Silver And Black Pride - Comparing 2014 Raiders to past decadeCovering all things Las Vegas Raiders footballhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49501/sbp-fav.png2014-07-20T08:00:04-07:00http://www.silverandblackpride.com/rss/stream/56636082014-07-20T08:00:04-07:002014-07-20T08:00:04-07:00How do Raiders 2014 safeties rank vs past decade?
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<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>And now the final position which will get the last decade comparison treatment -- safety. It's not an easy position to quantify. There are a lot of variables to consider when judging a safety. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> haven't been completely starved at the position but Pro Bowls have eluded them for some time. Some of that has to do with being in the same conference as the likes of <span>Ed Reed</span> and Troy Polamalu. Some of it has to do with the overall poor play of the Raiders over the past ten years.</p>
<p>Being a safety is all in the name. It's the guys who fill in the gaps and pick up the slack. But they cant be everywhere so if there's too many gaps or too much slack, stuff gets missed. And the Raiders very much felt the absence of one of their starting safeties last season. Let's see where the 2014 safety duo projects among the last decade of Raiders safety tandems.</p>
<p><b>1. <span>Tyvon Branch</span>, <span>Matt Giordano</span>/<span>Michael Huff</span> (2011)</b></p>
<p>This top ranking may surprise a few people. Mainly because this is a "what have you done for me lately" league and the last memories most Raiders fans have of Matt Giordano was him giving up big plays and being banged up a lot. But that wasn't always how it was. This particular season, he led the team with 5 interceptions. Branch had his best season, though he tends to be a pretty steady performer. Huff wasn't a world-beater but he was still decent. Not to mention one of the more memorable plays in recent Raiders history occurred between Branch and Huff.</p>
<p>In the week four game in Houston, two days following the death of Al Davis, it came down to the final play. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> were inside the ten yard line, <span>Matt Schaub</span> rolled to his left looking either for an open receiver or room to scramble. Branch made a quick decision and rushed Schaub to keep him from tucking it and running it in. It forced a weak throw to the man Huff was covering and Huff intercepted it in the endzone to seal the win for the Raiders. It was discovered afterward that the Raiders did this with just ten men on the field for that play. It was an emotional victory in honor of their late owner.</p>
<p><b>2. Tyvon Branch, Michael Huff (2009-10)</b></p>
<p>As I said before, Branch is a steady performer. He had over 100 tackles in each of these two seasons. In 2009 Branch had 119 tackles while Huff added 3 interceptions and 14 passes defended. 2010 saw Huff kick in 94 tackles of his own. He had arguably his best season and was one of the better tackling safeties in the NFL -- a title usually reserved for Branch.</p>
<p><b><i>3. Tyvon Branch, <span>Charles Woodson</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>After missing all but one game of the 2013 season with a leg injury, Branch will have his much needed return to the lineup this season. He will pair up with Woodson for what looks to be his final season in the NFL. Branch will continue to do what he has done for the past few years as a strong safety which is solid tackling and run support. Woodson was a strong presence at free safety last season and I expect he will continue to perform at an NFL starter level. However, he has slowed down and will continue to do so being that he will turn 38 in October. He had suffered several injuries, including two times breaking his collarbone, in his final couple seasons in Green Bay but steered clear of the injury bug last year to start the entire season. If he can do it again, he will earn some kind of ironman award. If he didn't, it would not be a huge surprise and the Raiders secondary would likely be worse off in his absence. Either way, the leadership he provides this team can't be measured in stats.</i></b></p>
<p><b>4. <span>Gibril Wilson</span>, <span>Hiram Eugene</span>/Michael Huff (2008)</b></p>
<p>It was a huge deal when the Raiders signed Gibril Wilson away from the Super Bowl winning <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>. It was also a huge deal... as in contract. Wilson had a fairly decent season with 129 tackles. It just wasn't the kind of performance the Raiders were hoping for and definitely not the value of his contract. Huff ws benched midseason in favor of Eugene, who wasn't much better. Eugene was a special teams ace and that's where he belonged. Huff had been playing at strong safety in the two previous seasons and hadn't quite made the transition to free safety yet.</p>
<p><b>5. Tyvon Branch, Matt Giordano (2012)</b></p>
<p>A typical season for Branch - good tackler, run stopper, average in coverage. For Giordano, he was beaten up the whole season and was constantly having to come out of games hurt. Michael Huff was supposed to start but with the injuries at corner, he was forced to switch to cornerback. The whole secondary was banged up, aside from Branch, making for a pretty rough year.</p>
<p><b>6. Michael Huff, <span>Stuart Schweigert</span> (2006-07)</b></p>
<p>Huff was never a good fit at strong safety, though the Raiders played him there for two seasons before switching him. That was partially for lack of better options. Huff was the Raiders' pick at 7<sup>th</sup> overall in 2006 so of course he started immediately. It was Schweigert's second season as a starter and he had 107 tackles that season. Huff improved considerably in his second season, from 1 pass defended to 11 and added his first interception. Schweigert's production went down and he had low marks both in coverage and tackling efficiency.</p>
<p><b>7. <span>Brandian Ross</span>, Charles Woodson (2013)</b></p>
<p>Tyvon Branch was lost in the second game of the season and his back-up was Brandian Ross. For most of the season, he was ranked as the worst safety in the NFL. He did nothing well whether it be run support, tackling, or coverage. He finished with no interception, just 26 tackles-which is horrible for a free safety - and gave up twice as many touchdowns (6) as he had passes defended (3). Not the nicest way for Charles Woodson to spend his first season back in Oakland. Though Woodson wasn't a revelation himself, he was earning his keep while trying valiantly to make up for the lack of any help from Ross.</p>
<p><b>8. <span>Jarrod Cooper</span>/<span>Derrick Gibson</span>, Stuart Schweigert (2005)</b></p>
<p>The Raiders were giving former first round pick, Derrick Gibson every chance to prove his worth. He started the first six games of the season before being lost for the season with injury. Cooper took over for him over the final ten games. Cooper was actually an upgrade to Gibson. He was a great tackler and made a career out of being a special teams ace. The ten games he started this season were the only NFL games he ever started. Schweigert was in his second season as a third round pick and took over the job he was drafted for. His stat line was not too bad - 2 interceptions, 9 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumbled recoveries, and 87 tackles.</p>
