Raiders drills that kill put Rob Leonards defensive vision into action
The five sacks were the loudest part of the Raiders’ defensive performance Sunday.The two takeaways helped put the Dolphins away.But the most encouraging development was how often all 11 defenders appeared to be working from the same set of instructions.They knew where to go.
They understood where their help was.And when one part of the defense needed an extra second to finish its job, another part supplied it.It’s been a minute since the Raiders’ defense looked like a unit with a shared purpose.
Too often, it has been a collection of players pulling in different directions.Last season was a prime example.Head coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham never seemed to get their philosophies aligned, and the personnel only complicated the disconnect.
The pieces didn’t fit, the approach lacked clarity, and the dysfunction spread through every level of the defense.The Raiders appear to have found a clearer chain of command.Offensive-minded head coach Klint Kubiak has outlined what he wants from his defense and entrusted Rob Leonard, their defensive line coach for the past four seasons, to build it.
The vision comes from Kubiak.The authority to put it into action belongs to Leonard.The Raiders’ 27-13 season-opening victory over the Dolphins offered an early indication that Leonard’s message is getting through.
They stopped the run, pressured the quarterback and played with a cohesiveness that gave their individual talent a chance to matter.“I love the way our defense played, how they swarmed, how they turned the ball over, how they responded to sudden change,” said Kubiak.“Very proud of them.”Kwity Paye, who was signed in free agency to add pressure off the edge, saw the connection between the preparation and the production.“I feel like the prep going into the week was amazing,” Paye said.He credited Leonard and defensive assistants Travis Smith, Steve Ferentz and Kenyon Jackson for getting the front ready.“We had five sa...