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Secondary Is Primary : Raider Defensive Backs Show That Changes Are Working

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

It was only an exhibition game, but the Raider secondary was impressive in a 27-23 loss to Washington last Saturday, limiting the Redskins to seven completions for only 60 yards.

Whenever Washington needed a big completion, a Raider defensive back always seemed to be in the way. Twice, the Redskins drove deep into Raider territory but had to settle for a field goal each time because of tight pass coverage.

“Everybody has a different attitude this year to win,” Raider safety Eddie Anderson said. “We know how close we were a year ago (when the Raiders earned a wild-card playoff berth with a 9-7 record). Our goal is make the move up to become a 12-4 or 13-3 team and reach the Super Bowl.”

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During the off-season, the Raiders made changes aimed at tightening their pass defense, drafting defensive backs Derrick Hoskins of Southern Mississippi and Curtis Cotton of Nebraska and signing Plan B free-agent safety Dave Waymer. They also made former linebacker coach Gunther Cunningham their new defensive coordinator.

So far, the results have been noteworthy. The Raiders have given up an average of 177 yards passing in three exhibition games, and the starting secondary has given up only one touchdown pass.

“It’s still preseason, but the key is that we didn’t look terrible,” cornerback Terry McDaniel said about the Raiders’ shutdown of Washington’s passing offense. “Sometimes, these games are misleading because everyone is not on the field all of the time. But we are looking good.”

With the addition of all-pro safety Ronnie Lott, the secondary showed signs of dominance at times last year but had consistency problems. The Raiders intercepted three passes in a 38-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, then two weeks later collapsed in the second half of a 30-27 overtime defeat against Buffalo.

“We feel that we have the best 11 guys (defensively) in our division in shutting people down, but we have to go out there and do it,” said Anderson, who led the team in tackles for the second consecutive season in 1991 with 118. “We are going to be much better because, as a unit, this is actually our second year together and you know where guys are going to be.”

A goal for Cunningham was setting a defensive scheme that would take advantage of the hard-hitting styles of Lott and Anderson when opponents move into scoring position.

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“We had to change our coverage schemes to make it a little better conducive to our personnel,” Cunningham said. “We had to design a coverage that had simpler terminology, while also taking advantage of our aggressive safeties.”

Lott is still the man opponents worry about in the Raider secondary after intercepting a team-high eight passes last season. But the addition of Waymer has given the Raiders needed experience and depth.

Waymer, beginning his 12th NFL season after playing with the San Francisco 49ers last year, has been able to fill in at several positions, and this week has practiced alongside Lott while Anderson nurses a leg injury.

“He’s obviously a plus for us because he is a player that can play three different positions, from strong and free safety to corner,” Cunningham said. “He makes mistakes, but he definitely is a good addition.”

The Raiders will be tested Saturday when they face the Houston Oilers at the Coliseum in their exhibition finale. But don’t look for too many adjustments to stop the Oilers’ run-and-shoot attack, because the Raiders will not play such a team during the regular season.

Sept. 6 is the date the secondary is pointing to. That’s when it has its showdown with division rival John Elway and the Denver Broncos in the season opener. Last year, the Raiders stopped Elway twice and swept two games from the Broncos, but they know Elway will make them work for whatever they get.

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“This is a tough time because we know Houston is a challenge, and we want to do some different things where we present problems for them,” Cunningham said. “But, we also want to concentrate on the next opponent, which is Denver, for opening day.”

The way they see it, the Raiders are only one pass deflection or interception away from the Western Division title.

Said McDaniel: “The challenge is right there for everyone. We just have to go out and prove to people now.”

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