Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan S

2008 NFL Draft: A "Tuck" Rule Tom Brady Won't Like

Ryan S — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:56:08 -0400

A snowy night back in January 2002 is when Tom Brady had his first playoff victory.

When pressure, in the form of Charles Woodson, hit Tom square on his shoulders, the ball which was firmly gripped alongside his chest with both hands, flew out and was pounced on by Greg Biekert only to be over-ruled by a little known rule called the "Tuck."

Substitue in conditions that no one can clearly see in and pressure is relieved by two field goals, and that's how the infamous "Tuck" is born.

Fast forward six years later and another Tuck ends Brady's perfect season. Justin Tuck played the game of his life recording five tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. The key to beating Brady has always been pressure, and there hasn't ever been a higher premium on pass rushing defensive lineman.

If you look at the top of this draft, there are no linebackers projected in the top half of the draft and only one, possibly two defensive backs, but surely none will crack the top ten. Out of the top 10 picks, there are four defensive ends that are worthy of a a selection there, with two sure bets in Chris Long and Vernon Gholston. The other two are Derrick Harvey and Philip Merling.

The days of the mammoth linemen just put there as an immovable object with no real threat against even against a semi-mobile quarterback are over. The latest man to make a force in the league who is 350 lbs or more is Shaun Rogers...and he made an interception and ran 66 yards for a touchdown just last season.

The "new breed" of defensive tackles are being a disruptive force in the backfield more than ever. They're bigger, stronger, faster, and even capable of being touchdown catchers with really horrid dance moves in some cases.

In the top ten, two sure-fire prospects are to be drafted in Sedrick Ellis and Glenn Dorsey. They're both smaller in comparison to most defensive tackles by height, 6-1 and 6-2, and also in weight 303 lbs and 305 lbs. They both penetrate the backfield in different, yet dominating ways. Ellis chooses to use quickness and hand movement, while Dorsey uses brute strength.

Teams saw what happened to Brady in the Super Bowl and are attempting to make the most of their defensive line this upcoming season. Just ask the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders. They'll tell you how much gaining a disruptive line means to the defense.

When you can rush the quarterback like the Giants did, it enables the defense to not have to blitz as often, creating more packages and schemes for players usually designated to attack the opposing backfield. If you only have to rush four players, it leaves the rest of your defense less vulnerable.

Look for the Patriots to grab one of these highlight players, probably one of the "tweener" defensive ends, just so Tom won't have to get annihilated again.

All in all, the number of defensive lineman in top ten alone is a minimum of four and a maximum of six. Seeing the blueprint for success almost always creates a new rule of drafting for teams.

Let's just hope this new sense of the "Tuck" rule ends up better then the last.

NFL Schedule: Roger Goodell Sets the Tone for the Oakland Raiders

Ryan S — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:07:09 -0400

Mark this one day down in History. The league is NOT against the Oakland Raiders.

I would have had this article up earlier, but I was trying to catch my breath—it was announced today that the Raiders will host the Broncos on the second leg of the first Monday Night Football action of the season.

This will be one of the most important games in Raiders history. Roger Goodell is letting us decide our future here. Everywhere you look, there's non-stop news about the Raiders. Whether it be criticism or praise, the Raider Nation, is the talk of the nation.

Ever since we got our Silver and Black helmets dented in the Super Bowl, the league has given us some really rugged opening games:

2003: @ Titans
2004: @ Steelers
2005: @ Patriots
2006: vs. Chargers

Last year, we were at home versus the Lions. I thought they initially made a mistake, but they actually gave us a game we could win. Then I looked at the last four games of the season:

Packers
Colts
Jaguars
Chargers

Enough said.

This year though, our schedule is looking favorable, regardless who the last four games of the season are against. But, the opening game of the season for us this time, means a lot for the Raider Nation. With JaMarcus holding out last year for the first game, the Lions didn't really give us that fire that we needed to come out with.

Now, we know this game is against one of our most hated rivals and I've truly got to believe Al lobbied for this.

The wily owner is playing poker with the additions of many talented players and it has Al putting his money, and essentially his Raider life "all in". Winning cures everything.

So, why is this one initial game so important you ask? Well, what's the best way for a young team to win? The answer is easy: CONFIDENCE. A victory over a hated rival for the entire world to see would definately help that factor out.

Top College Running Back to Play his First Pro Game for the Oakland Raiders

Ryan S — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:59:38 -0400

The Oakland Raiders will have a college superstar running back playing his first game in the NFL this season.

As a junior, this phenom rushed for 1,143 yards and 23 touchdowns on only 205 carries. In his last performance, he rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns...in the first half! You can't forget about the tight spirals and touchdowns being thrown while he was playing quarterback either.

He's 6-foot-2, 245 lbs, and has some of the quickest feet of any player in the country. Wait a minute. Those numbers don't match up to Darren McFadden. As a matter of fact, he already has a number.

So who is this player?

