Will SD blitz ending change Raiders’ philosophy?
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, October 16th, 2010 at 12:15 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Michael Huff earned the most national recognition he’s had since being one of the most decorated defensive backs in college football because of a late-game sequence when he helped blitz quarterback Philip Rivers into submission.
It wasn’t just that Huff’s sack caused the fumble that Tyvon Branch (with help from Chris Johnson) ran back 64 yards for the game-clinching touchdown. Huff had come hard on previous plays as the Raiders disregarded convention and sent both safeties in attempt to force Rivers into the mistake that he eventually made.
“I was tired,” the reigning AFC defensive player of the week said Friday. “I blitzed like five times in a row. I wasn’t used to it. I need to go out there and run a little bit more.”
Given that his usual role as a single deep free safety calls for Huff to be the last and most visable line of defense, Huff says the constant blitzing “definitely” came as a surprise.
“(To blitz) that many times in a row, especially when we hadn’t blitzed much and to call it four or give times in a row was different,” Huff said.
So here come the San Francisco 49ers and Alex Smith, a quarterback, who in the words of defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, “has had a little trouble throwing it to the other team this year” with nine interceptions, the most in the NFL. Surely he can be forced to throw it before he wants, adding to his pick total.
Huff conceded the San Diego finish gives defenders more ammunition in lobbying for more blitzing with defensive coordinator John Marshall, but didn’t sound as if he expected a big change in philosophy.
“When you put it on film and it works, it’s easy to go up there and show him we can do it more,” Huff said. “But we know we’ve got a great front four and they can get to the passer, so we don’t have to blitz every time. But that’s good when kind of sprinkle it in every now and then.”
When I said to Tom Cable Monday that people would look at the last five plays and wonder why the Raiders don’t blitz more often, his answer was interesting.
“We talk about that a lot, we really do,” Cable said. “Some of it is kind of a theory or belief in the system and what has to go on and what must be done and those kinds of things. Some of it is when it’s time to do it. You have to do what you believe is right. John did at the end and it was exactly right.”
The Raiders’ theory defensively has always been, “our players are better than yours and we will win more individual battles.” As Huff suggested, the best case scenario is is probably that the 49ers will sprinkle in a few more blitzes because it’s not in the DNA as formulated by Al Davis to be a team that relies heavily on the blitz.
The 49ers first responsibility will be to keep running back Frank Gore under control, and they realize that if you commit too many people in the box to create pressure and Gore slips through, he’s adept at taking it the distance. Gore’s presence can make the 49ers a tricky team to blitz.
And if Gore gets untracked and gets steady yards, like the Houston Texans did two weeks ago, the whole blitzing issue is moot because Smith will have a steady diet of plays with optimum down and distance instead of the second-and-long and third-and-long plays that feed a blitz.
Chances are Huff will be back in his familiar role, seeing things from afar, realizing that if he makes a mistake it not only means six points, but is out there for all too see on the evening highlights. The way the Raiders deploy their safeties, Huff’s job is one of the toughest in the NFL, and he’s had as many bad days as good ones.
“You know I’ve got to make the tackle, (and) if I don’t make it, he’s going 70 or going 80,” Huff said. “I’ve got to get him on the ground. I know it’s my responsibility because it’s my role on the defense.”
The Chargers win was unusual in that Huff, Branch and second-year man Mike Mitchell all had good games. Safety play was spotty at best through the first four games. The difference was that the cornerbacks, Stanford Routt, Chris Johnson, and yes, Nnamdi Asomugha, were either beaten or out of position on many of Rivers’ throws.
“We felt as a staff that our safeties played real well,” Cable said. “The corners need to be a little more aggressive and firmer, tighter in our coverage.”
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October 16th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
1st
October 16th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
2nd
October 16th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
BLITZ AND BLITZ, thats what we got to do.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
We’re still going to blitz. Al Davis is going to blitz into the locker room and change the defensive scheme.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
And I will be blitzing to the game tomorrow. Looks like I go to games after all, Bob.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Smash mouth football!!