<p><b>9. Marques Anderson, Ray Buchanan (2004)</b></p>
<p>These two were one and done for the Raiders as they were in search of a long term answer. It was the season after Rod Woodson's retirement and the 33-year-old Ray Buchanan's final season in the NFL. They were part of one of the worst pass defenses in Raiders history, on the cusp of a complete rebuild.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/20/5919805/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-vs-past-decade-safetiesLevi Damien2014-07-19T13:31:49-07:002014-07-19T13:31:49-07:00Where Raiders 2014 corners rank vs past decade
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<figcaption>Levi Damien</figcaption>
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<p>Al Davis loved his cornerbacks. So it stands to reason unlike many positions for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> in the past ten years, the Raiders had elite cornerbacks. It also stands to reason the Raiders have no had elite corners since Davis' passing.</p>
<p>Elite corners are not easy to find. Even harder is putting another very good corner on the same field. It also doesn't help that most of the time they were on an island not just as a man corner but as the only great defensive player on the team.</p>
<p>The question today is to project how the Raiders 2014 corners rank among them.</p>
<p>1. Nnamdi Asomugha, <span>Stanford Routt</span> (2010)</p>
<p>This was <span>Nnamdi Asomugha's</span> final season in Oakland before he was allowed to leave as a free agent to Philadelphia. There is a stat which Pro Football Focus keeps which is catches given up per coverage snap. Nnamdi was in the top spot in that category for FIVE STRAIGHT YEARS. It might have been six but they didn't start tracking it until 2007. This particular season, there wasn't even a close second. Darrelle Revis was a very distant second with Asante Samuel a close third. What sets this season apart from most of his seasons with the Raiders is not just because of his usual lock-down play or his being named All Pro again - although those things certainly helped. It was because Stanford Routt had the best season of any Raiders cornerback to line up opposite Nnamdi. He was ranked 17<font size="1">th</font> on that same PFF stat for that season (that's very good). Only one other team (Green Bay) had two corners ahead of that.</p>
<p>2. Nnamdi Asomugha, <span>Chris Johnson</span> (2009)</p>
<p>This season, Nnamdi's performance was yet again lock down. He was actually thrown a pass he could intercept in this season and was named the Pro Bowl. This was the only full season <span>Chris Johnson</span> started for the Raiders and it was actually pretty good. He had three interceptions and the most passes defended (18) in a single season of any Raiders corner outside of the last season opposing quarterbacks actually tested Nnamdi (19 in 2006).</p>
<p>3. Nnamdi Asomugha, Stanford Routt (2007)</p>
<p>This was the first season quarterbacks stayed well away from Nnamdi's side of the field. Though somehow the Pro Bowl voters hadn't quite caught onto that fact yet so he was left off that roster. Routt again had a decent ranking on that PFF catches allowed per coverage snap stat (20) and he added 3 interceptions.</p>
<p>4. Nnamdi Asomugha, <span>Fabian Washington</span> (2006)</p>
<p>Ah, the last season NFL quarterbacks tested Nnamdi's side of the field. But not before he had collected 8 interceptions and 19 passes defended. And he did it while opposing offenses were choosing to run the ball almost exclusively against these Raiders. Fabian was not all he was hoped to have been as a first round pick but he added 4 interceptions of his own as well as 15 passes defended in 2006. If you get caught up in numbers, you might think this duo deserves the top spot. But I don't get caught up in numbers. Interceptions are great. Making opposing offenses plan around your side of the field is better.</p>
<p>5. Philip Buchanon, <span>Charles Woodson</span> (2004)</p>
<p>Here we go. The first appearance of a cornerback duo without Nnamdi in it. It's also the last season in which Charles Woodson was part of it. By the time Asomugha was a shut-down corner, NFL fans got it. When Charles Woodson was doing it in Oakland, many fans didn't get it. He also shut down his receiver and therefore would not see the ball much. And his time in Oakland as well as how it unceremoniously ended were nearly identical to Nnamdi's. Eight years with the team, then on the brink of 30, the Raiders didn't want to pay to keep him and let him walk as a free agent. Philip Buchanon had marginal success after leaving the Raiders but he was incredibly frustrating for the Raiders. Tim Brown summed it up nicely when he said "Phillip giveth, and Phillip taketh away", meaning he makes big plays but he also gives up big plays and makes stupid mental mistakes. It's the reason this was his final season in Oakland.</p>
<p>6. Nnamdi Asomugha, <span>DeAngelo Hall</span>/<span>Chris Johnson</span> (2008)</p>
<p>Speaking of stupid mistakes; DeAngelo Hall. Not him specifically but the trade the Raiders made to get him. He was an outright disaster. He was burnt so much, they sent him out of Oakland in an urn. Despite having sent a second round pick to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> to get him along with giving him a huge new contract, Hall was cut at midseason. Chris Johnson took over and looked like a Pro Bowler by comparison. He had three interceptions and 12 passes defended over seven starts which is quite good. Oh, and Nnamdi made All Pro for the first time.</p>
<p><b><i>7. <span>Tarell Brown</span>, DJ Hayden/<span>Carlos Rogers</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>It could be said that Tarell Brown is the best signing the Raiders made this off-season. He is a very good starter and is still in his twenties (29). He is not up there with a young CWood or Nnamdi but he is very good. On the other side there's DJ Hayden who can't seem to stay on the practice field, let alone the game field. His injury history is already getting long. He came to the Raiders a few months removed from heart surgery after a life-threatening injury in college. He then needed a second surgery to remove scar tissue from his abdomen which caused him to miss the entire 2013 off-season and had him in a non-contact jersey all through last year's camp. He resumed full contact near the end of the preseason but seemed timid and lacked aggressiveness in games. He then went out with a groin injury midseason and was placed on IR. Now, just like last year, he has been out all but one practice this off-season with an ankle injury. He has been sporting a walking boot, last said to have been as recently as a couple weeks ago which is MUCH longer than originally expected and is worrisome. At this point counting on him to be healthy is risky. Even if he can stay healthy, we don't know what to expect from him. He showed some promise as a rookie but mostly struggled, which is typical of rookie corners. If he can't go, the next option is the 33-year-old Carlos Rogers who will be playing the slot if Hayden is in the lineup.</i></b></p>
