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Provided by copyright (c)1997 Associated Press
TUESDAY 10/28/97  4:08:39
^Raiders look to improve on defense after Seahawks loss<
^By ANNE M. PETERSON=
^AP Sports Writer=
   ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) _ Convinced their problem isn't individual
play, the Oakland Raiders are looking at the bigger picture.
   ``Maybe we have to change our schemes, because it's not our
players,'' coach Joe Bugel said.
   One thing is for sure: The Raiders have to do something. At 3-5,
Oakland's playoff hopes are narrowing. And three of the team's next
four games are on the road, starting with the Carolina Panthers
this Sunday.
   Tackle Lincoln Kennedy estimated the Raiders would have to win
six of their final eight games. At least.
   ``Any number below 9-7 and I think your chances of getting into
the playoffs are slim to none,'' he said.
   To achieve that end, the Raiders are rightly focusing on their
defense, ranked at the bottom of the NFL. On Sunday, the Seattle
Seahawks racked up 554 yards in offense en route to a 45-34 victory
over Oakland.
   Perhaps it is time that the team got away from man-to-man
coverage, Bugel suggested.
   ``Defensively, we might have to go a bit more into zone
coverage,'' he said.
   Offensively, it's another matter. The Raiders aren't having any
trouble putting up points.
   Speedy receiver James Jett has eight touchdown receptions this
season, Jeff George has 18 touchdown passes, receiver Tim Brown has
49 total catches and running back Napoleon Kaufman has rushed 896
yards for six touchdowns.
   At the Kingdome on Sunday, Kaufman scored on a 55-yard run, Jett
had a pair of touchdown catches and Cole Ford hit two field goals,
including a career-best 53-yarder.
   ``I saw the film. I thought we moved the ball. We scored some
points. I just _ I don't know,'' Kaufman said.
   The Raiders still couldn't win, despite the offensive output and
a 34-25 lead going into the fourth quarter. Part of the problem was
obviously pass defense: Seattle's Warren Moon was 28-for-44 for 409
yards and five touchdowns.
   ``This year it (the defense) doesn't seem what we expected or
what it has been in the past, so I'm very disappointed,''
linebacker Greg Biekert said.
   ``For some reason, we're just not clicking right now,''
cornerback Terry McDaniel shrugged.
   In addition to the implementation of a zone defense, Bugel said
the Raiders were looking to improve offensively on third downs. The
Raiders were 1-for-10 on third downs against the Seahawks on
Sunday.
   ``That's not good,'' he said.
   Kaufman, meanwhile, was left shaking his head over his team's
performance this season. He couldn't understand how the Raiders
could beat the undefeated Denver Broncos one week, then lose in
such a manner to the Seahawks the next.
   ``I've been on some pretty talented teams,'' he said, ``but
nothing like this where we have so much talent and we just don't
play well or we just don't win.''