Could This Be the Unit That Improves the Raiders' Run Defense?

The rumbling continues in Raider Nation over the Raider's run defense. Many question if enough has been done about it in the offseason.

A great start was made in the draft. Rolando McClain projects well as a first round pick. Lamarr Houston was also considered to be a solid pick out of Texas in the second round.

Then a curve ball was thrown at Raider nation. Houston was a defensive tackle at the University of Texas last year, but Cable intends to move him to defensive end.

Where does that leave the Raiders at defensive tackle?

Cable has since spoken of his "secret weapon" that Raider Nation is supposed to be happy with.

Who could that be? Richard Seymour isn't a secret so moving him inside does not qualify.

Kellen Heard is a huge undrafted free agent that would definately qualify as a secret. However, he is undrafted so he can't be called a slam-dunk yet.

Many in Raider Nation want the Raiders to trade for Albert Haynesworth. Others wish for the aquisition of free agent John Henderson.

Do they really need to make such moves? A look at the top ten run defenses tells me, "Not necessarily."

Here is a list of the top ten run defenses in 2009: Packers(1) Vikings(2) Steelers(3) Cowboys(4) Ravens(5) The 49ers(6) Bengals(7) Jets(8) Eagles(9) Falcons(10) Texans (10) Titans(10) 

Of the top ten run defenses, only the Vikings, Ravens, and Steelers had  dominant, run-stuffing defensive tackles. The rest of them were led mainly by their linebacker play. The aforementioned Steelers and Ravens benefitted from both.

There is obviously more than one way to stop the run. That leads one to wonder if there is a common denomenator with these teams?

The answer is yes. It's on the offensive side of the ball.

There's an old dictum that comes to mind. "The best defense is a good offense." Let's go to the sport of boxing for an analogy. Manny Pacquiao throws so many punches that he barely needs to use defense. He keeps his opponents on defense.

How does that translate to football? Keeping the offense on the field and the defense off the field is the key to improving the Raiders run defense. Three and outs have never helped any defense.

In no way am I referring to the Saints' or Colts' style of play. If you throw the big punches, you better connect. You are otherwise at risk for mistakes (turnovers) and being too tired to defend yourself.

The Raiders are not talent deficient on offense now, but they haven't been together long enough to be a precise unit.

Therefore, I can hardly see the Raiders taking such risks too often right away. 

Ball control is the common denomenator that the top ten defenses have. With the exception of the 49ers, these teams have offenses that control the ball via run, pass, or both.

Five of these teams have an offensive rushing attack that ranks in the top ten themselves. The Steelers, Texans, and Eagles controlled the ball with the passing game. The Falcons, Vikings, and Packers used both.

Niether can be said about the offense of the 49ers. One could only chalk their outstanding play up to their head coach Mike Singletary.

How many teams have a Hall of Fame linebacker that played under Buddy Ryan as their coach?

McClain, Houston, and Heard should help the Raiders impove their run defense this season. However, what they have done on the offensive side of the ball should pay off the most.

The trade for Jason Campbell is a huge step in the right direction. Campbell threw for over 3,600 yard with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He managed to improve every year despite having a more dysfunctional situation than the Raiders. 

Are you not too impressed with that? Compare that to the 2,557 yards with 17 touchdowns and 18 intercepions the Raiders threw for as a team in 2009. Campbell's totals would have kept the Raiders on offense for much longer than Raider quarterbacks in 2009.

The talent in the receiving corps will be there for Campbell as well. Louis Murphy and Darrius Heward-Bey are deep threats but Chaz Shillens and tight end Zach Miller are there to move the chains.

Michael Bush and Darren McFadden are a running back combination that anyone would get excited about but they need help. The offensive line is what has to make the Raider's offensive world go round.

The Raiders had a horrendous offensive line last year. Having their best offensive lineman  (Robert Gallery) miss a good portion of the season due to injury didn't help. Khalif Barnes was brought in to help but he too was out with an injury.

Samson Satele looked like he started to come around a bit after struggling with the zone-blocking scheme and large nose tackles. Cornelle Green was a flag magnet and left tackle Mario Henderson was beaten for more sacks than anyone in the league.

The Raiders actually started to do something about it toward the end of last season  by bringing back former second round pick Langston Walker. We can't excactly call him the prodical son that returned but he did a good job filling in for the injured Gallery.

All reports indicate that he is going to start at right tackle for the Raiders this year. The Raiders seem to have also done pretty well for themselves in the draft. There are also two wildcards in the mix as well.

Bruce Campbell is an athletic freak just like Gallery. The Raiders obviously see him in the same light and decided to move the fourth round pick from left tackle to right guard. This bodes well for the Raiders as Cooper Carlisle appears to be done.

Jared Veldheer is a third round project from a small school. At 6'8, he is also very athletic but probabley needs time to grow into the competition level of the NFL. This is where the two wildcards come in.

Mario Henderson appeared to be that guy at left tackle in 2008 but 2009 was a completely different story. Henderson led the league in sacks given up last season. He's still a young man so he has a chance to bounce back this year.

Khalif Barnes is probably the wildest of wildcards. He was pretty good at left tackle with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a time but was let go. He actually looked good in camp for the Raiders last year but broke his leg before the Raiders broke camp.

Putting this group together to go great things will once again be the focus of Cable. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has been brought in to call plays so Cable will now have time to shape and mold this group.

On paper, this looks like a good group. The size and athleticism of this unit will give them the versatility they need to use a power and zone scheme in thier blocking assignments for the 2010 season. The fact that Cable will now focus on them makes them look ever better on paper.

Unfortunately, no team has never won a single game on paper. However, should this unit be respectable this year, they will be the major reason for the Raiders run defense improving.