With The First Pick
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Thoughts about Week 2 in the NFL

By jonfox

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll (left) and Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher shake hands after a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll (left) and Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher shake hands after a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stretches before the game Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stretches before the game Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Oakland’s defense
The Raiders spent all that money and draft picks on their defense and their coordinator Ken Norton Jr had been rumored to be a hot candidate for future head coaching openings in college and the pros.

And the net result of all this hype is that the Raiders are worst in the NFL in yards given up, yards per play, first downs given up, passing yards given up, passing touchdowns given up and only have 2 savks on the season(tied for 31st in the NFL) and 1 interception(tied for 7th worst in the NFL).

Jack Del Rio has now reportedly taken away playcalling from Norton which essentially kills his future career prospects.  But it seems very doubtful that this is going to fix the root problem in Oakland. Namely that teams have figured out to just block Khalil Mack out of the play and aren’t worried about Irvin or the secondary.

It would have been helpful if the Raiders never signed Irvin, who’s a liability in coverage and has to attack the backfield most downs.

With Ward and Mack at End, it means that teams can attack 2 linebackers and 2 safeties instead of having to deal with 3 LBs. And the rest of that corps is pretty average against the pass.

The fix for this defense isn’t coming this season, and might not be truly fixed for a couple offseasons. One idea would be to move to a 3-4 defense full time, then Irvin and Mack could be stand up rushers and the strong safety would have more freedom.

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