Defensive line should be next on Oakland Raiders agenda

March 19, 3:02 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Now that the Oakland Raiders have made moves towards upgrading their offensive line, they need to turn their focus towards the defensive line. The only significant move the Raiders have made along that line was to cut defensive end Kalimba Edwards. The Raiders need to upgrade this position to improve their defense overall.

Beyond former Pro Bowler Derrick Burgess, the Raiders defensive ends are a rather motley crew. Trevor Scott emerged as a promising pass rush specialist. Jay Richardson is a rotational base end, but does not get consistent enough push to be a starter. Both Derrick Grey and Greyson Gunheim are fringe players, who may not make the team out of training camp.

It has long been one of Al Davis's mottoes that "The quarterback must go down, and the quarterback must go down hard." This defensive end situation does not strike fear into the hearts of quarterbacks. Derrick Burgess has been struggling with injuries for the past two seasons, and is a shell of his former self. Scott tied for the team lead with five sacks as a rookie last season, but is a pass rush type end, and is not an every down end who can play the run well.

Richardson has played well enough to earn his fifth round status, as he has been one of the better all around linemen on the Raiders defense, but that is not saying much. The Raiders need more consistent play from the end position for their defense to improve.

As mediocre as the end play has been, the tackles have been worse. Tommly Kelly made headlines during the 2008 season by signing a deal that was the highest for a defensive tackle at the time. Kelly has not been able to play up to that status, as he has not consistently been the penetrator the Raiders need him to be along the inside of the defensive line. Terdell Sands is at best a rotational tackle, but should be on the unemployment line. He has occasional flashes, but gets pushed off of the line way too easily. Gerrard Warren is best suited for being the penetrator that Tommy Kelly is supposed to be, but far too often is lined up next to Kelly which leaves the middle of the Raiders line soft against the run. William Joseph should take Sands's spot in the defensive line rotation when Sands is sent packing.

The Raiders need to be strong in the middle, or they are going to continue to be among the worst run defenses in the league. There is optimism that Kelly may find his stride now that he is a year and a half removed from ACL surgery that ended his 07 season prematurely. However, the Raiders should look to bring in at least one solid free agent tackle, such as Tank Johnson of the Cowboys who is still on the market. Johnson didn't work out well as a nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme in Dallas, but thrived in a 4-3 scheme in Chicago. The Raiders also are considering BJ Raji if he falls to them in the first or Ron Brace in the second. They may look for a later round pick such as University of Kentucky's Myron Pryor later in the draft as well.

If the Raiders continue to ignore their problems along the defensive line, they are going to continue to be the Washington Generals of opposing running back highlight reels.

SEE ALSO:

• Tackling the offensive line problem
• Continuing silver offseason
• Highest remaining priorities
• Winning trench warfare
• Will Marshall be able to tackle defense's problems?
• Defensive building blocks
• Raiders need to build defense
  
• Defensive line a liability
• Defensive woes fundamental
• Early Scouting: Myron Pryor

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