Nov 28, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws as he is grabbed by Oakland Raiders nose tackle Stacy McGee (92) during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium.The Cowboys beat the Raiders 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line
Staying in the trenches, the Raiders had to begin building up a dominant pass rush to circumvent the passing games of their division opponents. Unhappy with the performance of their defensive line play over the past 3 seasons, McKenzie shed the old baggage and began to put his players in place. It began with 2013 6th Round pick Stacy McGee and free agent acquisition Pat Sims to anchor the interior of the defensive line. Both are proving to be hole stuffers, run stoppers, and QB sackers.
2014 brought the addition of Rookies Justin Ellis (4th Round-DT) and Shelby Harris (7th Round-DE), along with Free Agent acquisitions of DE-Justin Tuck, DE-LaMarr Woodley, DE-C.J. Wilson, and DT-Antonio Smith. The veterans will help to shape the attitude of this DL, and this DL will make the QB’s job very difficult.
McKenzie has definitely taken the necessary steps to ensure that this Raiders team will be a pass rushing force against the likes of Peyton Manning, Alex Smith, and Philip Rivers.