October 16th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
We’re going to do everything Al Davis style tomorrow. Man defense, no blitzing, forcing the ball to receivers, even when they’re covered. I know it. It’s Niner week, plus Al’s a little insecure about the team winning Cable’s way last week.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I won’t hold my breath waiting for blitzes.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
We will see blitzing throughout the game when Al wears sunglasses made in this millenium.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
i think this is a very winnable game, and i think we will win. but knowing the raiders they will probably find a way to lose it. won’t matter though. we are losing one more game before the bye and winning the rest. going into the bye at 5-4. finishing the season at 8-8.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
an integral part of Davis’ scheme are the corners and Rout keeps getting beat. with River’s picking apart Nnamdi, the blitzing was an act of desperation. doubt we’ll ever see that kind of blitzing sequence again.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Like I have been saying, this team is capable of 8-8, anything more is a bonus, 7-9 would be underachieving, but improvement, but anything less than that would be unacceptable and probably cost Cable’s job.
I really think that if we don’t get to 7-9 or 8-8 this season we will lose Namdi, and very possibly trade Bush away as well.
Though none of it will matter anyway if they don’t get a deal done between the union and the league. Lot’s of money being lost if nothing is done. CFL, UFL, and AFL will be the seasons to watch.
October 16th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
too bad we don’t play Carolina this week/year. would love to see how John Fox game plans against the Raider D.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hello Boys!!! lifelong rayda… been following the blog for quite a while. finally gonna join the conversation
October 16th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Chances of rain for the game keep increasing, I guess I’m bringing the rain gear, its going to be a sloppy game.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Though none of it will matter anyway if they don’t get a deal done between the union and the league. Lot’s of money being lost if nothing is done. CFL, UFL, and AFL will be the seasons to watch.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I pray for a new CBA… else i’d be stuck watching pathetic NMSU
October 16th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
If the raiders do blitz, which I hope they do more than the norm 5 times per game, I say leave huff in coverage, rather see Mike Mitch or Tyvon bringing the heat. they hit harder and it’d give huffin and puffin a chance to make a play on the ball
October 16th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Madden Raider, “Al’s a little insecure about the team winning Cable’s way last week.”
Tom Cable doesn’t have “a way”. This dude couldn’t coach his way out of paper bag. The reason this team wins randomly, and NEVER wins back to back is because the HC does not have a clue. This teams wins on a random basis, in spite of TC. That hogpog of great ST plays and blitz’s won this game. And then to hear TC say to the team subsequent to the game something to the affect, “Let this game define you from her on out”. What!!!? We only won this game because the team was tired of getting their lunch money taken away from them every time they crossed paths with this bully since September 28, 2003. Coach Seymor gave the “ultimatum” speech to his peers that sparked that non-stop fight to the closing whistle! TC was an observer like you or I. He is not a thinker and this team does not believe in Tom Cable. That game was won on pure emotion. To use a boxing metaphore the Raiders end the fight with both eyes swollen shut, bleeding from the ears, nose, mouth and the corner of both eyes. The ref should have stopped the fight but fortunately they don’t do that in football. The Raiders threw a closed eyed haymaker in the form of a blitz and got LUCKY. If we beat the whinnies tomorrow, which is highly improbable, it will be LUCK or “balls out” play like last week (but don’t count on that!). Best chance to win is to spike the gatorade with viagra, Tom.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Is Walter McFadden playing this week? I wanna see how he does in the regular season
October 16th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Our D is a joke man.
“We talk about that a lot, we really do,” Cable said. “Some of it is kind of a theory or belief in the system and what has to go on and what must be done and those kinds of things. Some of it is when it’s time to do it. You have to do what you believe is right. John did at the end and it was exactly right.”
If anybody tries to say on this blog that al davis doesnt coach the raiders read that quote, then admit youre wrong.
he basically just said “well jerry we’d love to blitz, we talk about it all week, then we show mr davis the gameplan and he laughs at us and says, no this is what youre gonna do, now go win.”
October 16th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Chances are Huff will be back in his familiar role, seeing things from afar, realizing that if he makes a mistake it not only means six points, but is out there for all too see on the evening highlights. The way the Raiders deploy their safeties, Huff’s job is one of the toughest in the NFL, and he’s had as many bad days as good ones.
“You know I’ve got to make the tackle, (and) if I don’t make it, he’s going 70 or going 80,” Huff said. “I’ve got to get him on the ground. I know it’s my responsibility because it’s my role on the defense.”
——–
At least Huff knows what he SHOULD be doing.
This is what I’ve been saying to all the Michael Huff fans around here. While Huff is far from the only problem with the defense, he is a big reason why plays that should only be 10-20 yard gains end up going all the way far too often.
