Remember Lincoln Kennedy’s recent take on Derek Carr? The “no more excuses” and “put up or shut up” critique can also apply to another Raider. Except this one isn’t a player, it’s a coach — defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Like the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback, Guenther enters year three with head coach Jon Gruden, and
Paul Ball: Guenther has the ingredients, is eager to get cooking
If anyone has an excuse for underperforming, it is Guenther since he did not have nearly the talent at his disposal as Gruden did on offense. Once Gruden traded Mack, Guenther had nothing really to work with defensively–although, that is changing.
I’d quibble with calling Abram a rookie who didn’t even play a full game in his career a “linchpin.” He’s got a lot to prove and while he talks the talk, he hasn’t shown that he can walk the walk (yet).