5 Questions with Just Blog Baby’s Chase Ruttig
By Ben Nielsen
Oct 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Brandian Ross (29) tries to gather the fumble by San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
KC KINGDOM: Aside from the Denver game – which really shouldn’t count against a team’s defensive statistics – the defense has played pretty well. What has been the biggest change in the defense that has led to the early success they’re having?
RUTTIG: Jason Tarver has amped up the pass rush to a new level and brought in the right veteran safeties along with the drafting of D.J. Hayden. This is where Reggie McKenzie gets a lot of credit as he brought in so many key veterans on one year deals this year to keep the Raiders competitive while having a ton of 2014 cap space. Combine that with the improved play of Lamarr Houston in a contract year and this is a Raiders defense that has kept a team with a bad offensive line in every game so far.