January 25, 2008
Anatomy of a run defense: How the Raiders can improve on their dismal 07
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One of the oldest adages in football is that to win a team has to be able to run the ball and stop the run. The Raiders of 2007 ran the ball very well much to the surprise of everyone outside of Alameda ending up with the sixth ranked rushing offense. On the other hand, the Raiders' defense was turned to road-kill on a weekly basis. Rob Ryan has taken much of the heat for this problem, along with safeties Stuart Schweigert and Michael Huff. Linebackers Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard were great in pass coverage corralling ten interceptions between them, but often had a problem with over-pursuit. The defensive line which is of prime importance in stopping the run was dismal at that task.
DEFENSIVE LINE:
The first key to stopping the run is for the defensive tackles to take up as many blockers as possible to free up the linebackers to make plays. The Raiders' defensive tackles were often taken out of the play freeing up offensive linemen to block the Raiders' undersized linebacking corps. Warren Sapp showed a few flashes of his former self, including in the game against San Diego where he was able to penetrate into the backfield and disrupt a hand-off from Phillip Rivers to LaDainian Tomlinson that forced a fumble, but that was a rare big play from the QB Killa in the run game.
The Raiders need drastic improvement in their defensive tackle. Look at the highlights of any of the great linebackers from Dick Butkus to Ray Lewis, the defensive tackles are always swallowing the linemen so that the linebacker could come in and make the stop. It wasn't long ago that there were whispers around the NFL that Lewis was on the downslide, but once the Ravens addressed their Defensive Tackle position his production rose again.
In the defensive end position the Raiders have a great pass rusher in Derrick Burgess, but he is inconsistent against the run. He was brought over from Philly to be a pass rush specialist, but he turned into a Pro Bowl caliber player so he started playing every down. He needs to be more disciplined when the play is a run, or rotated out on primary rushing downs to get a run stuffer in there. Tommy Kelly has been the Raiders best defensive lineman against the run, and as long as his injury is on a good pace to be healed needs to be resigned.
In order to stop the run, the Raiders need defensive line help in the worst way, actually the problem is that their defensive line has been playing in the worst way and they need better help. the Raiders should seriously be looking towards Sedrick Ellis, Glenn Dorsey, or Chris Long with their top pick depending on who is still on the board. The Raiders also need to comb free agency for help as well. If they could find a young version of Ted Washington to swallow two offensive linemen, that would be crucial for the improvement against the run.
LINEBACKERS:
Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard form a dynamic duo in the linebacking corps, and since they are in their third and second year respectively they are only going to get better. Their biggest weakness in run defense is over-pursuit which opens up cutback lanes for opposing backs. Gap discipline is something that is learned, and if the coaching staff works on it with them, they will get a lot better. Their play against the run would also benefit greatly from the improvement at the defensive tackle position. If the tackles can do their job and take up blockers, that frees Morrison and Howard to make the tackles assuming they are in the correct gaps.
Morrison had a key highlight when he shot the gap to stuff Kolby Smith on a 4th and one late in the game against the Chiefs in Arrowhead to seal the win. The Raiders need those kind of plays on a much more consistent basis considering that they face LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, and the Denver Bronco running back machine twice a year.
SAFETY:
Most of the time, if a running play gets to the secondary that means that someone up front was out of position or missed a tackle. Of course, there are times when a safety is playing up in the box as an extra linebacker and the above is not true, but for the most part the safety is not the prime position on which to blame the failures against the run. Stuart Schweigert is not a great tackler, but he has taken far more heat than he deserves from the Raider Nation over the failures of the run defense. That said, the Raiders could stand to upgrade the safety position.
The key thing is that stopping the run is a team effort, where the prime responsibility falls on the four men of the defensive line. They need to control the line of scrimmage and if not get away to make the stop, make sure that the 'backers can. If the defensive line is weak in the middle, then the results look like the 07 Raiders' run defense.
Discussion
10 Comments on "Anatomy of a run defense: How the Raiders can improve on their dismal 07"
#1
Posted by Spencer, January 25, 2008 4:33 AM
There you go again Patrick!! Making excuses for Stu. He is terrible. A Safety that can't tackle, or hit WRs/TEs coming over the middle (One hit on Gonzales does not change this). Basically he cant do 2/3s of the things he is asked to, and it's not like hes great in the passing game either. As a matter of fact, Stu should quietly retire and make the transition into full time blogger, as his fingers seem better suited to typing than intercepting.
