San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Amid changes, Whitehead a constant on Raiders’ defense
In a season of rotations and turnover on the Raiders’ defense, linebacker Tahir Whitehead has been a notable constant.
Whitehead has played all but three of the Raiders’ defensive snaps this season, including all 778 over their past 12 games. Only two linebackers have played a higher percentage of their teams’ defensive snaps this season: Jacksonville’s Myles Jack and Miami’s Kiko Alonso, both at 100 percent.
Asked last week if that is a point of pride, Whitehead said: “Most definitely.”
“It’s a testament to the amount of work that goes into not just physically being able to do that, but mentally,” Whitehead said. “It can be a strain for some. And I’ve always prided myself on — once I touch that field, I’m not trying to come off unless the ball is being punted.”
That kind of ubiquity can have effects.
One shows through in stats. Whitehead, whom the Raiders signed to a three-year deal in March after he spent six seasons in Detroit, has led the team in tackles in 11 of 14 games this season and eclipsed 100 tackles for the third consecutive season. According to Pro Football Reference, Whitehead is tied for third in the NFL in total tackles since the start of the 2016 season.
Another, given his role in the defense and frequency to the ball, means that when breakdowns occur, Whitehead often can be nearby. And the Raiders’ defense has experienced its share of breakdowns this season while allowing the most yards per play (6.3) and points per game (29.9) in the league.
Whitehead wears the “green dot” helmet on the defense, meaning he takes the calls from the sideline and relays them to teammates. He acknowledged the defense’s struggles, particularly early, while pointing out that many players were new to coordinator Paul Guenther’s system and each other.
“I think we’ve definitely had some downs throughout the season, obviously. The record reflects that and some of the stats have reflected that,” Whitehead said. “But I think, as the season has progressed, we’re starting to pick it up and understand what to expect from one another.
“At the end of the day, having a bunch of new guys — not just guys that have never played together but guys on top of that in a new system — you go through that learning curve of just being able to understand things all over again where you can play fast.”
As an addition last offseason, Whitehead said that applies to himself and that “over the course of the season, I’ve felt a lot more comfortable in the system, understanding my role and … where other guys are going to be and the communication factor, how each guy operates.”
Whitehead had one of his best games of the season statistically Dec. 9 against the Steelers with 10 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception of a Joshua Dobbs pass that was broken up by cornerback Gareon Conley. Whitehead also snuffed a third-quarter drive by tackling tight end Vance McDonald for no gain on a 4th-and-1 pass.
Guenther said the following week that it appears Whitehead is “starting to really understand the whole picture of everything.” Head coach Jon Gruden said Whitehead “stays true to himself ” while citing some of the criticism directed at Whitehead, who became the highest-paid defensive player on the roster this season after Bruce Irvin was waived in November.
“A couple of weeks ago he ‘couldn’t cover,’ ” Gruden said. “I just think he’s a good player no matter who he plays for and what scheme he’s in.”
After the Raiders’ 34-3 loss to the 49ers on Nov. 1, Pro Football Focus reported that Whitehead to that point had allowed a perfect passer rating when targeted in coverage, allowing 23 catches on 26 targets with seven touchdowns. Entering Week 16 of the season, Whitehead’s passer rating allowed of 149.3 was the highest of any linebacker with 100plus coverage snaps, per PFF.
Gruden dismissed the stat in November while calling Whitehead “one heck of a linebacker.” Asked last week to assess his pass defense, Whitehead said: “I’d say I’ve been good in pass coverage this year.” “They don’t know what our job entails. They don’t know what coverage we’re in. They don’t know our scheme,” Whitehead said. “So a guy like myself, who’s always all around the field, running to the ball, if I’m scrambling, it seems like, ‘That must have been his coverage.’
“Yeah, it can seem that way, like I’m the one that’s always giving up plays or whatever the case is. But they don’t know ... what the other 10 guys’ jobs entail. So to make that type of statement is just like — I’d say it’s stupid. I’ll just put it that way.”
Guenther said Whitehead has been “a positive guy and a great asset for us.” Whitehead took a positive view toward his season overall.
“It’s not over yet, but I think I’d say up to this point, I’ve played some pretty good ball,” he said. “It’s never going to be perfect, I understand that. It’s going to give up a play here or there. But at the end of the day, you keep your head down and keep grinding.”