Not only do the Raiders need to do a better job at the line of scrimmage, they need to make sure that when the ball carrier gets to the second level, or when the receiver beats his man, that the FS, the last line of defense in the Cover 0, is in position to make a stop.
I don’t think Huff is a bad player by any means – in fact, in almost any other defensive scheme he would probably be a more than serviceable player. But the Raiders’ defensive scheme requires a FS who is more or less a freak of nature. A wrap-up tackler who can think on his feet and play the “center-fielder” role, breaking on any deep ball coming his way.
Maybe the Raiders’ coaching staff should move Nnamdi to FS. Moving Rod Woodson to safety worked out pretty well for them.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Sir Blitz,
Cable’s no Vince Lombardi, but I think he understands a lot more about the modern game than Al does…taking what the defense gives, mixing defensive schemes, etc. Of course Cable hasn’t drawn any of this stuff up. But I think he’s compiling what he knows of other playbooks he’s used, and even some of Kiffin’s stuff, and just doing what it takes to win, …..RATHER Al likes it or not.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
R 22
Absolutely, that is exactly why the team does not believe in TC. TC is more interested in getting his fat paycheck than winning. Once he losses this job he will NEVER make over a million a year in any other job in his life! If he really wanted to win then he would advise his staff to do what will get us there and go for it. At least if the Raiders lose it will be fighting! Not because because of scheme overshadowing.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
raiders22 Says:
October 16th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Our D is a joke man.
“We talk about that a lot, we really do,” Cable said. “Some of it is kind of a theory or belief in the system and what has to go on and what must be done and those kinds of things. Some of it is when it’s time to do it. You have to do what you believe is right. John did at the end and it was exactly right.”
………….
TRANSLATION:
Cable: “We won because John bucked Davis’s philosophy.”
PERIOD.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
John Marshall blitzed a lot when he was with the Seahawks. It’s obviously not his scheme the Raiders are running.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Every “new” commenter who says he’s been reading the blog for a while and just started commenting is Oakglenn, btw. Say hi to Oakglenn, everyone. aka “Born With a Patch”.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
The reason he says he’s been reading the blog for a while is so he has a plausible excuse for knowing the backgrounds of people he’s arguing with. Watcha up to, Oakglenn? You muther f’r!
October 16th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
He wasn’t born with a patch, either. In fact, he didn’t get his patch until he was about 25..while the rest of us started getting it at around 12.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Dont let the beer gut fool you, Tom Fat Cat Cable is a decent coach. But he just wants to make a name for himself here in Oakland then he’ll move back to the college game so he can get a good job like Lane… Even if he succeeds with the Raiders, he’ll be given walking papers like the rest of them… How many other decent coaches have the modern day raiders made look like glorified ball boys?
October 16th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I’ve been reading for a while as well. Am I oakglenn?
October 16th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
We are all oakglenn. He is all of us.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Maybe we should erect another billboard
Al Davis is who he is and if he wants to be the GM untill he passes away, he will be the GM untill he becomes the crypt keeper.
But I think if you keep telling him he should quit, he will listen to you and quit. (rolls eyes)
October 16th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Al is getting old, he is desperate for a decent couple of seasons and eventually a SB before he dies. He might actually be listening to some input from the coaching staff and admitting that his out of date philosophy doesn’t work
Nevermind.. I’m back in reality now.
October 16th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
MR… I’m just a small town country boy and I was gonna give you a chance. i thought that if i didn’t start with you that you’d keep shut but that didn’t work… you just wanna clown on anybody that gives your sorry mouth the time of day. well where i’m from we dont run our mouths, we give out old fashion a** whoopins. we all know you cant do anything but type so why do you talk like your a big boy? the actual real madden raider wouldn’t hide behind a keyboard son. if your gonna use his name in your handle, at least pay him the respect he deserves and act like a big boy
October 16th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
What is the possibility of seeing some 3-4 defense against the niners is passing situations? If it works, it might be a great thing to sprinkle into the defense against Denver next Sunday! GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Raiders! SF is going to be picking silver and black out of their #$$%$!!!!!!
October 16th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Blitzalot, I think I disagree on Cable being a bad coach. He is certainly a bad playcaller, but hes not the only head coach with that problem. Nor is he the only one who doesnt talk well with the media. But he gets along with al davis, is a good motivator and an optimist which is needed for this job. The players like him, and al hired some decent coordinators so he doesnt have to worry about the x’s and o’s as much. And who else would take the raider job?
