Oakland Raiders Make or Break Unit: the Secondary

Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders Raiderette cheerleader performs at half time in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Bottom Line

As of now, the strength of the Raiders’ secondary is the safeties with Branch healthy and Woodson being more experienced at safety. Corner is the position that can really make or break the Raiders as they play way off and give opposing quarterbacks quick targets. That nullifies the outstanding pass-rush the Raiders have which in turn nullifies their chance to get interceptions to as the result of poorly thrown balls.

The Raiders need corners that can jam receivers at the line of scrimmage to hold them up a beat longer for the pass-rush to get there. As we’ve seen this preseason, playing 10 yards off doesn’t work as the ball is thrown as soon as guys from the front seven make it past their man. But the good thing is the Raiders are only facing Geno Smith tomorrow as opposed to Peyton Manning or Philip Rivers.

That gives the Raiders a chance to get healthier in the next week or two to get Chekwa back in the corner rotation. Chekwa, if not Thorpe or McGill will keep the corner position afloat for the Raiders until they get Hayden back. So as far as what’s out there now goes, lets just hold out hope that they can get the Raiders through tomorrow then go from there.