Las Vegas continues to add depth to their defensive line, and their latest signing is an interesting one. The Raiders have agreed to terms on a deal with Darius Philon, the team announced on Twitter.
This one came a bit out of left field, because Philon hasn’t suited up since the 2018 season. He was originally drafted by the Chargers in 2015, and spent the next four years with the team. He flashed plenty of potential during his last couple seasons there, and started 13 games in 2018. He had 33 tackles, seven for a loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble that year.
That earned him a two-year, $10MM deal from the Cardinals in 2019, but he never played a down for the team. That’s because he was arrested that August for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and cut shortly thereafter. We haven’t heard much from him since then, as he didn’t play that season or in 2020.
He’s apparently ready to make a comeback now, and is still only 27. Presumably signed very cheaply, he could be a decent low-risk flyer for a Raiders team in need of help along the defensive front.
Raiders Defensive Line coach Rod Marinelli should be Fired. He has us either Signing Free Agent Busts ( Collins and Nessib ) or Criminals ( Irving and now Philon ). Waste of time, effort and money.
Ive been following football for over 20 years now and have never once considered or had a conversation about anyone other than the head coach, owner or GM making roster decisions/signings. Serious question, why do you think its Rod Marinelli the DL coach making these decisions?
Lol awesome point sportznut
These players were Marinelli’s personal recommendations, as they played for him on other teams he has been a Coach for (Cowboys, etc.). He is a big influence in which players are brought in for tryouts. He may not be fully responsible for Signing them, but he definitely played a big role and has a prior history with these players.