The Raiders’ first season in Las Vegas has already been derailed, after a late-season slide reminiscent of last year’s campaign. The team has multiple issues, most notably scoring in the red zone and a porous defense.
Coach Jon Gruden fired former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther late in the season, in a last-ditch attempt to shore up that side of the ball. Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli was given the job on an interim basis, and he sees improvement in his group’s play since he took over Week 15 against the Chargers.
“No question. I think you can see it, too,” Marinelli told reporters Wednesday when asked if he thinks the defense is playing better. “I love the intensity they’re playing with; their hitting has picked up. It’s really clear what they have to do. That’s who I am. I cut things back and let’s really get good at a few things. I think it’s starting to show.”
Despite the simplifications, the defense has still been suspect and downright awful at times since Marinelli took over. But to fix this defense in short order is probably an impossible task. At the least, Marinelli attempting to establish a culture of consistently competent play and growth, not to mention winning.
“Environment can change, situations change, but we don’t,” he says. “And I just want to keep growing. That’s the No. 1 thing is to keep developing, keep growing, secure a win. It’s how we play, the effort. I want to keep building on that. The tackling, playing together as a unit.”
It’s important that the Raiders’ defense plays well against the Broncos on Sunday, as Las Vegas goes for its eighth win of the season. But it’s even more important for next year’s defense to show marked improvement. It’s possible that Marinelli could return as defensive coordinator, and how the defense responds in Denver cold impact Gruden’s decision. Marinelli says he’s not concerned about next year just yet.
“I just let things go as they go,” he said. “That’s always been me. I just really concentrate. And everybody says the same thing, but I really do. I really look at the situation. I love being with these guys. I love seeing them grow and I’ll just leave it at that.”
Marinelli says he’ll go with the flow, but it’s more important what Gruden thinks. Though the offense hasn’t produced enough in the red zone, it’s the defense that’s most holding the Raiders back. Las Vegas’ next defensive coach will have a lot of work to do, whether it’s the steady Marinelli or a new face from outside the franchise.