Raider Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan, son of infamously feisty defensive guru Buddy Ryan is a proponent of the 3-4 defenses, although he isn’t married to the scheme.
He was much maligned in 2007 when the Raider defense regressed from making a great amount of progress in 2006 and it was rumored that he would be fired until Al Davis intervened.
It can’t be overstated that Rob Ryan’s knowledge of defense is vast. He spent three years in New England as the Outside Linebackers coach learning the system under Bill Belichick & Romeo Crennel. He probably knew more X’s and O’s as a teen that some assistant coaches absorb.
The defense needs to become more versatile. The Raiders tried to employ a Hybrid 3-4 defense when Rob Ryan arrived in 2004 and failed miserably due to a combination of things, players not having a grasp of the defense and the lack of the proper personnel.
That has now changed and don't be surprised to see the Raiders implement a 3-4 defense. I wrote a story titled "Change of Defensive Philosophy" months ago saying that it was coming.
It was mentioned that the Raiders had tweaked the defense which could be interpreted several ways. I feel that some of those tweaks will improve the Raider defense; they could be using a fair amount of formations to keep offenses guessing.
The use of multiple looks that will show one look and then shift to another prior to the snap. One option could be more blitz packages out of their 4-3 defense. Another option could be implementing the vaunted Bear 46.
The Raiders have added veteran additions to shore up the secondary in Gibril Wilson & DeAngelo Hall. The most recent additions were way under the radar but are ones with small risk that could bring huge rewards.
The Raiders have added veteran DE Greg Spires and veteran SLB Edgerton Hartwell. The team has had a huge need at the two positions for quite some time. The Raiders have used the combination of Robert Thomas & Sam Williams at SLB and as much as I like both players the position could be upgraded.
SLB Ed Hartwell if healthy will solidify the LB position. He has played MLB and could get a shot there moving Kirk Morrison to the SLB position. Either way if healthy he would help improve the defense by helping to improve the SLB position.
He is 6’1” 250lbs. He has good lower-body strength, takes excellent pursuit angles and reads and reacts quickly. Plays with good leverage; rarely is knocked down. Active in the box, stacks and sheds well and is an explosive hitter. Bottom line is he is a solid run stopper capable of making plays from sideline to sideline.
The Raiders needed to replace DE Chris Clemons who left via free agency; the Raiders have accomplished that task by signing Greg Spires. Greg Spires is a 10 year veteran who has chalked up 39.5 career sacks and has forced 11 fumbles.
He plays smart and understands blocking angles. He does a good job of not letting blockers get into his body. Has a variety of moves and does a good job of setting up blockers.
He may not be as gifted physically as most ends, but his instincts, intelligence and aggressiveness makes him a good fit for the Raiders. These two veterans bring to the table attributes that the Raiders haven’t had at these positions in a long time. I know it is early but my bet is on both could make an impact on the 2008 Raider defense.
The DE position will now have a tremendous amount of competition in training camp with Derek Burgess, Greg Spires, Jay Richardson, Kalimba Edwards, Trevor Scott, Greyson Gunheim, Derrick Gray and Tranell Morant who is versatile enough to play both DE & DT.
The team now has five veteran players in the defensive tackle rotation Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands and William Joseph, Josh Shaw. These guys all have something to prove and 2008 is the time to do it. These guys aren’t the most feared DT rotation in the league but they do have the size and talent to be very effective.
It was mentioned that Terdell Sands lost a member of his family last year. As much as I wouldn’t want to wish that upon anyone, I don’t know if that is true. What I do know is that could be a reason for the lack of focus last year but not for the poor technique displayed after showing so much promise in 2006.
This isn’t being mentioned as an excuse but like WR Javon Walker and anyone else who has lost a family member or close friend when something like this happens it is very difficult to keep your mind on football while grieving.
Going into training camp this is a good snap shot of the two deep depth chart on defense. The competition at every position will be intense. A successful training camp will provide the defense with good mix of youth and experience and an aggressive unit that will stop the run and get after the QB and make noise in 2008. The hope is that a few free agents make the team and at youth to the special teams as well.
DE Derrick Burgess, Trevor Scott
DT Tommy Kelly, William Joseph
DT Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands
DE Jay Richardson, Greg Spires, Tranell Morant
WLB Thomas Howard, Sam Williams
MLB Kirk Morrison, Robert Thomas
SLB Ed Hartwell, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
LCB Nnamdi Asomugha, Stanford Routt
SS Gibril Wilson, Tyvon Branch
FS Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigert
RCB DeAngelo Hall, Chris Johnson
This is how I see the depth chart going into Training Camp 2008. Someone will become the surprise player of the training camp and don't be surprised if Trevor Scott and some of the undrafted free agent Defensive Ends get a chance to show if they can make the transition to the Outside Linebacker positions.
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2 months ago
Hartwell is a good player but he hasn't been really healthy since 2004, I can't see him ever being the same guy again, you know what I mean? Spires was a nice signing but they still don't have a bonafide run stuffer in the middle unless Joesph finds himself or Warren makes an improbable quantum leap, Kelly is a pass rusher whose skills against the run aren't good enough to control the middle.
