Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio isn’t a stranger to what it takes to be a successful defense in the NFL.
After his up and down 11-year playing career in the league, the gritty linebacker made the switch from player to coach
thanks to coaching great Mike Ditka who gave Del Rio his first gig as an assistant strength and conditioning coach
and later, linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints.
Then, the Oakland native landed with the Baltimore Ravens beginning in 1999 and it was there that he realized the Ravens defense was something special. His success in Baltimore, largely in part to the Ravens vicious defense, catapulted him up the ranks quickly as the Carolina Panthers wanted Del Rio as the defensive coordinator following the Ravens Super Bowl victory.
Now in is second head coaching stint (Jacksonville 2003-2011), Del Rio is using fundamentals he learned under Brian Billick to improve the Raiders defense.
“Well, certainly, you draw on all the experiences you’ve had, and that was a great experience there in Baltimore,” explained Del Rio on his conference call to Baltimore media Wednesday. “So, [it is a] special place, and obviously, we got it turned around in a hurry and ended up going on and winning a Super Bowl in our second year there.
“I think that was a special time [with] a lot of special relationships that remain with me.”
Going back to his roots as a player, Del Rio has been deeply impressed with the Ravens linebackers, particularly C.J. Mosley and veteran Daryl Smith, whom he coached while in Jacksonville.
“[C.J. Mosley] really shows up on the tape,” said Del Rio. “He has a lot of athleticism, he has speed and power – very instinctive player – and he’s off to a nice start in his career.”
On Sunday, against Denver, Mosley picked up where he left off in 2014, producing five tackles (4 solo), a career-high two sacks and 1 pass defended.
Smith’s play was equally impressive. The veteran LB recorded six tackles and 2 pass breakups. His 30 passes defensed since 2013 rank as the NFL’s most among all linebackers.
“The guy that plays alongside [him], Daryl Smith – I had him for a number of years in Jacksonville,” he remarked. “[Smith was] just an outstanding young man, player for us there in Jacksonville, and [I’m] really happy to see him land in a great spot where he’s doing so well.
“[He’s] such a big part of their defense.”
Smith needs just 2 1/2 sacks to reach 30 for his career where he would become the 28th player in NFL history with 30 sacks and 10 interceptions in a career.
The linebacker corps has been under the microscope since Sunday’s loss in Denver due to the season ending injury of Terrell Suggs. While it will take the entire unit stepping up to amend for the loss of Suggs, the tandem of Mosley and Smith will surely do their parts.
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