In another wild week, the Oakland Raiders managed to sign more depth and make position changes. For the action-packed week, FPC writers Pete Camarillo, Anthony Zaragoza, Jordan Briskey, and Ray Aspuria sat down to discuss.
How did the Suh scenario simultaneously excite and disappoint you?
Zaragoza
Since the Raiders drafted Mack in 2014, Reggie McKenzie has failed to found a strong partner to help the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year on the defensive line. Therefore, the thought of Suh teaming up with Mack gave everyone a glimmer of hope for the defense front next season. When Suh canceled his meeting in Oakland Wednesday, reality set back in. Now, the pressure to add help in the draft just went up another notch.
Briskey
The Suh situation was a hope that finally the defense could have a legitimate threat in the middle and give the defensive line some teeth. Suh commands a double team and is another threat that takes away someone to block Khalil Mack. However, no one really wanted the attitude that came along with the player. Nevertheless, I think most of the fanbase would have secretly hoped he made Oakland his choice.
Camarillo
Suh baited us with interest and switched us by not even showing up. We knew about the childhood photo in Raiders gear as well as his interest to play for the highest bidder. The old picture gave us hope even if we knew it was not going to happen due to the price tag. It is interesting that he dragged Raiders fans through the mud, again. It is disappointing that we fell for it when we all knew better.
Aspuria
The intrigue was the apparent desire by owner Mark Davis and general manager Reggie McKenzie to address the black hole at interior defensive line. The Raiders have not had an impact terrorizing force at the defensive tackle position since Darrell Russell, Grady Jackson, and Rod Coleman. The disappointment was Suh once again giving the Raiders the finger on a visit. He did so in 2015 and 2018 was a repeat.
What do you think of Bruce Irvin moving to DE full-time?
Aspuria
Irvin was a pass-rushing end at West Virginia and during his early days with the Seattle Seahawks, so getting him back to what he is accustomed to doing is a positive. The veteran is quite pleased with no longer being tasked with dropping into coverage, however, the Spruce Bruce needs to hook up with Khalil Mack and engage in pass rushing clinics to add more moves to his arsenal.
Camarillo
Irvin moving to DE is interesting because it is not as if the team has a surplus of linebackers. Moving Irvin from the strong side backer spot leaves a need a bigger need at outside backer. As for BI, he is going to have to learn to use some more leverage and pass rush moves to succeed as a primary rusher. He does not have the size, length, or strength to match up versus elite tackles on every down. However, he is a ball player who has defied the odds making it this far. Maybe he can prove everyone wrong again.
Briskey
Irvin moving to Defensive end is more out of necessity. Last year he had to drop into coverage because of different circumstances but now he can focus on one thing, getting to the quarterback. This is a positive move because he was not great at dropping back into coverage and when Pagano took over; having Bruce come off the edge opposite Mack immediately paid dividends, so expect more of the same this year under Guenther
Zaragoza
For the last few weeks, Bruce Irvin has voiced his excitement regarding the role change. That he will no longer have to get back in coverage and can now focus on rushing the passer. That gives me hope that Irvin can finally give the production the Raiders need opposite of Mack. However, since Irvin has not played full time at defensive end lately, I am very curious to see the adjustment on his part. There will be moments where the former Seahawk will play outstanding, but also other times lost in plays. The veteran should be able to limit the negative plays and make a solid impact on the season.
With the draft inching closer, what OT makes the most sense?
Camarillo
Mike McGlinchey is the consensus No. 1 tackle in the draft. He has the intangibles and athleticism to deliver on a high draft investment. McGlinchey is the big, tough, and scheme-versatile offensive tackle that fits in Oakland. He is be the immediate starter at right tackle and he could take over the left side at some point. The only question is would the Raiders draft an OT with many other needs on their roster
Aspuria
Oregon’s Tyrell Crosby and, believe it or not, Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown Jr. Both are mean nasty drive blockers who punish those unfortunate souls that are given the task of besting them. Neither is quick, but have enough wiggle to make things jiggle. It is hard to ignore Crosby and Brown’s sheer size.
Zaragoza
With 26 starts for the Golden Knights at right tackle in his career, Brett Toth was one of the leaders in Army’s run first offense last season. Toth is athletic, smart, and very coachable. He has Jon Gruden written all over him. What makes Toth a great fit the Raiders is their abundance of late round picks and Toth’s current draft grade (7th round). Gruden and Reggie McKenzie can focus on other needs early in the draft and select Toth in the sixth round. Toth has solid upside in Gruden’s offensive scheme.
Briskey
The top tackle of the draft in McGlinchey makes the most sense, but with other pressing needs and veteran Donald Penn coming back, the Raiders have other spots to fill before worrying about that position in the early rounds. Brett Toth from Army or one of the other writer’s favorite prospects, Alex Cappa could be a later round pick with upside potential.
In light of all the signings and potential draft picks, which position coach should have the most influence?
Briskey
The position coach that should have the most sway could either be Mike Trgovac because of the magic he worked with Green Bay’s defensive line for the last couple of years, or Derrick Ansley. Ansley has better prospects to work with than the previous regime in Gareon Conley who will hopefully be an island in the secondary. Rashaad Melvin who who starred for the Colts last year. If Ansley can produce a quality secondary, he has the potential to be poached and could have more say in things in order to keep him around.
Camarillo
Speaking of offensive line, Coach Tom Cable will have the most say in the war room. The offensive line is the Raiders highest paid position. It took a step back last year and the Raiders brought Cable in to get it trending in the right direction for Gruden’s new scheme. His familiarity with the Raiders (he was once head coach) and his familiarity with Marshawn Lynch (he coached the Lynch’s o-line in Seattle) should give him a lot of say in what happens in the running game. In addition, Bill Callahan (an o-line coach by trade) served as the offensive coordinator before taking over after Gruden was traded back in the day. I am sure Gruden is wise enough to trust the man leading his hogs once again.
Aspuria
My initial reaction is defensive line boss Mike Trgovac. However, he is a wily coach who can coach up a productive unit out of corpses. Therefore, I will go with defensive backs boss Derrick Ansley. He is the new cat on the block in the NFL world. Plus,he learned from one of the best DB minds in the football world, Nick Saban. Moreover, the Raiders secondary is not exactly the paragon of sound play.
