Del Rio: ‘Change was needed’
Coach said firing of defensive coordinator Norton was done to ‘shake things up’
ALAMEDA >> Jack Del Rio says it was strictly his call to fire defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.
On Wednesday, Del Rio addressed Bay Area media for the first time since the move, which came 10 games into Norton’s third season in the job. Instead of offering a fluffy opening statement as he normally does during weekday press conferences, Del Rio dived right into why he fired Norton.
“I’ll just hit the obvious question
on Kenny since I haven’t seen you guys,” Del Rio said. “I just felt that a change was needed. It wasn’t easy to do. In fact, it was very difficult to do. I really felt like I needed to shake things up. We couldn’t continue doing what we’ve been doing to this point. I made the call.”
Del Rio harped on the need to play “fast,” and how the Raiders haven’t done that on defense. He
“I just felt that a change was needed. It wasn’t easy to do. In fact, it was very difficult to do. I really felt like I needed to shake things up. We couldn’t continue doing what we’ve been doing to this point. I made the call.” – Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio
said the move required all feelings to be put aside — Norton and Del Rio played on the same linebacking corps from 1989-91 with the Cowboys and have now coached together for over two and a half seasons. Through 10 games in 2017, Oakland has a leaguelow zero interceptions and is tied for last in the NFL with 14 sacks. The Raiders rank 26th in the league in yards allowed per game (367) and tied for 21st in points surrendered per contest (24.7).
So how exactly do the Raiders play faster immediately, given time is running out for them to make a last-ditch attempt at the playoffs?
“For me, it’s about the process. I’ve given you a shortened version in the past: recover, prepare, compete. That’s the short version, how you sum it up,” Del Rio said. “When you dig in to what that means, what does that mean when you’re recovering? The detail of what you’re doing. What does that mean in your preparation? How are we bringing to life the things we’re doing?
“The detail in the meetings, the detail on the practice field, the accountability, the principles that we believe in. Those are the things you have to fight for.
When you do those things and you build your confidence, you play fast.”
In the corresponding move, Del Rio promoted assistant head coach John Pagano to defensive coordinator. Pagano, who joined the Raiders in January, spent the last five seasons as defensive coordinator for the Chargers. He oversaw a defense last season that tied for the NFL lead with 18 interceptions. Del Rio said he views Pagano as the defensive coordinator not just until the end of this year, but into 2018 as well.
The head coach was asked Wednesday how much defensive blame rests on the players, even though Norton was the first casualty resulting from the whole unit’s struggles.
“It’s always shared,” Del Rio said. “A change was made, obviously. We all share it, all of us, starting with me. It’s coaches and
players, it’s a team game. We’re all in it together. Nobody is coming to help us.”
Starting linebacker Bruce Irvin was none too happy with the move. Right after it was announced, he tweeted “BULL **** .” Norton was Irvin’s linebackers coach with the Seahawks from 2012-14. During Wednesday’s open portion of practice, Irvin had a lengthy talk with Del Rio before leaving the field.
“I don’t try and ‘handle’ them,” Del Rio said before practice when asked how he handles reactions like Irvin’s tweet. “I think the biggest thing is to understand the relationship, respect that, give him a little space and then at the end of the day, we’re going to get on with our work. But, I’m human. It wasn’t easy for me either.”
Up next for the Raiders are the Broncos, who will be quarterbacked by Paxton Lynch on Sunday.
Lynch is the team’s third quarterback this season, after Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler. Denver has lost six games in a row since beating the Raiders at home in Week 4.
Del Rio stressed his desire to look forward to Sunday and the final six games rather than reflect on the past 10. He acknowledged the coaching change won’t re-invent the defensive playbook, but the Raiders need some sort of spark there before it’s too late.
“Listen, I know one thing: Nobody should feel comfortable because what I’ve been watching is not good enough,” Del Rio said. “Nobody should feel comfortable.”
• Star defensive end Khalil Mack and Irvin didn’t practice Wednesday, but the team participation report noted neither had an injury.
Both stretched with the team before walking off the field during the portion open to media. A Raiders spokesman said both were absent because they were given a “rest” day.
Also absent from Wednesday’s practice were cornerback David Amerson (foot), right guard Gabe Jackson (ankle) and wide receiver Johnny Holton (concussion).
• Right tackle Marshall Newhouse (hip/quad) was limited in practice after missing Sunday’s game and linebacker Cory James (knee) was limited.