Silver And Black Pride
Defensive coordinator can continue to refine his unit and increased takeaways a must
New regimes often mean new philosophy, scheme and system. The Las Vegas Raiders are all too aware of this.
After moving from one head coach to another, change is the constant for the Silver & Black. Yet, there’s a measure of continuity in the desert. Particularly, on the defensive side of the ball.
Enter: Patrick Graham.
The Raiders defensive coordinator returns to the fold under new head coach Pete Carroll. This after Graham’s contract with Las Vegas expired after the 2024 season and he went on the interview circuit. Graham talked to the Jacksonville Jaguars about the head coach spot, which ultimately went to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The Jags then shifted the talks with Graham to being Coen’s defensive coordinator. Graham also interviewed with the Cincinnati Bengals for their defensive boss spot.
In the end, though, Graham is back in Silver & Black to once again captain the defense.
Graham is a key cog in Carroll’s ever-growing coaching staff. The Raiders new lead man is on the grind along with general manager John Spytek to build a cohesive staff that’s charged with guiding the Raiders out of the darkness. The team finished 4-13 overall and was the lone AFC West squad with a losing record.
The return of Graham allows for all-important continuity on the side of the ball that’s been historically lackluster.
Yes, Graham’s unit this past season didn’t rank well. Overall, the group ranked 25th out of 32 allowing a total of 434 points on the season (25.5 points per game average).
The ranking is severely affected by the Raiders defense losing key starters to long-term injuries as Graham didn’t have defensive ends Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, along with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, cornerback Jakorian Bennett, and safety Marcus Epps for extended periods of time.
Losing Crosby, Koonce, and Wilkins eroded both the Raiders pass rush and run stopping ability. And the absences of Bennett and Epps dwindled both the secondaries’ coverage and effectiveness, but more importantly, the backend communication that’s vital to any defense — which Epps does and earned immense praise from the coaching staff.
But no one likes excuses or reasoning as Las Vegas did ultimately finish in the cellar.
Fortunately for the Raiders, the team doesn’t have to go through an offseason learning a new philosophy and scheme with Graham’s return. Carroll and Co. also retained defensive line coach Rob Leonard and added run game coordinator to his title.
Thus, there won’t be a starting at square one moment for the Silver & Black.
Just a season ago, the Raiders defense was ranked ninth in points allowed (331 total, 19.5 points per game average in 2023). And it’s plausible to get there again — especially with a healthy group along with potential added reinforcements in free agency (March) and the 2025 NFL Draft (April).
While continuity is nice and can parlay itself into sustained success,...
