Time of possession is a crucial statistic that every team yearns to win in each contest. Keeping the opponents offense off the field means less opportunities for them to put points on the board. For this reason many within "the Nation" will agree that all eyes will be on the defensive line for 2009. With last year’s decrepit performance, the line will need to improve the 31st ranked run defense or drastic changes will made.
Considered the weak link of the Raiders defense, in 2008 opposing teams repeatedly ran the ball at will and over powered the Raiders defensive front seven. After 5 seasons team owner Al Davis had "enough" and dismissed former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. His replacement former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, John Marshall, has the credentials but will certainly have his hands full with this particular unit.
With the recent trade of former two-time All-Pro defensive end Derrick Burgess to the New England Patriots, the move closes the chapter of what many have been anticipating since the arrival of newly acquired Greg Ellis. With the injury-prone Burgess now gone, look for rookie Matt Shaughnessy, second-year Trevor Scott, and third-year Jay Richardson to engage in a heated training camp battle to start opposite Ellis.
Scott performed amicably in Burgess’ absence particularly in run defense; however he may lack the size to sustain the length of an entire season. Richardson lacks the strength but his edge speed and athleticism makes him ideal to be a regular in passing situations. Shaughnessy will be the unknown factor. Although he impressed coaches during OTAs, Shaughnessy will need to continue that momentum into training camp to leap over his more experienced peers. I see a series of split starts between Scott and Richardson.
This year will be vital for DT Tommy Kelly to prove to the organization that he is worth the $50.5 million contract he signed in 2007. Kelly is certainly a force to recon with in the middle however, too many times last year the mammoth DT would disappear and no longer commanded double teams during most games. In what he deems his best shape in his young career, the former undrafted DT will inevitably prove his doubters wrong and make his presence known in the league.
Starting alongside Kelly will be journeyman Gerard Warren who looks to maintain playing time over mountainous Terrell Sands. Warren’s experience and speed to penetrate will compliment Kelly’s bulky presence. Sands plays with plenty of vigor early in the games but just like Kelly, he consistently continues to be swallowed up by much smaller (quicker) lineman thus not allowing linebackers to attack ball carriers freely.
The departed Burgess will be missed for his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks however with the arrival of Ellis, the converted outside linebacker can return to his natural DE position and focus on run support and sacks. The Raiders pass defense will rely solely on how the unit can respond to teams pounding the ball on the ground. If the interior defensive linemen cannot win the battle in the trenches and improve the run defense, look for changes abound or a possible overhaul in 2010.
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