The Marshall Plan: The New Defensive Coaching Staff's Effect on the Raiders

For the last six years, Rob Ryan had no idea what he was doing year in and year out. Prior to Lane Kiffin being fired, both he and Ryan seemed at odds. Once Cable became the interim head coach, that unfair relationship to the rest of the team was finally gone.

Now Ryan is gone and in comes John Marshall, a man who obviously hasn’t set the world on fire with his awesome D, but has shown throughout the years that he can put a plan together. He should have no problem doing things to right the basic fundamentals this defense lacks and has lacked since Ryan took over.

Dwaine Board has had very good DL units under his watch and should be better at lighting a fire under the current starters. Lionel Washington was let go by a new D head coach as well, but had success with Charles Woodson and other CBs for Green Bay over the past few years.

Cable has talked about how the new staff is better at educating. Marshall, Board, and Washington should do much better in teaching the pure fundamentals.

Ryan, Keith Millard, and Darren Perry were not good teachers. It’s very ridiculous to have seen so many missed assignments by a defense. It’s inexplicable how over a series of plays the team can make every play, but then for a few downs just give up big gain after big gain.

If Turdell Sands is kept for another season and doesn’t perform like he did in 2006, he needs to be cut immediately. A starter to rotate in is needed from the draft here, even if Sands becomes a solid DT and they can’t land DT B.J. Raji or Ron Brace.

Obviously, the Raiders defense still needs to some depth and a few starters, but I believe it’s going to turn the corner this year based on pure fundamentals, something Marshall and this new defensive coaching staff will hammer into the players.