For the first time in more than a decade, the Raiders were one of the best defensive teams in the NFL, and a lot of that breakthrough took place after the decision was made to replace Josh McDaniels with Antonio Pierce.
The Raider defense was improved in the first half of the season, but the unit hit a new gear when Pierce took over.
In the nine-game stretch with Pierce as interim head coach, the Raiders gave up the fewest points in the league (16.0), scored four defensive touchdowns, and were tied for third in the league in sacks (30)…
Considering McDaniels was an offensive coach for the entirety of his NFL coaching career, it was a little surprising that the Raiders’ defense showed the more obvious improvement when he left.
How did that happen?
A report in December suggested that Graham was “freed up” to do what he wanted after McDaniels left, and Maxx Crosby seemed to hint at a similar dynamic last week.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, Crosby talked about the shift in energy and philosophy when Pierce was named the interim head coach…
“Being able to just be yourself… the anxiety and all of that was gone. Pat is a great coach and is very intelligent and knows the game in and out. AP tells him all the time, ‘Call that s—. If you believe in it, call that s—.’
We already know what to do, this is what the call is going to be, and we’re flying. And the coach has got to have that same mentality, to go out there and trust your guys. And that gives players confidence. I feel like AP brought that and there was a complete energy shift.”
It hasn’t been talked about in detail, but there is no question that McDaniels had a significant influence on the defensive prior to being fired. His fingerprint was even on the play calling.
As much as anything, the consensus seems to be that Pierce let Graham do what he wants with the defense – and the results have been undeniable.
twitter: @raidersbeat
