01-11-2022, 05:35 PM
(01-11-2022, 04:36 PM)NTS_Raider Wrote: Hey fellas, Raider fan from the the other board heading into Cincy for the game. I have zero expectations for the outcome, but will relish every moment of being there. It's not often the Raiders are in the playoffs, after all.
I've got two questions, one football related and the other not.
I'm somewhat ignorant to your defense. The standard media coverage is all Burrow, Chase, and Mixon. How do you feel about your defense? Who is your best player, your worst?
Non football related: Any go-to recommendations for the downtown area? Food, drinks, etc? I don't have a lot of time to sight see and want to make sure it counts.
I'd be happy to return the favor and answer any questions about my team, board, or the wacky posters you're seeing over there. Good luck to you guys, I hope both our squads give us a competitive, entertaining, and injury free game.
My answer is football only.
DE Trey Hendrickson is our only Pro-Bowler on D. He had sacks in, I think, 11 stright games? Total of 14 and also drew a slew of holding penalties. But he and Sam Hubbard (7.5 sacks, good run edge defender) played a TON of snaps because our #3 DE (Ossai) missed the year with injury and #4 (Kareem) missed a lot of time as well. We don't rotate much at DE. #5 is rookie Cam Sample (who has been hurt the last couple weeks) and #6 is Ray who we signed mid-season due to all the DE injuries. Ray did have a strip sack that was returned for a TD last week.
DT/NT has been a bright spot. DJ Reader has an excellent PFF grade (2nd on the defense). But he is a run-stopper and usually comes out in passing situations. DT Ogunjobi has 7 sacks and has made some big plays, and he tied with Hendrickson & Hubbard for the team lead with 12 TFL. We did rotate a lot inside. BJ Hill had 5.5 sacks as Ogunjobi's backup (and third down partner inside). Tupou rotated with Reader at NT but got hurt last week. Will likely see Mike Daniels (from the PS) for Tupou.
CB Awuzie would be my pick. He did not play last week, but after Week 17, he had the #1 PFF grade of any AFC corner. However, we do play a lot of zone. We don't blitz a ton, either. CB Mike Hilton came over from Pittsburgh and has been very good in the slot. CB Tre Waynes was signed to be a #1 corner two years ago, but missed all of last year with injury, and almost all of this one. CB Eli Apple has taken over his spot, and after a rough start, has been pretty darn good the last third of the year. Waynes is #4 now.
SS Von Bell and FS Jessie Bates play almost every snap at safety. Though we will sometimes play 3 safeties will Bell as a LB in passing downs. #3 safety Ricardo Allen has a concussion, so he is out. As is our other usual safery and kickoff returner, Brandon Wilson. The #3 safety role will either be Mike Thomas (signed mid-year) or Tre Flowers (big CB, signed mid-year, formerly a Seahawk). Bell has been good but is not a great cover guy. Bates was fantastic last year but has slipped this year.
LB has been a weakness forever for us. 2nd year LB Logan Wilson led the team in tackles and interceptions (4). 3rd year LB Germaine Pratt is the other starter and has played better lately. But neither guy is super dynamic. Akeem Davis-Gaither is the #3 LB, but is out for the year. 2nd year LB Bailey will be the main reserve, or we will go 3 safeties.
