The Million Dollar Question
Posted 05-01-2008 at 02:44 PM by DARK ANGEL
Can the RAIDERS stop the run in 2008? According to Al Davis, they can. In fact, he's willing to be millions on that - about $67 million actually. That's how much the contracts of Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands total up to approximately. Pretty bold if you ask me or any NATION members I'm sure. So what is Al thinking? The 2008 draft came and went, and after five picks, no defensive tackles were taken. With four months til pre-season, its reasonable to consider the RAIDERS signing DT help. But as it stands, Al Davis is convince the RAIDERS defense will stop the run.
Let's take a look at factors that may have him thinking this:
1. Halling the Pass
CB DeAngelo Hall was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons that sent the RAIDERS 2nd round pick in 2008 and 5th round pick in 2009. As a result of this trade, the RAIDERS now have one of the top, if not top, cornerback tandems in the league. Shutting out the opponents passing game will force opposing teams to run the ball. In the past, this wasn't always a good thing. Hopefully the RAIDERS will be better prepared and mastered the art of tackling. If not, be prepared for the Ron Daynes of the league to run all over us again.
2.Sands Coming Around
After signing a $17 million contract last offseason, Sands was primarily a nonfactor on the run defense in 2007. Many claimed he suddenly got lazy after getting his payday. Recently it has been revealed that Sands dealt with several personal matters including the loss of his mother. He showed up to camp out of shape and tried catching up as the season progressed. He never did. After a year has passed, Al is hoping the hunger is back in Sands. Al gave him his meal ticket, now it's time for Sands to prove his worth. If the RAIDERS are going to have a shot at legitimately stopping the run, it will heavily rely on the play of this 335lb DT. Personally, I think Sands will be the RAIDERS comeback player of the year.
3. Exit Stu
With the acquisition of SS Gibril Wilson, Schweigert will be demoted to backup safety - that's if he'll even make the team come opening day. Playing Wilson at SS will enable the RAIDERS to slide Michael Huff to FS, a position most feel better suits him. Wilson immediately improves the RAIDERS in the tackling department. The sure-tackling safety was a member of the elite defense of the 2007 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. When I think of the RAIDERS dreadful run defense, I can't help but envision the opposing teams' runningbacks jumping over Stu as he goes for his patented shoe string tackle. It's an image that makes fans shake their heads and ask why he is even on the field. You prefer your lineman and linebackers take out that RB, but if not they should at least slow down the runner. The safeties are the last line of defense. They must make that tackle. Wilson should be able to cut down on those long runs that passed Stu by.
4. Burgess Unrest?
There were whispers last year that DE Derrick Burgess was upset at his contract. He was going to holdout. The 2005 Sack Master cleared the air and announced he was a man of his word. He had 3 years left on his contract and intended to play it out. He arrived late due to his recovery from hernia surgery, and the RAIDERS professed all is well with their star defensive lineman. Though his sack numbers declined, Burgess' 8 sacks in 2007 tied him for team lead with backup end Chris Clemons. During the offseason, Clemons signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for 5 yr/$18.5 million contract. One can't help but wonder whether Burgess will reconsider his stance. Are the RAIDERS going to renegotiate with him even with 2 years left? Burgess knows he probably has one last big contract left in his career. I have no doubt that he will be back in the two digit sack total by years end. Known primarily as a pass rusher, I look for Burgess to improve in all areas of his game. He knows what's at stake. An improved ability to stop the run, will do nothing but improve your value. Look for the RAIDERS run defense to benefit from this.
5. Tommy Kelly Who?
I'm sure that's what most people around the league were thinking when the RAIDERS signed DE/DT Tommy Kelly the richest contract at the time ever paid for a DT. Kelly inked a $50 million deal. Though he ended the season on IR, by all accounts, Kelly is healed and ready to go. Kelly is widely respected in the locker room and has a policy of not talking to the media. He doesn't want to get tangled in misinterpretations when it comes to interviews. Kelly is a leader and a student of the game. Former teammate Warren Sapp considers Kelly one of the premiere defensive lineman in the league. Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan is convince Kelly is the best 3 technique as well. Kelly has always contributed to the RAIDERS and has played well. The NATION can only hope he plays up to his check.
On paper, the RAIDERS appear to be a better team. They appear to have a better defense. And yes, they appear to have a better run defense. But as the saying goes, things aren't always as they seem. The game has evolved. There's so much more factors that go into it - the mismatches, game planning, strategies, personnel, talent, coaching and adjustments. How do you play the game? On any given Sunday, the outcome will play itself out on the field.
Al isn't fooling anybody. He knows he has a limited time to get his next Lombardi. We all hope he's willing to do everything he can to achieve that. By all accounts he believes his woeful defense of years past is no more - at least for now. For the sake of the NATION, let's hope Al will make adjusments if things aren't running as planned.
(Thanks for taking time to read this blog. Please comment. A few sentences go a long ways.)
GO RAIDERS!!!!!
Let's take a look at factors that may have him thinking this:
1. Halling the Pass
CB DeAngelo Hall was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons that sent the RAIDERS 2nd round pick in 2008 and 5th round pick in 2009. As a result of this trade, the RAIDERS now have one of the top, if not top, cornerback tandems in the league. Shutting out the opponents passing game will force opposing teams to run the ball. In the past, this wasn't always a good thing. Hopefully the RAIDERS will be better prepared and mastered the art of tackling. If not, be prepared for the Ron Daynes of the league to run all over us again.
