Beaumont
Footballguy
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Darius signs with Raiders (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Beaumont
- Start date
not exactly sure what the Raiders will do but I guess Huff and Schweigert will fight over the FS job. with Huff being a top-10 draft pick, have to imagine he's the favorite. maybe they'll play the 3 safety defense they used when they had Renaldo Hill there a year ago.
SCGiants
Footballguy
Either Schweigart or Huff will be downgraded to nickel help I would imagine...my bet would be Huff but TC will tell more. The reason I say Huff is because its tough for a S to "get it" and this would allow him more time. Schweigart is not the better long term answer (duh..) but at this point he has more experience.
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Franchise Playa
Footballguy
I don't think Huff will need any transition time....the reason he was drafted as high as he was is cause of him being able to play all the Corner/Safety positions. Not to mention he had a solid rookie year and you don't put your #7 pick in nickel if he has performed well.
Bizkiteer
Footballguy
Hmm....seems like Huff is the real question mark here to me. They draft the guy and can't make up their mind to play him at CB or S. Here's the problem, I can only assume he's not playing well enough at either spot for them to feel confident in securing that spot. I think this says much more about Huff than Schweigert. IMO...of course.
Add that Darius is playing for $$$ now because he surely could have gone to a more competitive team like CAR or PHI, who supposedly wanted him.
Add that Darius is playing for $$$ now because he surely could have gone to a more competitive team like CAR or PHI, who supposedly wanted him.
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Link
Suggests Huff could move to FS, which is no surprise. Darius played a fair amount of zone coverage in Jacksonville, so it's possible that the Raiders stick with the left-right safety alignment they were toying with in OTAs. Hard to say what it means for IDP value yet. If the Raiders stick with a traditional SS/FS alignment, Darius could have better value than he ever had for the Jaguars. There have been plenty of tackles to be had in the Raider secondary in recent seasons.
massraider
Footballguy
They never tried him at CB. He's covered some WRs in nickel situation, because he's that athletic, but he was drafted as a safety, and started there from week 1.
massraider
Footballguy
Article clipped from another forum (don't have the original link), bolded the part pertaining to scheme:
Darius signing shouldn't spell end for Schweigert
Ray Aspuria
Article Launched: 07/11/2007
Took them long enough didn't it? Finally, Donovin Darius is officially a Raider.
After two weeks of circulating through various rumor mills both in print and online, Oakland made it official on Tuesday, they signed the former Jacksonville safety to a three-year $7.1 million contract.
On the surface Darius' arrival appears to bolster a unit which was one of Raiders' strengths during an abysmal season last year.
His signing probably means the end of Stuart Schweigert's reign on the free safety position -- allowing Oakland to shift Michael Huff over -- and Darius to man the rover spot.
In addition, he adds some veteran leadership and knowledge to a youthful array of weapons in the defensive backfield.
Darius is like a shiny new book to add to the Raiders' library of defensive backs, but don't get too excited, the cover may look better than what's filled within the pages.
First, Darius is coming off an injury plagued final two years with the Jaguars. He is still rehabbing a broken ankle which limited him to a mere 10 games last season. The year before, he only played in six.
However, there's no doubting what this 6-foot, one-inch, 205-pound battering ram can do when he's healthy.
Since being drafted in the first round in 1998, Darius has racked up 614 tackles with two sacks and 14 interceptions in his nine seasons with Jacksonville.
Once a liability in pass coverage, Darius improved throughout the years, without losing his mean-streak as a tackling machine.
His presence can certainly affect the way the running-back laden AFC West approaches the Raiders defense next season.
However, Oakland already has two DBs on the roster with the same type of resume -- Darnell Bing and Eric Frampton.
Both can drop the hammer much like Darius, are younger and their bodies haven't taken the toll of annihilating the opposition for nine seasons.
The only drawback is their inexperience at the NFL level.
Darius on the other hand is 31 and will turn 32 next month.
He's got the smarts to be a real weapon in the secondary but can he do it physically?
From all accounts, Darius should be healthy come training camp, but at what cost?
