Switch to Pagano likely for long term
New coordinator’s experience could mean full-time gig
ALAMEDA, Calif. — In January, John Pagano was assigned a focus.
He would oversee the Raiders’ secondary, specifically how it communicated. Coverage breakdowns were a too-often occurrence in 2016; the unit allowed an Nfl-high 48 completions of 25-plus yards. This year, for all the defense’s struggles, there have been 21 such passes, putting the group on pace to finish with 34, a 29.2 percent reduction.
Now, Pagano has a new focus. Following Ken Norton Jr.’s dismissal Tuesday as defensive coordinator, Pagano will handle play-calling duties for the remainder of the season and likely beyond. He has five years of NFL experience in the role, having served in San Diego as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2016.
The move is no magical fix for 2017.
No play that Pagano will call Sunday against the Denver Broncos can make a defensive tackle’s spin move more effective, make a linebacker or cornerback quicker in coverage, or improve a safety’s hands on an interception chance. Certain personnel shortcomings are real on this roster
and cannot be addressed adequately until the offseason.
That said, the switch to Pagano is significant.
His new role is unlikely to be short term, given the breadth of his background. Furthermore, he represents an opportunity for the Raiders, who run a 4-3 defense, to consider conceptual changes. How those will manifest is unclear. Certainly, stark changes figure not to be introduced during the middle of a year.
But Pagano ran a multiple 3-4 base scheme in San Diego. It was about simplicity, disguise and reaction. Certain components of his philosophy could surface over time now that he will have his hands on the entire defense, not just the secondary.
“My experience with Coach Pagano, it all has been good,” safety Reggie Nelson said on Tuesday.
“We shouldn’t skip a beat because he’s been in our room all year. The secondary knows what type of coach he is. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a nice transition. We still can be out there playing fast and getting the job done.”
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.
Las Vegas Review-journal NFL reporter Gilbert Manzano’s weekly rankings, with last week’s ranking in parentheses.
1. Eagles 9-1 (1). The Eagles dismantled the Cowboys and now host the Bears. Philadelphia will be flying high heading into December.
2. Patriots 8-2 (2). Suddenly the AFC feels like a one-team race. It’s ridiculous what Tom Brady is doing at age 40.
3. Steelers 8-2 (4). It took awhile, but the Steelers finally scored more than 30 points in a game. They might be the only team in the AFC capable of beating the Patriots.
4. Vikings 8-2 (5). Minnesota’s dominant defense held the Rams’ explosive offense to seven points. The Vikings have signature wins over the Rams and Saints.
5. Saints 8-2 (6). The Saints went back to relying on the arm of Drew Brees. The future Hall of Famer went 11 of 11 down the stretch to lift New Orleans over Washington in overtime in Week 11.
6. Rams 7-3 (3). The young Rams got a wake-up call in Minnesota. They now get the Saints at home during their brutal stretch of games.
7. Jaguars 7-3 (11). Jacksonville’s defense has smothered opposing offenses, but can the Jags win a playoff game with Blake Bortles under center?
8. Chiefs 6-4 (7). The Chiefs are in a free fall and just lost to the Giants. Kansas City’s 5-0 start seems like ages ago.
9. Falcons 6-4 (12). Atlanta escaped Seattle with a victory to keep alive its playoff hopes.
10. Panthers 7-3 (10).
11. Seahawks 6-4 (8). Seattle will be without Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman the rest of the season. Russell Wilson will need to play at an MVP level to give the Seahawks a shot at the postseason.
12. Lions 6-4 (14). Detroit has won three straight and now gets the Vikings on Thanksgiving in an NFC North showdown.
13. Titans 6-4 (9). The Titans were embarrassed by the Steelers. They might be a one-and-done team in the playoffs.
14. Ravens 5-5 (20). Somehow the Ravens are the sixth seed in the AFC after shutting out the Packers.
15. Cowboys 5-5 (13). Dak Prescott played the worst game of his career against the Eagles. The Cowboys might be done.
16. Redskins 4-6 (16). The Redskins play teams tough but can’t find ways to hold on. Washington allowed New Orleans to rally.
17. Bills 5-5 (15).
18. Chargers 4-6 (24). The Chargers dropped a 50-burger on the Bills and sit one game behind for the sixth seed.
19. Raiders 4-6 (18). Oakland was embarrassed on both sides of the ball against the Patriots in Mexico. The Raiders responded by firing defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.
20. Cardinals 4-6 (17).
21. Packers 5-5 (19). Brett Hundley isn’t an NFL starting quarterback.
22. Texans 4-6 (22). Tom Savage finally had a pulse versus Arizona.
23. Bengals 4-6 (26). Cincinnati handed Denver its sixth straight loss.
24. Jets 4-6 (25). New York returns from a bye to face Carolina.
25. Dolphins 4-6 (23). Jay Cutler might be regretting ending his retirement.
26. Broncos 3-7 (21). Denver has no quarterback and just fired its offensive coordinator.
27. Buccaneers 4-6 (28). Make that two straight wins for Fitzmagic.
28. Bears 3-7 (27). The Bears lost a close one to the Lions in Week 11.
29. Colts 3-7 (29). The Colts come back from a bye week to host the Titans.
30. Giants 2-8 (31). Giants fans finally had something to smile about after New York defeated the Chiefs in overtime.
31. 49ers 1-9 (30). The 49ers return from a bye week to host the Seahawks
32. Browns 0-10 (32). Six more losses to complete the 0-16 season.
Gilbert Manzano covers the
NFL for the Review-journal. He can be reached at gmanzano@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gmanzano24 on Twitter.