Raiders' DC Graham's Midweek Defensive Update

The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) are headed to Chicago to play the Bears (1-5) on Sunday, and Defensive Coordnator Patrick Graham gave his weekly defensive update, and we have it for you.

LAS VEGAS, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) are headed to the Windy City this weekend to meet the Chicago Bears (1-5) and get to above .500 on the season.

With that game looming, Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham gave his weekly defensive update, and we it all for you.

You can watch the entire video above or read the transcript below:

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham 

Q: Can you talk about the defense being able to shut the door two weeks in a row to secure victories? 

Coach Graham: "It's always encouraging when we're out there on the field and we get a chance to close the game. Again, each week is going to be so different, so we'll see what happens this week. Chicago presents a lot of challenges and we've just got to get ready to move on to the next week. But I'm happy that the players got a win." 

Q: A guy who is flying under the radar a little bit is John Jenkins, and he's sort of been an anchor for you in the interior of the line. Could talk about his contributions?

 Coach Graham: "I spent time with John back in 2019, in Miami. And the biggest thing I can say about him is consistency, and that's what you need from that position, especially when you think about this week going against Chicago. I think they're either seventh or eighth in rushing and you need somebody in there who is going to be stout, play with his hands, be able to get off the blocks and make tackles, especially against the running game we're about to see. And for the bulk of his career, again in the few years we've been together, he's done a good job of that. He's done everything we've asked. He's worked hard in the weight room. He's worked hard in the meeting room. He's worked hard out there on the practice field. Consistency. That's how you get to play that many years in the league, especially at that position." 

Las Vegas Raiders DC Patrick Graham has the Silver and Black defensive dominating opponents / Darrell Craig Harris, Raiders Today

Q: In addition to John Jenkins inside, Bilal Nichols had a nice game and Adam Butler has been coming along. What have they been doing that's kind of led to this little surge? 

Coach Graham: "I believe it's just putting in the work; putting in the work, working hard, gelling well together. They spend a lot of time on and off the field, and you can see it in practice in terms of the energy level of the whole group. From [John] Jenk [Jenkins] to Bilal to AB [Adam Butler] to [Jerry] Tillery. All those guys working hard together, and Maxx [Crosby] is their leader in terms of being the leader of the defense and the defensive line. You can see them starting really to jell together, working hard together and getting some results from their hard work. 

Q: You talked about those late game plays that have closed the door the last couple of weeks. What is the key to the mindset of a defense to go out knowing they need to make one play and then being able to actually do it? 

Coach Graham: "The biggest thing for defense is we just got to keep them from scoring points, less points than the offense. So, as it pertains to this week, it's going to be the same plan. And the guys go out there, they never really blink in terms of their energy level, in terms of just going out there ready to play defense. And they've done a solid job at times and like any other defense in the league just working hard to be good in situational football and trying to take away their top players and minimize the points." 

Q: You have adapted your scheme to your personnel. To be a successful coach and to be around as long as you have, you have to be able to adjust the scheme to personnel. How critical is that and how did you learn that? 

Coach Graham: "More importantly, learning to listen. Josh [McDaniels] is a great mentor, a 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. 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 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. But 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." 

Q: Getting your hands on the ball was a big emphasis in the off-season, preseason, training camp and it's starting to happen. And Tre'von Moehrig in particular, he now has two interceptions. Does it seem like things are starting to slow down for Tre? 

Coach Graham: "We're not different from any other defense in the league trying to emphasize getting turnovers. I mean, when you look at it statistically or in terms of when you get turnovers, it leads to wins. So, obviously that's going to be a point of emphasis for every defense throughout the league, and I'm just happy that guys are seeing the results of their hard work. They work on it every day, trusting in the process, and then you get to see the results on Sunday and Monday or Thursday. when we get to that eventually. And that's the main thing. But for this week, dealing with Chicago, they do such a good job of running the football. Again, we'll see what the situation is at the quarterback position, but they have some explosive players to pass the ball to. So, it's going to be a challenge. It's definitely going to be a challenge." 

Q: Going back to the defensive line and Bilal Nichols in particular, what are some things that you've noticed in terms of his growth just in your system from last year to now? 

