Week 8 stars: Raiders’ defense claims all spots

By Anthony Carroll  |   Monday, October 30, 2006  |  Comments( 32 )

Oakland Raiders
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Prior to Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders free safety Stuart Schweigert boldly commented on opposing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

"I don't think he's a great player," Schweigert said. "He had great players around him last year, with a great coach and a great defense."

After a 20-13 flattening of Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense, Schweigert can confidently stand behind his past comments -- for once, at least.

Oakland, despite gaining just 98 yards on offense, controlled the pace of Sunday's game, flustering the Steelers' offensive attack for four quarters. In Schweigert's defense, Roethlisberger was intercepted four times, threw just one touchdown and was sacked five times.

However, the young safety can't take full responsibility for Sunday's events. Here are the top performers from the Raiders' second win of the 2006 season (all defensive, of course):

5. DTs: Kelly/Sands/Sapp - The trio of rotating tackles registered 11 takedowns and 2 ½ sacks. More importantly, though, the massive linemen held running back Willie Parker to just 83 yards on 22 carries, which included a 37-yarder that accounted for nearly half of his production. Particularly, 6-foot-6, 300-pound Tommy Kelly posted his most impressive outing of the '06 campaign, recording 1 ½ sacks to complement six solo tackles. In two consecutive wins, the Raiders' line has held their opponents to just 50 and 89 yards rushing, respectively.

4. Chris Carr - In a flashback to Nov. 11, 2002, Carr returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, putting his team up 20-6 deep in the fourth quarter. Nearly four years ago, veteran safety Rod Woodson returned a Week 10 interception back 98 yards against the division-rival Denver Broncos. In that season, Oakland went on to win seven of its last eight games.

3. Nnamdi Asomugha - Asomugha is no longer a "project." The four-year vet posted his third interception in seven games, after being shut out from the category from 2003-2005. The 25-year-old returned a deflected pass 24 yards for the Raiders' first touchdown of the game. Asomugha also led the team with nine solo tackles, including a fourth-quarter stuff on receiver Hines Ward three yards short of the end zone. On the ensuing play, the Steelers would turn the ball over on downs, allowing Oakland to drain the majority of the clock.

2. Derrick Burgess - In a Week 7 win over Arizona, Burgess was honored as the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week. After recording another 2 ½ sacks in Week 8, he may retain the title for seven more days. Burgess also chipped in with three tackles and continually collapsed the pocket around Roethlisberger, allowing the interior tackles to reach the quarterback for another 2 ½ sacks. Through seven games, Burgess has recorded 7 ½ sacks en route to another top-ranked pass-rushing season.

1. Kirk Morrison - The 24-year-old middle linebacker has become the heart of the Raiders' defense. Morrison's nine solo tackles on Sunday upped his season total to a team-leading 55. The San Diego State grad also helped tremendously in pass support, particularly on fourth-down situations. The 240-pound linebacker recorded an interception on fourth-and-1 to open up the final quarter and broke up Roethlisberger's final attempt to reach the end zone with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Morrison is on pace for 125 tackles and four interceptions in just his second season in the NFL.

And, don't forget...

Fabian Washington - Washington was the first defender to pick off Roethlisberger, just five minutes into the game. The speedy cornerback also recorded three solo tackles from the corner slot.

Stuart Schweigert - This season, Schweigert has been the one thing you want a safety to be -- consistent. Had not Washington intercepted Roethlisberger's fourth pass attempt of the evening, Schweigert's hands would have been under it. The 6-1 free safety also recorded five tackles and broke up a deep pass early in the first quarter intended for Heath Miller.

Robert Thomas - Thomas was signed in the offseason to bring experienced depth to a young linebacking crew. The 26-year-old quietly recorded seven tackles, including two consecutive takedowns with the Steelers knocking on the door in the closing moments of the game.

Want to be in the Raiders mailbag? Visit RaidersLive.com to submit your questions and comments for the Nov. 3 mailbag. Get more on the Oakland Raiders at RealFootball365.com

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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CommentsComments: 32  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
whirldz_oneder		04:50 AM
10/30/2006
YESS!!!! The raiders beat the Defending Champs!! man this feels good. Our defense straight dominated the game. Four picks, 2...
No.2
tay		05:44 AM
10/30/2006
that cris "crazy-legs" carr is moving up the charts, boy... he continiously puts us in good field-position with his fearless...
No.3
chris p		05:59 AM
10/30/2006
All I can say is... WOW!!!! Unbelievable explosion for our defense. Awesome job guys. Rob Ryan and his grey mullet should be...
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