October 16th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dnwb_hyOhyc/SorA6Y7dR5I/AAAAAAAAAfY/TAF2tYwbaJ4/s400/cable.jpg
October 16th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Some of it is kind of a theory or belief in the system and what has to go on and what must be done and those kinds of things.
________________________________________________________
So the Raiders don’t blitz more because there is a theory and system that HAS to go on and MUST be done.
Well, well, well. Who is it that can dictate to the head coach what MUST be done on his football team?
Only sounds like two people on a football team that can tell the head coach what MUST be done on his team. That’s the GM and the Owner.
In our case the GM and the Owner is the same person.
So Tom Cable is actually saying…I would like to blitz in more situations, but Al Davis doesn’t like it and says we have to get pressure with the front four. So every now and then John Marshall and I just have to take a chance and go against Al Davis if we feel it will give us the best chance to win.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Kirk Says:
October 16th, 2010 at 11:27 am
The 49ers are favorites because they beat the crp out of our first team in preseason.
^^^^^^^^
Preseason means crap now.
Preseason shouldn’t have any impact on regular season lines.
This game smells fishy, because of the ridiculous line.
Don’t bet on the Raiders…..the wiseguys are hoping to take the public money.
Lets hope the Raiders can squeeze out two wins a row against these Whiner Chumps!
October 16th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
26.The Real MaddenRaider Says:
October 16th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Every “new” commenter who says he’s been reading the blog for a while and just started commenting is Oakglenn, btw. Say hi to Oakglenn, everyone. aka “Born With a Patch”.
Its actually not fair to state that, nonetheless about once every two weeks we get a post like that, poster fills us with his knowledge and we never see them again.
I agree that Oak does have a long track record of doing it.
What cracks me up is when they say they would have regged sooner but they had “tech problems”
October 16th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
This 7 point line is your standard middle Vegas line.
Nobody is going to lay 7 points of wood with an 0-5 team, and a lot of people are going to see that +225 moneyline (last I saw) on the Raiders and get tempted by the payout.
Vegas wants you to take the Raiders to win, and Vegas rarely loses.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
May be time to end the Tedford era for the Bears.
Things have just gotten a little too stale. This is flat out ridiculous today.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
The proper title of this article should be:
Will SD blitzing change Al Davis’ philosophy?
And the article should read.
It hasn’t in over 70 years, it’s not going to now.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Go Raiders! MBush has a big game tomorrow! Nnamdi gets a pick, so does Huff, and the D-Line get to Alex Smith ALOT.
I love the Raiders on a Sunday! AND Playing SanFran is awesome!!!
Coming off a big win at SD, followed by a Bay Area Rival game! If this doesn’t mark the change of this franchise I don’t know what will!
October 16th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
There was nothing new from this post. We all know that Al Davis is very active in this team for better or for worse….
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
I will say that people should stop blaming Michael Huff and Tyvon Branch for the woes of the defense.
Safeties being blamed for run defense….the front 7 keeps letting these RBs into the secondary with a full head of steam.
Blame Huff and Branch is fine…but Tommy Kelly and company should be 1st in line for the blame.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Nice call SnB. You called out my number one guy “that needs to step up” Tommy Kelly.
And on the AD side, well for better or for worse, you gotta dig Mr. Davis, just for his body of work alone. The Man’s got Style!
October 16th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Vegas knows what he is talking about.
The line is set to draw equal amounts of money from both sides. They make their money on the vig.
Amazing thing is how close they get including over/unders
October 16th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
The big question to me for tomorrow’s game is what is JCampbell going to look like?? And what is the O-line going to look like!!
JCampbell got CRUNCHED in the preseason, when LaBoy blew by Henderson! (Bad bad whiff).
I’m sure JCampbell was concussed, I mean he rode into the tunnel inside the truck! with his helmet on! I almost want to forgive the Tenessee game because of that hit!
So Tomorrow is a big game for JC.
October 16th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
What percentage of Raider fans will fill candelstick tomorrow? 50% ?
October 16th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Ha! Dan Hardy go rocked!
