New Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther made one thing clear this week when he spoke with the Bay Area media for the first time: he wants NaVorro Bowman.
Bowman played just 10 games for the Raiders in 2017 after being released by the 49ers. But in those 10 games, Bowman made an impression on the old Raiders coaching staff and now the incoming staff of head coach Jon Gruden.
Gruden and Guenther see a former All-Pro who’s still just 29 years old with seven years playing at a high level in the NFL. Guenther believes Bowman would fit nicely into his scheme at middle linebacker in 2018.
“I think NaVorro’s a prototype middle linebacker, really,” Guenther told the media. “The thing that impressed me the most with NaVorro was they got him here midseason and by the end of the year it appeared to me, without really talking to a lot of players, when you watch him on tape he was kind of the leader of the unit, really making a lot of the calls. It looks like he’s a smart guy that understands the game. I love smart guys that love playing football.
“Hopefully we can get him back in the fold and keep him a Raider.”
In those 10 games for Oakland, Bowman was in on 89 tackles, had 1½ sacks, an interception, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery. Bowman appeared completely healthy and was playing close to the form that made him a first-team All-Pro pick for four seasons with the Niners. Bowman wound up as the Raiders’ leading tackler in just 10 games.
At the end of the season, Bowman said he wasn’t sure about where he’ll land in 2018, but hoped it would be in Oakland.
Sports
“It’s up in the air,” Bowman told reporters after the season’s final game and the firing of head coach Jack Del Rio and his staff. “I just wanted to come out today and finish strong for the guys that I practice with every day and play with pride and see where the chips fall. I had a great time here with the Raiders and a huge change just happened.
“There are a lot of things running through my mind, but I enjoyed my time with the Raiders. Hopefully if everything works out I’ll be back.”
