The Raiders Defense improved significantly last season advancing from a 26th overall D in '09 to Rank as the 11th best Defense in '10. The Rookie (Houston, McClain) and FA  (Wimbley, Henderson) acquisitions played a significant part in that improvement; but that wasn't the only reason. Several Raider veterans improved their game significantly last season too. 

These Raider defenders raised their level of play significantly last season:

Matt Shaughnessy - went from 26 solo tackles and 4 sacks in '09 to 43 solo tackles and 7 sacks in '10.

Matt Shaughnessy defended his right-end territory heroically throughout the season ... and created confusion and terror in our opponents' backfield

Matt disturbing the peace in Jacksonville.

Richard Seymour - went from 30 solo tackles and 4 sacs in '09 to 36 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks - and emerged as the essential leader of the Silver & Black.

Kelly and Shaughnessy celebrate one of Seymours' sacks

Tommy Kelly - went from 37 solo tackles and 1 sack in '09 to 38 solo tackles and 7 sacks.

Tommy Kelly forces a fumble out of Chief RB Thomas Jones

Stanford Routt - who played behind Chris Johnson in '09, made the Pro-Bowl in '10 as an alternate having 49 solo tackles, 15 passes defended, 2 interceptions (one taken to the house).