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Oakland Raiders camp battles: Defensive tackle-Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren and more compete to be the muddle in the middle

By Patrick Patterson | July 2nd, 2008

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As the Oakland Raiders “Camp Battles” series moves from the side of the ball that scores points to the side of the ball that stops other teams, its time to look at the position that was by far the biggest question mark coming into the offseason, the defensive tackles. Last year’s crew was woeful at stopping the run. Warren Sapp has retired, Tommy Kelly has moved from end to tackle, William Joseph has been signed, and both Terdell Sands and Gerrard Warren return. Josh Shaw is hanging around despite being inactive for most of 2007.

Projected Starters: Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands

Tommy Kelly signed a whopper of a contract this offseason despite coming off of a season ending injury. Rob Ryan is very high on Kelly as the replacement for Sapp as the under tackle whose primary responsibility is to penetrate the line and create havoc in the offensive backfield. Terdell Sands has prototypical nose tackle size at 6′7″ 335, but last year appeared to play much softer than his size would indicate. The Raiders are hoping that he can regain the form that he showed in 2006, where he was doing the job of swallowing blockers.

Projected Depth: Gerrard Warren and William Joseph

Gerrard Warren had an up and down season last year after being acquired in training camp from the Denver Broncos. He showed flashes where he would look really good at the UT slot, and would get after quarterbacks. Look for him to rotate in to give Kelly a breather and to be used next to Kelly on passing downs. William Joseph was acquired from the New York Giants where he had underachieved after having been a first round pick. It remains to be seen if defensive line coach Kieth Millard can turn around Joseph’s career.

Outside Looking in: Josh Shaw

Josh Shaw was on the roster last year, but spent most of the year on the inactive list. His best chance for breaking camp a Raider is to beat out Joseph. Shaw is a five year vet who has never really stood out, so this could be his last chance before the CFL or Arena League.

What to Look For:

The biggest thing to watch is whether or not Terdell Sands can step it up and grab that nose tackle position. The key to his success will be to swallow multiple blockers so the Law Firm of Morrison and Howard can make the tackles. That will be the key to success in stopping the run, which was the weakest link by far in the Raider defense. Also, look to see if Josh Shaw can step up and push William Joseph out of a job.

WildCard:

Tommy Kelly is coming off of a season ending knee injury. The Raiders had enough faith in his healing process that they rewarded him with a huge contract. Training camp and preseason will be the first real test on whether or not he has healed right. There is also the possibility that the Raiders could bring in another defensive tackle to compete, as this group is seems rather week.

In other news, TFDS’s Roster Page has been updated with Sam Keller’s number. Also, don’t forget to check our Raider News page which is updated around the clock.

Getting defensive in our camp battles here at TFDS!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 am and is filed under Camp Battles, Josh Shaw, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands, Oakland Raiders Current Player Analysis, Tommy Kelly, William Joseph. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “Oakland Raiders camp battles: Defensive tackle-Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren and more compete to be the muddle in the middle”

Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders camp battles: Defensive tackle-Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren and more compete to be the muddle in the middle | The RaiderCast says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 am

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KA1Z3R says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 am

Go Gerrard Warren. I have high hopes fro him and I think he could be an effective pass rusher. I doubt Shaw will beat Joesph. I’m a little worried about Kelly, but not as much as Sands. Like I said, he’s a big reason as to why we’ll rise or fall.
Raiderchris56 says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am

Let’s all hope that our strong ground game will keep our defense off the field and force the opponent to need to pass to catch up. I’d like to see Hall and Aso making plays with Huff ball hawking. This defense doesn’t appear to be dominant at the point of attack, but the secondary will scare almost every team we face plus our outstanding LB’ing core.
KUSHMAN says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 am

if they can plug up holes and keep their hands in the qb’s face… while our DEs put on the pressure make guys like brady throw forced passes… that’ll make for good interceptions
Rob Calonge says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 am

Good article Patrick. I disagree with the strength of this unit due to my belief that Sands and Kelly will be better than people think. I wrote about it in my latest article with a crazy prediction about Sands.
KUSHMAN says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 am

i dont think much of sands because he didnt’ really seem like he cared much about after he got his contract.. it showed last season … i think his mindset is “i got my money we do i need to try so hard?”

i hope to god im wrong people.. but it sure as hell seems that way.. thus the nickname terd…
Coach Elkins says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Ha ha, the muddle in the middle, I like that. These men, the DL are actually the most important position on the football field in terms of scheme, on either side of the ball.