<p>8. <span>Tracy Porter</span>, <span>Mike Jenkins</span> (2013)</p>
<p>With all the best corners off the market, these two were the best of what was left and signed with the Raiders on cheap one-year deals. They were somewhere between serviceable and subpar. Jenkins seemed to get caught with his pants down a bit more often than Porter did and their stats showed signs of that. Porter had 2 interceptions, 13 passes defended and gave up 4 touchdowns. Jenkins had 2 interceptions, 6 passes defended and gave up 5 touchdowns.</p>
<p>9. Nnamdi Asomugha, <span>Renaldo Hill</span>, Fabian Washington (2005)</p>
<p>This was pre-Nnamdi-we-came-to-know. It was his first full season as a starting cornerback. He had decent passes defended numbers (14) but couldn't locate the ball yet to make them count. This season the Raiders used nickel almost exclusively so Hill and Washington were also on the field with one less linebacker. Hill was a decent cornerback for the team while Fabian was your typical bumbling rookie corner, thinking his speed can make up for mental mistakes. These three had one whole interception between them (Hill).</p>
<p>10. Stanford Routt, <span>DeMarcus Van Dyke</span> (2011)</p>
<p>A number one corner, Stanford Routt was not. He was being paid like one and was cut after this season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> then signed him and they soon figured this out; cutting him after seven games. He had good numbers that season with 4 interceptions and 15 passes defended. The problem was all the times he was left in the exhaust trail of his receiver, which happened far too often. He led the NFL in touchdown catches given up (9). It was Van Dyke's rookie season and his only season with the Raiders. He was soft and like Routt was only a Raider because of his blazing 40 time.</p>
<p>11. <span>Michael Huff</span>, <span>Ron Bartell</span>/<span>Pat Lee</span> (2012)</p>
<p>The starting cornerbacks were scrap heap veterans Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell. Both of them were out with injuries by week two. This caused Michael Huff to move to corner from the safety position. He actually played a decent bit of corner which was pretty lucky considering the desperate situation the Raiders were in. Though his replacement at safety, <span>Matt Giordano</span>, only made matters worse. Bartell came back in week nine and after week 13 was cut. He was replaced by Pat Lee who played well in the brief spurts he actually played. He seemed to get hurt every time he touched the field. It was pretty much the most clusterf-ked secondary the Raiders have had in some time.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/19/5918741/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-to-past-decade-cornerbacksLevi Damien2014-07-17T14:19:23-07:002014-07-17T14:19:23-07:00Does Mack make Raiders LB corps best in a decade?
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<figcaption>Levi Damien</figcaption>
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<p>It's been a long and difficult road for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> at linebacker over the past ten years. There have been some good performances here and there but star performances have been rare with no long term answers. The defensive rankings over the decade have been indicative of the lack of strong linebacker play. There also hasn't been two seasons in a row with the same linebackers at all three positions. Now, can the Raiders finally turn things around at the position? Let's see.</p>
<p><b><i>1. <span>Khalil Mack</span>, Nick Roach, <span>Sio Moore</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>This one was really tight between this group and the 2007 linebacking corps. There are a lot of uncertainties here considering Mack is starting as a rookie and Moore is switching from strong side to weak side linebacker. Mack has the goods to be a star at the NFL level but that doesn't always happen immediately. Moore has had some difficulty catching on with his assignments and <span>Miles Burris</span> has been taking his first team reps this off-season. Roach can lead the defense as he did last year but he must improve upon his play last season which means shedding blocks and stuffing the run. There are a couple things that put them over the hump. Khalil Mack is one. His all-around game is rare and will be an upgrade. Moore may be behind in catching onto his duties on the weak side but that is the position he played in college and only switched to SAM last season because Kevin Burnett plays WILL. Currently they have great depth, which is also a nudge in their favor. Burris is back healthy and bulked up, as is <span>Kaluka Maiava</span> who will back-up the middle linebacker spot. If Burnett sticks around, he can offer depth and rotation as well.</i></b></p>
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<p>2. <span>Kirk Morrison</span>, <span>Thomas Howard</span> (RIP), <span>Robert Thomas</span> (2007)</p>
<p>This was the season that earned Morrison and Howard the nickname "The Lawfirm". They had ten interceptions between them, six of which were Howard and two of those he took to the house. Morrison was in his third year and his second as the team's everyday starting middle linebacker. He put up 120 combined tackles (96 solo) with about a 50% stop rate. These two held down two of the three linebacker spots together for four years in Oakland. The third spot was a revolving door during that time with Robert Thomas being the best of them. The one glaring weakness in this group: Run defense. But they had terrible play from the interior defensive line and with the three of them playing so well in every other area, they still belong here.</p>
<p>3. Nick Roach, Sio Moore, <span>Kevin Burnett</span> (2013)</p>
<p>While <span>Nick Roach's</span> individual play was not great last season, he was a very good field general for the Raiders defense. Far better than the last guy who occupied the middle of the Raiders defense by a wide margin. Roach is a lot like Kirk Morrison. Very intelligent, racks up high tackle numbers, but struggles with shedding blocks. Kevin Burnett had great overall tackle numbers (100) for an outside linebacker, but he struggled in coverage and had tackling deficiencies as well. The real bright spot here was rookie third round pick, Sio Moore. His pass rush abilities and firey presence give the Raiders hope they may have found a long term answer at outside linebacker.</p>
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<p>4. Rolando McClain, <span>Quentin Groves</span>, <span>Kamerion Wimbley</span> (2010)</p>
<p>The fact that any linebacker trio with Rolando McClain in it is already showing up on this list is all the proof you need of how weak the Raiders have been at linebacker over the past decade. This was McClain's rookie season, when his heart was still in it and he hadn't had any run-ins with the law. It was also Quentin Groves' first season with the team and he was at least serviceable. The real redeeming quality of this group is Wimbley. He led the team with 9.0 sacks from the strong side linebacker spot. His addition to this team cannot be understated. Arguably the best player on this defense.</p>