If he does come in and take a spot away from Schweigert, it would be a wily veteran with miles on him, snatching the job from a younger player who's still learning on the job.
Would a healthy Darius improve an already good secondary?
Yes.
Would not having a healthy Darius roaming the backfield hurt?
Probably not.
Oakland returns it's core defensive players in tact and it can't get much worse.
The chemistry the defense has built last season should be kept intact and another piece shouldn't be implemented into the machine, especially an aging one.
Oakland would be better served by sticking with what it's got and improving from there.
The majority of Raider fans have been calling for Schweigert's benching and on the surface, it looks warranted. Many are wondering what happened to the ball-hawk that came out of Purdue and put on the Silver and Black -- accounted by Schweigert's two INTs in his three seasons in Oakland.
But keep this in mind.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme doesn't put the burden on safeties in terms of pass coverage.
They're more like extra linebackers as Ryan loves to leave his cornerbacks on an island in man-to-man coverage while safeties either play over the top -- to ensure the opposition doesn't make the big play -- or they play in the box to help in run support.
While Schweigert isn't a form tackler -- he tends to go for the feet instead of chest-to-chest -- and he has missed the occasionally hit, but he's an adequate safety, a testament to his 107 tackles last season.
Oakland has done a nice job rebuilding this past offseason and the addition of Darius is a testament to the teams desire to improve.
But the team is in the rebuilding phase, not in the reloading phase.
Darius may come in and be an effective stop gap for a year or two, but what happens then?
He'll be an aging safety and let's be honest, Oakland is far from being a playoff contender for at least another year or two.
In the time span Darius is a starter, he will have taken precious playing time away from a group of guys who were once younger and might have become just as good, if not, better.
Darius signing shouldn't spell end for Schweigert
Ray Aspuria
Article Launched: 07/11/2007
Took them long enough didn't it? Finally, Donovin Darius is officially a Raider.
After two weeks of circulating through various rumor mills both in print and online, Oakland made it official on Tuesday, they signed the former Jacksonville safety to a three-year $7.1 million contract.
On the surface Darius' arrival appears to bolster a unit which was one of Raiders' strengths during an abysmal season last year.
His signing probably means the end of Stuart Schweigert's reign on the free safety position -- allowing Oakland to shift Michael Huff over -- and Darius to man the rover spot.
In addition, he adds some veteran leadership and knowledge to a youthful array of weapons in the defensive backfield.
Darius is like a shiny new book to add to the Raiders' library of defensive backs, but don't get too excited, the cover may look better than what's filled within the pages.
First, Darius is coming off an injury plagued final two years with the Jaguars. He is still rehabbing a broken ankle which limited him to a mere 10 games last season. The year before, he only played in six.
However, there's no doubting what this 6-foot, one-inch, 205-pound battering ram can do when he's healthy.
Since being drafted in the first round in 1998, Darius has racked up 614 tackles with two sacks and 14 interceptions in his nine seasons with Jacksonville.
Once a liability in pass coverage, Darius improved throughout the years, without losing his mean-streak as a tackling machine.
His presence can certainly affect the way the running-back laden AFC West approaches the Raiders defense next season.
However, Oakland already has two DBs on the roster with the same type of resume -- Darnell Bing and Eric Frampton.
Both can drop the hammer much like Darius, are younger and their bodies haven't taken the toll of annihilating the opposition for nine seasons.
The only drawback is their inexperience at the NFL level.
Darius on the other hand is 31 and will turn 32 next month.
He's got the smarts to be a real weapon in the secondary but can he do it physically?
From all accounts, Darius should be healthy come training camp, but at what cost?
If he does come in and take a spot away from Schweigert, it would be a wily veteran with miles on him, snatching the job from a younger player who's still learning on the job.
Would a healthy Darius improve an already good secondary?
Yes.
Would not having a healthy Darius roaming the backfield hurt?
Probably not.
Oakland returns it's core defensive players in tact and it can't get much worse.
The chemistry the defense has built last season should be kept intact and another piece shouldn't be implemented into the machine, especially an aging one.
Oakland would be better served by sticking with what it's got and improving from there.
