For everyone concerned about the defense...

**Evil Empire** · 08-09-2012, 07:47 PM

I understand concern from the standpoint of how bad the defense has been in recent years, HOWEVER, might I remind you all (and the media) of a few factors for consideration:

- First and foremost, don't forget we had one of the worst defensive coordinators EVER to coach for any length of time in the NFL. He wasn't even in the NFL when he was hired. Last year, I was high on the team, but I said on record the Achilles heal would be the Bresh defense. At worst, this defense should be competent by comparison.

- RIP Al Davis will not be dictating the defense. This cannot be understated. No longer will other teams preparation against us last three minutes.

- Our HC is a successful defensive coordinator. There is a chance he knows what he's doing. Further, his specialty was the secondary. I think we can look forward to sound secondary play. And before another person says we are thin in the secondary, we were far more thin last year.

- We are amassing a talented front 7 IMO. The addition of Bilukidi is bigger than people think IMO. He is the first young D-line with bulk we've had in quite some time. Beast having some big old fart on his last leg serving as a DT backup.

- Mark my words, Ro will be money this year. Experience, desperation, better coaching and no ankle injury will make this possible.

**OAKR8RPHX** · 08-09-2012, 08:02 PM

Couldn't be any worse could they? (knock on wood) No where to go but up as far as I'm concerned. As stated Allen was a secondary coach and I believe Tarver's specialty is LB's. With better play from them, the front 3 or 4 should be better. I heard many times most teams didn't worry about our "D" cause we were so predictable. Not any more!!! RAIDERS BABY!!!

**AL 9000** · 08-09-2012, 08:02 PM

I hope you're right on McClain. It would be nice to see him shine this year. I'm personally expecting a big year from DVD. I think we all saw last year how he can stick to any receiver and it was just a matter of him learning to turn his head to look for the ball. I believe the dude could be our #1 CB in the near future.

**heavyD** · 08-09-2012, 08:10 PM

It's going to be a shock for some offenses that are going to actually gameplan for our defense rather than simply look to run the ball until the defense breaks, play action and isolate CB's on islands for easy big gains. The worst part of Al's defense was how easy it was for top QB's like Brady, Rogers, and Brees to pick apart. You simply aren't going to stop the best QB's with a vanilla defense. This new defense I'm sure will have a bad day or two but hopefully it won't be like last year where every day was a bad day.

**OnTheeRize** · 08-09-2012, 09:25 PM

I agree but thats why i wanted to keep Hue because all the team needed was a small tune up on D. An average def.coordinator would have won us atleast 2 games last year for a 10-6 record. I am actually not sweating the team because on Offense we get a healty Palmer and Dmac and on Defense we get a defensive coordinator with a brain.

I predict 10-6 this year.

**Devilspawn** · 08-09-2012, 09:32 PM

While it can't be any worse I don't trust the linebackers as a unit. I'm giddy about what the DBs can do. I'm sure I said this months ago, but I expect this defense to have me pumping my fist in the air one minute and then driving it into an inanimate object the next minute. They will give up yards, plenty of them, I can see it. I just hope it results in more FGs than TDs or turnovers deep in our territory.

**possessed** · 08-09-2012, 09:36 PM

No mention/opinion of Tarver?

**SF_Raider_Fan** · 08-09-2012, 09:47 PM

I believe the best defense is a good offense. If the Raiders offensive line can do an outstanding job then the team will win game's time of possession battle and likely score touchdowns.
This means the Raiders defense will enjoy lots of rest and be fresh when the other team has the ball. If the Raiders defensive linemen can plug holes and put some pressure on opposing QB's then
then opposing team offenses will not do much scoring.

**mike taylor** · 08-09-2012, 09:53 PM

All I ask is top 20. But this D will be better just because that bum we had before is gone.

**Fabbulous** · 08-09-2012, 10:27 PM

I really wish McClain shuts his haters up and proves people wrong with a break out year. It will be tough though with his suspension and he may have lingering injuries.

**LINQ** · 08-09-2012, 10:49 PM

I think the OP is right and many fans will be pleasantly surprised.

**speedkills** · 08-09-2012, 10:51 PM

The big reason Denver went from 4-12 to 8-8 was not tebow their offense was better in 2010 . It was cause their d went from awful to middle of the pack and very good at times in the last 11 games . If Allen puts us from 29th to 18th the team goes to 10-6

**hunter121** · 08-10-2012, 12:49 AM

I love this review I really love it

**Marlo Black** · 08-10-2012, 03:44 AM

The linebackers will shock the world this year and the raiders will have a middle of the pack defense at worst. There's nowhere to go but up for the defense.

I am only worried about the health and the execution of the offense this season. They will make or break the raiders this season.

**cheapshotartist** · 08-10-2012, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by Marlo Black

The linebackers will shock the world this year and the raiders will have a middle of the pack defense at worst. There's nowhere to go but up for the defense.

I am only worried about the health and the execution of the offense this season. They will make or break the raiders this season.

I hope your right Black but I'll wait to see what they do in the preseason. We have sucked for years against the run and although we have a new scheme we still have most of the same players on defense. Our front seven needs to get their act together IMHO.