Oct 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) intercepts the ball against the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Safeties
The Raiders defense will be much better just from having Tyvon Branch back this year after going down to injury last year. He’s good in the run game as well as in coverage and his absence is a big part of why the Raiders were so horrible on defense last year. He is also a hard hitter that blitzes very well so you can call him a poor man’s version of Pittsburgh Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu.
And now, Branch will finally get to team up with the great one, Charles Woodson, as he looks to have gotten better as a free safety. When I say the great one, he’s one of the best corners in the history of the game but as a free safety, not so much. He wasn’t the ball-hawk that I expected him to be last year because he took too many false steps that made him a step late but now, he looks like he’s figuring it out back there.