Raider Notes

Ira Miller of the San Francisco Chronicle caught up with Norv Turner at the NFL meetings and came away with the impression that Oakland will be going to a 4-3 defense as their primary alignment next season. That may explain their lack of appetite for new linebackers. The Raiders are heavily stacked at the defensive line positions with Brayton, Hamilton, Sapp, Washington, Irons, and Tommy Kelly, but are thin at linebacker. (If you check out their depth chart, it has lots of gaps right now.) By going to the 4-3 alignment the Raiders would be able to play to their depth, perhaps pick up a linebacker or two in the draft, and maybe another one after June 1st, and function. They may throw in some 3-4 alignments. Derrick Burgess has played at OLB in a 3-4 set, as has Grant Irons. They may also, because Robb Ryan is, after all, a Ryan, add the 46 alignment into the mix. (For the uninitiated, the 46 alignment is one in which the strong safety becomes a fourth linebacker, lining up close to the defensive line. The 1985 Chicago Bears were its greatest practitioners, employing it not only to stop the run but to rush the passer. Because four men are close to the line instead of three, the 46 combines the unpredictable blitz packages of a 3-4 with the initial surge and penetration of a 4-3. The only drawback is that the corners and safeties are under added pressure to stay with their men. Teams can beat this defense deep.)

In other news, Turner says that there are a couple of teams interested in making a trade for Charles Woodson. I doubt we'll end up with two first round picks, but given that these teams are negotiating with Al "Leave them Bleeding In the Dirt" Davis, we should see a generous package. Also, FB Robert Konrad, a veteran of the Miami Dolphins, appears ready to come to Oakland. I love a big fullback who can catch, and, though it seemed like a minor thing to some, I thought we lost a lot when we allowed Jon Ritchie to escape to Philadelphia. This move gets us a good every-down fullback, and allows Zach Crockett to return to his more traditional role as he-who-scores-short-touchdowns.