Raiders defensive coordinator, players comment on offseason growth
Jun 3, 2023, 8:00 AM
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders talk on the field during the first half of the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Under Patrick Graham’s first year as the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator, the team underperformed on the defensive level.
The team tied with the New York Giants for the fewest interceptions (6), allowed the third-fewest sacks (27) and allowed the fourth-most passing yards (4,129).
Knowing their deficiencies, the Raiders focused this offseason on improving their defense, using seven of their nine draft picks on defenders, including their first-round pick on Tyree Wilson, and signed safety Marcus Epps and cornerback Brandon Facyson to bolster their secondary.
But, one thing that can make them stronger as a unit is returning to the same defensive system in place for the first time in years. Defensive end Maxx Crosby said things are running “a lot smoother” this time around compared to last year.
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“Last OTAs it was a lot. Obviously, Pat [Patrick Graham] was new. He was installing a bunch of new stuff trying to get everything in before we get to camp,” Crosby said. “So, everything was just like, you’re just learning and trying to just figure everything out on the fly. But now, having another year, being able to help the guys that just got in it’s going to help them as well.”
Defensive end Chandler Jones echoed those statements, adding that team activities like OTAs are where players start to build chemistry.
“You want to have the chemistry where I look to the guy next to me, and I won’t have to say anything, I can just give them a head nod and he knows exactly what that means,” Jones said. “That’s exactly the kind of things that you need to build around this time, because you won’t get that showing up in the fall. You have to do it now.”
Graham, who started his offseason as one of the coaches in the Senior Bowl, said he also spent the offseason “doing a lot of self-evaluation” and listening to the people in the organization.
“The best coaches I’ve been around, including Josh [McDaniels], including Bill [Belichick], they’re the best listeners I’ve ever been around,” Graham said. “And so, I had to listen, ‘Ok, you know, figure out what do we need to do for us this year. What’s going to be the best thing.’ And then to build that continuity, you got to put in work. No different than with my wife. We’re going on year 14, it still takes work. You got to put the work in, and we’re putting the work in right now. And then hopefully we see the rewards of that.”
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With stability in place, all are looking forward to a fresh start once the 2023 season gets underway.
“I’ve always thought when it comes to looking for success – and this in any aspect of life – but when you’re ever looking for success and you have things that are seasonal like football, for me it’s been very advantageous to just flush it and erase it,” Jones said. “Learn from your mistakes, see what you did wrong obviously, you don’t want to get burned twice, but flushing it. And like I said this is a fresh year, which I’m very excited about. We have a fresh team, a few new coaches sprinkled around, and I’m excited.”
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