Assessing the Raiders' Decision on Rob Leonard

"A veteran NFL coach, this will be Leonard's first opportunity to serve as a defensive coordinator. Last year, with Leonard as the team's run game coordinator/defensive line coach, the Raiders finished second in the NFL in average yards per rush allowed (3.9) and third in tackles for loss (105).," DeArdo said.

"Perhaps more importantly, Leonard has built a strong rapport with the Raiders' best player, Maxx Crosby, who earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod last year while working alongside Leonard. Given the rumblings about Crosby's future, it makes sense for Kubiak to promote someone Crosby knows and trusts as the team's new defensive coordinator."

"All that said, I'm always leery when a first-time head coach hires a first-time coordinator on the side of the ball that isn't his expertise. Kubiak clearly believes Leonard is more than capable of getting the job done."

Although it is fair to have questions regarding Leonard, until the Raiders add to the defensive side of the roster and give Leonard time to work, it will be challenging to legitimately judge Las Vegas' decision to promote Leonard. None of the available candidates guarantees success.

Upon being named the Raiders' head coach, Kubiak explained what he was looking for in his defensive coordinator. Leonard has shown the ability to develop players on a positional basis; he will now be challenged with doing so on a larger scale.

“I think whoever that that coach is, it'll be really important that we establish a style of play, a physical style of play, and that's offense and defense. So, I'm just way more worried about how our guys play than opposed to the X's and O's of it all,” Kubiak said. 

“That's part of our job as coaches is to scheme guys and help them be put in the best positions, but I want to make sure that we have a DC that is coaching effort first and technique and the guy that's going to rip into somebody if they're not finishing at practice, because that's what helps you win in February. It's not the X's and O's, they've got 17 games of tape on you. It's about how hard your guys play."

Have every Raiders story straight to your email with the latest news.  Our newsletter is completely FREE. We will not spam you or sell your information.  SIGN UP HERE NOW.

• Raiders GM Spytek Reveals Bold Vision for Franchise’s Future
• Raiders GM John Spytek Talks Maxx Crosby, No. 1 Pick From Combine
• What Mendoza Can Bring to the Raiders Offense
• Raiders' Approach to the Combine, Draft Becomes Clearer