2012-13 Season Outlook for the Oakland Raiders (Part 2:
Defense)…
Welcome
Back Kids this time we are going to have a discussion about the Raiders
defense. They were a pretty good defense last year. Most of the time the
defense was the reason that the Raiders stayed in the game most games last
season. Now the Raiders made some offseason moves this offseason but nothing as
significant as the addition of LB Stephen Curry last season….
Defensive Line:
(Projected 2012-13 Starters: LE LaMarr Houston/ NT Tommy Kelly/ RDT Richard
Seymour/ RE Matt Shaughnessy) With the returning Defensive Tackles Kelley
and Seymour the Raiders should be pretty stout on the line this year. After a
pretty mediocre year against the run.With a young Houston and Shaughnessy book
ending the veteran Tackles this should be a top 15 line in football this season
expect big things from them in 2012-13. I would expect anywhere from 20-25
sacks from this foursome this season if everyone stays healthy…
Linebackers:
(Projected 2012-13 Starters: SLB Philip Wheeler/MLB Rolando McClain/ WLB Aaron
Curry) With a new defensive minded head coach in Dennis Allen the Raiders
should be able to take advantage of a very experienced and still young
Linebacking core and Allen should have fun playing with his new toys on defense
as he explores being a Raiders head coach in the post Al Davis era of Raiders
football. So look for at least 2 of these 3 in the Pro Bowl next offseason as
they should excel in the 3-4 system…
Cornerbacks/ Saftey:
(Projected 2012-13 Starters: LCB Ronald Bartell/RCB Shawnte Spencer/ FS Michael
Huff/ SS Tyvon Branch) The Raiders went into the offseason not knowing what
was going to happen with their defensive back core. But then their cross town
rivals gave up a strong performer from
last season in Shawnte Spencer and the Raiders had their solid veteran back.
Next up was securing the contract of SS Tyvon Branch to go alongside a
returning Michael Huff and the Raiders suddenly have a strong and deep
backfield to start the 2012-13 season. I don’t see but maybe 1-2 Pro Bowlers
but a solid experienced crew none the less…
Well
kids the Raiders were just a .500 team last season but they barley missed the
playoff expect them to rectify that and this season and barring a Payton
Manning explosion the Raiders should win the AFC West this season and be back
in the postseason again. Till then…Class is dismissed….
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