October 16th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
got rocked
October 16th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Hope Campbell can come out with the poise he had in the preseason. what happened to him? looked great when it was a meaningless game. led the team down the field every first series. then along came the regular season. I dont blame him for living in fear behind that line but he’s shown flashes of what he’s capable of doing behind that very same line…
October 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I can name 100 other QB’s i’d rather have out there but we have him for the time being so he has my support… As does the rest of the team
October 16th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
When I think of this game it gives me the same sickening feeling I had while watching Seabass line up for a chip shot at Univeristy of Phoenix stadium.
Just seemed to easy. Said those immortal words to my wife about 10 seconds before the kick.
0-5 team, worse state of affairs than us, easiest road game so far this year and maybe all year when considering the crowd noise and travel.
Just seems too easy.
October 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Roch R,
If Tommy Kelly played to his contract, we wouldnt’ even be talking about safety play in the run game….Kelly is just another guy out there….he’s not horrible…but he’s not a difference maker…he’s just a guy that you would like coming off the bench.
Hopefully John Henderson heals up.
October 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
“100 other QB’s” …????? Seriously!?! A hundred! JCampbell is going to be better than we think, he just needs a few seconds in the pocket, and needs to feel comfortable with his wide outs to go down field when he sees it.
A hundred, that cracks me up.
October 16th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Wouldn’t it be awesone for the offense to come out with a 2 tackle set, both bush and DMAC in the backfield and instead of handing off the rock, they go deep to DHB…. that’ll be the day pigs fly or hell even the day the chargers win the superbowl… nevermind, pigs will fly before the chokers win it all… ha ha ha ha
October 16th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
I hear ya’ SnB, but I bought in to Kelly this year, with the slim down look, and that goalline stand in the pre-season against Chicago… and I know I know, it was just the preseason, but man I have high hopes for that guy.
October 16th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Watch at 9:00 – It is what it is….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7Xx52YrR04
October 16th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
56.Roch R Says:
October 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
“100 other QB’s” …????? Seriously!?! A hundred! JCampbell is going to be better than we think, he just needs a few seconds in the pocket, and needs to feel comfortable with his wide outs to go down field when he sees it.
A hundred, that cracks me up.
———————————————
A bit of an exaggeration but i’m sure campbell isn’t your first choice either… In not here to clown on the dude, as i said, he has my support
October 16th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Patch,
Campbell looked good last week. Any time you have two long drives in a big game…the QB has done his job.
Truth is that when you cannot develop your own QB, you have to rely on scrap heap players…teams don’t get rid of good qbs. That’s how Campbell and Gradkowski have ENDED UP on this roster.
So if you are expecting “Jim Plunkett” or “Rich Gannon” from these two, you will be bitterly disappointed.
Hopefully these two QBs can give the team steady play and not turn the ball over.
It is what it is
October 16th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
SnB,
agreed. I’m not expecting a pro bowl out of either of them this season, but campbell has shown what he is capable of. i just want more consistency. with our run game, he can play well enough to keep the starting job and be successful
October 16th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Blitzing creates turnovers.
Turnovers win games.
October 16th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Kirk Says:
October 16th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Blitzing creates turnovers.
————————————————–
If only it were that easy. I think we need to blitz often but we have a knack for getting burned by big plays. and if you live by the sword, then by the sword shall you die. I’d be a bigger advocate for the blitz if our D was sound tackling in space
October 16th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Speaking of sacks…they got to get Kameron Wimbley involved this week
October 16th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
And shaughnessy
October 16th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Just win baby,
I’d rather be right than consistent,
It ain’t pretty, but it’s a win,
Need I say more? Play your game anyway you want to – if you win Al will leave you alone.
October 16th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
[...] was tired,” Huff told Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune. “I blitzed like five times in a row. I wasn’t used to it. I need to go out there and run a [...]
October 16th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Pito
October 16th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I watched the Silver and Black show and TC sounds like they really want this win. I hope they want it more than they did the Houston game. The niners may ride the wake of the the Giant win. I am just hope that we get a fair officiating crew.
October 16th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Lots of crybaby sniveling here.We just beat the Chargers,and we will win this one.Check out bangcartoon.com for the Singletary spoof.Hilarious.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
we need a big dt like haloti ngata and more blitz palys
October 17th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Blitz or no blitz when we do good on d we are playing aggressive. whenever we play zone WE GET KILLED!!!!!
October 17th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Raiders 17-13
October 17th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Bewaking news adam schefter.randy hanson,rich gannon group to purchase the Oakland Raiders according to schefter.
November 5th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
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