Oakland Raiders: A Few Reasons For Optimism, A Few Reasons for Concern

Optimism: A Rebuilt Secondary

Oakland’s pass defense has been used and abused pretty regularly over the last decade or so. And if you look at some of the names that have drifted through the team’s depth chart over the years, it’s not all that hard to figure out why.

Things seemed like they were beginning to turn around last season though. With a talented coaching staff that includes Rod Woodson and Marcus Robertson, Oakland’s defensive backs made some major strides last season – in particular, Washington castoff David Amerson who was claimed by the Raiders after his early season release.

The Raiders had plenty of reasons for optimism about their oft-torched secondary after last season. Though the results weren’t fantastic overall – their passing defense was ranked twenty-sixth in the league, giving up just about 260 yards per game – there were signs of life. This unit got better as the season progressed – and now looks poised to become a solid, if not dominant unit.

In addition to Amerson – who played lights out football last season and earned himself a hefty new contract as a result – the Raiders went out and signed arguably, the best cornerback on the open market in Sean Smith. And signing Smith is a double win given that it also weakened their division rival, Kansas City.

With Amerson playing on one side and Smith helping to lock down the other, and Travis Carrie likely to win the slot corner position – he was ranked the eighth best slot corner in the NFL – Oakland’s secondary looks a lot more formidable than they have in years.

With the corners secure, the Raiders also added a couple of ballhawking thumpers to the defensive backfield by signing Reggie Nelson to take over for retired legend Charles Woodson. Nelson, if you recall, led the league last year with eight interceptions and is known for his solid pass defense. Oakland also added West Virginia product Karl Joseph to play alongside Nelson – taking over for an ineffective and injury prone Nate Allen.

The Raiders’ secondary looks quite a bit different than it did last season. And looks quite a bit better. Oakland’s secondary has the potential to shut down opposing offenses and make life very difficult on the quarterbacks.

Expect this unit to improve upon last season’s ranking – by a large margin.

Next: Still Some Lingering Question Marks