Improved Communication Has Improved Raiders Defense

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Ezekiel Trezevant IV | Last updated Jan 3, 2024 7:00 AM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have been led by their defense this season, an unexpected trait of the Silver and Black. More often than not, Las Vegas' defense was responsible for keeping them in games and also winning games.

Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham attributes the unit's growth to improved coach and player communication.

"I think it started with just communication from me to them, them to me, that improved," Graham said. "And then, from the communication, I think the vision became clearer for everybody.

"When we started the offseason, in terms of the vision, in terms of where we wanted the defense to go, starting with [Coach] Josh [McDaniels], myself, the staff, and then articulating that to the players and finding the best way to articulate that and get it conveyed to them. And then them having their input."

Graham has identified what it takes to get the most out of his defensive unit. Las Vegas' defense has taken a significant step in the right direction this season than many expected.

"And you can just see through communication, through a collaborative effort, you've been able to see the vision come to life. Again, it hasn't resulted in everything we wanted so far. But that's a big part of it."

Graham said communicating the coaching staff's expectations and the success that followed reinforced the defense's belief in what was being shared by him and the rest of Las Vegas' coaching staff.

"And once you have that communication and the clear understanding of what's expected, the beauty of what these guys do, they try to do it," Graham said.

"If you're talking about trying to win games and put them in the right spot, they're going to listen, they're going to try to do what you ask them to do, and they've done a good job of that."

Graham has done a masterful job of putting the players in the correct position this season. More importantly, he found a way to improve the players' execution on game day.

Both are essential traits a coordinator needs to be successful in the National Football League.

The Silver and Black finish the 2023 NFL Regular season next weekend at home by hosting their AFC West rival, the Denver Broncos.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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