Oakland Raiders: 3 Big takeaways from loss vs. Dolphins in Week 3
By Joel W. Cade
Defense lacks speed
The Raiders defense is a liability. It is so bad that the Raiders have to approach every game like it is a track meet. The offense will have to score a lot to keep pace with the amount of points the defense will give up on a regular basis.
The problem with the defense is two fold. First, it lacks a viable edge defender. Second, it lacks the speed to deal with home run threats.
The problems on the edge are well documented. No need to rehash the whole Khalil Mack saga. Right now Frostee “the Sackman” Rucker cannot hold the edge in this defense. The cornerbacks are not helping in run support. Both positions, the edge defender and the cornerbacks need to get off blocks better to help in run support.
To compound the issues, once a player gets the edge, the defense lacks the overall team speed to chase the ball carrier down. For example, the short pass from Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill to Albert Wilson. The Wilson touchdown could have just as easily been a jet sweep. Wilson got the pass, got the corner and was gone. The Raiders could not catch him. They hopelessly watched has a ran past them to the end zone.
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The Dolphins used their speed to defeat the Raiders. Until the Raiders can set an edge and get faster, expect the NFL to attack them in the same manner.