The ugly defensive numbers speak for themselves.
But during a Monday meeting with the media, Raiders coach Jon Gruden explained his logic behind the decision to fire defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and name defensive line coach Rod Marinelli the interim coordinator.
“Certainly, he’s a great coach,” Gruden said of Guenther. “We thank him for everything he has done. But we need a new voice right now. We need new energy.”
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The Raiders’ defense has given up an average of 30.1 points per game this season, which ranks 30th in the league, only ahead of the lowly New York Jets (30.2) and Dallas Cowboys (30.8). Old nemesis Philip Rivers and the Colts gashed Las Vegas for 456 yards of offense and averaged 7.7 yards per play while rolling to a 44-27 victory in Week 14. So it was not surprising to see the Raiders fire Guenther on Sunday evening.
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Marinelli has spent the past 25 years coaching in the NFL, including the past seven as a defensive coordinator/defensive line coach for Dallas. The unit ranked 11th in points allowed (20.1 per game) and ninth in yards allowed (327 per game) during the 2019 season.
“He’s one of the great teachers and great motivators and great people that I’ve met in this business,” Gruden said. “He looks forward to adversity, he thrives in it. He looks forward to these challenges, the building of this defense, putting it all together.”
As bad as Sunday’s loss felt, the Raiders (7-6) aren’t totally out of the AFC playoff picture just yet. Losses by the Miami Dolphins (8-5) and New England Patriots (6-7) helped their cause, and a Baltimore Ravens (7-5) loss on Monday would keep Las Vegas just one game out of the No. 7 seed with three weeks to play.
According to the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow, it wouldn’t be unprecedented if the Raiders still made the playoffs despite the late-season coordinator change.
Marinelli’s first task will be to slow down the Los Angeles Chargers on a short week of practice, as the game is set for Thursday Night Football. The Chargers are led by impressive rookie quarterback Justin Herbert and veteran wideout Keenan Allen, who ranks second in the NFL with 99 catches. Los Angeles will also have a different look with versatile running back Austin Ekeler, who missed the Week 9 matchup due to injury.
“Justin Herbert is a guy we know first-hand can make all the plays,” Gruden said. “So we’ll have our hands full again and that’s why we got to get back to work.”
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The Raiders’ defense is a bit beat up heading into Week 15. Safety Johnathan Abram (concussion), linebacker Nick Morrow (concussion), defensive end Clelin Ferrell (shoulder) and cornerback Damon Arnette (concussion) all missed practice on Monday and need to make quick recoveries to get back in time for Thursday’s contest.