The most meaningful non-player acquisition the Las Vegas Raiders made this past offseason was the addition of Rod Marinelli. The defensive line coach has had success almost everywhere he has gone (with the exception of Detroit). Sin City is ready to embrace Marinelli and the success he has previously have had.
It was a matter of squizzing the defensive line talent the Raiders have
Some Raiders fans didn’t like the fact the team gave defensive line coach Brentson Buckner the boot. He wasn’t bad at his job, it’s just that Marinelli is better. In a recent press conference, he opened up about his reasons for coaching in Las Vegas. To begin with, he says he would study the Raiders young defensive line players.
Marinelli says he liked the talent the team had in the trenches, but more importantly, he likes Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s approach. The defensive line likes the way ‘Chucky’ does things.
“I thought it all played. When I was in Dallas last year I watched them on tape a ton and you can see they got some young guys. It’s got some nice talent and all those things. I think just getting back with coach Gruden, I know what he’s going to do. I know he’s going to go get players, I just like the system he runs, and I like the approach.”
Talking about Gruden’s personality, Marinelli mentioned intensity and passion as traits that appealed to him.
“There’s no doubt in my mind. I worked for coach in Tampa Bay, won a Super Bowl with him. I understand what he’s about, I understand his intensity, his passion for the game, and that was an Immediate draw to come back with him.”
Related:Â Raiders DT Maurice Hurst Jr. Has Quietly Become One of the Best Interior Linemen
Marinelli also opened up about what motivates him
Marinelli has accomplished many things in his long career. He has mentored All-Pro and Hall-of-Fame defensive players. Also, he helped the Buccaneers win their first and only Super Bowl. All in all, he’s done pretty much everything a coach could strive for. However, he talked about what drives him, and it isn’t championships. He loves teaching football players and giving them the tools to succeed. He believes that developing great players is a process that starts with building men, and the rest comes later.
“I just think it’s every day of my career, every day I come to work it’s about developing men. I believe you develop the man first and then you develop the player. That’s critical for me. Once, you reach that man, then you got a heck of a ballplayer and that’s one of my goals every year I come out here. I love teaching, I love this game, [i’s] a great opportunity to be with coach Paul Guenther. By his great reputation, I’ve heard of him, couldn’t wait to have an opportunity to work with him. I’m learning a lot of football. That’s always a great thing.”
In the last two seasons, the Raiders have made sure they got as much defensive line talent as they could. This past offseason, the Silver and Black made sure they brought in the right man to unleash all that potential.
You May Also Like:Â Raiders Legend Tom Flores Closer to Getting His Due
Top Photo: Las Vegas Raiders Official YouTube Channel