2020 was a dreadful season for the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense. Looking back, this is a year most fans want to forget about. To remedy this, the Silver and Black will move fast to bring in a new defensive coordinator.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden did what many thought imaginable, he actually fired now-former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Fans had been waiting for that moment for quite some time, and we don’t blame them. Since his arrival, Guenther’s defense was consistently one of the worst in the entire NFL, this year being especially putrid. This was likely a difficult decision for Gruden, especially considering their friendship, but enough was enough.
Despite having promising talent, Guenther couldn’t get the most out of it. In fact, many of the team’s expensive free agent acquisitions were being misused. All in all, the Raiders defense did play somewhat well under interim coach Rod Marinelli, at least they showed more effort on film.
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What will the Raiders do at defensive coordinator?
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently shed some light on the search for a new defensive boss. The most noteworthy factor of all this is that Gruden will be moving fast. “We plan to move quickly, and we’re excited about this process.” Actually, it would benefit the team if they could find their answer relatively fast. The Silver and Black will need to address several matters including draft prospects and roster restructuring among others.
Gruden also spoke on what they’re looking for schematically and personality-wise as well. “Don’t get me wrong, we’d like to have some three-down elements and be multiple, but we want to play four bigs if we can.”
Based on both scheme and his history with Gruden, Marinelli has a good chance, though we’re sure many fans won’t be too thrilled with that. The head coach went on to emphasize that the new coordinator needs to be successful and have a great work ethic. Interestingly enough, that also sounds like Marinelli. In what could be a fluid situation in Las Vegas, the final decision will be an interesting one.
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*Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal
Wade Phillips is the only DC who can be considered, period !
New DC, or not, the Raiders will probably be mediocre again under Gruden, next season. Besides building a new defense, without any cap space, they will need to find replacements for, both OG, and the LT. Plus they won’t be able to compete for FA wr Agholor or keep Tyrell Williams, so they will need to rely on unproven WRs. Gruden has basically squandered most of the draft picks along with the cap space. Bottom line, Gruden is over his head.
Gruden is in love with his chunky personality, so make faces Gruden and continue ruining a once GREAT FRANCHISE
Well this was a s*** article just assuming Marinelli is going to take over.
Choosing Marinelli would be an insult. Morris and Bradley and Barry are all gruden buddies. We dont need a buddy, we need a DC. Jons way obviously doesnt work. Tine for something new.
Just get the most competent person for the job. No more friends need apply. While we’re at it get a new defensive backs coach . We haven’t developed anyone since Namdi was converted from safety to corner.
Dump Gruden
Gruden was and is a joke. Wade Phillip for
dc. someone said that below..get rid of the ego monster Groooody..
Get the Best man for the Job. Raiders fans won’t continue to put up with this s***! Excited on Sunday and Pissed on Monday! Gruden may have to Go! His New Nickname…Chuckie Cheese….
7 games over .500 and signs a $100 million dollar contract? What a scam. The best coaches have little or no ego. I predicted this trainwreck and it became reality. Dump him asap
Get rid of Gruden
Marinelli is good but he’s just another of Chucky’s friends who took the job of a great young coach that gruden fired so that he could hire his friend. You don’t win championships like that!