Oakland Raiders Ranked Third in the NFL Against the Run ?

And guess what, we played in the Super Bowl that year!

I just came across an article from Scout.com, posted Feb. 3, 2003, "Season in Review: Defensive Line" By Vince D'Adamo. To quote a section,

"The improvement started in the middle with the additions of tackles John Parrella and Sam Adams as run stuffers in the middle. Those two individuals provided the beef in the middle to help Oakland’s run defense improve from No. 22 against the run in 2001 to No. 3 in 2002."

For residents of the Nation who have forgotten, in a not-so-distant past, we stopped the run.

That year we brought in two DT's at plugging the gaps and it proved great dividends. I do not want to stress the fact that we solved the problem with free agents but rather on the type of D'line we had and refer to as a model for success.

We also had a few rookie DT's in Rod Coleman and Chris Cooper.

Both Adams and Parrella were 6'3", 330lbs and 315lbs respectively. Neither man was a huge sack artist but was great at filling the gaps and stuffing the run as their primary roles. Secondly, they were effective at disrupting the plays behind the line.

To further denote some obvious characteristics of having a D-line like this it allows your speedier DT, Rod Coleman 6'2 285 expose and take advantage of one on ones. Coleman got to the QB's 11 times that year. Hmm NFL coaches take notice.

We had some mean DE's and LB's back then and I think some of those QB KO's from that year came courtesy from the likes of DE Delawrence Grant, DE Regan Upshaw, RLB Eric Barton, LB Travian Smith and LLB Bill Romonowski.

If I can use the sack total for that year to articulate my point on the importance of the DT position. We had 42 sacks from what I was able to add up that year.

In case you were wondering, that’s 10 more than we got this year.

With the exception of Coleman the rest of the 2002 DT's combine for four sacks. While Kelly, Warren and Sands add up to ten and a half sacks (4.5, four, and two, respectively). We should move Kelly around the line from DT to DE to take advantage of mismatches and to confuse the offense.

We need to replace DT's Sands and Joseph through draft and free agency. They have proved to be inadequate situational DT's, and as long as they are on our roster, they hurt the team.

Sands, at 6'7", is way too tall and gives way too much leverage away and gets bull rushed by smaller stronger OT's.

We need to stick to prototypical run stopping DT's in the mold of 6'3", 315lbs-335lbs.

Comparing the old DE's (11.5) to the new DE's (18) sack counts favors our new DE's.

I like our new sack totals but can't help but think this has something to do with our inability to stop the run. Imagine if we had a then Adams and Parrella on today’s line. I know...scary, isn't it?

Comparing the old LB's (15.5) to the new LB's (2) sack counts favors the old LB crew.

LB's Eric Barton, Travian Smith and Romo were 6'2 245lbs, 6'4" 240lbs and 6'4" 245lbs respectively and compare similarly to Morris, Howard and Brown 6'2" 240lbs, 6'3" 240 lbs and 6'2" 235lbs.

Though our guys are a bit smaller and lighter all we need is a MLB in the mold of 6'1 250lbs (Ray Lewis)-270lbs, to de-cleat RB's as they run by and roll Morrison to the strong side and Walla LB core. Check!

I totally understand Mr. Davis's frustrations with Sam Williams. This guy has all the physical tool sets to be an impact LB in our league at 6'5", 260lbs and the speed and athleticism to run down opposing players; I just don't get why it has not happened.

Talk about frustrations, can't really blame Al for trying to get himself the next Rod Woodson type FS. (Yes I know he played CB for most of his career.) BTW, if you were wondering, and I know you are, Woodson recorded eight INT's that year and ran back two for TD's.

Why not try Tyvon Branch as a SS and Routt as FS and Huff as nickelback and dime coverage. Huff might be better at designated gap coverage.

I'm not saying we are three players away from being a dominant defense again, well actually I am. I know it takes a whole team effort and an aggressive DC to design and call the plays for our guys. Give me two new faces at DT who can form a wall in the middle and command a double team and I promise you we stop the run in 09'.