During an interview with Michael Spencer on CBS Denver, long-time Bronco Brandon Marshall was asked about the station’s hometown team. Marshall also offered a little insight into his other former team.
“I put the Chiefs on top and I put the Raiders second,” Marshall replied when asked where he ranks the Broncos in the AFC West.
Marshall’s answer shocked the Denver news anchor, but his answer echos the Pro Football Focus projections, which also have the Raiders finishing second and the Broncos finishing last.
Perhaps more revealing, however, was Marshall’s rationale for an improved Raiders team: the defense. More specifically, the firing of their former defensive coordinator.
“I think their biggest Achilles’ heel was Paul Guenther as their defensive coordinator,” Marshall said. “I played under Paul Guenther for training camp and a game and I just knew this is not it.”
Paul Guenther’s record speaks for itself. Under his watch, the Raiders ranked 32nd in points allowed in 2018, 24th in 2019 and 30th in 2020. Even worse, in his three years as defensive coordinator, the Raiders broke the franchise record for points allowed twice.
But, according to Marshall, this is not simply an addition by subtraction. Instead, he is a believer in Guenther’s replacement.
“To me their biggest addition was Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator,” Marshall said. “They have a premier defensive coordinator in Gus Bradley and that elevates the team.”
Whether Bradley is a premier defensive coordinator is debatable. PFF does not rank him as top defensive play-caller and his Charger defenses were average, ranking 6th in points allowed in 2018, 21st in 2019 and 18th in 2020.
Still, an average defense would be a huge improvement for the Raiders.
And average is within reach. Defensive rankings change from year to year moreso than offensive rankings, with bad defenses often regressing positively. For example, “65 percent of bottom-five defenses don’t repeat that performance the next season,” according to Tej Seth.
Defensive trends and Gus Bradley’s track record indicate the Raiders should improve on that side of the ball. Therefore, Brandon Marshall’s analysis is likely accurate and his prediction a good one.
Nevertheless, he is probably most accurate in is his opinion of Paul Guenther. Guenther may be the worst coordinator the Raiders have ever employed – which is quite a feat when you consider they once hired an offensive coordinator from an Idaho bed-and-breakfast ranch.
twitter: @TravisGilkeson
what concerns me the most with Bradley is all the games last year with SD where they lost when they had huge leads in the 4th qtr…….prevent defense clearly doesn’t work!
The assessment of Guenther is exactly right. Why Gruden didn’t can him after 2019, when Marinelli was on board is a mystery. The players deserve better leadership, the owner got shafted, and us fans suffered through another disappointing season.
Let’s be honest, the day he was signed EVERYONE KNEW THIS BUT GRUDEN. Sadly, he makes excuses…We need to get rid of Cable, and do better with our draft picks. We won’t win anything until Carr is gone. These are facts, and we have known all this for years. Why didn’t Gruden?
Get rid off cable??? Are you on Crack. As for our draft picks it’s all about coaching. We have a better coaching staff on defense. As for Carr now I know your smoking Crack. Our defense is what has been holding us back from making the playoffs. Sound like a band wagon fan
Do you even watch any football? Carr is not the problem or, Cable. Go back to watching badminton!
I agree with Capone, Burton must be on crack for making such stupid statements.