Oakland Raiders: QB Coach John DeFilippo Could Have Big Impact in 2012

Jimmy Hal – May 27, 2012

In 2012, the Oakland Raiders will be under the offensive mind of Greg Knapp for the second time. Knapp was the offensive coordinator in 2007-08 and did not give the Raiders the results they were looking for. Knapp will be looking for redemption in 2012, but he is not the only offensive coach getting a second chance in the east bay. So too is quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.

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In 2011, former head coach Hue Jackson opted to not have a quarterbacks coach at all. He felt that having too many voices in the quarterback meetings could do more harm than good. That makes sense as he and former offensive coordinator Al Saunders have both worked with quarterbacks at one time or another.

Though there will be three voices in the quarterback meeting room in 2012, Saunders will be taking a back seat as Knapp and DeFilippo will likely due the heavy lifting.

DeFilippo has had some success in his time away from Oakland. In 2009, he was the assistant quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets. There he worked with Mark Sanchez. Many still feel that 2009, Sanchez’s rookie season, was his best year as a pro. In 2010-11 DeFilippo moved to the college ranks and was the quarterbacks coach for San Diego State University. DeFilippo helped draft prospect Ryan Lindley improve his draft stock.

Though Lindley was drafted in the sixth round, he was considered a third round talent as a developmental quarterback candidate by many college scouts.

In 2012, DeFilippo has returned to the silver and black and he will have an important role in this coaching staff. Starting quarterback Carson Palmer is in an offense that is completely new to him and he must get used to the new kind of foot work that is needed to execute this offense properly. Back-up quarterback Matt Leinart may know the x’s and o’s of this playbook, but he is no coach. Like Leinart, DeFilippo has a familiarity with Knapp, and knows exactly what Knapp needs to succeed.

DeFilippo however, has another responsibility on his hands.

Many still doubt that Terrelle Pryor is a starting quarterback in the NFL, but the Raiders do not and they want to know exactly what to expect from their young gunslinger. If Pryor does eventually become the Raiders future signal caller, DeFilippo will have a big part in that.

So not only would DeFilippo make his impact felt in 2012, but he would have established his long term legacy by doing what the national media thought was impossible. The quarterback position is the most important position in professional sports. The Oakland Raiders have been trying to get it right for some time now and DeFilippo is going to be a big help in those regards.

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