<p>5. Kirk Morrison, <span>Trevor Scott</span>, Thomas Howard (2009)</p>
<p>The next three linebacking corps are in order of the talent of the one player difference. Morrison and Howard remained the same but each season they had a different backfield mate. Trevor Scott gets the nod here for his team leading seven sacks. He didn't do much else all that well but getting pass rush from the outside linebacker spot is a valuable thing.</p>
<p>6. Kirk Morrison, <span>Sam Williams</span>, Thomas Howard (2006)</p>
<p>Sam Williams was basically terrible. But "The Law Firm" had crazy tackle numbers with Morrison racking up 127 and Thomas with 110. Much of that was due to the opposition running the ball constantly due to just how terrible the Raiders offense was, but someone had to make those tackles, and usually it was them.</p>
<p>7. <span>Danny Clark</span>, Kirk Morrison (2005)</p>
<p>This was Morrison's rookie season and he and Clark were left and right linebackers. The Raiders used primarily a nickel defense that season and as one would expect with one less linebacker on the field, these two were tackling machines. Morrison had 116 from one linebacker position, and Clark with 113.</p>
<p>8. Kirk Morrison, <span>Ricky Brown</span>, Thomas Howard (2008)</p>
<p>Ricky Brown wasn't great. He tried really hard and you rooted for the kid and now and then he would make a nice play. His major problem was staying healthy. He would play balls to the wall and injuries would ensue. He started just six games that season, after which the Raiders had to fill in his spot with a series of special teamers.</p>
<p>9. <span>Philip Wheeler</span>, Miles Burris, Rolando McClain (2012)</p>
<p>The first year of the new regime and they gave McClain a short leash. By week four, he was on the bench with Wheeler and Burris running the show. Wheeler was fantastic. He took over playcalling duties and had a well-rounded game. Burris was forced into starting due to the lingering injury to <span>Aaron Curry's</span> knees. Burris is a smart player with good instincts but he is on the smaller side and got pushed around a lot. Still, in the weeks after McClain was benched, there was a noticeable improvement in the defensive play. It's like a tumor had been removed.</p>
<p>10. Rolando McClain, Aaron Curry, Kamerion Wimbley (2011)</p>
<p>It was <span>Rolando McClain's</span> second season and the beginning of the end for him. His most memorable play was a body slam on tiny <span>Danny Amendola</span> after the stop had been made (slow clap). Al Davis passed away prior to week four and by week six, Hue Jackson was making trade deadline moves like there was no tomorrow. One of those moves was to acquire Aaron Curry, who was immediately implanted into the starting lineup in place of Quentin Groves. Curry ended up not being an upgrade and was actually worse because he was completely clueless to his mistakes. All the physical talent in the world without two brain cells to rub together. Even so, the Raiders were in the hunt for the postseason. It all went steeply downhill in week 13 when Rolando McClain was arrested after allegedly assaulting a man and firing off a weapon next to his head. The incident wasn't the main issue. It was Hue Jackson's punishment, or the lack thereof. McClain's punishment? One. Snap. He didn't get the official start in the following week's game in Miami and then was sent onto the field for the rest of the game. The Raiders were trounced by Miami and the message of no accountability was sent loud and clear. They would lose three of their next four games and miss the playoffs. Oh, once again Wimbley was awesome. But he can't do it by himself.</p>
<p>11. Danny Clark, <span>Napoleon Harris</span>, DeLawrence Grant (2004)</p>
<p>Danny Clark was a very good NFL linebacker but a field general he was not. He was playing middle linebacker for the first and only time in the NFL. As usual, he had great tackle numbers though, with 129 tackles and a couple sacks. But he was pretty much doing it alone. The outside linebackers were draft bust, Napoleon Harris, and an out of position DeLawrence Grant who shared duties with Travian Smith. The result was the Raiders worst overall defensive ranking ever. They were 31st in points and 30<font size="1">th</font> in yards allowed.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/17/5913591/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-to-past-decade-linebackerLevi Damien2014-07-16T12:34:40-07:002014-07-16T12:34:40-07:00Pitting Raiders 2014 DT's against the past decade
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Now we move inside along the defensive line to the tackles. These guys' number one duty is to not let anything get through. They can also provide some pass rush as well. The best defensive tackles require double teams which creates an advantage with the defense being able to hopefully free up someone to make a play. The very best will make a play regardless of whether the offense focuses on them.</p>
<p>There have been a few good big men in the middle of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a>' defensive line over the years. Now to see where the 2014 line projects among them.</p>
<p>1. <span>Richard Seymour</span>, <span>Tommy Kelly</span> (2010-11)</p>
<p>For two years, the Raiders had the best of all worlds at the defensive tackle spots. Seymour was nearing the twilight of his career and a move to defensive tackle earned him two more Pro Bowls in these two seasons. His play was contagious and it helped Tommy Kelly to have the two best seasons of his career as well. They held down the middle of the Raiders defensive line and commanded double teams which helped free up outside rushers to get sacks. The Raiders had their only two non-losing seasons in 2010 and 2011. The credit for those two seasons always goes to the offense but the Seymour/Kelly duo was helping get the defense off the field so the offense could go back to work.</p>
<p>2. <span>Warren Sapp</span>, <span>Ted Washington</span> (2004-05)</p>
<p>For the first two seasons Sapp was part of the Raiders defensive line, he actually attempted to play for the good of the team. Having long time veteran defensive line anchor, Ted Washington, beside him helped things a great deal. Sapp went out with injury after in week 10 of the 2005 season and was replaced by Tommy Kelly who, in his second season, was splitting time at tackle and end and actually ended up with better season numbers than Sapp across the board. And since the only real competition that matters is the opposition, the Raiders got the best of their combined stats.</p>
<p>3. Richard Seymour/<span>Desmond Bryant</span>, Tommy Kelly (2012)</p>
<p>This was Seymour's final season and he was healthy for just six game before being lost for the season. Desmond Bryant stepped in and played masterfully. Once he got his footing, the Raiders had a top five defense over the final five games. This was also Kelly's final season with the Raiders and he had a fairly average season</p>
