Oakland Raiders: Ken Norton Jr. Will Be On A Very Short Leash This Year

The Oakland Raiders raised a few eyebrows by hiring another defensive coordinator – it’s a move that effectively shortens the leash of their current DC.

In what is probably the most obvious statement of the century, defense was a big problem for the Oakland Raiders last season. With an offense among the best in the league, Oakland’s defense simply couldn’t keep pace – which led to more than a few calls for the head of current DC Ken Norton Jr.

When the Raiders were bounced from the playoffs by virtue of a terrible showing in Houston, many thought – or perhaps just hoped – that Norton would be packing his things and seeking employment elsewhere.

Oh, there were a few changes to the coaching staff – OC Bill Musgrave was allowed to walk after his contract expired. He was subsequently replaced in the role by Todd Downing. And after posting the league’s twenty-fourth ranked defense in a year that saw them give up a lot of deep balls and points, defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson was also shown the door.

But much to the chagrin, dismay, and outright horror of many, Norton was retained by HC Jack Del Rio.

It was evident that Del Rio wasn’t thrilled with Norton’s defense last season – we all kind of got the hint when he briefly stripped his DC of play calling duties. And Del Rio’s remarks at the end of the season certainly didn’t lend a lot of support to Norton. Which is why many believed Norton would be Oakland’s former defensive coordinator sooner rather than later.

But the facts are the facts and the numbers don’t lie – well, most of the time they don’t. No, Oakland’s defense wasn’t great in 2016. Far from it, in fact. But the problem isn’t that the defense regressed, it’s that it simply didn’t improve over the 2015 version.

Statistically speaking, the 2016 defense wasn’t much – if any – worse than the previous year’s version. What made it stand out though – and made it seem like they regressed – was that the 2015 version was so much better than the 2014 incarnation, that the lack of improvement in 2016 was highlighted even more.

Del Rio though, not satisfied with the lack of improvement, took a major step to tighten things up on that side of the ball. In a move that suprised many, the Raiders brought former Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano on board as the “Assistant Head Coach – Defense.”

Pagano comes in with some solid credentials – his San Diego defenses have given the Raiders fits for years. In his time as San Diego’s DC, his units ranked inside the top ten twice in total defense. And although they were ravaged by injuries, Pagano’s defense ranked sixteenth overall – tenth against the run.

He comes into a situation where he has plenty of playmakers – Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin, David Amerson, Karl Joseph, Sean Smith, and Reggie Nelson among them – yet is a unit that lacks any sort of cohesion.

They’ve looked good in spurts, but have yet to unlock their real potential. And Del Rio thinks Pagano very well may be able to help with that.

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While his actual duties as the “Assistant Head Coach – Defense” have not yet been clearly defined – at least, to we, the people – it seems clear that he is going to have a very big influence moving forward. While Norton still remains the titular defensive coordinator, it seems pretty apparent that he’s not going to have carte blanche with this unit anymore – and that the leash he’s on has just shortened up considerably.

And that’s not a bad thing. Lacking the experience Pagano has, Norton hasn’t been able to get consistent production out of this defense. This is a defense that has the players and the capability of being an elite squad, but it is also a unit that was shredded time and time again over the course of the season.

Yes, the defense did get better after an opening stretch to the year that saw them get lit up worse than California during fire season. Contrary to popular belief, this unit did some good things – like being among the league leaders in turnover differential. But that improvement was incremental and still lagged behind much of the league in many areas.

Though he’ll have plenty of different duties to address, Pagano’s real role may actually be much different – a failsafe option should the defense implode the way it did early on last season.

Rest assured that if Oakland’s defense surrenders more than 1,000 yards and 69 points in the first two games of the season again – or anything close to that – Norton will very likely be shown the door and Pagano will slide into the DC’s chair.

Bringing him in this early gives Pagano time to be woven into the fabric of the Raiders’ defense. He has time to build rapport and trust with the players – which will be invaluable should the time come when he’s calling the plays, rather than Norton.

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Pagano is bringing a lot to the table in terms of experience. Having run successful defenses, he will play an important role in helping shape the schemes and focus of this unit. As a mentor and solid defensive mind, he’ll be invaluable to the players – as well as Norton.

But his most important role moving forward, may be providing Del Rio with a reliable option in the DC’s chair should things start off on the wrong foot. It would give him somebody to turn to – you know, just in case.