Post by TheShadow on Oct 25, 2012 18:55:28 GMT -5
www.sfgate.com
by Vic Tafur
Rookie outside linebacker Miles Burris and third-year defensive end Lamarr Houston are the energizer bunnies of the improving Raiders defense, safety Michael Huff said.
That is, if energizer bunnies ran around screaming their heads off.
Burris "brings a lot of intensity," Huff said. "Every play, he is fired up, running around and making plays. You can tell he is a young guy, just hungry. He is playing well."
Burris had his first career sack and eight solo tackles in Sunday's win over the Jaguars. Since he started staying on the field in third-down passing situations, the 2-4 Raiders have given up 23 points in each of the past two games. In the first four games, before Burris started taking playing time from middle linebacker Rolando McClain, Oakland gave up an average of 31 points per game.
The fourth-round pick out of San Diego State credits McClain and Aaron Curry for his getting more comfortable as the weeks have gone on.
"They have been awesome," Burris said. "They have been a big part of my continued progress, helping me get lined up, helping me on techniques."
Houston "makes big plays you don't always see in the stats, but every time we watch the film, we know, we see it. He is always putting hustle plays on film."
Houston put enough of them on film this week to earn the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award Wednesday.
Houston repeatedly chased down plays and had seven tackles (six solo), one sack and a game-winning forced fumble in the Raiders' 26-23 overtime win over Jacksonville on Sunday. On the third play in overtime, he closed in on Cecil Shorts from behind and knocked the ball loose to set up Sebastian Janikowski's game-winning 40-yard field goal.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour was impressed.
"When you look at Lamarr, his game, he's a little fireball out there," Seymour said. "He plays the game the way the game is supposed to be played. He's passionate about what he does. He can run around. He can rush inside and still bring some pressure from the outside. He's a good run defender. He really does everything well.
"He's a guy that has some juice on Sunday in terms of being a motivational guy in the locker room. He brings a lot to the team and obviously had a big day."
Houston, in his third year out of Texas, began the fourth quarter by sacking Chad Henne, then stopped Rashad Jennings for a 1-yard gain just prior to the two-minute warning in a tie game. He also stuffed Jennings on the first play of overtime.
Plays like Houston's strip in overtime show the defensive players are buying in more every week, Huff said.
"Running to the ball is all effort," he said. "You can't really coach that, you can't really teach that. Guys are buying in more and more each week and obviously getting on the same page."
Briefly: Tight end Richard Gordon returned to practice Wednesday after missing three games with a hamstring injury. ... Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy banged up his shoulder at practice and was limited. ... Cornerback Shawntae Spencer (foot) and tackle Khalif Barnes (groin) aren't expected to be back this week. ... The Chiefs, Sunday's opponent, have not held a lead in regulation this season, and the Raiders have had the lead for all of 34 minutes in six games.
by Vic Tafur
Rookie outside linebacker Miles Burris and third-year defensive end Lamarr Houston are the energizer bunnies of the improving Raiders defense, safety Michael Huff said.
That is, if energizer bunnies ran around screaming their heads off.
Burris "brings a lot of intensity," Huff said. "Every play, he is fired up, running around and making plays. You can tell he is a young guy, just hungry. He is playing well."
Burris had his first career sack and eight solo tackles in Sunday's win over the Jaguars. Since he started staying on the field in third-down passing situations, the 2-4 Raiders have given up 23 points in each of the past two games. In the first four games, before Burris started taking playing time from middle linebacker Rolando McClain, Oakland gave up an average of 31 points per game.
The fourth-round pick out of San Diego State credits McClain and Aaron Curry for his getting more comfortable as the weeks have gone on.
"They have been awesome," Burris said. "They have been a big part of my continued progress, helping me get lined up, helping me on techniques."
Houston "makes big plays you don't always see in the stats, but every time we watch the film, we know, we see it. He is always putting hustle plays on film."
Houston put enough of them on film this week to earn the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award Wednesday.
Houston repeatedly chased down plays and had seven tackles (six solo), one sack and a game-winning forced fumble in the Raiders' 26-23 overtime win over Jacksonville on Sunday. On the third play in overtime, he closed in on Cecil Shorts from behind and knocked the ball loose to set up Sebastian Janikowski's game-winning 40-yard field goal.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour was impressed.
"When you look at Lamarr, his game, he's a little fireball out there," Seymour said. "He plays the game the way the game is supposed to be played. He's passionate about what he does. He can run around. He can rush inside and still bring some pressure from the outside. He's a good run defender. He really does everything well.
"He's a guy that has some juice on Sunday in terms of being a motivational guy in the locker room. He brings a lot to the team and obviously had a big day."
Houston, in his third year out of Texas, began the fourth quarter by sacking Chad Henne, then stopped Rashad Jennings for a 1-yard gain just prior to the two-minute warning in a tie game. He also stuffed Jennings on the first play of overtime.
Plays like Houston's strip in overtime show the defensive players are buying in more every week, Huff said.
"Running to the ball is all effort," he said. "You can't really coach that, you can't really teach that. Guys are buying in more and more each week and obviously getting on the same page."
Briefly: Tight end Richard Gordon returned to practice Wednesday after missing three games with a hamstring injury. ... Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy banged up his shoulder at practice and was limited. ... Cornerback Shawntae Spencer (foot) and tackle Khalif Barnes (groin) aren't expected to be back this week. ... The Chiefs, Sunday's opponent, have not held a lead in regulation this season, and the Raiders have had the lead for all of 34 minutes in six games.