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Brian Flores would turn Raiders into a defensive powerhouse

By Mario O. Tovar

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins takes the field during introductions prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins takes the field during introductions prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 05: Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley of the Las Vegas Raiders yells to players as they take on the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium on December 5, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Washington Football Team defeated the Raiders 17-15. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 05: Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley of the Las Vegas Raiders yells to players as they take on the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium on December 5, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Washington Football Team defeated the Raiders 17-15. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Brian Flores would turn Raiders into a defensive powerhouse

The team improved under Gus Bradley but is he long-term answer?

Owner Mark Davis wants to win, but more importantly, he needs to win right now. When Jon Gruden brought in Gus Bradley, improvements were seen as a foregone conclusion. In the worst-case scenario, the Raiders would at least have an average defense, finally.

However, on too many occasions, we’ve seen limitations with Bradley. Dubious play calling was evident against the Los Angeles Chargers and against the Bengals on Saturday. Running a “prevent defense” in key situations alone should be grounds for termination. Such a lack of creativity should be raising red flags.

Does Davis want to settle for mediocrity, or does he want a unit capable of carrying his Raiders back to the playoffs?

Turning around the Dolphins

Flores is known for his “my way or the highway” philosophy, and while some may be concerned with that, his track record shows it works. Back in 2019, Flores coached the 26th-ranked defense in terms of passing yards surrendered. They were dead last in touchdowns given up via the air, with a total of 39 that year. On the ground, the Dolphins were 27th in rushing yards given up, a total of 2,166 that season.

That year, Flores had a defense that only featured one Pro Bowler, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Over the course of the next three seasons, the Dolphins’ defense was reshaped, and the results were obvious. In defending the pass, Miami improved to 16th in regard to passing yardage, and they gave up just 23 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks, which was sixth in the NFL. The rushing defense also improved under Flores. The unit was 14th this year in yards given up, with their total dropping to 1,867.

The Dolphins were surrendering upwards of 35 points a game in 2019, but by 2020, they were giving up just 21. Considering he was coaching a team that had normally been a bottom feeder in the AFC East, such a defensive turnaround is noteworthy.

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