ESPN's Bill Williamson: Raiders have Worst Starting LB Core in AFC West

[Artois]

Ranking the AFC West linebackers - AFC West Blog - ESPN

Ranking the AFC West linebackers
By Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
We continue our position-by-position divisional rankings with a solid group of linebackers:

1. Tamba Hali, Kansas City: This is a special player. He is truly one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

2. Von Miller, Denver: Miller will only improve from a stellar rookie season. He is a gem.

3. Derrick Johnson, Kansas City: An underrated player. He is an A-player.

4. D.J. Williams, Denver: Very talented, but the red flags are piling up. He needs to stay focused on the field.

5. Justin Houston, Kansas City: I’m a big fan of this second-year player. I think he and Hali will be fun to watch rush the passer.

6. Jarret Johnson, San Diego: Free agent is a very solid pro. He will help this defense.

7. Melvin Ingram, San Diego: I’m very high on this versatile rookie. I expect big things right away.

8. Donald Butler, San Diego: A very talented player. He has a real future.

9. Rolando McClain, Oakland: McClain has to make fast improvements or his Oakland career may be on the rocks.



10. Shaun Phillips, San Diego: He can help, but he may be nearing the end.

11. Aaron Curry, Oakland: He can make some big plays, but he needs to become more consistent.



12. Takeo Spikes, San Diego: Spikes is getting way up there in age, but he isn’t the type of guy who you count out.

13. Philip Wheeler, Oakland: The Raiders will give this free-agent pickup a chance to prove he can be a better-than-average player.


14. Antwan Barnes, San Diego: He is limited but he has a real burst as a pass-rusher.

15. Jovan Belcher, Kansas City: A solid inside starting linebacker.

16. Joe Mays, Denver: Same here.

17. Wesley Woodyard, Denver: He will likely start if Williams’ six-game suspension sticks.

18. Brandon Siler, Kansas City: He was injured last year. He will help the Chiefs.

19. Larry English, San Diego: Make-or-break year for former No. 16 overall pick.

20. Travis Goethel, Oakland: If McClain gets suspended, he’ll get a chance.

21. Nate Irving, Denver: The Broncos want to see this 2011 third-round pick push Mays.

22. Miles Burris, Oakland: He likely won’t play much early, but the rookie is a player to keep an eye on.

Ranking the AFC West linebackers - AFC West Blog - ESPN

[SoCalR8r]

Pretty fair assessment to me. Although, I'd say McClain should probably be behind Curry at this point. I think LB play will be the key to this defense turning it around. The DL has some ballers, the secondary will be less taxed than in years past based on the new scheme but the LBs need to show up or teams will walk us up and down the field just like in the past.

[Dj Diesel]

i would agree with that list until our Lb's prove something

[coogi]

until proven otherwise our ENTIRE defense is the worst in the AFC west...

[MadBomber24]

Yea a fair assesment. We dont have a proven LB on the roster. McClain has massively underperformed thus far and needs to pick it up soon or will be gone.

Curry shows flashes but doesnt seem to have it every down.

Wheeler has been an ok player thus far in his career but is far from a lock to succeed as a starter.

As for backups other than the rookies who we hope will develop we have no depth at all and thats the most disturbing thing. We are basically stuck with who we have as our starters regardless of how they perform. Thats the one position on the team where we really have no one to push the starters.

[Artois]

Pretty fair assessment to me. Although, I'd say McClain should probably be behind Curry at this point. I think LB play will be the key to this defense turning it around. The DL has some ballers, the secondary will be less taxed than in years past based on the new scheme but the LBs need to show up or teams will walk us up and down the field just like in the past.

I agree, Curry is an all around better LB than McClain. McClain is a little bit better in pass coverage though.

[cheapshotartist]

I can't complain, what can I say?

[RunOvrByHubbard]

Not news to any except Raider fans with the most rose-colored glasses on.

[Raiders Baby!]

Usually I find the media's assessment of the Raiders to be biased against us, but in this case I agree. Until proven otherwise, we have one of the worst LB corps in the entire NFL.

[oaklandheat]

Seems pretty accurate for now..

[ecnirp]

[thomas17]

Seems pretty accurate for now..

"For Now" hopefully the keys words there!

[SLVR and Black]

Honestly, I don't think that anyone can say for sure exactly what the Raiders have. As far as McClain is concerned, 2010 was under Marshall/Davis and 2011 was spent largely under Chucky B sans-Davis with no off season team workouts. Curry came in midway through a turmoil filled season so trying to see what he's all about based on last year's performance is darn near impossible. Now, the D's under their 3rd DC in 3 years, a completely different D scheme and some of the LB's have yet to play a snap in a Raider uniform. Heck, we may not know what they're all about until after 2013.

[HBD]

that proves it .... We Suck
lets go home.

[TonyHighRoller]

Sad but true