Raiders Sign Napoleon Harris, Release Ricky Manning Jr.

So the story here goes:

Let’s keep stockpiling mediocre linebackers in a weak attempt to fix our run defense. Let’s do nothing about the defensive line. And hope for the best.

"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."

by S Jay Bruin on Aug 24, 2009 5:24 PM PDT reply actions

Find a Defensive Lineman that you think we should sign.

I posted the availabel DT’s here, http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2009/8/19/995624/raiders-sign-rashad-baker. where Rated R pointed out that La’Roi glover had retired.
If there are bigtime runstoppers availavle I’m sure we would explore that. I think if people are gonna complain about not picking up someone at a particular position they should at least have some sort of suggestion. And no, Shaun Rogers is probably not going to be available in a trade.

by bloodshot13 on Aug 24, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions

You are missing the point

The entire offseason, the team played little to no attention to the interior defensive line. Through free agency, the draft…very minimal bandaids. The effort on Saturday was embarrasing, yet no competition has been brought in. I suppose you expect the defense to magically get better with the failed personel that are playing. Oh yeah, it’s just a scheme problem. My job is not to find the players, that’s the so called scouting department’s job. A job they are continuing to fail at. I read a post that said Antaj Hawthorne was the last DT the Raiders drafted. Are you kidding me, how long ago was that? 2 DT’s could have been picked with value when our first 2 picks came up. In the 1st round Raji who was picked one pick later by Green Bay. In the 2nd Round, we traded the pick to the Patiots who picked Ron Brace with it. Both times we reached big time for 2 other players and positions, and failed to address the one in most need of attention.

"If you don't take out his battery, he's going to keep going all day."

by S Jay Bruin on Aug 25, 2009 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions

That makes sense

And I agree with you. They did not do anything to address it aside for sign Greg Ellis, but then trading Burgess. And the tackles need to be upgraded severly.I kind of read your comment wrong and it reminded me some others that were upsest that we werent signing people to shore up the run defense right now, during camp. Because in that case I do not think there are terribly good options. You are correct though, they had opportunities to address the problem in the offseason and continued to ignore the teams biggest problem.

by bloodshot13 on Aug 25, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

if something key doesn't happen before season starts

we lose to the Chargers, again.

sorry to say, but that will be the harbinger of the season.

I’m praying we address this glaring hole, immediately.

by brhynno on Aug 25, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

That was quick.

Wonder if Manning gets to keep his jersey or if he has to turn it in to get his last paycheck.

by dram5780 on Aug 24, 2009 5:54 PM PDT reply actions

The front office

needs an upgrade or we’re not going to be able to stop the run for 6 more years.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til' I die.

by thepunisher00187 on Aug 24, 2009 6:25 PM PDT reply actions

Napoleon Harris!!!!!!

so stoked!!!

not trying to say he’ll actually make a legit difference or anything, just some irrational love for my boy nap.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Aug 24, 2009 8:05 PM PDT reply actions

Well

we did trade him to get Randy Moss so I guess that counts for something. Now if he can gain 100 pounds and play defensive tackle then we will have made a good pick up…….

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til' I die.

by thepunisher00187 on Aug 24, 2009 8:13 PM PDT reply actions

give it up people

The Raiders are not going to pick up a DT in the foreseeable future. The problem in the niners game was not any DT (though Warren was noticeably off his usual game) it was Scott’s being shoved around in the running game. His side of the D-Line (with Warren) was what was targeted by the niners ground game.

What does this mean? Scott’s been manhandled in the running game two weeks in a row. It’s time for Richardson to be put back in the starting lineup. Richardson’s actually good in the run game and seems to still be developing his pass rush. Richardson is still our base end and should be used as such.

The DT’s are still a big weakness, but depth at linebacker and other positions is still the top concern.

"You'll take my life but I'll take yours too. You'll fire you musket but I'll run you through. So when your waiting for the next attack. You'd better stand there's no turning back"- "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden

by KA1Z3R on Aug 25, 2009 6:17 AM PDT reply actions

+1

I think Scott has played himself right into being a situational pass rusher. To say he was victimized puts it mildly. Richardson is much more well-rounded and should be the base DE.

by Raybin on Aug 25, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions

KA1Z3R is right, stopping the run is a complete defensive effort

DT is still a weakness but trust that is a known fact by the coaching staff. No need to sign a DT that is not better than what we have, so first there needs to be a DT that can add not just come in and get his but kicked also. Remember what preseason is for, it is to strengthen weaknesses and find weaknesses, as a team, are we better than last season so far, yes. I am happy about what happened in SF because it will allow us to focus on correcting the problems. And when weak in one area you may have strengths in another to compensate, that is where adjustments come in.

You bring in better talent where you can if it will help the team perform, so LB is a concern and Henderson may be able to help, remember he has to perform to keep his job. So it is good to see the team is still working on improving.

by Rodney Sacramento on Aug 25, 2009 6:51 AM PDT reply actions

You say fixing weaknesses

The Raiders finished 31st in stopping the run last year. We didn’t need this year’s preseason to figure out that who we have on the roster already can’t stop the run. We finished 32nd in passing and to fix that we got Khalif Barnes, Samson Satele, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, and Brandon Myers. I don’t really see any moves that have been made to slow down the run. We didn’t get any new DT’s, we’re just using the same ones from last year which obviously didn’t work out. Matt Shaugnessy is more known for pass rush and Stryker Sulak got cut before even getting a chance to show what he can do. We’re going to finish next to last in rush defense again this year because we’ve done nothing to fix it and teams know they can’t pass on our corners.

Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til' I die.

by thepunisher00187 on Aug 25, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Cable wanted to perform an experiment with the current DT's

in reality, Kelly is actually pretty good. Cable can see that the big thing was Warren’s consistency issues. So, he wished to instill more fundamentals to Warren in hopes of creating some more consistency in his game. Whether this plan works yet or not, remains to be seen. But you can’t ditch a plan when it’s only just started. If Marshall’s teaching does in fact help Warren not disappear so often in so many games, then we could have a fairly decent group of DT’s.

The big problem here is Scott is not a base end yet and seems far from it, Richardson meanwhile was a base end last year, and is still improving his pass rush. Richardson’s starting would show significant improvement in the run D.

"You'll take my life but I'll take yours too. You'll fire you musket but I'll run you through. So when your waiting for the next attack. You'd better stand there's no turning back"- "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden

by KA1Z3R on Aug 25, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know about "significant" improvement

Remember that Richardson started several games at LDE last year in place of the injured Derrick Burgess, and there wasn’t that much difference in the run defense. I would still say that Richardson playing as base RDE is better for the Raiders though.

Slade Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

ESPN’s draft coverage missed the moment when Al Davis and Tom Cable each took turns using Mel Kiper’s mock draft as toilet paper. - Chris Shellcroft

by LiveAdam on Aug 25, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

well maybe I should haven't said "significant"

more like…….noticeable improvement. it won’t be a minor change. it’d definitely be a noticeable swap of talents.

"You'll take my life but I'll take yours too. You'll fire you musket but I'll run you through. So when your waiting for the next attack. You'd better stand there's no turning back"- "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden

by KA1Z3R on Aug 25, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Im of the opinion that

If a DT or DE isn’t a guy who can force the issue with the O-linemen and press into the backfield for stops, then he needs to be able to occupy blockers so that our Linebackers can get there and make a play. Keeping the OL off the LBs should be the goal if you can’t go blow up the play.

"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"

by CommittedToExcellence on Aug 25, 2009 7:13 AM PDT reply actions

Wonder what this means in terms of the future roster

I think it’s pretty obvious the Raiders are committed to Morrison, Howard, Brown, Alston and Norris. Looks to me like Harris and Greenwood will be competting for the last backup spot, though they both may get a place on the roster at first if Kirk has be out a few weeks.

Based on Greenwood’s performance so far, I’d say all Harris has to do is show up and the spot is his.

by Raybin on Aug 25, 2009 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

Lots of Questions About Future Roster

I think it’s pretty obvious the Raiders are committed to Morrison, Howard, Brown, Alston and Norris.

The first four you named are all in the last year of their contracts and will be either unrestricted or restricted free agents after this season. If this group doesn’t perform well this season we could see a huge change in the LB corp. next season. It would be difficult to see a Raiders defense without the Law Firm, but it may be for the best if this group can’t get it done.

Slade Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

ESPN’s draft coverage missed the moment when Al Davis and Tom Cable each took turns using Mel Kiper’s mock draft as toilet paper. - Chris Shellcroft

by LiveAdam on Aug 25, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

so true

the only one who’s job is secure in my mind is Howard if for the simple fact of how dangerous he is in pass defense. probably the best cover linebacker in the league.

"You'll take my life but I'll take yours too. You'll fire you musket but I'll run you through. So when your waiting for the next attack. You'd better stand there's no turning back"- "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden

by KA1Z3R on Aug 25, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I should've made myself more clear...

…I guess I meant “this season” by the future, not long term. My bad. So by “committed” I mean “they’ve got the roster spot all but nailed down this year.”

by Raybin on Aug 25, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

I would agree that those 5 have roster spots locked up. I would also say that Ekejiuba has a roster spot locked up as well, leaving only one for Williams, Greenwood, and Harris to fight for.

Slade Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

ESPN’s draft coverage missed the moment when Al Davis and Tom Cable each took turns using Mel Kiper’s mock draft as toilet paper. - Chris Shellcroft

by LiveAdam on Aug 25, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Also I must say.....

…I was hoping they’d be cutting someone else before Manning. At the least, there’s no way he’s not an upgrade over guys like Bowie for the 4th corner position. I had hoped he could win the nickel corner spot. But that could just be my annoyance at Stanford Routt’s continuing membership in the Raiders organization.

by Raybin on Aug 25, 2009 12:17 PM PDT reply actions

Napoleon

is back. I was dissapointed when he was traded, but it is good to see him back. O guys, I finally moved into college here at UC Merced. I just had my first class today. That’s why I wasn’t on this site all that much.

R.I.P - Michael Jackson

by Rayder K on Aug 25, 2009 12:33 PM PDT reply actions

Congrats!

But when they start scheming us the way these guys did, and we weren't particularly ready for it, anything can happen."

by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Aug 25, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

What are you gonna major in?

by dram5780 on Aug 25, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions

You're down the road a ways from me

I’m at Fresno State, and i live not too far from Merced (commuting sucks btw)

"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"

by CommittedToExcellence on Aug 26, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Notice DT William Joseph

Starter Gerard Warren DT should be benched and replaced with DT William Joseph along side Kelly would provide more speed upfield than Warren can provide right now. I have notice #96 has some skill and speed at the position. Even around the NFL nowadays teams are going with leaner DT’s chosing quick pro bowl DE’s to relieve the middle and make the O-line double team to the outside. Giants D-line makeup is just like that.

by Black_lion474 on Aug 25, 2009 2:03 PM PDT reply actions

Raideraide anyone?

Feeling a little better about our D line after reading this article.

I think the author was wrong about Warren not being on that first SF drive though.

by dram5780 on Aug 25, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Stop the run!

I think the glaring weakness is our front seven of the defense. Greg Ellis will be fine rushing the passer, and I think Jay Richardson needs to get the start vs. New Orleans. Hopefully, Tommy Kelly is ready to stop LT come September 14!

by Jraider on Aug 25, 2009 10:39 PM PDT reply actions