Raiders new defense to blur the line between safety positions

**Raider Ran** · 07-30-2012, 05:26 PM

by Levi Damien on Jul 30, 2012 2:25 PM PDT

A lot has been made about the Raiders new defense and its "multiples". In their first training camp practice, some of that multiple style was on display. The thing I noticed most was that the safety position was not near as cut and dry as free safety and strong safety.

Starting safeties Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff have spoken in the past about how the defense will not be as predictable as we are used to seeing. They have been very excited about the opportunities for making plays.

Star-divide

This new defense and the players the team has drafted has put a premium on versatility. The safety position has suddenly become one of the positions which will require a lot of versatility as well.

In practice today, it was near impossible to judge who was to be playing strong safety and who was to play free safety. While Branch and Huff played first team, behind them was combinations of Mike Mitchell, Matt Giordano, Curtis Taylor, and Brandon Underwood.

In the past, Giordano has been backup free safety while Mitchell was backup strong safety. So it was surprising to see the roles reversed on several instances in practice. But according to Mitchell, it is not as simple as strong or free.

"Yeah, they're doing a good job of moving us around." Said Mitchell. "It's not going to be as predictable. And I'm a versatile guy so I can do it all. So they had you single high and I think it was Giordano up near the line?

"I think it just depended on who was in. It depends on the defense really too."

"We got a nice defense this year. You're not gonna be able to know who's coming or what we're doing. I love it."

It is a good thing the Raiders have some versatile safeties. Branch has been a strong safety through his NFL career but he played corner in college and he has the speed and range to cover like a free safety as well.

Huff has played free safety in the pros but he was more of a strong safety in college.

Mitchell is a strong safety but he was known for being a ball hawk in college. And as he said, "I'm a little bit lighter this year. I feel like it's gonna make me a little bit faster." So clearly he is focused more on coverage and speed than hitting.

Giordano was the Raiders' leader in interceptions last season as the backup free safety but he has also shown the ability to be a disciplined run stopper.

It will be difficult to label these guys by a specific safety position any more. Just like you won't be able to say the Raiders have strictly man cover corners either. It will definitely be interesting.

Raiders new defense to blur the line between safety positions - Silver And Black Pride

**Cp3+Dmac=SB!** · 07-30-2012, 05:38 PM

Hopefully this new defensive scheme can bring us to at least a top 15 defense

**MadBomber24** · 07-30-2012, 05:39 PM

Wait you mean teams won't be able to put their best WR in the slot and KNOW that he will have a LB covering him? No way, that's not the Raider way. It will never work. Hiding coverage and all. That's rediculous.

**prolific** · 07-30-2012, 05:46 PM

Levi's a good dude, just got done reading this myself; thanks for sharing on here Randy.

In another article I just briefly ran through, a question popped in my head:

Training camp notes: Day 1 - Silver And Black Pride

Second and third team safeties behind Tyvon Branch and Michael Huff are: Matt Giordano, Mike Mitchell, Curtis Taylor, and Brandon Underwood. With the new multiple scheme the defense is running, it is nearly impossible to tell who is focusing on which position. At one point it appears Giordano was playing strong, Mitchell was playing free, Underwood was playing strong, and Taylor was playing free. But those assignments change in different packages.

No mention of Aaron Henry?

**Worrier** · 07-30-2012, 05:52 PM

I'm interested to see who is more confused by our new defensive coverages. Huff or the other team?

**prolific** · 07-30-2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Worrier

I'm interested to see who is more confused by our new defensive coverages. Huff or the other team?

lmao, okay, this got me too.

**Fabbulous** · 07-30-2012, 05:59 PM

Good article, defense has to be better or we won't stand a chance.

**imthedan** · 07-30-2012, 06:05 PM

Great article.

My boy Mike Mitchell about to do some damage this season and prove the haters (in the media and on here) wrong.

**Rainman56** · 07-30-2012, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Fabbulous

Good article, defense has to be better or we won't stand a chance.

It got better the minute ChuckieB2 wasn,t coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Rainman56** · 07-30-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by MadBomber24

Wait you mean teams won't be able to put their best WR in the slot and KNOW that he will have a LB covering him? No way, that's not the Raider way. It will never work. Hiding coverage and all. That's rediculous.

And to think some argued at lengths the scheme wasn,t a problem.......Unfortunately the NFL rule book has progrssively changed for the worse,changing the scheme isn,t a cure all but was a desperate need none the less...No more excuses,the players should be put in better positions to make plays and not be constantly hung out to dry by predictability.Its up to them to now do their part and make the plays,tackles,picks needed to become a great Defense...My favorite part of the game and can,t wait to see how it plays out

.

**Rainman56** · 07-30-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Worrier

I'm interested to see who is more confused by our new defensive coverages. Huff or the other team?

made me laugh....good one!

**StickShift** · 07-30-2012, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by imthedan

Great article.

My boy Mike Mitchell about to do some damage this season and prove the haters (in the media and on here) wrong.

Mitchell is down to 213lbs according to NFL.com - Official Site of the National Football League (which I think have the most accurate weights)

I think he was playing around 220-225 last year. Should be able to move better at the lower weight.

**prolific** · 07-30-2012, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by StickShift

Mitchell is down to 213lbs according to NFL.com - Official Site of the National Football League (which I think have the most accurate weights)

I think he was playing around 220-225 last year. Should be able to move better at the lower weight.

Absolutely.

Mitchell is a strong safety but he was known for being a ball hawk in college. And as he said, "I'm a little bit lighter this year. I feel like it's gonna make me a little bit faster." So clearly he is focused more on coverage and speed than hitting.

Better in coverage? Sounds good to me.

**imthedan** · 07-30-2012, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by prolific

Absolutely.

Better in coverage? Sounds good to me.

With the change to the safety position, I wonder if the staff told Mitchell that he would play safety most, if not all the time, instead of being moved to play LB in a lot of situations. That allowed him to lose the extra weight.

Either way, I am excited this season. I find these articles interesting; I really want to know more about the defensive side of the ball. The players, coaching, schemes... ect. For the first time in years, I am actually excited to hear about the defense.

**Rainman56** · 07-30-2012, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by imthedan

For the first time in years, I am actually excited to hear about the defense.

Your not alone.

.........The day ChuckieB2 was hired last season was the lowest I,ve felt about a defense going into a season since well,ChuckieB1.Complete 180 for this season,I,m pumped!!!