The majority of Raider fans have been calling for Schweigert's benching and on the surface, it looks warranted. Many are wondering what happened to the ball-hawk that came out of Purdue and put on the Silver and Black -- accounted by Schweigert's two INTs in his three seasons in Oakland.
But keep this in mind.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme doesn't put the burden on safeties in terms of pass coverage.
They're more like extra linebackers as Ryan loves to leave his cornerbacks on an island in man-to-man coverage while safeties either play over the top -- to ensure the opposition doesn't make the big play -- or they play in the box to help in run support.
While Schweigert isn't a form tackler -- he tends to go for the feet instead of chest-to-chest -- and he has missed the occasionally hit, but he's an adequate safety, a testament to his 107 tackles last season.
Oakland has done a nice job rebuilding this past offseason and the addition of Darius is a testament to the teams desire to improve.
But the team is in the rebuilding phase, not in the reloading phase.
Darius may come in and be an effective stop gap for a year or two, but what happens then?
He'll be an aging safety and let's be honest, Oakland is far from being a playoff contender for at least another year or two.
In the time span Darius is a starter, he will have taken precious playing time away from a group of guys who were once younger and might have become just as good, if not, better.
Chadstroma
Footballguy
I do not think this signing says anything about Huff. I think there is not much being said about Schewigert either. I think that this is a move to add depth and veteran leadership. With the exception of Sapp on the line the entire defense is pretty young- talented but young.
Warpig
Footballguy
Schweigert has had solid tackle numbers the last two years; 87 and 107.
If he's doing what is asked of him to fit the scheme I'm not sure why he would be headed to the bench.
I can understand the fans wanting him benched because he doesn't intercept a lot of balls but they don't understand what might be being asked of him.
And didn't Oakland have one of the better YOUNG defenses in the league last year? I would think that Darius is veteran depth to stabilize the unit. I'm not saying Darius wont rotate in and get his plays. But it may be SBC (safety by committee).
If he's doing what is asked of him to fit the scheme I'm not sure why he would be headed to the bench.
I can understand the fans wanting him benched because he doesn't intercept a lot of balls but they don't understand what might be being asked of him.
And didn't Oakland have one of the better YOUNG defenses in the league last year? I would think that Darius is veteran depth to stabilize the unit. I'm not saying Darius wont rotate in and get his plays. But it may be SBC (safety by committee).
Chadstroma
Footballguy
lord_helmet
Footballguy
I havent seen the contract details, but the answer should be in the money
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
He signed a 3 year contract for $7.1 million.
Beaumont
Footballguy
Raiders | Schweigert odd-man out?
Sat, 14 Jul 2007 06:22:55 -0700
Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports Oakland Raiders FS Stuart Schweigert is not expected to be the odd-man out in the team's secondary after the addition of free-agent SS Donovin Darius (Jaguars) earlier in the week. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is believed to want to use Schweigert, Darius and SS Michael Huff on the field at the same time, even on early downs.
Sat, 14 Jul 2007 06:22:55 -0700
Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports Oakland Raiders FS Stuart Schweigert is not expected to be the odd-man out in the team's secondary after the addition of free-agent SS Donovin Darius (Jaguars) earlier in the week. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is believed to want to use Schweigert, Darius and SS Michael Huff on the field at the same time, even on early downs.
Tenacious D
Footballguy
Schweigert is like Mike Green as far as you shouldn't think his fantasy numbers tell the whole story. One thing is for sure, Huff isn't the odd man out.
Finatic
Footballguy
I'm hoping year 2 is the year the light goes on for Huff.Less thinking and more instinctive playmaking would be a welcome addition to his owners this Fall
Zoomanji
Footballguy
Len is a genius
or he has Schweigert in a dynasty league.So they will be using a nickle at all times?
from what I could tell without watching the Raiders much, they haven't been afraid to use the nickel as their base defense in the past. they aren't exactly loaded with quality LBs.Len is a geniusor he has Schweigert in a dynasty league.So they will be using a nickle at all times?