If you has 3 men, regardless of whether it’s a 4/3 or 3/4 defense (4th guy in a 4/3 is essentially a linebacker with run stopping cappabilities) who can occupy the opponents Offensive line (5 men) and using slants, stunts, creating confusion, but basically taking up blocks you are 75% of the way to having a dominant Defense. If a NFL team could coach up a group of CORE guys who played unselfishly rotating in and out then this idea could really grow into a monster and essentially change the game. This has yet to evovle the way it will. These 3 men should be working together, and this just isn’t happening.

If your 3 can occupy their 5 you have a multitude of opportunities at your doorstep. If you have a great Defense you don’t necessarily need a great Offense. On the other hand, if you have a great Offense and a poor Defense, at times you’ll be outscored. This is why DL is more important than a QB so to speak.

A great Defensive Line is and will always be the most important position in football.

This is not an opinion, it is a FACT!

As far as the Raiders Defensive Line goes, most of the time they mindlessly 2 gap and do not work as a unit. This is due to the lack of knowledge being taught to the players by their coaches.

Sorry guys, but thats the truth. There is nothing wrong with our players, never has been…
Jeff Little says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Good Read, Patrick. I agree with all of your takes on the Defensive Tackles. I also read Rob Calonge’s article and agree with your takes as well. The entire Defensive line needs to take a us against the world approach and make it a point to prove the doubters wrong. As stated, there is the possiblity of picking up another free agent DT from another team to strengthen the position.
Jeremy Jones says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm

I think we need to get that true run stuffer in Grady Jackson. I heard he is still available. I think he would open up things for kirk and thomas. He is a proven guy who will get in there and it would be a homecoming. You know once a Raider always a Raider.
pat. T says:

July 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm

I agree with Jeremy, i’ve been saying for months we should pick up Grady Jackson(maybe even Rod Coleman, if we for some reason we can’t pick up Jackson)… But yeah, Jackson would be able to play a solid 10-15 plays a game for us… Primarly on 1st & 2nd down… And i do think our D-line will be improved and Terdell “turd” Sands will improve… Like Rob said in the othe article he had a very tough time last season last year, because of a death in the family… This year he should be out to prove himself… Now what does worry me a little bit is Tommy Kelly coming off serious knee surgery… And i think Kiffin will refrain from working Kelly to hard in training camp… And i’ve even heard that Kelly might only practice once a day, during the always tough “two a days”…. Anyways, all we can do right now is speculate… But what worries me a little is injuries, i hope we dont have an injury plauged year… It usually happens to a couple teams every season… Lets hope were not one of them… Lets keep our fingers crossed through camp & preseason…

GO RAIDERS!!!
Mr South says:

July 3rd, 2008 at 5:57 am

I’ve read over the web has to why terdell sands looked ’soft’ last year can’t remember which site it was but he was dealing with 2 deaths in his family last year 1 was i think a parent(grand/mum dad) and the other his own child not too sure if i got the people right but i know it was 2 very close relatives so can see why football would be the last thing on his mind
pat. T says:

July 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 am

lIKE I SAID BEFORE HOPEFULLY SANDS GOES OUT THERE WITH A VENGANCE…

GO RAIDERS!!!
d says says:

July 9th, 2008 at 4:33 am

i think josh shaw is ready to go off this season. you think he would have been starting in mini camp if they didnt like him more then Joesph. Just watch and see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!