The Las Vegas Raiders’ pass defense as a whole has been rancid all year long, and Saturday’s display against the Miami Dolphins was the worst of the bunch.
The struggles continue for the Raiders defense, whether it’s Paul Guenther or Rod Marinelli, nothing’s working. Either the players aren’t trying or they aren’t in the correct positions on the field. It also doesn’t help that fundamentals such as tackling are lacking as well. After parting ways with Paul Guenther, there was some hope Marinelli could inspire the defense. Alas, there’s something wrong at the core of all this. It might be the roster that’s been assembled or the coaching staff simply needs to be replaced.
As far as Saturday’s debacle versus the Dolphins, it served to exacerbate the problem, giving up big plays has become the Raiders’ mantra.
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What happened to the Raiders pass defense?
Overall, the Dolphins passing game did just enough to get the win on Saturday. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 17 of 22 pass attempts, throwing for one touchdown. Journeyman signal-caller Ryan Fitzpatrick came in late in the game and revived a stagnant offense. Speaking of giving up big plays, in true Raiders fashion, the defense gave up a 34-yard pass with just 19 seconds left on the clock.
Settling for field goals really came back to haunt Gruden in this one. To make matters worse, outspoken defensive end Arden Key committed a senseless roughing the passer penalty that sealed the game. During the course of that play, cornerbacks Damon Arnette and Isaiah Johnson were out of place. This in turn allowed Mack Hollins to go unchallenged.
Another big play that the pass defense gave up was one that went to Myles Gaskin that turned into a 59-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick. Saturday’s display continued to show that the Raiders pass defense has a long way to go before it can be deemed serviceable. Raider Nation can only hope the next defensive coordinator can place these youngsters in better positions to succeed.
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*Top Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
I think the players are just as much to do with it than the coach they can’t tackle and don’t seem to have the raiders mentality don’t think they know how much it means to be a raider
I think that some of the players don’t give a Damm and that’s messed up because it means so much more to us as raiders Fan’s only if they understood that
They need to watch old film of the raiders to get an understanding of what it takes to be a raider and not lose in this fashion we don’t go out like this ever f*** that
The coach needs to instill to the defense a strong defense wins championship. If the coach cannot realize to have a top notch defense. The team will always be at the bottom of the standings.
Our defensive decline began with Gruden’s first bogus move in trading Khalil Mack! Perennial All-Pro edge rushers like him come around once in 20-years, and his superb team chemistry added building blocks to an already solidifying Raider defense.
Kissing him good-by opened up a 4-year floodgate that contributed to a pathetic 24-39 record!
They had better beat Denver and finish 8-8, thus improving by at least one-game over last season!
It just may plug some holes, and end the current flood threatening to drown this franchise…of which I’ve been devoted to for 52-years!!!