His name is Michael Bush. His last game was the first game of the season versus Kentucky, where he had the infamous right tibia break during his third touchdown run at the beginning of the second half. That was supposed to be his Heisman season.

Luckily for the Raiders, this sure lock of a top 15 pick dropped to the fourth round at pick number 100. He's a product of the Male High School Bulldogs, where he played quarterback, cornerback, safety, running back, linebacker, defensive end, and wide receiver. He played quarterback in the state championship game against fellow Louisville teammate Brian Brohm, and threw for 468 yards, six touchdowns passing, one touchdown running, and another 116 yards on the ground.

His solid frame and quick feet have him drawing comparisons to Jamal Lewis. In the hole, the short, choppy steps that are taken to find the proper lane and then be gone, are the ones that separate these two backs from the likes of others.

Except Michael Bush has an insane amount of explosiveness. His initial burst and sudden change of lateral movement to elude and then power over not only defensive backs, but linebackers, make him a rare find. Coming out of the backfield, his hands are exceptional on the swing pass.

We already have Justin Fargas, who isn't a "home-run hitter," but can always find the right lane, and gained 1,000 yards in only eight starts. Don't forget about the veteran Dominic Rhodes either. LaMont will be cut on the first of June, so I do not need to include him on this. If it wasn't for Denver and Kansas City in serious running back trouble, LaMont would've been gone and we could've got an insight on Bush then.

Unlike McFadden, who runs through gaps, Bush makes gaps. Ask anyone, especially Reggie Bush. Those holes in the college level aren't there in the NFL.

In the zone blocking scheme, you patiently wait, then make the hole and break through the hole. Those short, choppy steps that grind through opposing defenders, make him inevitably a threat to change direction at any time with fantastic reflexes. He fits our zone system better then any running back in the draft.

I don't know about you, but I've never seen McFadden go anywhere except through a gaping hold in the middle or run to the outside then just run on a straight line. That is not our system my fellow Raider fans. Let's stick with the runner who can break a tackle.

In Defense of Gholston's Raider Career

Ryan S — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:04:49 -0400

The Raiders, I mean Al Davis, love combine freaks. While some other writers and fans jump on Darren McFadden for the Raiders pick, excuse me while I throw out the punch that some of you are passing along.

There's no sugar coating it. Vernon Gholston is exactly what we need. This man, or beast, will vault the Raiders' defense to that level that we havent seen in over 25 years, punishing whoever holds the ball.

Not since the mid-'80s have we completely devasated ball carriers on every play. Yes, we had some success in 2002, but we all remember Alstott and Pittman were not scared to run the ball against us.

The way the defense is lined up now, if either Derrick Burgess or Jay Richardson get hurt, we have no true defensive ends to fill in. Richardson isn't proven at all and because of Kevin Carter returning to Tampa, we are in dire need of a dominant defensive end.

We all know Burgess isn't the best against the run, but possibly that may be because he's always double teamed now. His last year in Philadelphia and his first year in Oakland, he was a force in the backfield.

Some of you love McFadden's measureables, especially his 4.33 forty time. Well here's something to think about:

*6-4, 262 lbs

*4.56 forty yard dash

*455 lb bench press and also squatting 405 lbs...20times!

*37 reps at 225 lbs

*42 in. vertical jump

At his height and weight, those numbers are staggering. All of those are better than Chris Long's numbers.

Remember now, Burgess always lines up against the opposing teams right tackle, which means he isn't coming from the quarterbacks blind spot, he's coming head on. With Gholston coming off of the opposite edge, it creates a death-trap bookend. Especially with the corners locked on so the line can force numerous "coverage sacks".

For those of you with concern to the run defense, I've already got this covered (pun intended). Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall can cover wide-outs securely. Anyone who has questions about Hall's ability or coverage wasn't thinking about 2008. In 2008, Asomugha will cover the opposing teams "number one" receiver. Which in some cases, was what Hall had problems with. Now Hall only has to cover the "number two" receiver. I know he can do that. What does this have to do with the run defense might you ask?

With the corners locked down and Huff returning to his true position, this gives the Raiders the ability to put eight men in the box. Gibril Wilson will be that enforcer we were lacking. With Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard stepping up their game each year, eight men in the box should keep runners under 100 yards each game.

It's all about gap control. Vernon Gholston is a very good run stuffing defensive end. With his athleticism, it will be hard for opposing teams to double team anyone on our line. With a front four consisting of Burgess, Sands, Kelly, and Gholston, it will be tough for anyone to pinpoint a weak spot to double team, keep in mind that having to double team anyone on the front four lets our linebackers have "free range" to roam the field, especially the backfield. Those eight men in the box will get the job done.

Vernon Gholston posseses the speed and power to go against the games best offensive lineman: left tackles. No one else in the draft has that ability to dominate from that position like he does, and that just might be the missing piece to propel our defense back to the days where people will not want to have the football in their hands on offense.

We need this warrior.