Skip to main content

Raiders Reshaping Front 7

The Raiders were among the worst in the league at stopping the run in 2009, ranking 29th and surrendering 155.5 yards per game. This is a familiar weakness to Raider Nation as the Raiders ranked in the bottom five in rushing defense in 2007 and 2008. In fact, the Raiders rushing defense hasn’t ranked higher than 22nd since 2002, with the worst season coming in 2003.
 
The Raiders front 7 has evolved during that time. In 2003 the Raiders aging front 7 was exposed when the offense could no longer carry the team.
 
The Raiders didn’t sit idle in trying to address the needs along the front 7. In fact, the Raiders tried to plug the holes with a key individual here and there without much success.
 
2003
Draft Tyler Brayton (pick 32 overall)
 
2004
Sign Warren Sapp (Pro Bowler)
UFA Tommy Kelly
 
2005
Sign Derrick Burgess (Pro Bowler)
Draft Kirk Morrison (pick 78 overall)
 
2006:
Draft Thomas Howard (pick 38 overall)
 
2007:
Trade for Gerrard Warren
Draft Jay Richardson (pick 138 overall)
 
2008:
Draft Trevor Scott (pick 169 overall)
 
2009:
Draft Matt Shaughnessy (pick 71 overall)
Trade for Richard Seymour (for a 2011 1st round pick, Pro bowler)
Sign Greg Ellis (Pro Bowler
 
2010:
Trade for Kamerion Wimbley (2010 3rd round pick)
Cut Greg Ellis
Cut Gerrard Warren
RFA Original Pick Tender Kirk Morrison
RFA 2nd Round Tender Thomas Howard (could have saved money tendering him at original round without repercussion)
RFA 2nd Round Tender Ricky Brown
 
The Raiders are clearly showing a motivation in the past two seasons to right the ship. John Marshall was brought in as the defensive coordinator in 2009 along with Mike Haluchak to coach the linebackers. Mike Waufle was brought in to coach the defensive line for the 2010 season.
 
The Raiders front seven currently consists of:
 
OLB Thomas Howard*
ST Sam Williams
MLB Kirk Morrison*
MLB/SLB Ricky Brown*
OLB David Nixon
ST Isaiah Ekejiuba
SLB Slade Norris
SLB/DE Kamerion Wimbley*
DE/DT Richard Seymour*
DE Matt Shaughnessy*
DE Jay Richardson
OLB/DE Trevor Scott*
DE Greyson Gunheim
DT Tommy Kelly*
DT Desmond Bryant*
DT/ST William Joseph
 
* Indicates Projected Starter or key reserve
 
The Raiders front seven is strong on the edges, but week in the middle. Morrison may not be a Raider and Ricky Brown hardly inspires confidence as a MLB.
 
Desmond Bryant probably isn’t ready to be the starting Nose Guard, who is the defensive tackle most responsible for stopping the run.
 
The Raiders are probably considering one or both positions in the upcoming draft. I believe the Raiders are more likely to spend a high pick on a defensive tackle than a middle linebacker if history is a guide. I also believe the coaching staff is decently satisfied with Ricky Brown taking over for Kirk Morrison.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Oakland Raiders Swing for the Fences in 2016 NFL Draft

[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/153039819[/embed] These aren't your daddy's Oakland Raiders or even your younger self's Raiders. If anything, these are your newborn's Raiders or your puppy's Raiders. These are the Raiders we've never seen before. Indicative of the freshness of the franchise was their 2016 NFL Draft. No longer slave to a high draft pick and desperate needs, the theme of the draft for the Raiders was upside. It's as if general manager Reggie McKenzie got so used to hitting his draft picks out of the park that he started swinging for the fences. We'll have to wait a couple of years before we know if he struck out or if he'll continue his Ruthian ways. First, McKenzie boldly went with a safety at No. 14 overall. Kyle Joseph is coming off a torn ACL and fills a major need, but safety isn't a premium position. Only a handful of safeties have been drafted in the first 14 picks in the last 15 years and include names like Ea

The Raiders aren't who we thought they were....they're better

The Oakland Raiders are tired of being the team that will be good in a year or two. The team expects to win now and it is winning now. We thought the Raiders needed more talent. We thought that being in the playoff hunt was a year away for this team, but we were wrong. This isn't the team we thought they were, they're better. On Sunday, they moved to 3-3 on Sunday with a 37-29 win over the San Diego Chargers that wasn't close until the final minute. It was also the Raiders second road win of the season. The last time the Raiders had two road wins by their sixth game was 2011. Before that, a five-year streak from 1998-2002. The Raiders went 8-8 in 1998, 1999 and 2011 and narrowly missed the playoffs each year.  They made the playoffs in 2000, 2001 and 2002. They didn't have a losing record in any of those seasons because teams that can win on the road are usually pretty good. As the season matures, there is more and more evidence that some of the "best-case scenario

Looking Forward: Raiders 2012 Free Agents

Khalif Barnes - Weakest link on the offensive line with youth behind him. Raiders will look for for other options. It's not as if there aren't a dozen Khalif's on the street each year. Darryl Blackstock - Was a Chuck Bresnahan guy, but found a home on special teams. Would have to make the team as a reserve LB and special teams guy next training camp. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back as a camp body or gone entirely. Kyle Boller - Hue didn't have enough confidence to turn to Boller. Expect the Raiders to look elsewhere for a backup to Carson Palmer. Jerome Boyd - Was nothing more than a reserve and special teams player. Some good moments and some very bad ones. Camp body again and fate will depend on the defensive coordinator. Tyvon Branch - About the only consistent producer in the secondary. Raiders will want to bring him back. Desmond Bryant - He's been great in limited action and can play inside and out. Key reserve. Michael Bush - He'll find a home a