Head Coach Jack Del Rio
It's been a productive offseason for the Oakland Raiders, and Wednesday afternoon Head Coach Jack Del Rio called into 95.7 The Game to chat with J.T. the Brick about what the coaching staff has been up to recently. He talked about the additions to the coaching staff, and expressed his confidence in the group going forward.
Here are the quick hits from his time on the air.
**Del Rio briefly discussed what the team has been up to this offseason in preparation for next season.
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"We're just grinding along going over last year, what was, what was good, what we need to do better, and just kind of going through the grind."
In light of this year's Super Bowl matchup, he reflected on facing the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.
"I don't think the difficulty was in the game plan, I think it was just a matter of being able to handle Julio [Jones]. We had a plan to double him, and a couple of the big plays he got out of he was actually doubled, which obviously we've got to teach the next unit better. But the thought of taking the guy out is obviously something you've got to account for, he can wreck the game."
Del Rio talked about the departure of Bill Musgrave and the team's new offensive coordinator Todd Downing.
"I really appreciated the efforts that Bill gave us over the last two years, felt as though going forward for our staff and what's best for us, the development of Todd, and his work with the quarterbacks that it was in our best interests to elevate Todd and let him lead it. That's the decision we've made, we've got a good staff; we're basically hiring from within and tweak our system like we would."
**The Raiders head coach broke down the current coaching staff, and what each member contributes to the game plan.
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"When you look at it the way we're set up, we've got [offensive line coach] Mike Tice and Todd Downing offensively, along with myself, you've got three guys that kind of spearhead that part. Defensively you've got [Assistant Head Coach – Defense] [John] Pagano, [defensive coordinator] Kenny [Norton], and myself, I feel like I've got two really strong guys in each room when I'm always involved in all three phases."
He shared his thoughts on the addition of Assistant Head Coach – Defense John Pagano.
"When I broke in New Orleans under Mike Ditka back in 1997, John was on that staff, so it was great to see him, great to be able to get him here. He's really a great communicator, good people skills, he's done a great job down there in San Diego. He's been down there for I think 15 years, we're really happy to have him aboard and getting that Silver and Black on him."
