Josh McDaniels continues to hone in on Raiders creating turnovers, and it's working
Back in the day, when the Las Vegas Raiders, or Oakland Raiders, I should say, were actually known for their hard-hitting defense, it made their opponents fear them. They haven't had a good defense in a while, let alone one that people feared or hated playing against.The Raiders also haven't had a defense that was […]
Back in the day, when the Las Vegas Raiders, or Oakland Raiders, I should say, were actually known for their hard-hitting defense, it made their opponents fear them. They haven't had a good defense in a while, let alone one that people feared or hated playing against.
The Raiders also haven't had a defense that was good at getting takeaways in a while. In the last few years, they have finished close to last in that category, which is a big reason the defense was bad in the first place.
If you get more turnovers, you take away opportunities for the opposition to score, but you also give the offense that opportunity to score. That is why it's been such an important point of emphasis that head coach Josh McDaniels continues to preach on.
Raiders created havoc on defense
The Raiders had two turnovers on Sunday by way of both an interception and a fumble. It's safe to say the defense was flying around everywhere. The crazy part is they could have done better.
"I thought we actually had more opportunities — we got our hands on more footballs than what we ended up coming up with, which again until you start getting close, it's hard to create them," McDaniels said in his post-game press conference. "So, I thought the defense was really connected tonight, for the most part, and tried to make the windows as tight as it could.
"And we were punching and stripping at the ball a little bit, so that's the way we want to play, and that's how we want to force the offense to drive the ball and do it that way. You didn't give up a bunch of big plays, which always gives you more opportunities. So, good complementary football; any time you can turn it over and then turn those turnovers into points and be on a short field, that's helpful."
Linebacker Curtis Bolton forced a fumble that safety Azizi Hearn ended up recovering, and cornerback Sam Webb got the interception that he returned all the way back to his own two-yard-line. Both turnovers set up scores on the following drives.
That is what McDaniels wants to see, and that is the purpose of creating a turnover. The Raiders lost so many one-score games last season; imagine if they had just another opportunity to score the ball and took away an opportunity. We could be talking about a completely different record.
The defense already looks better in that aspect, and yes, it's just the preseason, but it feels like that area will be better carrying over into the regular season too.
Raiders CB Marcus Peters is excited for his dad to finally wear his jersey
You don’t hear that everyday.
Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
