The Raiders overhauled their linebacker room in the offseason, and the new-look linebacker group in Las Vegas will have their first test of the season on Sunday in New England.
Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers discussed the Raiders’ linebacker group this week with former color commentator Lincoln Kennedy, and both have the same concern going into the season opener.
“The linebackers, from my point of view, are really good at stopping the run. They’re coming downhill, they got their heads peeled back, they’re ready to go,” Myers said on the Locked on Raiders Squad Show podcast.
“I think this Raiders’ defense is going to be really good when it comes to that,” Myers continued. “My question is going to be, how good are they going to be when someone has to drop in coverage, when Jamal Adams has to drop in coverage, when Devin White has to not bite in and drop? That’s going to be my question. Is that going to end up being a strength or a liability? We haven’t really seen it because we haven’t seen them on the grass that much.”
Kennedy followed up by pointing specifically at White.
“I’m not trying to be extra critical, but pointing out Devin White, when it comes to play action, he’s a sucker for play action,” Kennedy said. “His eyes are playing in the backfield; he got sucked in and then there becomes holes right over the middle part of the zone. Teams are going to pick up on that.”
The good news this week (and going forward) is that the Raiders’ have a veteran linebacker room, and they should have the ability to get on the same page quickly.
With Mike Vrabel now in New England, the Patriots will want to emphasize the running game, but the way to beat the Raiders this year will probably be in the air. With a young cornerback room and linebackers that have shown weaknesses in coverage, it will be interesting to see how Patriots’ offensive coordinator chooses to attack the Vegas defense.
x: @raidersbeat
White sucks. Bust city. The worst starting F/A. I would’ve kept Amari Burney. Far bigger upside.
I was in foxboro. He had 11 Tackles and was all over the field. Hater. Another why didn’t we keep him. G u y. Bet you were AOC starter guy to. Smfh
This comment didnt age well lol dude was a All-Pro his first few seasons. All he did in his first game was have 11 solo tackles.