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Looks like the offseason rumblings that Sam Williams might be on his way back to being an important part of the defense will prove to be just rumblings yet again.from what I could tell without watching the Raiders much, they haven't been afraid to use the nickel as their base defense in the past. they aren't exactly loaded with quality LBs.Len is a geniusor he has Schweigert in a dynasty league.So they will be using a nickle at all times?
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
I for one would love to see an innovative approach to defense. I'm tired about hearing Tampa 2 and Cover 2 - let's see something new.That's what the Ryan family built their rep on as D coordinators. Buddy invented the 46 defense in Chicago, Rex orchestrated an aggressive approach in Baltimore using AD all over the place and re-tooling the defense year over year (including keeping the D as a strength despite personnel changes each year), and now Rob in Oakland has a top flight defense, or very close to it.Let's see 3 Safeties on the field as a base package. Throw out SS and FS, and have 3 guys that are all over the place and create confusing looks. One in the box? Two? None? Make them think about it.There's young guns at QB in that division, and creating confusing looks for Cutler, Huard/Croyle and McCown/Russell would be a nice way to go.Looks like the offseason rumblings that Sam Williams might be on his way back to being an important part of the defense will prove to be just rumblings yet again.from what I could tell without watching the Raiders much, they haven't been afraid to use the nickel as their base defense in the past. they aren't exactly loaded with quality LBs.Len is a genius
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I for one would love to see an innovative approach to defense. I'm tired about hearing Tampa 2 and Cover 2 - let's see something new.That's what the Ryan family built their rep on as D coordinators. Buddy invented the 46 defense in Chicago, Rex orchestrated an aggressive approach in Baltimore using AD all over the place and re-tooling the defense year over year (including keeping the D as a strength despite personnel changes each year), and now Rob in Oakland has a top flight defense, or very close to it.Let's see 3 Safeties on the field as a base package. Throw out SS and FS, and have 3 guys that are all over the place and create confusing looks. One in the box? Two? None? Make them think about it.There's young guns at QB in that division, and creating confusing looks for Cutler, Huard/Croyle and McCown/Russell would be a nice way to go.Looks like the offseason rumblings that Sam Williams might be on his way back to being an important part of the defense will prove to be just rumblings yet again.from what I could tell without watching the Raiders much, they haven't been afraid to use the nickel as their base defense in the past. they aren't exactly loaded with quality LBs.Len is a geniusor he has Schweigert in a dynasty league.So they will be using a nickle at all times?
Blog post in the can about the Big Nickel right now.
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Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Thief.I for one would love to see an innovative approach to defense. I'm tired about hearing Tampa 2 and Cover 2 - let's see something new.That's what the Ryan family built their rep on as D coordinators. Buddy invented the 46 defense in Chicago, Rex orchestrated an aggressive approach in Baltimore using AD all over the place and re-tooling the defense year over year (including keeping the D as a strength despite personnel changes each year), and now Rob in Oakland has a top flight defense, or very close to it.Let's see 3 Safeties on the field as a base package. Throw out SS and FS, and have 3 guys that are all over the place and create confusing looks. One in the box? Two? None? Make them think about it.There's young guns at QB in that division, and creating confusing looks for Cutler, Huard/Croyle and McCown/Russell would be a nice way to go.Looks like the offseason rumblings that Sam Williams might be on his way back to being an important part of the defense will prove to be just rumblings yet again.from what I could tell without watching the Raiders much, they haven't been afraid to use the nickel as their base defense in the past. they aren't exactly loaded with quality LBs.Len is a geniusBlog post in the can about the Big Nickel right now.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Seriously?I was two paragraphs in when I saw your post. Sick minds think alike I guess.Thief.
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Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Surely you know me better than that.... post away, GB....Regardless, I want to see different looks on defense, and I'm curious if you had as many twisted thoughts as I did.Seriously?I was two paragraphs in when I saw your post. Sick minds think alike I guess.Thief.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Funny you should say twisted. The Big Nickel got its start with Fritz Shurmur in the early 1990s. I'm pretty sure more than a few of his players thought he was a few fries short of a Happy Meal.Surely you know me better than that.... post away, GB....Regardless, I want to see different looks on defense, and I'm curious if you had as many twisted thoughts as I did.Seriously?I was two paragraphs in when I saw your post. Sick minds think alike I guess.Thief.
