Raiders' DC Patrick Graham New York Jets Week

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders (4-5) are experiencing a resurgence under Interim Coach Antonio Pierce, and they are preparing to show the nation their new look as they host the New York Jets (4-4) on Sunday Night Football.

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham held his weekly press conference ahead of the the Jets this weekend, and you can watch it all above, or read the transcript below.

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham

Q: You've been very vocal in wanting Antonio Pierce on your staff and you saw a lot in him that people are seeing now. What was it in him you saw before others did?

Coach Graham: "I don't know about before others. I mean, he's been around this league and then a lot of people have known him throughout this league for a long time. But when I met him, he's somebody who worked hard, had good knowledge of the game, and had leadership quality, so that's what I saw when I met him."

Q: Do you expect linebacker Divine Deablo to be back this week, or do you think he might be out a little bit longer?

Coach Graham: "That's always a question for the head coach. I don't deal with injury questions, but we'll be happy to get him when he comes back. And I'm sure he's working hard to get back on the field as soon as possible."

Q: What have you seen from the other linebackers, Jaylon Smith and Malik Reed?

Coach Graham: "The first thing, they're all professionals. They come in, work hard in the classroom and on the practice field. Great energy from both of those guys, and then they got their opportunities to get into the game. Being physical, able to make tackles, that's always a positive, and playing with great effort."

Q: You had eight sacks in the game. What are the things that people don't really necessarily see equating to that success?

Coach Graham: "It starts with the players, first and foremost. In terms of executing their assignments and the game plan for that game, and they did a good job with that. But the thing that stands out the most when you look at all the pressures was the effort, just the guys' relentless pursuit to the ball. They were hungry to get to the football. And I would say, again, I can't give you the exact number, but a lot of sacks throughout this league start with the effort of those players playing really hard on each play and making the play. That's where a lot of sacks come in this league. And a combination of that and obviously on the back end, sacks aren't possible without the coverage. That's all tied together. So, again, it's all about team defense, knowing the coverage and the rush all being tied together."

Q: The results were obviously great on Sunday, but how did everything go communication-wise and logistically?

Coach McDaniels: "The players, they did a good job communicating on and off the field. The coaching staff, each day is new and you have to adjust with it, and it worked out on Sunday. So, it's a new week this week and we'll see how it goes this week, but it worked out on Sunday.

Q: Your players call themselves "The Misfits," and this is a defense where maybe there aren't a ton of people nationally known. For you, how much pride do you take in that it's more about the "we" than "me?"

Coach Graham: "For me, you can't play defense without the "we." It's 11 people out there. We're not calling plays, we're calling the defense to defend the field and/or the situation, and you need all 11 to do that. So, I'm proud. I'm proud of those guys, how they're playing and playing for each other, playing together. I'm just proud of the way they're improving each week, and so that's the biggest thing."

Q: Linebacker Robert Spillane is a guy who is not getting a lot of national attention, but he's doing a lot of quarterbacking of your defense. Can you talk about his play and your thoughts on him?

Coach Graham: "I really enjoy being around him. He's great in terms of leadership, good energy every day. He's really consistent. And thankfully, he can get off blocks, he can tackle the ball carrier, he can communicate; those are on the checklist for a linebacker, so those are always good."

Q: Cornerback Amik Robertson talked after the game, he was joking, but because he had made a mistake earlier, on his interception he said: ‘I had to get that for Patrick Graham.’ You can't even talk about Amik without coaches and teammates laughing. What is it about his attitude that has endeared him to this franchise?

Coach Graham: "His personality, again, he's just always smiling, has good energy around the building. And it's all about resetting after one bad play. I mean, again, I can't speak on what play he's talking about, but I just know that he's doing a good job for us. He's a ballhawk who gets to the ball. And really his toughness always shows up, that's one thing, whether it's tackling, man-to-man coverage. Being mentally tough to be able to bounce back from a bad play, that's the thing that stands out with me for him."

Q: What are the threats that you feel like Garrett Wilson provides for your cornerbacks? And when you look at Breece Hall, what are some things that he can do that you guys have to limit?

Coach Graham: "Starting with those two, yeah, I'd say with Hall, the thing is everybody's at the point of attack. No matter where the play is designed to go, he could go anywhere with the ball. And then for the receiver, just in terms of the combination of speed, quickness and the ability to catch the ball from all different types of angles. His catch radius is pretty dynamic, in my opinion, and he presents a lot of challenges. And they do a good job of moving him around and finding ways to give him the ball. So, both very skilled players and it's going be a challenge on Sunday."

Q: Can you talk a little bit about the development of Tyree Wilson?

Coach Graham: "He's getting better every day, getting better every day. I love his work ethic, I love the fact that his physicality is showing up on the field as a rookie edge player. But that's the thing, working hard to get better every day, and you can see it out there on the field. I'm happy for him."

Q: When you have an opponent coming up who plays on Monday Night Football, does that that change your preparation because you have to wait a little bit to see their game?

Coach Graham: "I don't think it changes. We've gone through it before, so it's nothing new. And we're not the only team that has to deal with it during the season. But nothing really changes in terms of that, but you might wait a little bit just to see the game to add it to your scouting report. But by the time it is Monday night, we're already along with a game plan and looking at the opponent."

Q: In that case, do you sometimes see something and say: "Oh, wait, maybe we didn't see that?"

Coach Graham: "Absolutely, that always happens. That always happens, but that's nothing unique to us. That always happens."

Q: You have a unique relationship with your players, is that something that developed maybe the way you were raised? Is it how maybe you were as a player or what you saw from other coaches?

Coach Graham: "Well, me as a player, I was terrible. So, that's one thing, let's start there. I had to have relationships with my coaches just to stay on the team. But I know this, one of the coaches who had the most influence on me and my life, Coach [Duane] Brooks who's at Dartmouth now, I consider him like an older brother-figure. I mean, I had a great relationship with him because of the way he poured into us, and when we all got on, whether it's Zoom or text messages, he has a really tight relationship with all of his former players. And I know for all the years he's been in the Ivy League, and the Ivy League doesn't have a bunch of captains per team, I mean, I would say he probably had coached 15 to 20 captains, whether it's Yale, Dartmouth, wherever it's been. So, he's a great influence on me. The relationship I have with the players here starts with listening, and I learned that early in my career. You have to be a good listener. Sometimes I'm good at it, sometimes I'm bad at it. But thankfully have a relationship where they can give me a little forgiveness once in a while when I'm not doing a good job of listening. But that's the main component right there

The Silver and Black will remain at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 8:20 p.m. EST/5:20 p.m. PST.

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