Raiders’ defensive backfield is trying to find a pattern.
The defensive backfield of the Las Vegas Raiders is very skilled. Additionally, given their youth, Las Vegas is looking for consistency from the group.
The defensive backfield of the Las Vegas Raiders has seen a lot of turnover for a variety of reasons. One of the numerous problems that have beset the unit is injuries.
Their young backfield’s patchy play is another problem. The defensive backs in Las Vegas have all played in the league for three seasons or less.
The coaching staff of Las Vegas, along with defensive back and pass game coordinator Jason Simmons, says they are looking for consistency from the younger players in the National Football League, where offenses are moving the ball at a rate that has never been seen before.
Simmons answered, “Just a level of consistency.” “That’s the one thing we’re all looking for that (Defensive Coordinator) Pat Graham preaches for all of us.”
The Raiders are still focusing on the right fundamentals after the bye week in an effort to keep getting better.
“We just talk about stance, leverage, and eyes in our room,” Simmons stated. “We know when we do that, the amount of talent in that room, we’ll find the football, and we’ll play better.”
According to Simmons, the Raiders’ most notable area of improvement to date has been the output that less well-known players have provided.
“I’ll tell you what, it’s really the group as a whole,” Simmons stated. “When you walk in and see the guys there, they may not be household names in this league, but they are talented individuals who have handled a variety of roles.
“Guys have been rearranged; they are professionals. They’ve handled it professionally on a daily basis. Overall, I’m just incredibly pleased with the group.”
Particularly when it comes to turnovers, Las Vegas’ defense has improved in many areas. After the team with the fewest turnovers in the National Football League the previous season, Simmons highlights the attention the coaching staff has given to that area.
“I think any time in sports, you realize, as a coach, you get what you emphasize,” Simmons stated. Additionally, Rob Ryan, the defensive assistant, naturally brings up the subject frequently with the group.
The guys are looking forward to it. They are shoving one another. They see it as a challenge, one of those things. That’s the reason for the increase, then.
Before their week off, the Raiders’ talented defense faced two of the NFL’s top offenses back-to-back. The Raiders’ young secondary will be put to the test once more in their remaining games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.