Bizkiteer
Footballguy
Just as you said...maybe he plays more CB this year since Darius signing...Raiders | Huff worked at CB during workoutsSun, 15 Jul 2007 12:27:22 -0700Jason Jones, of the Sacramento Bee, reports Oakland Raiders SS Michael Huff worked at cornerback during some of the offseason workouts. The Raiders may use Huff as the nickelback while FS Stuart Schweigert and SS Donovin Darius can line up at the safety positions on passing downs.
massraider
Footballguy
I would think that'd be the last resort, and a sign that Stanford Routt isn't developing. They've used the 4-2-5 in the past, when they had no good LB's. They have 4 they are comfortable with now, Morrison-Howard-Williams, and Robert Thomas. Right now, I think it's unclear what they are going to do, and I think they are playing with different combinations. As far as Schweigert is concerned, all this big nickel talk would seem to indicate that they aren't down on him, if they are still trying to find was to get them all on the field.As for Huff, I think he's the only lock to always be on the field, and if anything, Darius will take snaps from Stu.Bizkiteer said:
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
I love the title...
massraider
Footballguy
A very interesting debut for Darius.
An article that dealt with how he was used:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_6606305
Oakland finds many uses for veteran Darius
By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Last Updated: 08/12/2007 02:36:14 AM PDT
OAKLAND —The Raiders signed veteran safety Donovin Darius in an attempt to bolster their secondary and add experience to a young secondary. No one doubts Darius' playing ability.
He was a stalwart during an impressive nine-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The only uncertainty stemmed from where and how to use Darius.
Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on Saturday night provided a glimpse into how he intends to use Darius on a defense that returns all 11 starters, including free safety Stuart Schweigert and strong safety Michael Huff.
Darius entered the game on Oakland's second defensive series in place of Schweigert. One play later, all three safeties were on the field in the team's "Wolverine" package, where outside linebacker Sam Williams leaves the lineup.
Later in the same series, Darius filled in for Huff at strong safety. Darius, who turned 32 today, had a reputation as a linchpin of the Jaguars defense.
Injuries limited him to 12 games the past two seasons and made many wonder if he had anything left. Ryan already is sold on Darius.
"He's got to learn our system and fit in," Ryan said, "But, trust me, all defenses have spots for great players, and he's a tremendous player. He's been a tremendous player in this league, and we're excited about him. His leadership and his toughness are great plusses for the Raiders."
An article that dealt with how he was used:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_6606305
Oakland finds many uses for veteran Darius
By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Last Updated: 08/12/2007 02:36:14 AM PDT
OAKLAND —The Raiders signed veteran safety Donovin Darius in an attempt to bolster their secondary and add experience to a young secondary. No one doubts Darius' playing ability.
He was a stalwart during an impressive nine-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The only uncertainty stemmed from where and how to use Darius.
Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on Saturday night provided a glimpse into how he intends to use Darius on a defense that returns all 11 starters, including free safety Stuart Schweigert and strong safety Michael Huff.
Darius entered the game on Oakland's second defensive series in place of Schweigert. One play later, all three safeties were on the field in the team's "Wolverine" package, where outside linebacker Sam Williams leaves the lineup.
Later in the same series, Darius filled in for Huff at strong safety. Darius, who turned 32 today, had a reputation as a linchpin of the Jaguars defense.
Injuries limited him to 12 games the past two seasons and made many wonder if he had anything left. Ryan already is sold on Darius.
"He's got to learn our system and fit in," Ryan said, "But, trust me, all defenses have spots for great players, and he's a tremendous player. He's been a tremendous player in this league, and we're excited about him. His leadership and his toughness are great plusses for the Raiders."
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
I was just coming over to talk about this. "Wolverine". Interesting.Those Ryan coaches....massraider said:
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Don't quote me on this, but I think Fritz Shurmur used to call his three safety "Big Nickel" package Wolverine. I could just be hallucinating again though...
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