NFL Oakland Raiders

Head Coach Jack Del Rio Will Improve Oakland Raiders

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By @MichaelTerrill

Jack Del Rio

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The Oakland Raiders are on the verge of hiring Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio in a move that is sure to improve the team going forward.

Even though Oakland’s issues are clearly on offense, a team that won just three games in 2014 needs help all over the roster. The good news is Del Rio will have an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball, where the Raiders ranked 16th in the league in opponent passing yards (238.1 per game) and 22nd in opponent rushing yards (119.4 per game).

Del Rio helped improve Denver’s defense the past three years, which was a huge reason why they were able to continuously win the AFC West and clinch a berth in the Super Bowl last season. In fact, the Broncos had one of the best run defenses in football in 2014 as they only allowed an incredible 79.8 yards per game to opposing teams. Denver’s pass defense was also stellar. The Broncos allowed just 225.4 yards through the air to opposing teams.

Denver ranked third in total defense and led the NFL in making opponents go three-and-out, which proves how good the defense was all around.

The hope is that Del Rio can bring his defensive expertise and head coaching experience (he coached the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-2011) to Oakland so that the once proud franchise can experience glory. Of course, it will not be completely up to Del Rio if that happens. It is his job to put together a coaching staff that can get the players to work together and be successful, but it will be management’s job to give him the necessary players to get the job done.

It will be interesting to see if Del Rio has what it takes to make the Raiders competitive in the AFC West in 2015.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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