Oakland’s pass defense quietly finished second in the NFL in yards allowed last season, but they gave up a lot of touchdowns (29) and didn’t intercept the ball much with only 12 picks.
It sounds like new defensive backs coach Rod Woodson could help usher in some changes.
“I think we’re going to do some things this year on the defensive side,” Woodson said via Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune. “Some more looks, some more things for the corners to make plays, to face the football hopefully a little bit more so they can [make] interceptions and be playmakers.”
That sounds like the Raiders could work in more zone looks to increase turnovers and keep offenses off balance. The question then becomes: Who will be left in the Raiders secondary?
Woodson’s presence can’t hurt Nnamdi Asomugha’s chances of returning to Oakland, but only a huge contract offer really matters. Paul Gutierrez of Comcast Bay Area points out that starting cornerback Stanford Routt and starting free safety Michael Huff are also set to be free agents. Both players are coming off their best seasons.
The secondary was undoubtedly a strength last year in Oakland. It’s going to be challenging to keep it that way.