<p><b><i>4. <span>Antonio Smith</span>, <span>Pat Sims</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>Of the elder statesmen the Raiders signed this off-season, <span>Antonio Smith</span> is the eldest of the bunch. He'll turn 33 in October. On the other hand, he has shown really no signs of slowing down. The question here is how he will handle the switch from 3-4 defensive end to 4-3 defensive tackle. Richard Seymour took to it no problem but Smith is no Richard Seymour. While Smith gets high marks for pass rushing each season, he has long struggled with stopping the run. As a 4-3 DT, he will need to be better in that area. Sims is coming off a season in which he defied skeptics and started an entire season at nose tackle and played quite well, in fact. Despite this, no teams made a serious run at him in free agency which suggests there is still skepticism he can do it again. He eventually re-signed with the Raiders. Like Smith, he could go either way in his production this coming season.</i></b></p>
<p>5. <span>Vance Walker</span>, Pat Sims (2013)</p>
<p>The main reason the 2013 squad falls beneath the 2014 one is Vance Walker had similar issues against the run but nowhere near the pass rush abilities Antonio Smith possesses. Sims had a great season in 2013. The two helped the Raiders to a 13<font size="1">th</font> ranked run defense - their best ranking in over ten years. They don't get all the credit for that ranking, of course, but they get much of it.</p>
<p>6. Warren Sapp, Tommy Kelly (2006)</p>
<p>These two had great tackle numbers but that was mostly a product of Raiders offense being so bad that the opposing offenses would run the ball most of the game rather than risk letting the Raiders jump up and beat them with turnovers. This was also the season Sapp was hanging around trying to pad his Hall of Fame resume by disregarding stopping the run and instead going after the quarterback. He had 10.0 sacks that season but to the detriment of the play of the defense. The team was terrible and he cared for nothing but his personal stats as he played out his career. Kelly's sack numbers dwarfed Sapp's considerably 68-47 in combined tackles and 53-32 in solo tackles.</p>
<p>7. Tommy Kelly, <span>Gerard Warren</span> (2008-09)</p>
<p>When you look back at their numbers, it's almost odd to think that this duo started alongside each other for two whole seasons. While Kelly played his best the following seasons next to Richard Seymour, he played his worst with Warren next to him. During their two seasons together, the Raiders had an average run defense ranking of 30.</p>
<p>8. Warren Sapp, <span>Terdell Sands</span> (2007)</p>
<p>The final season of Sapp's career. He had similar tackle numbers to the 2006 season but without the sacks (2.0). And without Tommy Kelly starting alongside him, the Raiders had the 31 ranked run defense. Terdell Sands earned the first syllable of his name as the starter.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/16/5910013/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-to-past-decade-defensive-tackleLevi Damien2014-07-15T13:33:40-07:002014-07-15T13:33:40-07:00Where do Raiders 2014 DE stack up vs past decade?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JMr1iInix4JkXgSoRPRqayUz9z4=/0x0:2903x1935/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35647298/JustinTuck_p_USATSI_6007724.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Pass rush has been something wholly lacking in Oakland for some time. And when you look at these rankings, you'll see just how long. Everyone knows pass rush is a key to success in the NFL. In a 4-3 defense, that pass rush typically comes from the defensive end position.</p>
<p>One thing that I noticed when compiling these rankings is the lack of continuity. For the first time since starting this series, there wasn't a single season in which the team had the same defensive ends on both sides from one season to the next. They either were not good enough or the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> simply wouldn't invest in keeping them around. It's like any other position in that constant turnover is not good.</p>
<p>Here are the defensive end rankings over the past decade and where the 2014 squad could potentially land:</p>
<p>1. Derrick Burgess, <span>Bobby Hamilton</span> (2005)</p>
<p>Derrick Burgess went off in his first season with the Raiders to the tune of 16.0 sacks. It set a new team record for sacks in a single season That alone is enough to make this tandem the Raiders' best in the past decade. Hamilton didn't have the sack totals (2.0) of Burgess but he had good overall tackle numbers (56) as a run stopping defensive end.</p>
<p>2. Derrick Burgess, <span>Chris Clemons</span>/<span>Jay Richardson</span> (2007)</p>
<p>While Burgess was unable to continue to keep up the 16.0 sacks by himself, this season the Raiders got those 16.0 sacks between him and <span>Chris Clemons</span> as a situational pass rusher on the other side. But more impressive than Burgess' sack numbers were his overall pressure. He had an incredible 45 quarterback hurries that season. If the Raiders could have gotten better play out of Richardson, they would have been tough to beat. Clemons has gone on to a very successful NFL career since his one season in Oakland, including being a key part of the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a> Super Bowl run last season.</p>
<p><b><i>3. <span>Justin Tuck</span>, Lamarr Woodley (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>Woodley has had a couple of down years but even at his worst, his totals have not been bad. His main concern is health and how he will transition from outside linebacker in a 3-4 to defensive end in the Raiders' 4-3. But based on his game, not having to drop into coverage as much could prove beneficial. It's hard to see why the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a> would not make more of an effort to keep Tuck. He had great numbers across the board including 12 sacks which would easily have been the best sack numbers for the Raiders since Derrick Burgess in 2005. The Raiders were criticized for going after overaged players this free agency but that is more about long term. We're talking about this season and Woodley (29) and Tuck (31) show little signs they are ready to pack it in. There appears to be a lack of depth behind Woodley should his injury issues continue, however, rookie linebacker <span>Khalil Mack</span> can easily step in at defensive end as well as defensive tackle, Antonio Smith. So, there are options.</i></b></p>
<p>4. <span>Lamarr Houston</span>, <span>Trevor Scott</span>/<span>Matt Shaughnessy</span> (2010)</p>
<p>It was Houston's rookie season. He was still making the transition from college defensive tackle to NFL defensive end. Even so, he managed to put up 5.0 sacks along with 24 quarterback hurries. Shaughnessy had his best season as a Raider with 8.0 sacks and 56 tackles. Though Trevor Scott started more games, his production didn't match. His best statistic was his 19 quarterback hurries in ten games played. These three also received a lot of help from the men inside - <span>Richard Seymour</span> and <span>Tommy Kelly</span> - and the offense being at its best, forcing opposing teams to put the ball in the air.</p>
