Oakland Raiders: John Pagano breathes new life into Sean Smith
Over the past few games, cornerback Sean Smith has shown vast improvement in coverage. What’s his current outlook with the Oakland Raiders?
Burned toast, below average and offseason cut — many attached those words to Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith during the 2017 campaign. Enter new defensive play-caller John Pagano, who’s earned the nickname Pressure Pagano.
Smith’s critics think the 30-year old cornerback’s production looks fluky due to the Raiders’ competition over the past few weeks. Let’s take a deeper look. In Oakland’s first meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith barely saw the field with only 19 snaps.
Despite the Silver and Black’s abysmal overall performance in the second outing against the division rival, Smith didn’t allow a single catch in 74 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus Elite.
Once Pagano took over play-calling duties, he implemented effective pressure schemes, which include inside stunts, modifying personnel placement in formations and unleashing linebacker Bruce Irvin as an edge-rusher, per Pro Football Focus’ Austin Gayle:
BIG NOTE: #Raiders ED Bruce Irvin played 17.42% (!!) of his defensive snaps in coverage in Weeks 1-11 (KNJ). In Weeks 12-15 (Pagano), Irvin has dropped back into coverage on just 6.73% of his defensive snaps.
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) December 20, 2017
Rush the passer with your pass-rushers... Bold.
There’s no doubt Pagano’s influence has put players in position to succeed. Smith’s improvement started before his two-interception game against the Dallas Cowboys (statistics provided by Pro Football Focus Elite):
Sean Smith: 13 targets / 6 receptions for 86 yards allowed and a QB Rating of 68.1 in last 3 games (since Pagano took over play-calling)
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) December 16, 2017
Just sayin'#Raiders
Long-Term Outlook for Sean Smith
Through the first 10 games, many wiped Smith’s contract off the books as a reasonable cap-space saving decision. The Raiders could cut him and recoup $8.5 million on the remaining two years of his deal, per Over the Cap.
General manager Reggie McKenzie may want to think twice about taking the money after watching Smith’s play under Pagano.
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However, there’s a legal hurdle to consider. According to Los Angeles Times reporter Nathan Fenno, Smith must stand trial in Pasadena for an assault case involving his sister’s ex-boyfriend:
"Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday there is sufficient evidence for Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith to stand trial for allegedly assaulting his sister’s then-boyfriend on July 4 in Old Town Pasadena.During the preliminary hearing at the Pasadena Courthouse, two witnesses testified they saw a man they identified as Smith stomp the head of Christopher Woods as he lay bleeding and unconscious near the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Arroyo Parkway."
The Raiders front office will certainly monitor Smith’s legal proceedings throughout the offseason. McKenzie should consider signing a free agent in March and acquire another cornerback early in the 2018 draft.
Due to the uncertainties at cornerback, it’s important to revamp the secondary with T.J. Carrie set to become an unrestricted free agent. David Amerson has played six games and a lengthy concussion history could threaten his longevity. Rookie Gareon Conley will attempt a return after season-ending shin surgery. As previously mentioned, Smith’s NFL availability rests with those in court.
Pressure Pagano
Though it’s another offseason to rebuild the secondary, the Raiders certainly have the right defensive play-caller to put quality talent in the right spots to make plays. Oakland has racked up 14 sacks in the last four contests. The aggressive pressure has created more opportunities to snag interceptions after going 10 games without a takeaway through the air.
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For those who gave up on Amerson as a starting cornerback, we haven’t seen him play under Pagano due to a foot injury. If he’s able to improve similar to Smith, he may be able to stick around with a pay cut. Unfortunately, we may not see him in the last two games, which doesn’t allow the 26-year old defensive back to redeem himself in the new defensive system.
It’s likely McKenzie keeps one of the three cornerbacks among Smith, Amerson and Carrie to pair with Conley as a starter in 2018.