Oakland Raiders News: The Raider defense stepping up early in camp

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July 27, 2008

Oakland Raiders News: The Raider defense stepping up early in camp

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Last season, average backs turned the Oakland Raiders into roadkill. Elite backs? Just say its a good thing that Adrian Peterson was out when the Raiders went to Minnesota last year. This year, the Raiders need to be much better in that department for the revamped secondary to fully do its job. JaMarcus Russell seems to be continuing his development well, and the Raiders seem to be finally doing something to cut down on offsides and false start penalties.

Tackling the defensive problems-

Our friend at the Sacramento Bee, Jason Jones, wrote a great piece today about the Raiders' problem with tackling, and how they are not going full tilt in tackling at practice:

Problem is the team isn't tackling in practice.

Defenders are encouraged to be in the right place and wrap up ball carriers.

But the Raiders aren't in full gear (they're still wearing shoulder pads, helmets and shorts) so there will be no real tackling.

Old school coachers everywhere are disgusted by that. But with 80 players, no NFL Europe exemptions and fear of losing players to injury, this is the way it is.

Anytime a ball carrier hits the grass, more than one coach can be heard yelling at players to "stay up."

But this is football, and that's not always easy to do. But can you blame anyone on defense for tackling?

The Raiders trace a lot of their problems stopping the run to an inability to tackle.

But what's a team to do if can't practice tackling until a preseason game?

"You just got to work on form-tackling drills and continue to put guys in those situations as much as you can," said Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.

This seems like this could be the root of the problem right there. You can practice the theory of skydiving all you want, but until you strap on a parachute and step out of that airplane its all academic. Tackling would seem to be the same thing. This is not flag football, this is very large men trying to pull guys to the ground who really don't want to go to the ground. Tommy Kelly wrapping his arms around Darren McFadden without making absolutely sure he is going down seems like a way to build the bad habit of not completing the tackle. If the defender does NOT complete the tackle during a game, the player being tackled has a much better chance to break the tackle and keep going. (Images of LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Johnson flashing through anyone's head right now?) Granted, I have never coached football at any level, and Lane Kiffin is coaching it at the highest level, so who am I to say anything? (A Raider fan who is sick and tired of seeing the missed and broken tackles.)

In the words of Raider Legend, George Atkinson, "Football is not a contact sport, its a collision sport," and I understand the desire for players not to be hurt in camp. They are making ridiculous amounts of money, and the rosters and available talent pool is much smaller than it once was, but the key to winning the game in fundamentals, and tackling is the most fundamental aspect of the defensive game.

More center-quarterback snap problems-

In a sense of deja vouz from last season the quarterbacks are having trouble receiving the snaps from center. The other day, the problem seemed to center around fourth string center Jesse Boone and Marques Tuiasosopo, but today it was free agent acquisition John Wade passing to both Andrew Walter and Russell. Last year, both Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown had that same problem.

Asomugha Profiled-

Over on Examiner.com, there is an article that calls Nnamdi Asomugha elite both on and off the field:

The headlines are filled with the failings of today's athletes. Everyone and their dog has heard about guys like Adam "Pac Man" Jones and Odell Thrumon having trouble staying out of jail, not to mention the colossal implosion of Michael Vick. Even the Oakland Raiders team was touched by problems when Javon Walker found himself unconscious in a Las Vegas alleyway. The other ways most players make headlines is by whining and crying about the "pittance" they are making because its only seven instead of eight figures. Brett Favre, who is a future Hall of Famer, has thrown himself into every lead-in to SportsCenter with his temper tantrum because his team took him seriously when he cried on camera that he was ready to retire. Nnamdi Asomugha, on the other hand, has had every opportunity to whine and cry about having been stuck with the franchise tag on a team that has been 19-61 in the last five years, but has instead handled himself with the utmost class and dignity.

OK, I admit, I wrote that in my new gig as the Raider Writer for the new Examiner.com, and I felt compelled to do a bit of shameless self-promotion. Nnamdi truly is a class act, and a major benefit to the Raiders.

Cutting out the false starts-

The Raiders have been among the worst teams at staying onside, and getting the snap count right. Kiffin has had the players running laps in practice for every false start or offsides penalties that could be called. If this was in place during the season last year, several Raiders would be wondering if they were training for the NFL football season or the Bay to Breakers.

Getting the handle-

Multiple reports have McFadden having problems holding on to the ball when he is thrown to after having been lined up wide. the general consensus is that it is something that is easily fixed with some coaching. Considering the hype of McFadden was that he was so "versatile" and could be lined up at receiver, this is something that seems to be a caution. At least he is in training camp rather than holding out, so the problem can be corrected.

Linebacker camp battle update-

A long shot early in the running for the starting strong side linebacker position, special teams standout Ricky Brown has been making an early case to move into the starter position according to Jerry McDonald. Sam Williams and Robert Thomas are both in the mix as well, with Thomas having been the early favorite.

Gone camping here at TFDS

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

14 Comments on "Oakland Raiders News: The Raider defense stepping up early in camp"

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders News: The Raider defense stepping up early in camp | Th, July 27, 2008 9:54 PM

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Posted by Raiderchris56, July 28, 2008 12:43 AM

We all need to remember that this team had a league warning or a fine for too much contact last year. Maybe those malcontents have been removed, let's hope so, but for now, Kiffen must do what is in the best interest of the team. Keep them healthy. Is every other team in full contact already? Are the Raiders the only team that has to learn how to tackle during the preseason games? I think there is something different happening here. It was guys nearing the end of their careers or lack of focus due to family deaths/ect... Let's see what happens this preseason before we all get too crazy.

