Oakland Raiders: John Pagano won’t make immediate lineup changes
Without making sweeping changes, how does defensive coordinator John Pagano expect to improve the Oakland Raiders’ defensive play?
When the Oakland Raiders take the field on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, don’t expect new defensive coordinator John Pagano to wipe the entire slate clean. During Thursday’s media presser, when asked about giving developing players who haven’t taken many snaps more time on the field, Pagano gave a clear-cut answer.
“Same guys are going to go get it.”
Hopefully, we won’t see rookie defensive back Obi Melifonwu covering the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receiver like he did in Mexico City against the New England Patriots. Nonetheless, those calling for multiple players to sit on the bench, don’t hold your breath. It’s highly unlikely. Instead, Pagano hopes to sharpen the defense through a mental reset.
“I think the main thing is, and you got to do it in a couple of days, you got to play with confidence,” Pagano said. “You got to have the ability of going out there and knowing your assignment and playing faster.”
For Pagano, lineup changes are a secondary option to working with who’s already been on the field.
“There’s always room for change, and there’s always room for doing things better.”
The Broncos will start quarterback Paxton Lynch on Sunday. Who knows? The Raiders defense, as is, may be able to put together its best performance against a signal-caller making his third-career start. Then again, Denver’s new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has the book of negatives and positives on Oakland’s defense.
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Right now, it’s fairly certain the Raiders will pick up the pace on defensive side of the ball. Head coach Jack Del Rio openly discussed the need to fly all over the field during his media press conference on Wednesday.
“I’ve been in this league a long time, and I’ve been a part of some great defenses. One common denominator is that they play fast. I want to see us play fast.”
When looking at the Raiders defense through the first 10 weeks, speed isn’t the only issue. The fundamental design must change at some point.
Del Rio talked about speed, but the free safety position lacks the quickness to cover over the top. Older players don’t regain agility as time progresses. They’re replaced with those who can fulfill the role.
Linebackers in the latter stages of their careers don’t improve as sideline-to-sideline coverage assets over time. We saw this with Curtis Lofton during the 2015 campaign.
Early-round draft picks with potential, who’ve been inactive for most of the season, don’t improve as spectators on the sideline. A few live snaps here and there may prepare them for larger roles in the future.
As a defense that ranks last in sacks and without an interception, it’s possible the lineup needs jarring changes. However, it’s likely Pagano comes into his new position with a softer approach before shaking up the personnel for the following season. It’s a tough pill to swallow considering the Raiders still lurk in the AFC playoff picture.
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Del Rio can throw out the word fast and hope the people in the building buy into it as the sole problem for the Raiders’ defensive woes. Whatever the outcome on Sunday, the team will eventually have to address certain positions with new talent.
During the offseason, general manager Reggie McKenzie will have to consider in-house talent, the free-agent market and the draft to upgrade an underperforming defense. For a player who’s lost a few steps, playing fast isn’t a reasonable expectation.