The Truth about the Raiders defense

I’ve really liked Curry ever since we got him, but we need to keep him in a position where he doesn’t have to try and cover anyone, because frankly he can’t. What he can do is make tons of plays close to/behind the line of scrimmage!

I think you addressed most of them well. But we also have to realize each play has a different plan. On the first touchdown, McClain had the A and B gap. If McClain commits to the outside then he’s out of position and there is the cutback. That probably means that the guy flying buy missing completely, Huff, was the guy responsible for the outside run on that side. At the end of the play you can see McClain whip his head around looking in Huff’s direction. I can’t be sure since on replay you can’t see where Huff started,

If the Raiders want their linebackers to fly around and get into the backfield, then the defensive line has to occupy multiple blockers even on run plays, which usually doesn’t happen except every once in a while when Henderson is in there.

Personally, I think Wimbley is great when the Raiders are ahead and the opponent needs to pass. But Wimbley is a bit small to set the edge on runs as a DE.

The Raiders need a couple beasty tackles, then they can do whatever they want.

As bad as McClain seems to play, I disagree with Rick Tittle’s and Townsend’s criticism. The problem is on the middle runs is that the DTs can’t get off blocks. If McClain is covering a tight end and he looks into the backfield at a run coming right at him, that’s two or three steps before the back gets the ball, which could be a fake, in the mean time the TE McClain is supposed to be covering is flying down the field open. In that case, I guarantee you the A and B gap are the responsibilities of the DTs not McClain.

If these guys are really done, then they won’t win the next three. If they were saving themselves for these three games then we’ll see if they have anything left.
All in all, them means next year. I know i’ll be there.

It’s an excuse because it doesn’t seem to effect veteran teams, but road games late in the year especially in the Eastern or Central timezone can be really tough to get adjusted to, going West to East is hard, East to West is easy, it really takes me like 3 days to get acclamated when I go East so even though playing at 1 PM PST just harder to get it going energy wise. Not sure exactly why some teams can get over it so quickly while younger teams have such a hard time. In Miami it seems like the defense just got ground down in the 1st half. In the Green Bay game, it almost seemed like the opposite like they never really even got a good sweat on, they just gave the receivers way too much room to run and with Rodgers so much of his offense is predicated on timing and precise route running, I think the Raiders just never got into it. I’d like to have seen a lot more press coverage, even if it resulted in illegal contact or pass interference against a team like that you just want to make them grind out the victory, make them earn it. The offense needs to be patient and not press, the turnovers were killer last week ruined any shot at being in the ballgame. I think some points early on by the defense would help the defense as the game progresses. I think we will see a much better effort this week. Detroit seems to be capable of putting 30 pts up on just about everybody. The Raiders confidence seems low so I really think they need to get a score early and get a couple early stops on D.