For the past several seasons, the weaknesses of the Raiders defense have centered around the defensive line. In the past two drafts, the Raiders have passed on quality defensive linemen in the draft, stating that they had the personnel, but that the issues were with the scheme. With their two new veteran defensive ends, the Raiders front line has become a position of strength.
Greg Ellis (99) and Richard Seymour (92) have been key additions
(AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
For the last several seasons, the Raiders run defense has been a total sieve, and last season Trevor Scott and Kalimba Edwards tied for the league lead in sacks. To illustrate the difference through six games Greg Ellis and Richard Seymour are tied for the team lead with four, once short of the team best from last season.
The veteran leadership of Greg Ellis and Richard Seymour have been a key feature in the turnaround of the line. Coach Tom Cable heaped the praise on Seymour, "You know, I think he's a pro. And what I mean by that is, I think every day, if you're around here you see him come in like this afternoon, he'll be here tomorrow. He'll come in and take care of his body. He'll go in and he'll be in the tub, and he'll get the kinks worked out and he'll do whatever he needs to do; ice, stim, lift, run.
You know, he knows there's a process, a long season. So if you don't take care of your body the right way, it gives up on you at the end there. Then you'll see him come in and he takes notes and he talks about it, 'Hey what about this,' and he asks Dwayne or John, 'Hey, how 'bout this,' or, 'What if we get this?' And he talks to the other players and he's constantly working his trade with the guys around him, with his coaches, he's constantly, 'Let's make sure we're all on the same page,' talking about it, and how we're going to do--'How I'm going to play,' 'I'm going to rush this guy,' 'I can one-arm this guy,' 'I can chop-club this guy.' He's constantly doing that. I think that, that's what he brings to the table. He's showing everybody else 'How to' and I think that's a big deal."
Related Articles
- Cable: Russell work in progress
- Despite win, Raiders must improve
-
Raiders have no leadership on offense
-
Raiders upset Eagles
-
Raiders offense on historical pace
-
NFL will not push Al Davis out
Defensive end Trevor Scott who had two sacks of Donovan McNabb gave credit for Sunday's performance to the leadership of Ellis and Seymour, "Seymour and Gerard Warren were talking all week about how we haven’t played good as a unit, as a whole defensive line so far this year, so that was one of our main goals. We were all just fired up to come out here and get after that quarterback."
The Raiders have not had veteran leadership in their defense since safety Rod Woodson and linebacker Bill Romonowski were brought in for the 2002 AFC Championship run. Ellis and Seymour have experience in organizations that have a direction that the Raiders have not had, and they are determined to change that in Oakland.
Cable said that Greg Ellis's energy and leadership are rubbing off on his defensive linemates, "I think [he is rubbing off] a tremendous amount. Consider this _ if you were Matt Shaughnessy and Desmond Bryant you're getting the greatest education as a rookie player you could ever ask for, by two guys, not just one, but by two, who do it the right way from how they eat and how they sleep, what they put in their body, how they study, how they take care of their body, how they practice. If you're taking notes, man, you're getting the education as a lifetime, really."
The Raiders defense has not been perfect, but it has shown flashes of very high potential. It takes time to turn around a ship that has run aground, and the additions of Ellis and Seymour are important in this turn around project.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
Oh yeah, having those two guys definitely turn around our D-line. It was a great pick ups and awesome to have both Seymour and Ellis.....now if only we can have that kind of leadership on offense.
That Defensive Line is the funnest part of the game to watch...for me at least. When the opposing quarter calls hike, I just focus on the line....they are playing fierce. Keep it D-Line...they're making the QB's rush passes and in turn ruins the timing of the whole play....GO RAIDERS!!!
All I can say is I hope the defensive scheme keeps allowing our guys to play the blitzing, man and zone, unpredictable pattern that they excelled at against the Eagles. With the leadership we now have (see article)we can have a defensive force that will disrupt the game plan of opposing teams. Great Defense against the Eagles guys! Please keep it up. Winning can be habit forming.
Just read a guy that was saying how good Routt played in place of Asomugh. That's because the d-line was so dominate! Not taking anything from Stanford but if you only have to cover a guy for 2 seconds, it's a lot easier. Sanchez threw 5 picks last week, if we get after him he will struggle. Just watch out for the run. The Jets running game is pretty sick. They have the little, fast type guys that we have had problems with. I think the jets will try to run a lot. Hopefully our O can put up some points and help out! Play the way we are capable and could be 4 and 4 going into the bye, and still be in this season!
Patrick,
Couldn't have said it better myself. For all Al Davis bashers out there. You got to give him credit for bringing in two high class vets like Seymour and Ellis. If you have also noticed that Warren and Kelly have picked up thier game up also. Read a artical that Ellis has a private website that his young teammates can go into and look at film. Remember that this is one of the younger teams in the NFL. Now getting Schilens back should open up some passing lanes. So that will get the double coverage off Z.Miller or DHB. Defences will have to adjust and will not be able to show 8 man fronts. That will open the ran game for the 3 headed monster. If Nick Miller gets healthy and shows that speed and fearless additude he had in preseason. That would be a big lift for the special teams. They are getting healthy and starters are coming back. HELL YEAH !!!!!
Go Raiders!!!!!!!!
Life is better with a win, a legal redemption, and feelgood articles like this. Hopefully JRuss gets his confidence back with the return of Schilens, and da Raidahs crush the Jets on Sunday. We're overdue for a big defensive touchdown or two.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!