rhythm and dominate. He finally got the carries and he came through.Big Raid's vocabulary may not be very big or maybe he just doesn't understand analogies. He does know about Bush's potential.
oh yea, and if he honestly thinks the Skins would give up Moss and a 2nd pick for Bush, he may be slightly retarded. But I agree with him on Bush starting.
Huff is due to earn less then a three hundred thousand this year so why would the Raiders cut him. His pay day no longer hurts the team, maybe just maybe a change of coaches can help him. However, they still need offensive lineman along with some folks who are willing to stick their nose in there and hit and tackle. Currently there is not one player who brings any fear to apposing teams with hitting ability. The Raiders play soft because of their talent. They need to draft some players with wreckless attitudes, but i have my doubts that anthing like that will happen. It will be d/b's and and players who have speed over football ability. Watch the draft and you will know who is running the show very quickly. There are four tackles who come ready made. but let see if we can past them up in the draft and pick something else insead of working on what we need. Its been so long since we have really helped ourselve in the draft.
The Raiders D was on the field most of the time and would show flashes of good play at times during the Rob Ryan era. I agree Raiders need to bring back a dominate player that places a legit amount of fear in opposing offenses, not just one but at least three, ya know the guys who create turnovers and just all in all make sound defensive plays on 3rd down...Its all about 3rd down for the raiders if the Raiders can get off the field on third down on D and convert 3rd downs on offense they should be in pretty good shape....But I hope the breath of fresh air with these new coaches and the attitude of Tom Cable just in whole feels just a bit different than the previous umm 5 coaches. Im as critical as any fanatic about his team and the direction of success but within the last 12 years this is the most optimism I have felt about our team. Think about sooooo many have jumped off the bandwagon, yet sooo many are still on. I have read over and over again blogs, comments about negative raider fans and haters I feel like it has reached its boiling point the Raiders can't get worse ? Can they? So lets get ready for the free agent signing period and see what happens..!
Patrick I like your articles and I think you are a good writer so I just want to bring this one small thing to your attention, I see it all over the place especially in these types of blogs. "It is now on the shoulders of his replacement to (insure) that the Raiders defense is sound."
The term you want to use is ENSURE.
Your a good writer, and I think you can be even better.
I agree with the article by the way, well done.
I just don't understand all this talk about cutting S Michael Huff? He's due to make less than a mil against our salary cap this year? This must be real personal between him and HC Cable as it is with Ronald Curry. I can see Curry opting out of his contract which is great for us cuz he was making like 4 mil in base salary? very questionable negotionations on this one. I would definetly keep Huff and see if he can regain his swagger if not package him with Stanford Routt for a trade this year for Dallas S Roy Williams. Finally, we would get an intimidating hitter at safety. I know all the raiders gonna say that Roy can't cover, but Huff couldn't tackle either? but thats where 2nd year player Tyvon Branch will make his mark this year. I don't know what John Marshalls defense philosophy is but all I hope is that's it's an aggressive style where we're not playing to lose like Ryan's system was. We want to be the intimidator not the intimidated!
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