Oakland Raiders Should Consider Tony Sparano For Future

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) holds up the ball after catching a pass in front of Oakland Raiders cornerback Tarell Brown (23) for a first down in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Pass Defense

From the preseason to the fourth game of the regular season, opposing receivers clowned Raiders corners trying to cover them. They had plenty of material to do so too as opposing quarterbacks completed 72 percent of their passes and had a quarterback rating of 104 with 7.5 yards per attempt. The completion percentage since Sparano took over is 62 percent with the quarterback rating being 99 on 7.2 per attempt.

The improvement is much more than the stats indicate because the Raiders have faced Philip Rivers twice,Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson in that stretch. When Allen was the coach, they faced Tom Brady when their offense wasn’t clicking then made Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith of all people look like Brady. Getting 2013 1st-round pick D,J. Hayden did help but the pass rush and the coverage from everyone is better these days.

I’ll call this one fixed and still getting better because rookie corner T.J. Carrie will be back soon.