Posted by The Raider defense stepping up early in camp - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - Where the Rai, July 28, 2008 2:44 AM

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Posted by KUSHMAN, July 28, 2008 6:43 AM

good article.. yes it's hard to have the players go full on contact w/o having a huge risk for injury... but at the same time, they need to learn to tackle... yes LJ and LT pop into my head, makes me shutter to think about it.. also duece mcalister and reggie bush runnin all over us, that's not going to be pretty... so i think lane should have them go full contact on the very last day of training camp before aug 8th.. just to get a feel of the game again, because not only does it disrupt tackling skills.. but GETTING TACKLED ... dmac needs to learn how to take a blast from guys like merriman.. so he can bounce right back up, i mean i know the guy is tough as hell(ive seen that in a lot of tape) but he never has experienced consistency in getting laid out... as might happen to him this year inthe NFL.. i pray that's not the case.. but if he has any kind of growing pains, he may get very frustrated out there.

and btw i'm glad to hear that the o-line is doing much better, it's only the beginning of camp too... GO TOM CABLE! what worse punishment than to have 300+ lbs guys run laps haha... i know i wouldnt want to be runnin around if i was that big.. i'd rather be training my brain to the snap count and get on the D-lineman to PROTECT THE KID AT ALL COSTS!

RA RA RAAAIDDDERZZ!

p.s.GO KWAME, it seems like your improving a bit there my man.. keep it up and stay healthy for us.. because the raider nation believes in you!!

Posted by pat. T, July 28, 2008 7:08 AM

I love Kiffin's strategy making players run laps for false starts or offsides thats awesome...

GO RAIDERS!!!

Posted by SpokaneOakfan, July 28, 2008 7:18 AM

I have to stay optimistic here. I always am for camp, but this season, the question marks seem less ridiculous.

Instead of "what if Pep returns to 2004 form? What if Fabian Washington can be a lockdown corner? What if Jerry Porter tries this year?" it's:

"What if Kwame Harris really is the guy that Tom Cable thinks he is? What if Javon Walker can still play at the level of two seasons ago? What if one or more of our three great backs goes off?"

and, the big one:

"What if Tommy Kelly is as good as this team and Warren Sapp think he is?"

I think that even if there are a few nos in those what ifs, we still have a decent shot at a winner. This team will run, and Harris can run block. There are guys who can get it done if Javon cannot. There will be holes for Dmac, Huggy, and Michael Bush. And even if Kelly sucks it up, there is still our outstanding secondary and a fired up Gibril Wilson looking to hit some RBs.

I can't wait.

Posted by Matador, July 28, 2008 7:29 AM

Good write up. If the defense has tackling problems again this year Kiffin won't have to worry about it cause Al's going to fire him. I'm sure Loften will do things different.

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 28, 2008 9:01 AM

well mat, in that logic.. the raiders wont do very well now will they? i mean, with a new system being introduced that early in the season.. how can they adjust? i agree that this can turn into a whole new shannanagan situation if the raiders start out 0-3 or 0-4 .. but even skeletor knows that if you bring in another head coach in not even mid season, things will fall apart for everyone including j-russ. so AD needs to keep the faith for lane and the staff to turn this team into a .500 ball club.

but still, this is worst case scenario.. and i don't think this will be the case at all this year.. they have somethin goin and most people would agree.. raiders fan or not.

Posted by Oakland Raiders News: The Raider defense stepping up early in camp « Sactown Original Raider B, July 28, 2008 9:27 AM

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#10

Posted by Patrick Patterson, July 28, 2008 1:01 PM

The contact thing was from the voluntary minicamps, and the too much contact cost them their last minicamp. Training camp has not restrictions for contact.

#11

Posted by Matador, July 28, 2008 1:19 PM

I agree with you Kushman. I think Kiffin is the best thing to happen the the Raiders since Gruden. But it's no secret how Al fells about him and I don't think there's much room for failure. So much is riding on the first couple of games. If they start to loose early it could be ugly for everyone. But i'm keeping the faith as always..

#12

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 28, 2008 1:20 PM

yes they can play it how ever they want in the real training camp.. it's probably good they dont go full contact ... because they have a month of preseason games to get used to that.. but i still think they should on the last 2 sessions or so.. get a feel(literally) of what it's going to be like ... or they at least do some tackling drills to work on wrapping their hands around guys... in any case, they'll be better tacklers than last year... besides.. when yer at rock bottom, you can only go up from there :P

#13

Posted by Bill, July 28, 2008 2:48 PM

I agree with Kiffin's aproach. We did have problems tackleing last year, but that was not the reason for RBs running wild on us. I seen LT bust out a 20 yard gain through the 4 hole and not get touched. The 4 hole is between the guard and tackle on the right side. Lt got by our NG, DE, OLB, and SS. Where were these guys? I think teaching the players to know their gap assignment is much more important then teaching them to tackle. If they don't know how to tackle at this level then god help them and us. I think we have some really good players on our D that know how to tackle. Morrison, Kelly, Richardson, Howard, Huff, Wilson, and Burgess all know how to tackle well. The problem is these guys not being where there supposed to be. This is also the problem that makes Rob Ryan look so bad. These guys need to trust one another and play their gaps and not be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

#14

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 28, 2008 5:57 PM

now that you mention it bill.. i was at that last game when a 20 yard run happened.. and i was wondering to myself wtf our guys were.. you might have somethin there .. and that is soley rob ryan's part... it really is all about placement of the defenders.. i mean, especially when they're not setup for the run. when ryan has the line backers in pass coverage 99% of the time.. they get owned on the ground even by average running backs. So hopefully they'll be in the box more now that we have the cream of the crop backfield .. no wonder AD spent so much money solidifying the Dbacks.