Assistant Head Coach - Defense John Pagano & Offensive Coordinator Todd Downing
Just a few more days until the Oakland Raiders travel to Southern California to take on the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., but before the team departs, Offensive Coordinator Todd Downing and Assistant Head Coach – Defense John Pagano met with the media to discuss the game.
Here are the quick hits from their media sessions:
Offensive Coordinator Todd Downing
Downing talked about how little details have turned into problems offensively.
"You know I think we can circle them, but it's just a matter of being able to eliminate those things and not have something pop up in another area. They're both exactly right, there have been little things that have turned into big things as time has gone on. We just need to keep striving for consistency and each man looking in the mirror, looking for a way to get better."
He expressed his belief that the offense has been close to reaching its potential all year.
"Honestly, say close. I remember speaking to you guys a few weeks back saying we're right there. I believe that. I believe we have the right kind of guys around here. I believe we have the right group of coaches. I believe we have the right personnel. We just need to quarter turn a couple things and get this thing back on track."
Downing praised rookie tackle David Sharpe for his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I was impressed with David. That's a hard assignment. Monday Night Football against that front as your first start. I thought he did some really good things. I was pleased with his effort. I was pleased with the fact that it wasn't too big for him. Even just seeing his demeanor on the sideline and the expression on his face. I thought he did a lot of nice things. Impressed with what he did."
Assistant Head Coach – Defense John Pagano
Pagano shared how the defense can continue to improve.
"I think when we started this deal out, five weeks ago, we talked about identity, belief and ownership. That's what you want a defense to be, you want to create an identity. Keep building off of it each game, each opportunity you have. Every chance you get, you go rush the passer, you tackle the guy with the football and you try to create turnovers. That's what you want to be defensively."
He discussed what it's like preparing for veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
"You have to keep preparing our team to line up and go play with certain formations, the certain routes that they do. The run game, they run it at a high level. Wiz [Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt] does a hell of a job of their run to pass ratio. Their playactions look like their runs. It's going to be a big challenge. Like I said, Philip plays at a high level. He sees everything and knows everything. We have to make sure we're on top of our game. Especially this week."