Coach Graham: "Bilal [Nichols] was a productive player before he got here, and he's had success in the league for the bulk of his career. The main thing is just playing hard like he's always done and playing with his hands. Like most interior defensive linemen, that's what you're looking for and that strain that's required. And again, obviously as the season goes on, it usually gets better because they haven't really done anything really football-wise for them in the off-season. It's just a different part of the season when you're in Training camp, you start to look like real football and then when you get into the first part of the season, they start to get more comfortable. But it all comes from hard work. Whatever he's getting out there on the field is because he earned it, and I couldn't be happier with his work ethic." 

Q: You talked about the leadership of Maxx Crosby, and from a coach's perspective, not only can you rely on him to go out there to do his job, but the fact that he's kind of an extension of you in a way in terms of motivation and pulling guys aside. How much easier is that for you as a coach to know that you have somebody of that status who is willing to play that role as well? 

Coach Graham: "Again, most of these players who are here at this level are already motivated, or they wouldn't be here. They made a decision when they were younger to play professional football and that's what they're doing. And the thing that Maxx [Crosby] does is by example. Again, whatever he says, you have to check with them about what he says to them, but it's by example. I mean, he's relentless. He's diligent, he's a smart player who makes good decisions on the field. And it's all about, to me, the example he sets in terms of how he plays, how he carries himself in the building. So, again, I don't know how much of an extension of me it is, I just know that he was a good football player before I met him and he's a football player who is ascending as he gets older and gets more crafty and understands his craft, and he works hard. That's the main thing." 

Q: When you're watching the tape, do you ever kind of have to stop and say: "Wow, that was a pretty damn good play right there?"

Coach Graham: "That happens any time you put on an NFL game. These guys are the best in the world. There are only so many thousands, or whatever the exact number is, who can do what they do in the world. So, you are always amazed at what a lot of these players in this league can do. You watch the Chicago tape in terms of what the receivers are doing. I mean, there's so much speed out there on the field. The tight end position, they got guys who are dynamic. Any time you put on an NFL game, you're going to find a moment that I would think when you're dealing with the best in the world with what they do, you’re going to find moments where you're amazed at what they can do. And I know I can't do it, or couldn't do it, and never have been able to do it." 

Q: How much solace can you take in the fact that your team really isn't playing close to its best football yet? How exciting is that for you? 

Coach Graham: "It's the early part of the season. It's all about improving each day. Coach [McDaniels] talks about it, I hear the players talk about it. We got to improve each day. And in this league, if you start feeling good about what you did the previous week, complacency is a killer in this league. So, each day we're trying to improve. 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 got to do throughout the season. That's the experience I've dealt with in my 15 years in the league, that you got to get better every day. Complacency will kill you." 

Q: What is it about Amik Robertson that the players love and coaches love? Can you talk about his personality and the impact he has on the locker room? 

Coach Graham: "First off, the smile – he could be a movie actor if he wanted to. The smile is pretty good there. Good energy. He's always upbeat and he plays hard. Again, when you play hard and you have a knack for getting to the ball, guys like to be around that. I mean, I know for myself, it's just his energy. I love being around younger people. They keep me young. It keeps me up on music and different things and stuff like that. I don't know what he's talking about half the time, but it's good." 

Q: Justin Fields is doubtful. We'll see how that plays out, but the guy behind is Tyson Bagent. What are some things that you like about this game that you have to be ready for? 

Coach Graham: "I thought as we're getting ready for Chicago, obviously we got to take into account everybody. And just watching the tape, I thought {Bagent} made good decisions in the passing game, got rid of the ball pretty quickly, he has strong arm, is mobile in the pocket, and can make some plays with his feet. But he is a really, really a solid young player. And if it's his chance to get up there and take the opportunity, I'm sure he's going to seize it and we'll have to be prepared for that." 

Q: What have you seen from Tyree Wilson as he continues to mature and improve in the league? 

Coach Graham: "It's the same thing for all the defensive linemen in the league. Improvement in terms of hand placement, pad level. It's everybody though, it's not just Tyree. It is everybody throughout the league, it's just getting used to playing football again and getting your pads down, getting your hands in the right place. And that's what you're looking for in terms of improvement, and then plays will come after that." 

Q: Are you encouraged by what you've seen from Tyree so far?

Coach Graham: "I've been encouraged from day one in terms of his work ethic. He works hard. He's improving every day and he’s a pleasure to be around." 

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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