Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther had a rough first campaign in Oakland. The front office traded star defensive end Khalil Mack, and his group has had trouble stopping even subpar offenses.
But for 2019, Guenther has a familiar face to run the show on the field. Middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict will take over after spending six seasons with Guenther on the Bengals.
According to safety Karl Joseph — who was the highest-rated Raiders defender last year — Burfict is the man to lead the unit out of the doldrums.
“It’s like night and day,” Joseph told reporters from training camp Tuesday. “I think we needed somebody like him — coming in and being that middle of our defense and a leader, a captain. He’s played in this system a long time, with coach Paul, so he knows this defense. It’s good to have him in there.”
The Raiders were No. 30 in the NFL in run defense last year and tallied fewer quarterback sacks and pressures than any team. They’ve bolstered the defense with first-round picks defensive end Clelin Ferrell and safety Johnathan Abram.
Burfict can show them the way. Middle linebacker is a natural leadership position, and since he knows the defense so well, all of his teammates will look to follow. Hopefully, for Guenther and the Raiders, the defense will see the light all season long.
