National Football League

DC Norton Jr.'s fiery personality rubbing off on Raiders' defense

Published Jun. 4, 2015 3:26 p.m. ET

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Charles Woodson dove for a sideline interception earlier this week at Raiders OTAs.

The offense swore he was out of bounds. But they were drowned out by a screaming coach, too fired up to let his veteran's top play go unnoticed.

And that's just a quiet day for new Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. New head coach Jack Del Rio imported him from Seattle, and the results thus far have been loud, but spectacular.

He's already rubbing off some of that Seahawks swagger, according to several players.

“We take on the personality of our defensive coordinator,” middle linebacker Curtis Lofton told CSN Bay Area. “He has a ton of energy, and we’re going to play that way. We’re going to be stingy. We’re going to be tough, and we’re going to dictate what happens.”

Norton played 13 seasons in the NFL. So when he speaks, players listen. And when he celebrates -- like he did with Woodson's interception -- they celebrate with him.

Norton Jr. will prove to be a critical hire if the Raiders defense can play loud and proud -- just like his personality.

"He brings it every single day,” Lofton said. "More than once I’ve come to work and thought, ‘today will be the day he doesn’t have it.’ I’m wrong every time."

(h/t CSN Bay Area)