If the Raiders want to take the next step as a franchise and make the playoffs, their defense is going to need to improve. Dramatically. In the two years Gruden has been with the Raiders, his defenses have finished 32nd and 24th in points per game allowed.
Entering Year 3 of this rebuild, the Raiders need more from their defense. That means defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is firmly in the spotlight this season.
In a recent article by ESPN, their beat writers were responsible for naming a player or coach that is on the “hot seat” entering the 2020 season. Not surprisingly, Guenther was named by Paul Gutierrez. Take a look at his thoughts on the team’s defensive coordinator and why this year is such an important season for him:
“In Guenther’s two seasons as Jon Gruden’s defensive playcaller, the Raiders have the fewest sacks in the NFL (45), are tied for the fewest takeaways (32), have given up the most 90-plus-yard touchdown drives (11), allowed the most points per drive (2.46) and are tied for the second-most yards per play allowed (6.08). On paper, the roster has been upgraded significantly on defense and, oh yeah, Rod Marinelli has joined the staff as the defensive line coach, though many see him as the DC-in-waiting should the defense struggle.”
Gutierrez makes a great point about Marinelli being on the roster. While he is only the defensive line coach right now, he’s one of the league’s most proven defensive coordinators. If Guenther’s defense doesn’t improve dramatically this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gruden “promote” Marinelli to that job.
Given all of the talent the Raiders added to their defense this season, the expectation is that the group should be much closer to a league-average unit. If the Raiders don’t see a significant jump in production on that side of the ball, it does feel likely that in a year from now, there could be a new defensive coordinator in Las Vegas. Needless to say, 2020 is a big year for Guenther.
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