Our Defense

[erickench]

If we're really gonna run a 3-4 then these depth charts should show it. Our line should consist of Hemingway, Laula, and Fatukasi with Crosby and Paye as our OLBs. Crosby played linebacker in high school. The position is not entirely strange to him.

[Atlasffa]

[powski]

I mean, I heard early on from several players and even Leonard about how they were going to move people around, disguise coverages, be unpredictable, versatile and I thought it sounded good but at this point hearing that kind of thing I just kind of shrug and go "yea yea yea, talk talk, soundsa good!" and consider it just part of pre-season puffery talk.

But nope. This seems to have been real talk. They are disguising things well and keeping teams guessing.

[Atlasffa]

[Reno Hightower]

I am going to double down and pick up the Raiders defense in one of my fantasy leagues. Yes, it's the Chiefs but it's a rivalry game and we seem to have a knack for forcing turnovers.

[chucker]

I mean, I heard early on from several players and even Leonard about how they were going to move people around, disguise coverages, be unpredictable, versatile and I thought it sounded good but at this point hearing that kind of thing I just kind of shrug and go "yea yea yea, talk talk, soundsa good!" and consider it just part of pre-season puffery talk.

But nope. This seems to have been real talk. They are disguising things well and keeping teams guessing.

It makes a lot of sense, based on the defensive players we added in FA, that we'd move people around a lot. However you're right that we've heard all that kind of talk before. Remember how every new coaching staff was going to make Marcel Reece a focal point because he was a "matchup nightmare"?

[GoodTimeCharlie]

[GoodTimeCharlie]

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Koonce with the “assist” on that Masses INT.

[mranquales]

The scariest part is Nakobe Dean is 25-6, we get to have him for his entire prime. He's playing at an All-Pro level. People are going to hate me for publicizing this, but to me he's the most important player on Defense right now.

[riseNraid09]

The scariest part is Nakobe Dean is 25-6, we get to have him for his entire prime. He's playing at an All-Pro level. People are going to hate me for publicizing this, but to me he's the most important player on Defense right now.

That's fair to say... Why would you be hated for that?

[DeathStar24]

This might already have been posted but I wasn't aware the Raiders have yet to give up a point in the 4th quarter.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

That's fair to say... Why would you be hated for that?

He won't he is desperate for attention. And a few will come running as soon as they wake up

[Atlasffa]

Excerpt from free article (if you are only interested in what he had to say about Dean):

Trending up
Nakobe Dean, LB, Las Vegas Raiders

Dean made our trending-up list last week, and he continued to ascend in Week 3. He had a complete performance in the Raiders’ 35-27 win over the New Orleans Saints. Dean was excellent in coverage, both in man looks and as a zone defender patrolling the middle of the field. He was physical and violent in the run game, making quick reads before triggering and driving on ball carriers. He had an explosive tackle for loss on Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Dean was destroying blocks. He was tackling sideline to sideline against the run and pass, including on a game-sealing forced fumble in the flat in the fourth quarter. Dean also had a third-down pressure that led to an incompletion. Blitzing against running backs remains a strength of his game. The Raiders signed Dean to a three-year, $36.06 million deal. He has been instrumental in their 3-0 start. Dean looks like one of the best free-agent signings.

[Atlasffa]

Video evidence...

[mranquales]

That's fair to say... Why would you be hated for that?

Because I think he's better than Crosby.

Dean does exactly what you expect the best player on defense to do: cause havoc and make plays in the clutch. Whenever we needed Dean to make a play, he made it. key turnovers, big hits, momentum-changing tackles. If this is the level of play we can expect from Nakobe Dean, he may go down as one of the best FA pickups we've ever had.

Dean's acquisition alone makes Spytek look like a genius. We legit stole an All-Pro from the Eagles.