Oakland Raiders: Jack Del Rio too stubborn to tweak secondary issues
Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio must address a major defensive flaw in preparation for the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.
Since the previous season, we’ve watched opposing quarterbacks test the Oakland Raiders pass coverage deep downfield. In too many cases, it’s like watching the ending of a bad movie. You know the outcome, but there’s nothing to stop it.
During Monday’s press conference, via Raiders.com, head coach Jack Del Rio expressed his displeasure with cornerback Sean Smith and safety Reggie Nelson for allowing Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco to accumulate 106 yards on two deep throws in the first half.
Del Rio said the following:
"“Well, the very first play, no one can help him on that one. He’s got a buzz player coming underneath him. He’s got to stay on top. You just can’t start the game that way. The second one, Reggie [Nelson] should intercept that ball. That ball is thrown inside the numbers toward the middle of the field. We got to go make a play on that and give him [Sean Smith] some help there. Either way, he’s got to be on top. That’s his job to be on top of both those plays. On the second one, he should’ve had more help.”"
Del Rio rehashed an issue that’s plagued the secondary since the 2016 season. For whatever reason, Smith and Nelson struggle to disrupt explosive plays. The Raiders head coach has watched the same faulty coverage for over a year, and it’s time for a change.
Yet, Del Rio seems reluctant to substitute personnel in hopes Smith and Nelson finally figure it out. The 30-year-old cornerback has allowed 11 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets, per Pro Football Focus Elite. The 34-year old safety grades as one of the worst in pass coverage among players at his position, per PFF Edge.
On Sunday, the Raiders will take the field without Gareon Conley who’s experiencing pain in his shin, per ESPN.com reporter Paul Gutierrez. David Amerson will attempt to return to action after missing a game due to a shoulder injury. According to Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken, Antonio Hamilton tore his meniscus in the previous outing:
Raiders CB Antonio Hamilton was injured early vs. Ravens. Belief is torn meniscus, source said. Left stadium on crutches.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 8, 2017
With Oakland’s secondary riddled with injuries, it’s the ideal time to shake up the scheme in preparation for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers who ranks No. 6 in pass attempts (194). He’s going to test the Raiders secondary, and Del Rio shouldn’t leave a faulty personnel combination on the field.
The coaching staff should have a contingency plan in case Rivers takes advantage of a matchup involving Smith on the perimeter.
If Amerson misses consecutive games, Del Rio could utilize T.J. Carrie and Dexter McDonald in perimeter coverage. He can also move Karl Joseph to free safety or experiment with Shalom Luani as centerfielders over the top.
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The Chargers passing attack, which ranks No. 6 in yards accumulated has been far more effective at moving the ball compared to the Ravens No. 31-ranked aerial attack. After watching film on the Raiders’ Week 5 performance, expect Rivers to pose an immediate threat to the back end of the defense with wideouts Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin.
Del Rio must prepare for a counter. Thus far, he’s been stubborn, but in a near must-win game, the coaching staff has to adjust a defensive plan that’s frequently burned the Raiders over the past year.