Oakland Raiders: Does this team stink? Tough love from a Browns fan
By Joel W. Cade
The defense stinks — Part 1
Browns fans have watched talentless defenses get run all over year in and year out. In years past, they lacked real talent at every level of the defense. It is pretty easy to see when a team is overmatched when it lacks talent.
The Raiders defense lacks talent. It is easy to have a knee-jerk reaction when the team’s best player gets traded. But in this case, there is some merit to it. The Raiders have lacked anything even remotely close to resembling a pass rush without Khalil Mack.
The lack of pass rush has two contributing factors. First, the defensive line needs help. Second, the secondary is definitely the best part of the defense, but even so, it needs help.
The defensive line lacks playmakers. The defensive end position is in a sorry state. The Raiders are currently starting Frostee Rucker. Just let that sink in, Frostee Rucker. Nothing against Rucker, but at this stage in his career, he is best utilized as a veteran rotational player. The defensive tackles are not much better.
The defensive secondary is a work in process. Last year’s first round draft pick Gareon Conley has yet to live up to the hype. The Ohio State University has produced cornerbacks. Yet, somehow, Conley has yet to live up to hype. The safeties are aged. The gigantic miss on Obi Melifonwu hurts the defense.