My deepest condolences for Sands if indeed he did lose a family memeber, it really must have been an awful experience to grieve for a relative while taking shot after shot from bloggers and media men who didn't know what was going on. I hope he rebounds next year, everyone loves a feel good story.
Oakland really needs smarter and more experienced linebackers to make the 3-4 work, nothing against Howard, Morrisson or Thomas but they need guys like Bruschi, Seau, etc to have a great 3-4. Not old and slow like them but smart and experienced.
The 3-4 has a lot of boom or bust potential inherent in its use, the 4-3 is generally a safer scheme but one that doesn't produce the results of a 3-4 set when perfectly used unless your team's front four is simply too dominant for O-lines to handle, a trait which is becoming less and less common these days.
Peace,
Max
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the feedback, Max. I agree that Hartwell hasn't been healthy this is why I said "if Healthy" next to his name. Both Hartwell & Spires are low risk guys with the possibility of high rewards. I don't think that the Raiders will run a 3-4 defense. The team has two solid young linebackers in Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison what they've needed has been a solid SLB and again if healthy Hartwell can be that guy. No one knows where he is from a physical standpoint but he missed all of last season and a portion of 2006. Perhaps in the recovery time he has healed, he is a solid run defender that takes good pursuit angles. Who knows but he was a low risk pick up for the Raiders that could use that quality on defense. The Defensive Tackles mentioned have to get the job done. Contrary to popular belief Tommy Kelly is a Defensive Tackle that is versatile enough to play Defensive End. He isn't a guy that is playing out of position.
from 2 months ago
Max,
I wanted to add something new. In the 1st Organized Team Activity the Raiders were implementing a 3-4 defense. This tells me that Hartwell will have a shot at MLB with Morrison moving to SLB. Two other undrafted free agent additions at Linebacker could add depth at the position in Malik Jackson from Louisville and Shane Simmons from Western Washington. This goes back to a story I wrote months ago called "Oakland Raiders: Change in Defensive Philosphy?"
from 2 months ago
I remember that story, it was one of the first I read on this site and it was good work. Hartwell going to MLB doesn't surprise me, he played there in Baltimore before he went to Atlanta and started getting injured. They definitely have talented enough LBs for the system in howard, morrisson, Hartwell, and possibly Derrick Burgess if he transitions to rush LB (he'd thrive at the position for the record) also, he isn't big enough to play DE in a 3-4. My one beef though is that they don't have a good enough NT to hold the defense together.
Sands may get a shot if he can go back to his '06 form. Warren is a possibility but he is no more than average, and I'm not sure joseph is strong enough. Kelly would be a great option as a 3-4 DE though. As a Pats fan, I've watched the 3-4 long enough to know that Wilfork is the glue that holds that defense together, I'm not sure Oakland has that presence in the middle to attract and beat the double team consistently. The 3-4 could be a real hit or miss in Oakland, Howard and Morrisson are very versatile and they're abilities against the pass are very good but as i said, they don't have the size and strength along the D-line to pull it off in my view. (barring a revival from Sands.)
Peace,
Max
from 2 months ago
Good takes Max. I agree with all of your takes especially regarding the NT position and Terdell Sands. Hopefully he can regain his 2006 form. I was holding out hope that the Raiders would draft either Red Bryant of Ahtyba Rubin. Thanks for the comments and the feedback.
2 months ago
Jeff,
On Terdell Sands, yes, his personal loss at the beginning of last season and some personal problems are being given the reason for his poor play last season. While I'm sympathetic, I'm not so sure that I'm as forgiving as you about it...I mean, he was getting paid to be a starter.
As far as the defense goes, I'm not so sure that Rob Ryan is as good a defensive coordinator as you do. I am also not sold that the 3-4 will be accomplished with much success. In order for the Raiders to play great with the 3-4 alignment, they need another one or two solid to great linebackers, in my opinon. If they mix the alignment in when playing third and long or in the dime, I'd be more comfortable with it, but for God's sake I hope they blitz too.
Although we disagree about some of these things, you definitely seem to know what you're talking about. Good job!
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the compliments, Rob! I totally agree with your take on Terdell Sands and I would be lying to you if I said that I didn't talk very badly about him. I was also very disappointed in him as well and said so on several occasions. I didn't want to seem like I was piling on in this article but he doesn't get a pass I will not disagree with you on that.
As far as your defensive take goes, I see your points and they're difficult to argue with but I'm in agreement. Let me explain I would like to see the Raiders use the 3-4 defense in passing situations as a change of pace or something that will have the opposing offense guessing and not making the 3-4 thier base defense. The need is definitely still there for more linebackers. I'm hoping that Ed Hartwell is healthy and capable of contributing. I also would love to see Malik Jackson & Shane Simmons make the roster. I have a feeling Kalimba Edwards, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Derrick Grey might get a look as a LB. I also want to echo your words on the need to blitz more! I have no problem with a disagreement it provides the opportunity for dialog and discussion a sharing of views if you will.
Thanks for the feedback and for providing your takes.
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