Las Vegas Raiders: Defensive X-factor we can’t ignore in 2020
By Brad Weiss
Addition of Rod Marinelli
One of the big reasons for the Raiders improving along the defensive line last season, outside of the injection of talent in Crosby, Ferrell, and Hankins, was the addition of Brentson Buckner as the defensive line coach. Buckner came in and took a unit that racked up only 13 sacks the year before, and brought the kind of intensity, and leadership that this young group needed.
Unfortunately for Buckner, he was let go after the 2019 season, as Jon Gruden brought in an old buddy in Rod Marinelli to head the defensive line in 2020. Marinelli is the premier defensive line coach in the NFL, and if Paul Guenther does not get his stuff together this season, he could be in line to succeed him as defensive coordinator.
Marinelli’s tutelage is going to go a long way with this young group, especially Ferrell, who has so much potential. At Clemson, Ferrell was one of the best edge rushers in the country, and you can be sure that now that he is playing in the right spot, Marinelli is going to get the best out of him.