2.Sands Coming Around
After signing a $17 million contract last offseason, Sands was primarily a nonfactor on the run defense in 2007. Many claimed he suddenly got lazy after getting his payday. Recently it has been revealed that Sands dealt with several personal matters including the loss of his mother. He showed up to camp out of shape and tried catching up as the season progressed. He never did. After a year has passed, Al is hoping the hunger is back in Sands. Al gave him his meal ticket, now it's time for Sands to prove his worth. If the RAIDERS are going to have a shot at legitimately stopping the run, it will heavily rely on the play of this 335lb DT. Personally, I think Sands will be the RAIDERS comeback player of the year.
3. Exit Stu
With the acquisition of SS Gibril Wilson, Schweigert will be demoted to backup safety - that's if he'll even make the team come opening day. Playing Wilson at SS will enable the RAIDERS to slide Michael Huff to FS, a position most feel better suits him. Wilson immediately improves the RAIDERS in the tackling department. The sure-tackling safety was a member of the elite defense of the 2007 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. When I think of the RAIDERS dreadful run defense, I can't help but envision the opposing teams' runningbacks jumping over Stu as he goes for his patented shoe string tackle. It's an image that makes fans shake their heads and ask why he is even on the field. You prefer your lineman and linebackers take out that RB, but if not they should at least slow down the runner. The safeties are the last line of defense. They must make that tackle. Wilson should be able to cut down on those long runs that passed Stu by.
4. Burgess Unrest?
There were whispers last year that DE Derrick Burgess was upset at his contract. He was going to holdout. The 2005 Sack Master cleared the air and announced he was a man of his word. He had 3 years left on his contract and intended to play it out. He arrived late due to his recovery from hernia surgery, and the RAIDERS professed all is well with their star defensive lineman. Though his sack numbers declined, Burgess' 8 sacks in 2007 tied him for team lead with backup end Chris Clemons. During the offseason, Clemons signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for 5 yr/$18.5 million contract. One can't help but wonder whether Burgess will reconsider his stance. Are the RAIDERS going to renegotiate with him even with 2 years left? Burgess knows he probably has one last big contract left in his career. I have no doubt that he will be back in the two digit sack total by years end. Known primarily as a pass rusher, I look for Burgess to improve in all areas of his game. He knows what's at stake. An improved ability to stop the run, will do nothing but improve your value. Look for the RAIDERS run defense to benefit from this.
5. Tommy Kelly Who?
I'm sure that's what most people around the league were thinking when the RAIDERS signed DE/DT Tommy Kelly the richest contract at the time ever paid for a DT. Kelly inked a $50 million deal. Though he ended the season on IR, by all accounts, Kelly is healed and ready to go. Kelly is widely respected in the locker room and has a policy of not talking to the media. He doesn't want to get tangled in misinterpretations when it comes to interviews. Kelly is a leader and a student of the game. Former teammate Warren Sapp considers Kelly one of the premiere defensive lineman in the league. Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan is convince Kelly is the best 3 technique as well. Kelly has always contributed to the RAIDERS and has played well. The NATION can only hope he plays up to his check.
On paper, the RAIDERS appear to be a better team. They appear to have a better defense. And yes, they appear to have a better run defense. But as the saying goes, things aren't always as they seem. The game has evolved. There's so much more factors that go into it - the mismatches, game planning, strategies, personnel, talent, coaching and adjustments. How do you play the game? On any given Sunday, the outcome will play itself out on the field.
Al isn't fooling anybody. He knows he has a limited time to get his next Lombardi. We all hope he's willing to do everything he can to achieve that. By all accounts he believes his woeful defense of years past is no more - at least for now. For the sake of the NATION, let's hope Al will make adjusments if things aren't running as planned.
(Thanks for taking time to read this blog. Please comment. A few sentences go a long ways.)
GO RAIDERS!!!!!
Total Comments 1
Comments
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the key word looking to make sense of the frontoffice moves regarding our run defense IMO is continuity...
why? like Coach Kiffin stated at the end of last season, it is mainly a technique, pad-level related problem here first... for instance, if the Dline(or the man whos pay'd to draw doubleteams, the Sandman...) fails to stay low, or 1 C/G is easily able to ride, manhandle, block 1 D-Lineman out of his gap, responsibility without a fight, which most of the time leaves the 5th O-Lineman free to jump the playside LB/S or simply doubleteam at the point of attack, the admired team-concept, of gang tackling, angles, reads etc etc, goes up in smoke (for the Ladies  )... we couldnt take care of our individual resposibilitys down there on a consistent basisits a costly (duh!) flaw to have that wouldnt go away and kept popping up more than desired last yr but its easily coachable... enter the continuity, especially with Kiffin, who isnt afraid put his fingers in the wound(s), no matter where they at on (t)his team, offense, defense, special teams, coaches, and our chances to get better (should) increase. more so if the players really want to perform for their coaches and system they bought in, are hungry to learn and are tired of loosing on top of that...... as my example Sands was what many thought he can be against the 9ers and a small evidence at what im trying to get accross. he DEMANDED doubleteams with his err, Fire in there fullfilling his responsibilities.... he had the Olinemen followed him instead of him getting rode out of the plays and the results were encouraging imo. our entire DLine looked good while they lost their team-concepts and nothing was save in the 9ers backfield as a result...its that simple sometimes and it is IMO. now combine all of that with the great, football-minded athmosphere our veteran players, team-leaders (rookies too:Miller, McFadden...) created in the short time after the BB-era, and this team is just a solid QB-play away from beeing good. at least the effort will be there on all fronts as far as i see, lets hope it makes us a better team OVERALL by the time Ja' is ready. jus my 10 bucks(cents dont work here no'mo' lol) |
 
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