Raider Up! The Defense Can Win The AFC West For The Raiders This Year.

It's time for the defense to step up and make a difference in the fortunes of the Raiders this year. Gone is the Rob Ryan experiment, and while I like Ryan's attitude, there didn't seem to be a whole lot of accountability on the defensive side of the ball with him as coach.

According to reports, the defense should be much more disciplined under new DC Jim Marshall, and some discipline is what's been lacking in Oakland overall for awhile now, in my opinion, and nowhere does this ring more true than on the defensive side of the ball. How many times in the last 2 years have we lost games that we've lead in the 4th quarter? At least 10, I can assure you.

Now, on to my projected starters, and what I think they need to do to help us have a winning season.

DE's

I think our base ends will be Derrick Burgess, and Greg Ellis. I don't think that Burgess is going anywhere based on the fact that he's relatively cheap at around 2 million this year, and he's in a contract year. With the possibility of 1 last big payday if he has a great season, I expect him to play his butt off and have 10+ sacks this year, if he can stay healthy.

Ellis needs to provide some locker room leadership, be stout against the run, have 4-8 sacks, and help mentor the young guys. A good bit of responsibility to be sure, but Ellis is a consumate pro, and should be a great addition.

DT's

Tommy Kelly- Needs to step up and be the man that wreaks havoc in the middle this year. His knee should be fully healed, and he's got a huge payday to validate. No more jumping offsides in practice, Tommy. Marshall needs to get the most out of Kelly, lets hope he can get it done.

Gerrard Warren- I actually prefer Sands here, as I think Warren is more of a 3 technique like Kelly, but Warren gets the nod, and he needs to step up and play the run. If he gets to the QB a few times, all the better, but the focus should be on stopping the ball carrier.

LB's

Kirk Morrison- Needs to be the emotional heartbeat of our D. I also am of the opinion that he misses too many tackles, due to over-pursuit. This needs to be corrected. He's also in a contract year, so if he really steps up and takes responsibility for the ENTIRE defense and plays at a Pro Bowl level, he can help us win the division, and get himself a big payday. Should be plenty of incentive.

Thomas Howard. Maybe the fastest linebacker in the league, and great in pass coverage. Needs to be a little more disciplined, and stouter against the run. Another potential Pro Bowler on defense. Didn't an entire network say Al Davis can't draft anymore?

Ricky Brown- Will be playing SLB this season, despite playing the middle at OTA's. Played fairly well last year when healthy, hopefully can fill the gap left there since Bill "I end teammates' careers cause of the 'roids" Romanowski. I think his play will improve.

DB's

Nnamdi Asomugha- Is the best in the game, without question. No need to worry about his side of the field. Would like him to be a more vocal leader, and I think that may develop more this year, as his Pro Bowl berth commands the respect of his teammates. One of the true gems of the NFL. Be thankful he's around Nation.

Chris Johnson- Played well when he took over as the starter last year. Reportedly works with Deion Sanders in the off-season. I would expect him to be solid, if un-spectacular.

FS- Michael Huff- This is my surprise prediction for a starter, and I know he hasn't been great, but I have a good reason for this surprise. Nnamdi says he's going to have a break out season, and he's said it multiple times. If the best player on our team has that much confidence in him, we have to take notice.

SS- Tyvon Branch- I wish Mike Mitchell could've participated in OTA's but a rule that makes no sense didn't allow it. Branch wins the job because he's physical and fast, like Mitchell, but has 1 year in the League under his belt, and is up to speed on the playbook. Needs to help stuff the run, and knock out anyone daring to come across the middle.

As you can see, the talent is there, the main thing lacking has been, discipline, followed directly by a poor offense. The offense should be markedly better this year, it's time for our D to return to dominance. Defense wins championships, ours can help us win the AFC West crown this season. RAIDER UP!