Patrick Graham is the second-year Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator in charge of a group of ragamuffin desert marauders. Sadly, he doesn’t have much to show for it—what gives?
Dubbed both Ivy League and Black Picasso, due to being a Yale man and crafting a wide variety of defensive styles like renowned artist Pablo Picasso, Graham hasn’t shown the same intelligence and versatility that earned him those two monikers in the desert.
So, what gives? Did the Raiders take away his creativity, or was it never there to begin with?
Patrick Graham using nickel personnel vs heavy offensive personnel in short yardage, 4th & 1, goal line is a bold choice.#RaiderNation
— Ryan Holmes (@Rholm22) September 18, 2023
It’s likely the former instead of the latter. All those tweets and reports about how Las Vegas was creating takeaways left and right in training camp and in preseason games seem like such a distant memory, even though they were mere weeks ago. Thus far, Graham reeks of another former Raiders defensive coordinator with the same initials: Paul Guenther.
When do we start having the difficult conversation regarding Raiders DC Patrick Graham?
Yes, it’s only been two weeks, but it’s been a highly underwhelming run so far. He’s essentially Paul Guenther reincarnated. His scoring defenses have been near the NFL’s basement: 25th… pic.twitter.com/21b250JjnP
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) September 20, 2023
Just like Graham, Guenther was lauded as an ingenious defensive mind who devised multiple ways to combat offenses. In the end, Paulie G was simply offensive.
Graham is trending the same way.
Same initials, same ineffective defense.
Highest completion percentage allowed thru 2 games n NFL history:
2023 #Raiders 81.7%
2015 Lions 81.4%
2015 Rams 80.9%
2009 Lions 80.6%
2017 Saints 80.3%— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) September 18, 2023
It can be argued successfully, so even the hand Graham was dealt is a sorry one. The Raiders’ investments cap-wise lean heavily towards head coach and offensive play caller Josh McDaniels’ side of the ball. That’s not surprising considering Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler has a longstanding relationship with the head coach. Sure, point to the No. 7 overall selection being edge rusher Tyree Wilson as a proper investment into Graham’s venture. And the addition of linebacker Robert Spillane in free agency is another move to bolster the defense.
But can we truly say Graham’s been given the same quality ingredients to cook with as McDaniels? He’s being asked to concoct a four-course meal with ingredients equivalent to instant ramen noodles.
What do the numbers say for the Raiders defense?
Points allowed: 54, 25th in league
Yards allowed: 710, 23rd in the league
3rd down conversion allowed: 12 of 24, 50%, 27th in the league
Red zone touchdowns allowed: 7 on 10 trips, 70%, 22nd in the league
Now, don’t get it twisted; the cupboard is not bare.
Edge rusher Maxx Crosby is an elite talent in safety. Marcus Epps is a backend enforcer many teams lack. But beyond that, who is a marquee defender? Epps can be labeled borderline in that regard. When compared to the coin and foundation McDaniels has at his disposal, Graham’s plight is much worse.
Which beckons: Can another defensive play caller have more success than what Graham’s shown in his 19-game tenure?
Yet, there’s no use in crying over spilled milk.
The Raiders (1-1 overall) are what they are, and Graham isn’t going anywhere. Thus, it’s onto Week 3, with the incoming Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) heading into Allegiant Stadium for a Sunday night showdown. Questioned about the high completion percentage his defense yielded in the first two games of the season, Graham’s answer was simple.
“A key thing for us moving forward is just to get off to a fast start and to get the quarterback off their rhythm. That starts with me first and foremost,” the coordinator said. “So, that’s one thing that we have to do moving forward, and when you’re dealing with these really good quarterbacks, you’ve got to find ways to do that, whether it’s disguise, scheme, whatever it may be; you just have to find a way to get him off rhythm and create some good situations for the defense.”
Doing exactly what Graham wants has proven both complex and a conundrum for the Raiders.
“A combination of good players and good players to throw the ball to. I got to do a better job,” Graham added when pressed further on why he thinks teams have been able to sling the ball all over the field against his defense.
The lack of interior pressure from the Raiders defensive line and the absence of another edge rusher stepping up to be a legitimate option opposite Maxx Crosby compounds matters. That resulted in the devastating ownership of the line of scrimmage by the Buffalo Bills, and the Raiders were punished thoroughly by the Bills offense and defense. Getting beaten so soundly in the trenches cannot happen again if Las Vegas has true intentions of competing.
Perhaps some home cooking will get the Raiders back on track. The struggling Steelers haven’t fired on all cylinders on offense, and perhaps playing within the confines of Allegiant Stadium with a healthy dose of Raider Nation is a recipe for success. But we can’t ignore the fact that the Raiders have been habitual remedies for ailing teams. If something’s wrong with your squad, facing the silver and black is the quick fix.
That dubious distinction must change…
Just like the swap Graham made between being on the sidelines and up in the booth to orchestrate his defense,
“We did what we thought was best for this season, and it’s been fine so far. I’ve been up in the booth before in my career, just not in a play-calling role, but the first six years of my career in the NFL, I was up in the booth,” Graham said of the change. “Just getting situated up there, I’m able to have my Coke, and honestly, that’s a little bit back to the old days. You don’t have to worry about the weather later in the season. It’s still seeing the game; I have a few years of experience now, so being able to see it from both ways, from down the field and up in the box, it’s been good.”
Some fans want Graham out of the building, and another porous effort will just ramp up the shouts for ouster.
What will it be, Patty G?
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images