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Matchups to Watch: Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans

By Seth Murphy

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. during the third quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. during the third quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Ken Norton Jr. vs. Terry Robiskie

You may have noticed a theme throughout this piece, as every matchup has included a disappointing aspect of the defense. Those problems start with Ken Norton Jr.

Whether the issues are more schematic or fundamental (there are both), it falls on the players and Norton. He needs to develop the young talent on defense and put them in a position to be successful. There is enough talent on the defense to be a top ten squad, but right now the team currently ranks dead last in the league.

Terry Robiskie is the offensive coordinator for the Titans, who began his coaching career in Oakland as RB coach in 1982. The Titans offense as a whole has been relatively average, currently ranked 21st in total offense and passing offense and 13th in rushing offense. Luckily for KNJ, the Titans offense doesn’t feature a playmaker as dynamic as Drew Brees or Julio Jones.

KNJ needs to improve, plain and simple. There are no excuses at this point. He will need to get this talented defense more productive or he will be fired.

There is already talk of Jack Del Rio taking over some (all?) responsibilities on defense. This is the chance that KNJ needs to get back on track. The offense he is facing isn’t bad and it is led by an experience coach in Robiskie, but at this point in the season he needs to figure it out.

Norton has pieces to the puzzle but right now it seems like he has no idea how to put it together.

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