Tue Nov 18 02:00:00 UTC 2025: Raiders’ Defensive Coordinator’s Hip-Hop Nickname Fails to Catch On, Despite Stokes’ Strong Performance

Las Vegas, NV – Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s attempt to bestow a hip-hop inspired nickname on cornerback Eric Stokes hasn’t quite landed. Graham, an avid fan of old-school hip-hop, has been referring to Stokes as “EPMD,” a nod to the famed New York rap group known for their 1988 hit album “Strictly Business.”

“He’s long, he’s fast, he’s physical, does a solid job tackling, so that stuff stands out,” Graham said. “Then when he’s presented with a one-on-one matchup or one-on-one challenge, he’s done a good job of stepping up to the plate in terms of handling that while playing penalty-free for the most part. Then, he brings veteran leadership. His nickname is ‘E,’ but he’s strictly business, which to me as an old school cat, led me to EPMD.“I’m trying to get it to catch on, but it’s not.”

Despite Graham’s enthusiasm, the nickname hasn’t resonated, with Stokes himself acknowledging it’s simply “PG” being himself.

Beyond the nickname, Graham has expressed high praise for Stokes’ on-field performance, which has been improving this season.

Stokes confirmed he felt he was playing the best ball of his career. “People don’t realize it, but I feel like I’m playing my best ball,” said Stokes, who has three pass breakups this year. “I made a lot of plays when I was a rookie because so many balls were coming to me. I feel now I’m better at understanding a lot more and being more comfortable. I’m just not getting the same amount of targets.”

Stokes acknowledged the challenge the team may face against the Cowboys on Monday night.

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