Raiders' Defense Has Improved but They're Not Satisfied

Las Vegas Raiders' Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham was tasked with getting the most he could out of a defense with many new parts. Six weeks ago, many didn't realize the potential of Las Vegas' defense.

Graham is not letting two good games early in the season take his focus off improving the defense daily.

"It's the early part of the season," Graham said. "It's all about improving each day. Coach [Josh McDaniels] talks about it, I hear the players talk about it. We've got to improve each day."

"In this league, if you start feeling good about what you did the previous week, complacency is a killer in this league."

Graham's primary focus is daily improvement.

"So, each day, we're trying to improve," Graham added. "This Tuesday, we're trying to improve as we build toward Chicago. Then, when we hit the practice field tomorrow, it's about improvement.

"And that's the main thing you've got to do throughout the season. That's the experience I've dealt with in my 15 years in the league, that you've got to get better every day. Complacency will kill you."

McDaniels and Graham have been in tune with each other even before Graham's arrival in Las Vegas. Their personal and professional connection can be seen on the field through the improved play of the Raiders' defense and the benefits they provide to McDaniels on the offensive side of the ball.

"More importantly, learning to listen. Josh [McDaniels] is a great mentor, great leader for us, for me especially, and I had been around him for a number of years in the past and he gave me this opportunity," Graham said.

"You've just got to be able to listen. And I think most of the good leaders I've been around, they're really good listeners and whatever adjustments we make throughout, schematically or whatever it may be, you've got to be able to listen and then just be able to look at it, watch the tape, evaluate, figure out what group you have and build it around there."

"You can't be stubborn, I know that. It's all about evolving throughout the season, less about creation, more about evolving throughout the season. And that comes from listening."

It is a long season, and there is a long way to go, but through six games, Graham and the defense should feel good about the progress they have made thus far.

The Silver and Black will head on the road to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 1:05 p.m. EDT/10:05 a.m. PDT.

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