How would you rank the Raiders Defense

**daraydaz** · 07-03-2003, 11:05 AM

I think DT has to be a priority in next year's draft. We don't really have anyone right now that can step up big and take over if one of the three, Parella, Stubby and Coleman go down.

Right now Ioane and Cooper are bubble players IMO.

We can transition one of the younger safeties into RWood's spot once he retires and as you mentioned Dave, look for an OLB in next year's draft.

**DavetheRaider** · 07-03-2003, 11:24 AM

Most fourth Dt's in the league aren't experienced.

**Eastraider** · 07-03-2003, 12:24 PM

What is base end? Is that the DE on the TE side? What is the other DE called?

Romo is the strong side LB which means he lines up on the TE side (Barton is the WLB). During games I see the LB's switch with the TE, but I cannot remember seeing the DE's switch. Which brings me to my point.

With all the 2 TE, No TE sets u basically have a RDE and a LDE. I mean there is no time for DE's to flip flop when TE's go in motion etc.

Am I missing something here?

**daraydaz** · 07-03-2003, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by DavetheRaider
Most fourth Dt's in the league aren't experienced.

Ioane's been around long enough where he should be able to step in. Same with Cooper except that he's handicapped by his size.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Raiders try to bulk Brayton up and move him inside.

**AceRimRat** · 07-03-2003, 12:55 PM

To the best of my understanding, the base end is the end up against the TE. In the Raiders' scheme, that seems to be the left end (Bryant in '02). The rush end is on the other side, the right (Upshaw in '02), against the left tackle on the QB's blind side. Though Armstrong tends to rush from the left, I guess he's a sub when they want to rush from both sides.

The strongside LB is Romo, over the TE, and the weakside LB is Barton, out in space.

There's a difference between the DTs, too, but I could never quite tell how you knew other than who was out there. (Parrella being the base DT, Coleman the rush DT, for instance.)

One of the downsides for me as a fan, having never played football (I was a soccer player), is that I pick up most of the subtleties from the media and/or other fans, and sometimes I lack the terminology. Maybe someone else can better elaborate.

**daraydaz** · 07-03-2003, 01:05 PM

Wasn't Bryant moved to RE after playing base end the previous season? He seemed to be more comfortable on the right side and actually was playing pretty decent before he was injured.

**RaiderBlitz** · 07-03-2003, 02:30 PM

Pietro How you doing big guy?

**DavetheRaider** · 07-03-2003, 03:07 PM

I know my Bucs comparison was a bit off

but this following Miami D comparison is not questionable. No flaming this time

Taylor > Delawrence Grant
John Parella > Tim Bowens
Dana Stubbfeild OR Rod Coleman > Larry Chester
Agunleye> Tyler Brayton

Barton > Seou (Barton had a pro bowl caliber season while Seou is slipping)
Thomas > Napolean Harris
Romonowski > Morlon Greenwood (Greenwood is descent at best)

Charles Woodson > Sam Madison
Patrick Surtain > Philip Buchanan (for now)
Rod Woodson > Brock Marion
Sammy Knight > Derrick Gibson

Oakland - 6
Miami- 5

**Eastraider** · 07-03-2003, 05:12 PM

Ace:

I played football for 12 yrs and I get lost in some of the terminology BS. Like most things, football is more complicated than it has to be.

For example, on passing downs, all d-lineman should be rushing the QB. On running plays / downs every DL should be base or stop the run. See ball carrier = destroy ball carrier. It really is that simple...........

**RaiderInNY** · 07-03-2003, 05:33 PM

I think our defense is going to surprise many this year...My only concern is whether or not we can avoid being ran on in a division that features Ladanian Tomlinson, Portis and possibly Priest(if healthy?). We stuffed the run well last year w/ Adams and Parella...can stubby and Rod rotate and play in the trenches w/ Parella. If so, and i think we can, our defense can be in the top 10!
1) That will allow us to man up with C.Wood and P.Buch and Rod can sit back and continue racking up INT's.
2) That will allow us to blitz more with our speed(Nap.Harris, Williams etc...) and maybe hopefully create a pass ruch with various schemes.
3) We do have a **** load of guys that can play Dend...i say 2 of them can step it up and bang away at the QB!(my picks: D.Grant & Williams

)
cant wait till the season starts...

i said top ten, ****...lets see
Miami, TB, NE, BAL,...maybe OAK in top 5

**Karl** · 07-04-2003, 12:18 AM

what our D needs is a backup safety with some experience. If Gibson or RWod goes down, who the **** do we have? Some piece of **** practice squad players or a rookie.

