Raiders messing with the LB group...again (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Noted this on and off between turkey dinner last week, but didn't think it was a huge deal until I reviewed the game and saw Tom Cable's press conference comments.Trevor Scott played a large majority of snaps at OLB in place of Thomas Howard against Dallas. A few of Scott's snaps came as a pass rusher with Howard in the lineup, but Howard well under 50% of his team's snaps. (ETA: Profootballfocus has Howard with only 37% of the snaps, the bulk of those in place of Sam Williams in the second half.)Considering that Greg Ellis continues to be a durability risk and Howard would have been useful in coverage against Jason Witten with Michael Huff playing deep and this one is potentially an even bigger headscratcher than the Kirk Morrison/Ricky Brown business from earlier in the year.Here's what Tom Cable had to say yesterday:

“I think you always try to do what gives you a good chance to succeed, so if you want to improve an area you make a move like we did, and certainly Trevor was able to go in and back it up,” Cable said.

I don't think Scott looked particularly confident or fluid at OLB and Greg Ellis had some knee swelling after the game, so Howard could be back in his usual role this week but he's an extremely risky start until/unless the situation settles in his favor.

 

[johnnyboy8102]

Jene,

Isn't Howard supposed to be the Raiders best coverage linebacker? If so, this doesn't make any sense.

 

[KellysHeroes]

wow.. I was wondering why so many people were jumping after scott.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Scott is officially starting at WLB, Howard to SLB.

Link

Scott to start at WLB, Howard at SLB

By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 3:17 pm in Oakland Raiders.

News and notes from the Raiders’ practice facility Thursday as they prepare to face the Steelers in Pittsburgh:

– Coach Tom Cable said the Raiders would start Trevor Scott at weak side linebacker and Thomas Howard at strong side linebacker against Pittsburgh, with the latter displacing Sam Williams.

“It will give us a chance to have what we want in terms of coverage and what we want vs. the run,” Cable said.

Scott had an encouraging debut as a hybrid linebacker/defensive end against Dallas, recording two sacks as a pass rusher and looking fast and active despite his lack of experience in coverage.

During the open locker room session, Scott had been reluctant to give anything away, saying, “I guess we’ll see Sunday” when asked if he was starting.

In drills before team sessions started, Scott was working with linebackers coach Mike Haluchak on footwork and fundamentals.

Scott said he enjoys playing linebacker, allowing he’d enjoy just about anything that helped him get on the field more often.

“I like it a lot. I felt pretty natural in it,” Scott said. “I’m going to continue to grow and get better.”

Noting that Ben Roethlisberger has a reputation for holding on to the ball until receivers come clear, Scott is looking for a sack opportunity or two after getting a pair of sacks against Dallas.

 

[massraider]

He's listed as DE most sites, and DT on ESPN ( ) . Serious value.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Be interesting to see how the nickel packages break down.

If the second half last week carries forward (when Howard replaced Williams), it'll be Howard sitting on Scott on the field most of the time.

 

[Rushmore]

Anyone who watched the game mind chiming in on how Scott was used?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Anyone who watched the game mind chiming in on how Scott was used?

Lot of spread sets from Pittsburgh. Oakland had Scott at WLB and Howard at SLB in the base, which wasn't that often relatively speaking. Scott moved down to defensive end in subpackages, the bulk of which were six defensive back packages last week.The Redskins may force a similar split this week, as should Denver the following week. Scott's value is high this week given the pass rush matchup, his W15 value is going to be dependent on the flow of the game.

 

[Rushmore]

Anyone who watched the game mind chiming in on how Scott was used?

Lot of spread sets from Pittsburgh. Oakland had Scott at WLB and Howard at SLB in the base, which wasn't that often relatively speaking. Scott moved down to defensive end in subpackages, the bulk of which were six defensive back packages last week.The Redskins may force a similar split this week, as should Denver the following week. Scott's value is high this week given the pass rush matchup, his W15 value is going to be dependent on the flow of the game.

Thanks again Jene

 

[ATC1]

Anyone who watched the game mind chiming in on how Scott was used?

Lot of spread sets from Pittsburgh. Oakland had Scott at WLB and Howard at SLB in the base, which wasn't that often relatively speaking. Scott moved down to defensive end in subpackages, the bulk of which were six defensive back packages last week.The Redskins may force a similar split this week, as should Denver the following week. Scott's value is high this week given the pass rush matchup, his W15 value is going to be dependent on the flow of the game.

update? 4tkl, 1 asst, 1 sack - how was he used?Is this why Morrison's numbers have been on a decline?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Anyone who watched the game mind chiming in on how Scott was used?

Lot of spread sets from Pittsburgh. Oakland had Scott at WLB and Howard at SLB in the base, which wasn't that often relatively speaking. Scott moved down to defensive end in subpackages, the bulk of which were six defensive back packages last week.The Redskins may force a similar split this week, as should Denver the following week. Scott's value is high this week given the pass rush matchup, his W15 value is going to be dependent on the flow of the game.

update? 4tkl, 1 asst, 1 sack - how was he used?Is this why Morrison's numbers have been on a decline?

Scott played every down and was used the same way -- WLB base, RDE nickel. I'm still a little leery of Scott this week. The Raiders may be in a nickel often against the Broncos' spread offense and the pass rush matchup isn't nearly as favorable as last week. I think Morrison's numbers are likely to rebound this week. I doubt the below-average tackle opportunity of the last three weeks carries through W15.