Oakland Raiders: Does this team stink? Tough love from a Browns fan

The defense stinks — Part 2

Without a legitimate playmaker on the defensive line and in the secondary, the pass rush is non-existent. Both will need to be upgraded for the Raiders to succeed on defense moving forward.

Luckily for the Raiders, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s scheme is predicated on linebacker play. The defensive line is there to take up space to allow the linebackers to make the plays. Ever hear of Vontaze Burfict? He made a career as a middle linebacker in Guenther’s scheme. Is it any surprise that middle linebacker Derrick Johnson is making most of the plays?

The Raiders need to upgrade here if they want to truly invest in a Guenther driven scheme. But they could not upgrade at middle linebacker if they paid a defensive end/outside linebacker. In this defense, the defensive ends need to provide the pass rush. A good defensive end costs much less than what Khalil Mack was asking for. Guenther and company should have been smart enough to pay Mack and adjust the scheme, but that is not how things were done in 1998.

This defense lacks playmakers. Given Gruden’s history of drafting, it is not a sure thing that talent is even on its way. This defense needs help today and the calvary is not coming. Outside of Conley, they lack the talent to develop into playmakers.  As constructed, this defense stinks, and royally so.