Nolan's defense will test Oakland

<p>ALAMEDA — Come Monday, the Raiders should have a pretty good idea of where they stand in the AFC West. For the first time in 20 years, they are playing each division rival to start the season.</p><p>After two nailbiters against San Diego and Kansas City, the Raiders stand at 1-1. A win against Denver today, and they will be 2-1 — not only overall, but in the West. That would vault Oakland into a first-place tie, and would signal a legitimate shot of winning the division in 2009.</p><p>Standing in the way are the Broncos, but these are not the rivals you may remember from recent years. Gone is that ultimate Al Davis antagonist, Mike Shanahan. In his place is young Josh McDaniels, a coach Davis showed interest in before he hired Lane Kiffin in 2007. Gone is big-armed Jay Cutler, replaced by the less proven Kyle Orton. And gone, too, is a defense that became an embarrassment in Denver.</p><p>The Broncos ranked 29th in the NFL in total defense last year under coordinator Bob Slowik, faring poorly against both the run and pass. This was a team that gave up 90 points in two games against the Chargers, that lost 41-7 at New England, that surrendered 103 points over three consecutive weeks after smoking the Raiders in a Monday-night opener.</p><p>Unfortunately for the Raiders, the 2009 Broncos thus far bear little resemblance to last year's toreadors.</p><p>In its first two games, back-to-back victories over Cincinnati and Cleveland, Denver allowed just one touchdown and two field goals in 23 opponent possessions. The Broncos currently rank first in the NFL in first downs allowed (27), second in yardage (253.5), third in yards per play (4.3) and fifth in opponent passer rating (59.9).</p><p>Granted, the Bengals and Browns aren't exactly well-oiled machines. Still, something is going right for the Denver defense.</p><p>And the man orchestrating the upgrade is a familiar face in Bay Area football. It's Mike Nolan, the long-time defensive coordinator who was the 49ers' head coach from 2005 until seven games into the 2008 season.</p><p>Nolan left sort of an acrid scent in San Francisco. His 49ers were mediocre at best, and his treatment of former No. 1 pick Alex Smith drew harsh criticism. But Nolan has fared well as a defensive coordinator, especially in Baltimore from 2001-04.</p><p>“Mike's a very talented coach, been very successful in his career,” McDaniels said on a conference call this week. “When I had the opportunity to hire him, it wasn't a difficult decision for me because you could tell right away how detailed he was and what he wanted to try to accomplish.”</p><p>If Nolan's units have consistently excelled in one area, it is in stealing the ball. In 11 years as a defensive coordinators, his teams have finished in the top 10 in takeaways seven times. Last year, before his arrival, the Broncos had an NFL worst 13 takeaways — six interceptions and seven fumble recoveries. After two games under Nolan, they already have five.</p><p>As is usually the case, turnovers have followed pass pressure.</p><p>“They'll pressure you from everywhere. It reminds you a little bit of Baltimore,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said. “With Mike Nolan being there, you'd expect some of that. Anyone on the field can come after you, whether it's a corner or safety or any of the backers. They have a renewed attitude and it shows.”</p><p>While practically anyone can rush in Nolan's 3-4 system, the guy who has done it most ferociously is Elvis Dumervil, the 5-foot-10, 248-pound dervish who has converted from defensive end to outside linebacker this year. You could call the move a success. Last week Dumervil tied a franchise record with four sacks against Cleveland.</p><p>“He's so short, and he rushes so low, so then when he does what a normal D-end do and try to dip, it's still like he's at an advantage because he gets even lower than his frame,” said Raiders left tackle Mario Henderson, who will no doubt see his share of Dumervil today. “For tackles that's 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, that makes it hard for us because we gotta reach down. Plus, he's fast.”</p><p>The amazing thing about the Broncos' defensive resurgence is that they've done it without a lot of big names. Sure, Dumervil is an established pass rusher, Champ Bailey remains one of the NFL's best cornerbacks and Brian Dawkins, even at 35, is a capable free safety.</p><p>But the defensive starters also include the likes of end Brian McBean, nose tackle Ronald Fields and strong safety Renaldo Hill, whom Raiders fans remember as a smart, hard-nosed but coverage-challenged defensive back. Somehow, they are making it work under Nolan.</p><p>“He believes in variety, and he's an emotional guy. He has them playing hard,” Raiders passing game coordinator Ted Tollner said. “They have a lot in their package, from a front standpoint, from a pressure standpoint, from a coverage standpoint. And they have so much that at times they might have a little leak there, but you'd better find it fast because there's going to be some pressure on you.”</p><p>Handle it, and the Raiders may wind up in first place. Not to, you know, increase the pressure.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Phil Barber at 521-5263 or phil.barber@pressdemocrat.com.</p>