ALAMEDA – Tackle, tackle, tackle.
That has been the emphasis for the 2008 Raiders' defense after watching so many quarterbacks, running backs and receivers slip through their grasps in crucial situations in previous seasons.
Perhaps if the Raiders solidify their tackling, they can take the next step and become more like the San Diego Chargers.
But the Chargers just don't tackle the player carrying the football. They attack the football.
The Chargers' ability to force turnovers is something the Raiders' offense must be wary of Sunday afternoon at Oakland Coliseum, and something from which the Raiders' defense can learn.
The Raiders have five takeaways, one fewer than San Diego this season. But the Chargers have shown they can force turnovers over the course of a season after picking off 30 passes last season and recovering 18 fumbles.
And it's not just about being at the right place and the right time.
"(San Diego's) secondary is so aggressive after the ball," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "I've got tape of 15 plays with the ball where you think the whistle is going to blow and they get the ball out at the last second."
That's a tactic Kiffin would like to see the Raiders emulate. But it has been difficult to do with tackling still an issue.
You first must stop the ball carrier and hold him before you can strip him of the ball.
"The main thing is to secure the tackle," Raiders safety Michael Huff said. "We don't want to hold them up and let them break free. But if there's two or three people around a pile you definitely want to hold them and try to get the ball out."
That's what the Raiders are being instructed to do. It has been emphasized in practice, along with tackling.
"You teach the second guy to (strip the ball)," Kiffin said. "You've got to be careful of the first guy doing it and make sure he's wrapping (up), but (the Chargers) do it. It's really valuable."
The Raiders have shown some progress in forcing turnovers. All five of the Raiders' takeaways have come in the past two games.
And it's not all about gang tackling. The Raiders have recovered two fumbles, both on plays that weren't where the opponent was held up while another Raider yanked the ball out.
One came on a sack, and another when cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha knocked the ball out of a receiver's hand while making a tackle.
"It depends on where the ball is when you're tackling," Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard said. "Sometimes you get your head right on the ball and the guy doesn't do a good job covering up. (But) it's generally the second guy, if he's there, that will come in and try to pull the ball out."
And that's what the Raiders expect from the Chargers on Sunday. Rookie running back Darren McFadden has fumbled twice in three games, thus doing little to live down his reputation for losing the ball while at Arkansas.
Michael Bush fumbled in his first extensive action against Kansas City.
Neither fumbled in last Sunday's loss at Buffalo, but they will be tested this Sunday.
"They've just got to be ready," Kiffin said. "It's not about fighting. They've just got to be ready to have two hands on the ball and then keep their weight moving forward and don't wait for (a stripped ball) to happen."
Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/raidersblog.