I was hoping that you would mention Shaun Rogers in your summary of available DEs. The Lions are making him available, and he is definite fit at our biggest defensive need. That, along with the re-signings of Nnamdi, Kelly, and Clemons, would allow the Raiders to take serious steps against the run, while remaining dangerous against the pass. The Raiders certainly have the cap space with the retirement of Sapp, and the coming disposal of Jordan.
The Raiders should use the draft to improve the offense in the beginning rounds of the draft. OT long, or WR Jackson would both be good choices.
Go Raiders!! In Kiff We Trust!! I'm Still In!!
OakFoSho
#2
Posted by Patrick Patterson, January 25, 2008 5:10 AM
Spencer,
How is "Stuart Schweigert is not a great tackler, but he has taken far more heat than he deserves from the Raider Nation over the failures of the run defense. That said, the Raiders could stand to upgrade the safety position." making excuses for him?
I mentioned Shaun Rogers in an earlier post as an available defensive tackle:
http://mvn.com/nfl-raiders/2008/01/19/a-plan-to-attack-the-oakland-raiders-offseason-needs/
"One of the rumors out there is that the Lions may be looking to trade Shaun Rogers. If this is true, then the Raiders would be wise to do a package deal for Rogers along with the aforementioned Roy Williams." (The aforementioned Roy Williams is the WR from Detroit and not the Safety from Dallas.)
#3
Posted by Dan, January 25, 2008 8:56 AM
To many times I've watched Schweigert run next to a runningback for 15 yards with one hand on the back. He also takes bad angles to the breakaway, and it only takes a chip block to get him out of the play. It is time to say no more stu!!!!!! Defensive takle and one more fast and strong OLB will make the biggest difference in run defense. I think the best idea is to trade with Dallas and fix more holes. I read that people hate Dallas so much they don't want to see them get better(I agree) but not at the expense of our team. Two picks in the first would help for years two come. If you don't believe in Mike Bush, Johnathon Stewart is a stud, and maybe Mario Manningham would be a nice fit. If you do believe in Bush there may be a DT out of USC still on the board and a wide receiver. We must address the whole not the part. As for SS, Fabian Washington is fast, strong, and not afraid to stick his head in there. Short and stout.
#4
Posted by Ryan Brown, January 25, 2008 9:09 AM
Would you guys be interested in Chiefs safety Greg Wesley - aka: Bobby Boucher, the Waterboy?
He can't run, cover, defend, catch or digest a play as its happening. He may not be sure what day of the week it is. However - he CAN hit.
He will sacrifice making the smart play in order to hit someone. He loves to leave his feet, lead with the helmet, and completely miss ball carriers and receivers. The next time he actually wraps someone up to tackle them will be the first.
What do you say? Exchange Wesley for your first, third and sixth round picks?
Go Chiefs!
#5
Posted by josh, January 25, 2008 11:07 AM
Dan,
Fabian Washington is fast AND strong? He of 5'11 and 185 pounds? I think that Bob Sanders may have everyone thinking that size no longer matters; he's a great safety but is more of the exception than the rule. I like FW, but I don't think he's SS material.
#6
Posted by Dan, January 25, 2008 11:58 AM
It's true it may be a stretch, but one of our big problems is people who want to take plays off. The guy wants to play, and if a idea can start motivation he could pack on 10-15lbs in the offseason without losing speed and he will stick his head in there.(couldn't be worse than Stu!!!!) Position on the field and how quickly you react is what makes a good saftey, this plus the ability to hammer your opponents make you a great saftey. We need to let Huff be a playmaker and find out if he was worth a #7 pick. I know switching positions like this doesn't always work, but on the occasion that it does, greatness follows.
#7
Posted by Silver_N_Black, January 25, 2008 1:23 PM
Rumor has it that John Alston will be shifted to SS. I think it's worth a shot.
BTW Ryan, how bout we give you Stuey & DC for Dwayne Bowe, I'm sure he'd like to receive passes from a QB who's accurate again and one he already knows well.
#8
Posted by Ryan Brown, January 25, 2008 1:24 PM
So much for Al Davis keeping continuity. ESPN is reporting that Davis asked Lane Kiffin to resign.
At this pace, Davis will go through so many coaches, I should expect my phone call to coach the Raiders in 2015.
#9
Posted by Ryan Brown, January 25, 2008 1:25 PM
Bowe isn't going anywhere - when you're the ONLY wide receiver who's a threat on the team, he is fine right where he's at. :)
#10
Posted by mikeinny, January 25, 2008 2:04 PM
ONCE AGAIN PAT GOOD STORY! IM SUR ALL U ROBRYAN FOLK CANT WAIT FOR MY INPUT ON THIS ! DONT WORRY COMING SOON!
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