<p>5. Lamarr Houston, Matt Shaughnessy (2012)</p>
<p>Houston was a man possessed in 2012 and really came into his own. He had just 5.0 sacks but he was clearly the best defensive player on the field every week for the Raiders. He had cut down his weight and was running down receivers down field and across the middle. Shaughnessy also had 5.0 sacks but the rest of his numbers didn't match that, including his 27 combined tackles (23 solo).</p>
<p>6. Derrick Burgess, <span>Tyler Brayton</span> (2006)</p>
<p>It was Burgess' second-straight double digit sack season (11.0). He also added 50 tackles. But Tyler Brayton was pretty bad. He had zero sacks and 43 combined tackles on the season.</p>
<p>7. Lamarr Houston, <span>Desmond Bryant</span>/<span>Jarvis Moss</span> (2011)</p>
<p>Houston took a step forward in his second season, though he was far from a finished product. Even so, he had an impressive 27 quarterback hurries with 3.0 sacks. Matt Shaughnessy was out the entire season, leaving the combination of Bryant and Moss to carry the load. Bryant led the team with 6.0 sacks despite playing out of place as a 3-tech defensive tackle. Moss was a desperation signing and didn't offer much.</p>
<p>8. <span>Greg Ellis</span>, Richard Seymour/Trevor Scott (2009)</p>
<p>This was Seymour's first season in Oakland and despite shooting out the gates with two sacks in his first game in Silver & Black versus the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a>, he would get just two more sacks the rest of the season. It was clear he needed to make the switch to 3-tech DT after that. Ellis played fairly well. He had 7.0 sacks that season with 21 QB hurries though his run stopping duties left much to be desired. Trevor Scott came in as a situational pass rusher and matched Ellis for the team lead in sacks.</p>
<p>9. Lamarr Houston, <span>Jason Hunter</span> (2013)</p>
<p>Lamarr Houston was Lamarr Houston. He improved again from the previous season with 6.0 sacks and a very impressive 41 quarterback hurries along with 70 combined tackles (63 solo). On the other side, the Raiders had the opposite. A Hunter he was not. How he even got four sacks is surprising considering most of the time he was not a factor. What he lacked in pass rush was matched by his lack of run support. He had a total of 24 combined tackles (18 solo) while starting all but three games.</p>
<p>10. Derrick Burgess, <span>Kalimba Edwards</span>/Jay Richardson (2008)</p>
<p>This was Burgess' final season for the Raiders. He played in just ten games in 2008 and had by far his worst numbers with just 3.5 sacks on the season. Edwards could muster up just 4.0 sacks but had a respectable 31 quarterback hurries. And of course, Richardson was downright dreadful.</p>
<p>11. Tyler Brayton, Bobby Hamilton (2004)</p>
<p>Wow. Raiders bust first round pick Brayton in his second season with a whopping 2.5 sacks to go along with 45 combined tackles (36 solo). Hamilton added 1.0 sack and 57 tackles for easily the worst defensive end combo in the past decade. Undrafted rookie Tommy Kelly had the team lead in sacks with 4.0.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/15/5902641/comparing-2014-raiders-to-past-decade-defensive-endLevi Damien2014-07-14T14:30:42-07:002014-07-14T14:30:42-07:00Raiders could have best interior line in a decade
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> have made no bones about their intentions to run the ball this season. A big part of the success of the run game is dependent upon the interior offensive line. And as we saw last season, they are also key to keeping a pocket for the quarterback (whether he actually stays in that pocket or not).</p>
<p>This off-season, the Raiders made a concerted effort to shore up the offensive line and particularly the interior offensive line. But how does it stack up against the offensive lines of the past decade? Let's see...</p>
<p><b><i>1. <span>Khalif Barnes</span>/<span>Gabe Jackson</span>, <span>Stefen Wisniewski</span>, <span>Austin Howard</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>That's right, this group has the makings of being the best interior line the Raiders have seen in at least a decade. Barnes played a decent bit of guard last season despite being thrust into the position late in the season. He will now have a full off-season at the position which will only help. Rookie third round pick, Gabe Jackson, will be given the chance to beat him out for the starting job or have a season to acclimate to the NFL as a swing guard. Stefen Wisniewski is the only sure returning offensive lineman on this team and rightfully so. He continues to improve his play since taking over as the full time starting center two seasons ago. Austin Howard was the team's first official free agent signing this off-season and he comes over as a big, mauling offensive tackle switching to guard. Add <span>Kevin Boothe</span> to the mix and the Raiders have depth and insurance in case of injury to any of the starters. A deep and talented group.</i></b></p>
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<p>2. <span>Robert Gallery</span>, <span>Jake Grove</span>, <span>Cooper Carlisle</span> (2008)</p>
<p>After a year in the guard spots, Gallery and Carlisle had found their footing and were playing considerably well. Grove also had a decent season from the center position. Guarding for Jamarcus Russell was no easy task either. Even so the Raiders top three rushers put up 1773 yards. Helping matters tremendously was the health of Gallery and Carlisle who both started every game that season. Grove started 12 games.</p>
<p>3. Robert Gallery, <span>Samson Satele</span>, Cooper Carlisle (2009-10)</p>
<p>Gallery was not the ‘can't miss' left tackle he was supposed to be but he was a damn fine guard. The difference between how the Raiders performed with and without him was legion. This became evident in 2009 when Gallery was injured and replaced by Chris Morris. Satele was considered too small for the position but he held his own and he was a tough dude to be certain. Cooper Carlisle had a starting guard spot on the Raiders for many seasons for a reason. He was a steady performer who took care of business well into his thirties. He would have two more seasons after this one and he started every single game both of these seasons.</p>
<p>4. Stefen Wisniewski, Samson Satele, Cooper Carlisle (2011)</p>
<p>There were many who would have liked this lineup to remain such as opposed to the team letting Satele go and moving Wisniewski to center where they intended upon drafting him. Hard to disagree with that opinion, Wiz was just a rookie and he was playing quite well at the position which his uncle Steve carved out a Hall of Fame worthy career. He replaced Gallery who was allowed to leave for Seattle and with Satele still onboard, it just made sense to put Wiz at left guard for the time being. See the above explanation for the value of Satele and Carlisle.</p>
