How Do The Raiders Fix This? Part Two: Defense Needs Help

Looking at the Raiders, it is not a simple thing that needs to be done for the Raiders to come back to respectability, but a series of actions, just to turn the corner.

The Oakland Raiders' defense started the season with some promise. Against the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders almost squeezed out a win, until the defense went soft, causing a late-game TD that left some shaking their heads.

Although, some felt that the Raiders had a good defense, and if we could get some offense the Raiders might still have the makings for an 8-8 season. The game against Kansas City helped reinforce this because even though our defense was pushed, the team did enough to win the game, thanks to a late miracle drive by JaMarcus Russell.

The last three games though, there were no miracles, no positive points, and the team has looked progressively worse.

The last week against the Giants, when it looked like we had figured out Brandon Jacobs, the Giants switched him out and dropped in Bradshaw, who gutted our team for yardage. Looking at the game on tape, Bradshaw was simply faster than our players and Eil Manning was performing well, throwing out passes just to where the receiver could make the catch.

Four drives delivered a verdict that was both painful and obvious...the defense is in trouble.

What has changed from week one? Were the Chargers really that bad, and we didn't change? Or has it been a slowly digressing skill set in our team?

Guys like Greg Ellis, Richard Seymour, Kirk Morrison, and others can line up week after week, but right now this defense won't stop anyone. Part of it isn't even their fault, as each week they have been playing more minutes than they expected to. With the offense being unable to mount lasting drives, the defense spends more time trying to stop a team that is fresh.

How does a team fix this problem?

For one, the team needs to fix the offense. The original idea was for the offense to help, by practicing ball control. With the running game bogged down and JaMarcus Russell unable to keep the ball moving, the defense is going to get tired. But if the team can find ways to buy more time, like devoting a drive to all running plays, it may give the defense the break they need.

Secondly, they need to bring in fresh players, so no one gets tired. The disadvantage of this option is that the Raiders are not overflowing in bench players.

Thirdly, the coaching field. John Marshall originally had plans and this coach comes highly recommended. It makes me question whether the Raiders are being sabotaged. Some have said that Randy Hanson, the exiled Raiders coach has been passing along notes to some opposing defensive players. If this is the case, then the Raiders need to plug this hole—the sooner the better.

Lastly, don't mess with what works on the team. Right now, the one aspect that works on this team is Asomugha, who's functioning well. We also had sacks coming from Seymour and Ellis. Huff was picking off passes. The team needs to build on these guys, keeping key players doing what they've been doing. Maybe the other players can learn by example.