With less time left forward than behind this season, the Raiders are approaching the end of their regular-season schedule. With three games left, they must pull together and play exception football — especially on defense.
With that in mind, the Raiders have decided to go into a different direction with Rod Marinelli as the interim defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season. Marinelli takes on the task of preparing a defense on a short week ahead of the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
"We’re going to get it done. I don’t care who’s up, who’s not." Rod Marinelli
It's no secret the Raiders are battling injuries to several starters who have not been able to practice this week. While many might be petrified in a situation such as this, Marinelli has seen it all in his 40-plus years coaching, and he's adamant on doing the best with what he's got at his disposal.
"We feel we got a good handle on who's up, and I think at that point you show belief in men," said Marinelli in his first press conference as interim defensive coordinator. "And we're going to get it done. I don't care who's up, who's not. But the non-talented things, the things that take no talent: effort, hustle, knowing exactly what to do, being discipline, staying onsides. That takes no talent. That just takes guys that want to. I'm going to build off of want-to this week."
"It's a short week, but that's what I enjoy and rally men around, to really go play hard and fast in any circumstances."
Despite what results come moving forward, Marinelli's main objective is to make sure that his young defensive core can progress and play fundamentally sound football to end the season.
"I'd start with game one right now. I want to see discipline, knowing exactly what we're doing. Know exactly. It takes no talent; I keep saying that. And I want to see great energy and great tackling, and gang tackling. Guys are hustling to the ball, and I think when you see that, they enjoy it. And I just want to see that part of it — that we really enjoy this game. And you can't enjoy it just one or two guys, it's got to be a team defense. And defense is about team — quick, fast and physical.
"Quick, fast and physical. That's what I keep preaching and we'll see."
Marinelli and the Silver and Black will need to play inspiring football on Thursday, as their playoff hopes may very well rely on them winning out the rest of the season.
View assistant photographer Matt Aguirre's best photos from Allegiant Stadium's catwalk during the Las Vegas Raiders matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15), wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) and wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive backs huddle in the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) warming up before the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) and cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play in the huddle during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28), guard Gabe Jackson (66), center Rodney Hudson (61) and tackle Denzelle Good (71) block as quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) heads to the end zone on a 47-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates with wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11), running back Josh Jacobs (28) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) after making a 47-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates with wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) after making a 47-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a 21-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) celebrates with teammates after making a 21-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) stiff arms the defender during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83), tackle Trent Brown (77), guard Gabe Jackson (66), center Rodney Hudson (61), tackle Denzelle Good (71) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) block as quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77), center Rodney Hudson (61) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) block as running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) breaks up a pass during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and defensive end Vic Beasley (51) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) passes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) make a tackle during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play in the huddle during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) blocks as running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) rushes during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a PAT during the regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts.