We missed out on some quality FA Safeties. The way I see it, we need to resign Dormat. He can backup both S positions. I hate that mother****er, but depth is key to winning a SB.

**DavetheRaider** · 07-04-2003, 12:34 AM

I agree with Karl. we really need a backup S. our only good backup lb is Travian Smith unless Shurron Pierson plays lb, so we also need anothr lb.

**Eastraider** · 07-04-2003, 08:55 AM

I agree about stopping the run. OK the biggest D questions are:

(1) Stopping the run (can Stubby replace be an upgrade over Sam I am Fat)

(2) DE play - stop the run and rush the passer. We are very young at DE.

(3) SS play - can Gibby step up

Injuries and depth are a always going to be a concern but that applies to every team.

SD scares me this year. Marty, LT, Boston, young and improving O, with a young, talented and hungry D and improved kicking game..... These guys could be trouble for a long time.

If Holmes cannot come back at 100% I think KC is a .500 team

I think Denver is playing for last place. I see a big drop for them this year.

**liebo84** · 07-04-2003, 09:16 AM

I'm gonna list what will make the Raiders the BEST defense in the NFL

1.) Stubby to regain some of his playing ability. He really bubbled up as a whiner and really didn't okay well. The dude won defensive player of the year as a skin and can regain some of that if he tries hard enough

2.) hot Rod to be himself. If he can pile up 10+ sacks again, our pass rush will pe pretty good, but there is another question about the line.....

3.) One of the youngins and Grant to play DE well. If we can get Grant to play to his full potential, we have found a diamond in the rough. We need Sam Williams or Brayton, or even Pierson, to play well enough to put some pressure and stop the run. (Remember the Rams game when Grant caught up to Marshall Faulk? Crazy speed)

4.) D Gib to finally play well. Some of us have already labeled him a bust. All of his skills that were the reason we drafted him in the 1st round from FSU are seemingly gone.

5.) Rod to withstand the test of time in Raider fashion. It seems that the Raiders have gotten another great catch with Rod Woodson. If he can still put up in his late 30's well, I'd watch out.

6.) CWood and PBuccy to come back swinging. I really liked the tandem, but I never really saw them in action. PBuc had some trouble in coverage, (vs. Moulds in the Bills game) but his big play (81 yard INT return for a TD) saved the game for the Raiders. CWood was the best CB coming into last year. If he can come back and play like he did two years ago we will have one helluva defense.

And the last and final one.....................

7.) The LBs to be the best in the NFL. Wow, did I just say that? Yea, the Raiders LBs could be the best in the NFL this year. Nap Harris is still learning the D but has shown himself as a future star. Bobs boy Barton will have another great year, as "skinnky legs" is proving his doomsayers wrong. And the racist, bigot, and powerful Romo is back for one more year. This LB tandem is the best in the NFL on paper. And if they do, we will have the best D in the NFL.

**crizpynutz** · 07-04-2003, 09:30 AM

DavetheRaider -- No flaming here I promise! I wasn't trying to say the Raiders can't be the 3rd best defense, just that at this moment in time I don't believe them to be. You analysis of the players is right on and actually I feel they could become the #1 ranked defense in football with the talent they have. The question is can all that talent be put together to be a single, dominating, cohesive unit? Your reply to everyone's post has possibly the biggest, most important fact for everyone who watches football this year to remember;

Last year 10-14 of our defensive players had never taken the field together. This year, they have a year together in the books, in the scheme and a Superbowl appearance.

How could we have expected these guys to form a cohesive unit when they had never played together or in this scheme before? Naivity on our behalf? Possibly. This season that isn't an excuse and hopefully [knocks on wood] neither will health. Those two things are what get me most excited about the upcoming season from a defensive perspective, never mind the young talent we just drafted. Here's to hoping for the best defense in the NFL this season residing in Oaktown (not yet, but possibly before the season ends).