Pagano’s D is increasing the pressure
It has been a month since the Raiders handed their defense to assistant head coach John Pagano, and one effect is evident to this week’s opposing head coach, Doug Pederson of the Eagles.
“I think you’re seeing a little more pressure out of this group,” Pederson said on a conference call Wednesday.
“I don’t want to say it’s a complete overhaul. But structurally, probably I’d say it’s the pressure, a little more single-high (safety), Cover 1, playing a little more man (coverage). And really, that’s about it. Other than that, it’s been kind of what they’ve done for most of the season.”
A puzzling aspect of the Raiders’ defense last year was how a unit featuring edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin finished last in the NFL in sacks (25). Following the season, head coach Jack Del Rio said the Raiders needed to improve their interior pass rush, partly so that opposing offenses couldn’t focus on Mack and Irvin.
There was little improvement through the first 10 games this season, as the Raiders had 14 sacks, tied for fewest in the league, at the time of defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.’s firing. Since then, though, Oakland has 14 sacks in four games, with Mack and Irvin combining for 10.
Pederson said Pagano has been able to create more of an interior presence through a combination of different blitzes and alignments with the defensive front, benefiting the edge rushers.
“They’re bringing some of the inside backers a little bit more, which can create some one-on-ones with the (offensive) tackles,” Pederson said. “It eats up the guards on the inside pressure, then you go one-on-one with your top pass rusher out there in Khalil Mack — who’s a tremendous player; obviously, got a lot of respect for him.
“Schematically, you’re also seeing what we call a ‘jam’ front, which is you cover up the guards and the center and you’ve still got one-on-one on the outside. So all five linemen are covered up and it just creates some one-onone issues for your tackles.”
On Mack’s first sack in Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Cowboys, he lined up wide to the left side of the offensive line, outside of Dallas tight end Geoff Swaim. With Swaim running a route, Mack was left one-on-one against left tackle Tyron Smith, whom Mack beat with an inside move to take down quarterback Dak Prescott.
On Mack’s second sack, he lined up wide again, this time to the right. With the Raiders’ defense overloaded to the left side of the field, the Dallas offensive line rotated that way, leaving Mack isolated against tight end Jason Witten. Running back Alfred Morris stayed to block to Witten’s inside shoulder, but Mack darted around Witten and dragged down Prescott from behind.
Creating pressure isn’t the only area in which the defense has improved. The Raiders have allowed an opponent passer rating of 75.9 in the past four games, compared with 113.3 in the first 10. They have held teams to a 33.3 percent conversion rate on third down, compared with 46 percent before the coaching change.
Del Rio said at the time that Pagano could continue to run the defense next season — a situation that looks even likelier now.
“I think he’s done a good job of providing clarity on assignments,” Del Rio said Monday. “I think he’s a good teacher. I think he does a good job.”
Roster moves: Oakland signed center James Stone to its active roster from the practice squad, a move that indicates Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson still might be recovering after playing through a kidney stone Sunday. To clear a roster spot, the Raiders waived linebacker Xavier Woodson-Luster.