<p>5. Cooper Carlisle, Stefen Wisniewski, <span>Mike Brisiel</span> (2012)</p>
<p>With Wiz moving inside to his destined position at center, and the team making Mike Brisiel their big free agent addition, Carlisle moved to left guard. Wiz's transition from left guard to center was fairly smooth. Carlisle also was decent switching to the left side. It was Brisiel who brought the group down. He came to Oakland from Houston along with the zone blocking scheme. He was supposed to be able to execute the zone and he might have but he was hampered all season with an ankle injury. Not surprising considering he has been injury prone his entire career.</p>
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<p>6. Robert Gallery, <span>Jeremy Newberry</span>, Cooper Carlisle (2007)</p>
<p>It was a complete overhaul for this line. The first season Gallery playing at guard, and Cooper Carlisle was brought over from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>' zone scheme and asked to play the power scheme. It was Newberry's only season in Oakland and his last full season as a starter in the NFL. They were a tremendous improvement over the previous season and helped <span>Justin Fargas</span> get 1009 rushing yards which was his only 1000-yard season.</p>
<p>7. <span>Brad Badger</span>, <span>Adam Treu</span>, Ron Stone (2004-05)</p>
<p>Not a group anyone will remember in Raiders lore. 2005 was the last season Badger and Stone started an NFL game, and Treu is best known as the guy thrust into starting the Super Bowl for the Raiders when Barrett Robbins went AWOL. But they did manage to help open holes for Lamont Jordan to have 1025 yards - his only 1000-yard season of his career.</p>
<p>8. <span>Lucas Nix</span>/Khalif Barnes, Stefen Wisniewski, Mike Brisiel (2013)</p>
<p>The play of Wisniewski is the only saving grace with this group. And Lucas Nix was the worst interior lineman in the NFL last season. Barnes replaced him late in the season and things improved but how could they not? Brisiel was below average and wearing down. This may have been his last season in the NFL.</p>
<p>9. <span>Barry Sims</span>, Jake Grove, Kevin Boothe (2006)</p>
<p>Sims was playing at left guard when he should have been at left tackle, Grove was in his first full season as the starting center, and Boothe was sixth round rookie thrown in as a starter. This entire line was a shambles.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/14/5899483/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-to-past-decade-center-guardsLevi Damien2014-07-10T13:41:25-07:002014-07-10T13:41:25-07:00Ranking Raiders 2014 OT's vs last decade
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<figcaption>Otto Greule Jr</figcaption>
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<p>1. <span>Jared Veldheer</span>, <span>Khalif Barnes</span> (2011-12)</p>
<p>Veldheer had really hit his stride in his second season in Oakland. The former third round pick was one of the better left tackles in the NFL and had started 42-straight games by the end of the 2012 season. Barnes had just started finding his footing at right tackle in 2011 before going out with an injury. Suddenly those who criticized him for his penalties, were noticing just how much he was needed. He started the entirety of the 2012 season and these two made for arguably the best left tackle/right tackle combo the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> had had since the <span>Barry Sims</span>/Lincoln Kennedy bookends of the early 2000's.</p>
<p>2. Barry Sims, <span>Cornell Green</span> (2007)</p>
<p>One of the better tackle duos for the Raiders over the years. Though both were with the team for several years, this was the only season they both started at each tackle position as it was Sims' last with the Raiders and Green's first. The Raiders had a hell of a time replacing Sims at left tackle, going through three left tackles in three years. They had even tried moving him to guard to make way for <span>Robert Gallery</span> the season before and that didn't work either.</p>
<p>3. Barry Sims, Robert Gallery (2004-05)</p>
<p>While Gallery gets a lot of flak for his play at left tackle, he was fairly good at right tackle. It seems most people forget he even played there. Gallery was drafted to be the left tackle of the future but Sims was firmly entrenched as the Raiders longtime starting left tackle so there was no sense in messing with a good thing. Oh, and the very next season, they messed with a good thing and proved why they should have just left well enough alone.</p>
<p><b><i>4. <span>Donald Penn</span>, <span>Menelik Watson</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>There is much uncertainty in these two. Penn is coming off a season in which he gave up the second most sacks in the league (12) and Watson has barely set foot on the field after suffering several recurring injuries prior to his rookie 2013 season. Watson is said to have all the physical abilities and natural talents. But he has played just one season of Division I football so he is still raw potential. Penn is a former one-time Pro Bowler (2010) and was considered to be a pretty good left tackle prior to his horrible 2013 season. He claims his poor play was due to lingering injuries. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a> thought different and replaced him this off-season. This ranking is giving some benefit of the doubt to Penn because if Penn plays like he did last season, this duo drops in these rankings considerably. The right tackle is in good shape regardless, with <span>Austin Howard</span> able to step in should Watson falter.</i></b></p>
<p>5. Khalif Barnes, <span>Tony Pashos</span> (2013)</p>
<p>The cobbled together tackle duo of Barnes and Pashos. Barnes was supposed to continue as the starting right tackle this season but with the injury to Jared Veldheer, he was forced to the left side. Menelik Watson was supposed to be available to start on either side but he too was injured. With Barnes on the left and Watson out, the team signed Pashos off the waiver wire and implanted him as the starting right tackle. Barnes wasn't spectacular but held his own. Pashos was named the best player in the preseason for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> and he continued that steady play with the Raiders.</p>
<p>6. Jared Veldheer, Langston Walker (2010)</p>
<p>It was Veldheer's rookie season. Tom Cable inexplicably started him out at center before switching him back to left tackle. Even then, he was sharing time with <span>Mario Henderson</span>. The jumping around had him all messed up and it took him about half to season to get settled in at left tackle. Walker was making his return to the Raiders' starting lineup after a two-year stint in Buffalo and an injury shortened 2009 campaign. He actually played fairly well. It was his last season in the NFL, allowing him to finish his NFL career in the Bay Area where it started and where he grew up.</p>
<p>7. Robert Gallery, Langston Walker (2006)</p>
