Can Wade Phillips Cure the Oakland Raiders’ Defense?
Can Wade Phillips Provide the Oakland Raiders Defensive Solutions?
While no rational person wants to see anyone lose their job, especially this time of year, football is not most occupations. Nevertheless, the NFL is a results-oriented sport. In addition to the surplus of head coaches (which Oakland does not need,) there is a plethora of potential coordinators. Currently, Ken Norton occupies the role of defensive coordinator. At the same time, the defense appears listless, which is a telling sign. Yet, anyone who faithfully watches the Raiders can see possible room for a change. The solution could be a division rival.
Wade Phillips: Denver head coach Gary Kubiak retired due to health issues. This leaves his staff in an unbelievable state of flux. Critics will use Phillips’ age (turns 70 on June 21st) as a negative. In contrast, people tout Pete Carroll as a youthful leader. Truthfully, Phillips is only four years older.
Why Hire Him: Phillips, unlike Norton is brilliant schematically. His scheme is flexible in its creation. Plays maintain significant freedom. For instance, the defensive lineman’s duties simply include the man in front of them. Phillips’ down three play a one gap scheme. This minimizes over thinking and places the game in the hands of the talent. Forcing round pegs into square holes throws chaos into a defense. Players aren’t miscast with Phillips. To emphasize his impact, look at the players to flourish in his scheme: Demarcus Ware, J.J. Watt, Von Miller
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Reason against Hiring: Phillips’ age is not a deterrent. The lone drawback is something is beyond his control. When MLB Danny Trevathan signed with Chicago, Denver’s defense lost something. Phillips counts on inside linebackers to rush, occupy guards and drop into coverage. Why is this an issue? Oakland doesn’t have any inside linebacker athletic enough to accomplish this.
If: With the Raiders barely off the salary cap floor, there is wiggle room financially. One decent sized deal could net the Oakland Raiders a quality inside linebacker. Free agent Buffalo Bill Zach Brown’s name springs to mind. In Phillips’ defense with Mack and Irvin on the edge, Oakland’s defense becomes a problem.
Watching the Raiders’ defense shrink under the pressure of expectations illustrates the glaring need for a change. There is too much talent on this team for these results. Ken Norton is not a great fit for this team. Everyone knew what would happen if anything goes sideways offensively. In order to construct a championship team, coordinators on both sides of the ball need to be equal parts motivator and teacher.
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