It appears as if head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock are serious about turning the Raiders defense into more than a collection of players that look good on paper but offer token resistance in games. They signed linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, defensive end Carl Nassib, safety
Three players that had little impact last season have ability to help transform Raiders defense
It’s a little bit O/T, Steve, with the Bengals letting go Dre Kirkpatrick, any chance he may be picked up by the team? He is familiar with Guenther’s scheme.
Sure, there’s a history there between Kirkpatrick and Guenther, so that increases the likelihood. Same goes for Darqueze Dennard, another veteran cornerback with ties to Guenther. Keep an eye on both, as well as Burfict down the road.
Got to believe that the overhaul on the defense is really going to help Ferrell this year. Adding Collins in the middle and with Nassib coming into the rotation with Crosby at end, opposing lines have a lot more to think about. No excuses for the #4 pick if he doesn’t make his presence felt this year. The icing on the cake will be if Hurst can add some consistency and Key can actually take the passer down when he gets to him.
More consistent pressure on opposing QBs, along with the potentially huge improvement at LB will help the secondary – as will some good additions recently in FA – but it looks likely we will be drafting at least one DB high to round out the back end of the D.
All in all, things look to be on the right trend on the defensive side of things, at long last!!
Abram is essentially another #1 pick this year, since he missed all of last year. I’m curious to see what type of impact he will have on the defense.
Isiah Johnson? I know nothing about him. Would be good if he could contribute some productive snaps at corner given that’s a big hole right now.
Ferrell? He needs to step up his game. That was a big reach by Mayock / Gruden. I doubt he ever lives up to his #4 overall selection. You don’t draft run stoppers at that draft slot. You draft dynamic pass rushers.
I agree that Ferrell may never live up to his #4 selection, but I think he will be vastly improved this year (no science behind this thought, just a feeling). Abram is the one I worry about, I love the kid, but fear his style of play will lend itself to injuries–anyone know his collegiate injury history? He was on the sidelines with the team during the season and appeared to make several appearances for the team on media which makes me like the kid even more. I don’t know much about Johnson, so can’t really figure out if Gruden is BS-ing the media/fans about him or not. If those three players can perform on the field as expected, the defense will be vastly improved.