<p>There's no denying that Gallery was a failure as a left tackle. This "can't miss" number two overall pick had short arms and could keep the edge rushers out of the backfield. He and Walker got a lot of hate spewed at them that season, some of which was not warranted. Once defenses figured out <span>Aaron Brooks</span> was a easily rattled, they sent the house. Then Andrew Walter came in and stood flat-footed, allowing defenses to plow him over. They also had an incompetent offensive coordinator who called for 5 and 7 step drops despite the pressure. It was the only season at left tackle for Gallery, who moved on to play some very good left guard. It was also Walker's last season in Oakland before heading to Buffalo where he played pretty well.</p>
<p>8. Mario Henderson, Cornell Green (2009)</p>
<p>There was a moment there where the Raiders thought they had a gem in fifth round pick, "Super" Mario Henderson. It wouldn't last. By season's end the luster was off and he was clearly not the answer. The Raiders would replace him with Jared Veldheer in the following draft. Green actually played some pretty good right tackle but it was overshadowed by Henderson's poor play.</p>
<p>9. <span>Kwame Harris</span>, Cornell Green (2008)</p>
<p>Poor Cornell Green. He plodded along, doing a good bit of protecting from the right side while Kwame Harris had a monumental collapse. While he wasn't letting defenders run by him, he was committing false starts because they were in his head. That season was so bad, it was Harris' last in an NFL uniform.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/10/5888545/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-to-last-decade-offensive-tacklesLevi Damien2014-07-09T17:22:01-07:002014-07-09T17:22:01-07:00Raiders 2014 tight ends vs past decade
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WV_AIvhbhk1VaTNfot4N5gW-q8Q=/101x0:3897x2531/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35408200/20120916_jel_su8_227.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The tight end position for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> over the past ten years is pretty top heavy. It's basically the undisputed best of the bunch and then the rest. And if you think of that positively, to be the best of the rest is an accomplishment. And at least, unlike some other positions thus far, it isn't all a nightmare trip down memory lane.</p>
<p>1. <span>Zach Miller</span> (2007-10)</p>
<p><span>Zach Miller</span> was the best tight end the Raiders had seen since Todd Christensen. Not only was he the first Raiders tight end to lead the team in receiving since Christensen, but he and Christensen are the only Raiders tight ends to do it over three straight seasons. Funny thing is, the third of those seasons (2010) was the one he had the lowest numbers (685 yards) and yet that was the season he made the Pro Bowl. Go figure. The 2007 second round pick had 44 catches for 444 yards as a rookie (seriously 44 for 444), then averaged over 750 yards per season in the following three seasons. He gave up the spotlight in the offense to head to Seattle where he now has a Super Bowl ring. Seems like a fair tradeoff.</p>
<p><b><i>2. <span>David Ausberry</span>/<span>Mychal Rivera</span> (2014)</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>Ausberry is slated as the starter just as he was last season before being lost to a shoulder injury. What Ausberry showed in camp last year that earned him the starting job was a sudden grasp of his assignments and blocking. We have long known he can catch - he is a former wide receiver, after all. He was poised to show he was the complete package. Even with him as the starter, Rivera will see the ball a good amount as well. <span>Matt Schaub</span> likes to use his tight ends and Greg Olson makes use of them a great deal in his offensive schemes. With Ausberry's complete game, Rivera's receiving skills, and a third blocking tight end in the mix, there could be some fine play at tight end this season.</i></b></p>
<p>3. <span>Brandon Myers</span> (2012)</p>
<p>Myers had shocking numbers that season that came literally out of nowhere. After sitting behind Zach Miller for two seasons, then <span>Kevin Boss</span> for a season, the starting job just kind of a fell in his lap as the last man standing on a dismantled team. He caught 79 passes for 806 yards with four touchdowns that season as a relief valve for <span>Carson Palmer</span> during a season in which Palmer needed much relief. The running game was going nowhere and his wide receivers were young and unreliable. Myers was in the right place at the right time. He would be just below Miller based on his numbers but his blocking was atrocious and he was more of a product of the (lack of) other options on offense that season. Even still, he came up big when he was the next man up. And he used it to cash in as a free agent.</p>
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<p>4. <span>Doug Jolley</span> (2004)</p>
<p>Back in the days of <span>Kerry Collins</span>, the tight end was virtually a forgotten man in the offense. Collins had a big arm and was always looking downfield at the wide receivers. Jolley was a dependable option, though his overall numbers might not bear that out (27 catches for 313 yards). Following this season, he was traded with a second round pick to the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jets</a> to allow the Raiders to jump into the first round of the 2005 draft to grab speedy cornerback <span>Fabian Washington</span>.</p>
<p>5. <span>Jeron Mastrud</span>/Mychal Rivera (2013)</p>
<p>Speaking of being in the right place at the right time... Rivera was not expected to be the Raiders starting tight end in 2013. But after David Ausberry went down with a shoulder injury in preseason, the job fell to him. Mastrud actually started most of the season because he is a more sound all-around tight end. Though he was never a big receiving threat, so it was up to Rivera take that role. That should tell you how hard up the Raiders were for a tight end. Rivera showed the Raiders had a nice find grabbing him in the sixth round. He caught 38 passes for 407 yards and 4 touchdowns.</p>
<p>6. Kevin Boss (2011)</p>
<p>Pretty much a failed signing by the Raiders. He had ok numbers that season with 28 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns. But more was expected in that offense. Boss spent just one season with the team before being cut for salary cap reasons and injury concerns. He played two more games in the NFL in Kansas City in 2012 and is now out of the league.</p>
<p>7. <span>Courtney Anderson</span> (2005-06)</p>
<p>Though he lands at the bottom of this list, Anderson wasn't terrible. First he had Kerry Collins looking past him to the wide receivers in 2005 and he was stuck in a terrible offense in 2006. He caught 24 passes for 303 yards in '05 and had 25 catches for 285 yards in '06. Randal Williams moved to tight end from wide receiver in '06 and had 28 catches for 293 yards that season - three catches for 8 yards more than Anderson. In the following draft, the Raiders addressed the tight end position by making Zach Miller their second round pick.</p>
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https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2014/7/9/5885777/comparing-2014-oakland-raiders-to-past-decade-tight-endLevi Damien