Just as Raiders owner Mark Davis allows head coach Jon Gruden full control over football decisions, Gruden gives defensive coordinator Paul Guenther a strong voice in deciding which players populate the Raiders defense. That’s why so many of Guenther’s former players with the Cincinnati Bengals have made their way to the Raiders since Guenther arrived
When it comes to Raiders defensive free-agent signings, follow links to Paul Guenther
I’m still not sure what Gruden sees in Guenther, but if getting “his” players maybe makes the defense better then I suppose I’m all for trying them out. Until we can average more than 20pts per game on offense we are going to need a top notch defense to even be competitive most games, so I’m hoping we also go after some impact defenders and not just former Bengals castaways.
It doesn’t improve the picture much, but isn’t Nicholas Morrow still on the team as well?
Anyway, Vigil would be an upgrade over what we have (mind you, LT and Mike Singletary at their current ages would be upgrades right now!) but if we are to build a top half defense we have to look wider than Guenther’s men. Mayock is a strong talent evaluator and needs to look at the bigger picture – who else fits with the scheme we are applying? If Guenther is such a genius he should be able to coach the players that are signed for him, wherever they came from.
Draft some LBs. How freeking difficult is that to handle? This has been a weakness for more than a decade. Do we just not scout LBs?
Guenther has proven nothing. Bringing in his guys has not helped the D. It seems to me that last years pick in Ferrell was a Guenther pick too. Maxx was a Mayock pick by all accounts. Let Mayock do his job and fire Guenther if he continues to not do his.
Why get retreads from mediocre teams like Cincinnati? Obtain talent agnostic of where it comes from.
That’s an idea!
By the way, I never wish for someone to lose their job but Guenther has underachieved , regardless of talent level. I would have no qualms if he was released and Marinelli took over DC.