Rob Leonard to be Raiders DC

[BoKnows81]

[heavyD]

A couple of things. First it's pretty late in the hiring cycle and coordinators have been pretty picked over save for Schwartz which would require the Browns releasing him which was never guaranteed. Secondly all of the top coordinators in the NFL needed to start somewhere so he's getting his chance during a season where the organization is resetting and making the playoffs isn't likely realistic, so if he doesn't work out, it's not going to set the team back. It's too early to make predictions but I can't imagine that the team will be able to make enough changes on defense to expect a top 15 unit. If he can have the defense playing as well as Graham did, that's probably a win as I would expect the offense to be vastly improved which should help the defense.

[chucker]

A couple of things. First it's pretty late in the hiring cycle and coordinators have been pretty picked over save for Schwartz which would require the Browns releasing him which was never guaranteed. Secondly all of the top coordinators in the NFL needed to start somewhere so he's getting his chance during a season where the organization is resetting and making the playoffs isn't likely realistic, so if he doesn't work out, it's not going to set the team back.

Good assessment. It's a good time to see what we have in a fresh face at DC. I can't say what he'll be like as a schemer, but I like hearing him talk and seeing him work with players.

[BoKnows81]

Believed they had a future star in Leonard but yet kept an underwhelming Patrick Graham far too long. Weird.

[Be_Easy_25]

If Leonard is any good, how long before he can be poached?

[DanKD]

If Leonard is any good, how long before he can be poached?

For head coach? Hed have to be a defensive wiz as teams prefer offensive coaches. Im sure he is getting a new dc contract

[Marzan]

For head coach? Hed have to be a defensive wiz as teams prefer offensive coaches. Im sure he is getting a new dc contract

The moment we begin smelling playoffs (and decent defensive performances) he'd get interviews. Even as a DC.

[Trainnvain]

The moment we begin smelling playoffs (and decent defensive performances) he'd get interviews. Even as a DC.

Job #1 for a new coordinator is to teach and implement an effective scheme to the players.
Job 1A is to teach the assistants in preparation for his eventual promotion.

[BoJacksonRules]

Not sure why all the Graham hate, dude did a great job with the players he had, short fields to defend and an offense that couldn’t stay on the field. He must have been so bad that no respected franchise would hire him besides the Raiders.

[Opoponax50]

Yes, and either play them or show them the door creating a roster spot for a player that will actually contribute and be used.

This was a big problem on both sides of the ball although it was far worse on the offensive side/O-line. In either case, we don't really know what we have, so it's going to take at least a full season to make a comprehensive evaluation.

[Goodtimes333]

I wonder how he wants his front 7 to look. The Seahawks, Chargers, Ravens all run two nose tackles and a five tech. It's a 3-3-5 defense with a big safety who plays the rover role all over the defense. Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Emanwori. A safety who is like a "light linebacker" who has great athleticism. Jeremy Chinn can do that. The big bodies up front make it hard to run the rock while also having extra db's on the field to be able to cover pass and get creative with the blitz. It can look like a 3-4 or a traditional nickel 4 man front depending on down and distance. I really like that style of defense.

If he wants to run anything similar to that id like Lee Hunter or Kadyn Mcdonald at NT top of round two. Big boulders with juice to really move and affect the pass. Seattle has Murphy, Reed & Hankins all rotating in. The Chargers used Tart, Caldwell & Hand this year.

[tatalalicious]

At least RL is not a retread.

[Dr Death]

I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings. I'm rooting hard for him. I'm tired of all the old/er guys that seem to just bring the status quo. Give me new, innovative thinking. I love that this franchise is bringing in the youth.

[Viper]

I wonder how he wants his front 7 to look. The Seahawks, Chargers, Ravens all run two nose tackles and a five tech. It's a 3-3-5 defense with a big safety who plays the rover role all over the defense. Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Emanwori. A safety who is like a "light linebacker" who has great athleticism. Jeremy Chinn can do that. The big bodies up front make it hard to run the rock while also having extra db's on the field to be able to cover pass and get creative with the blitz. It can look like a 3-4 or a traditional nickel 4 man front depending on down and distance. I really like that style of defense.

If he wants to run anything similar to that id like Lee Hunter or Kadyn Mcdonald at NT top of round two. Big boulders with juice to really move and affect the pass. Seattle has Murphy, Reed & Hankins all rotating in. The Chargers used Tart, Caldwell & Hand this year.

Actually a really good assessment

[Goodtimes333]

Actually a really good assessment

It's a very affective scheme. It would allow Maxx (if he stays) to be a more stand up edge role and he can be moved around and rush from all over the place. Something I've wanted for a long time. The type of pass rusher he is, he would benefit from that in my opinion. I hope it's what he'll run but who knows

[GoodTimeCharlie]

I wonder how he wants his front 7 to look. The Seahawks, Chargers, Ravens all run two nose tackles and a five tech. It's a 3-3-5 defense with a big safety who plays the rover role all over the defense. Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, Emanwori. A safety who is like a "light linebacker" who has great athleticism. Jeremy Chinn can do that. The big bodies up front make it hard to run the rock while also having extra db's on the field to be able to cover pass and get creative with the blitz. It can look like a 3-4 or a traditional nickel 4 man front depending on down and distance. I really like that style of defense.

If he wants to run anything similar to that id like Lee Hunter or Kadyn Mcdonald at NT top of round two. Big boulders with juice to really move and affect the pass. Seattle has Murphy, Reed & Hankins all rotating in. The Chargers used Tart, Caldwell & Hand this year.

There are some incredibly immovable NTs in this coming draft. Not so much sack artists, but great run stoppers/gap cloggers/oline occupiers.

A few that may be available from the 4th on…

Domonique Orange Iowa State, 6′3″, 325 lb. 3rd–5th round. Classic gap‑pluggin’ nose tackle with strong run‑defense traits.

Lee Hunter Texas Tech, 6′4″, 320 lb. 3rd–5th round. Strong, durable interior defender with NFL‑ready size.

Darrell Jackson Jr. Florida State, 6′5″, 330 lb. 3rd–6th round. Big‑framed interior piece with power and run‑stopping ability.

Christen Miller Georgia, 6′4″, 310 lb. 2nd–4th round. Versatile interior defender who can play nose or 3‑tech with good strength.

Albert Regis Texas A&M, 6′2″, 310 lb. 4th–6th round. Stout interior body type with upside as a rotational run‑defender.