Nnamdi Asomugha:
“The thing that‘s going to put us over the hump this year is guys playing with more confidence. You know, guys have been playing in this system for three or four years now and they are really ready to step that up.”
“Tyvon (Branch) was a guy who was good as a rookie. He was a guy who could have started for us as a rookie but he didn’t have to. But he came on really strong last year with the play he was doing in covering the tight ends and coming up in the run. I don’t know what else to really say about him, he’s just much better than you would even notice. Like you don’t think about him when you think about our secondary, but he’s just as good as anyone else. He’s a big-time player. We expect a lot out of him too, and he expects a lot out of himself so that’s gonna help out.”
Darrius Heyward-Bey:
“(Nnamdi) being the top DB in this league, picking his brain is key. When we go against those other guys in the league, if I can figure out Nnamdi and he can help me out, it’s going to do a lot for this team.”
Tom Cable:
“(McClain) has a good feel for his depth and where he needs to be. (He is) a good communicator, sees how the play starts and he’s able to get himself into a position where he can have the depth to get underneath those balls. You have to find how you understand it and how you feel that route. All those crossers with someone over the top of you and there’s kind of that happy medium area: where do I have to be to affect both of them.”
“(I like) the character of the team, in terms of its football IQ and football character. They like each other, they like playing the game, they like to work. I think that’s the mentality we’ve been trying to get.”
“We kind of tweaked practice today with some short yardage and goal line situations and then two minute there at the end.
“Everything that we do at night is going to be in the next day. And then we take the time in between practices to go in and study it, go in and look at this film, and teach from it for the afternoon.”
UDFA DE Alex Daniels:
“Coming from college football to adjusting to the pro game, I feel like my defensive line coach, Mike Waufle, got me going in the right direction. I like all the vets that are around and all the comradary with our team and feel like we are going to be a real force to be reckoned with in the AFC West.”
Rolando McClain:
“Lamarr and I are similar. We are both physical and we come from schools that take pride in stopping the run. Obviously that’s why they brought us in here, but we just gotta do what we do, do our role…this is not a one or two-man task. Everybody has to do their particular job and that’s just what we’re gonna do.”
Lamarr Houston:
“I’m excited…it’s been a long time since everybody’s been in pads and it will be a lot different working on some technique in pads rather than just in jerseys. It will be fun.”
“I was (at defensive end) for my first two years in college, so this is just re-teaching myself some habits I need to re-learn.; how to rush, how to take on a block and things like that.”
“I ask Richard Seymour anything I can ask him. He’s been in the league for a long time and he’s got so many Super Bowl rings, so I ask him anything I can ask him during meetings and after meetings and sometimes I’ll just sit down with him and ask (him) about techniques and things like that.”
“I think I’m decent right now, I can get a whole lot better. I gotta make strides every day. This defense is going to pride themselves on stopping the run this year and I think as a team we’re going to do a great job of doing that. The coaches are making that a staple and one of our goals and I think we’ll accomplish that goal this year.”
Jason Campbell:
“(Rolando McClain) is an extreme talent. Yesterday, he got an interception off me in 7-on-7 and, the guy sits forward with a 37-inch vertical, and I’ve been throwing that pass ever since I’ve been in the league and he jumped as high as he could get and stretched out and caught it. It’s one of those interceptions where you can’t even get mad because the guy made an outstanding play. He has extreme talent, he’s big, he’s strong, the guy can move and you can tell he had played under (Nick) Saban (because) he’s a smart linebacker. He can feel zone and fill voids. Even when you try to look him off, he knows what you’re trying to do.”
“He does a good job in practices, so far, of roaming in coverage’s and present himself to be in the right place at the right time.”
Alright, now that I’ve quoted half of the team, let me get to some of your questions that were emailed to me recently.
Matt Anen wants to know when Nnamdi Asomugha becomes a free agent what are the chances of the Raiders keeping him?
Well, Matt, that all depends…what is the Raiders record at the end of the year? Nnamdi has a contract option coming up. It’s at his desertion, so he ultimately decides if he wants to be in Oakland at the end of this year. One thing I do know is that he is excited about what the team has done with the personnel this year. But I’ve also heard him say that he gets excited every single year.
Look, the bottom line is that Al Davis has a strong history of keeping his guys in Raiders uniforms until they are all done playing. If Nnamdi stays as elite as he has been, then there is nothing to worry about. Let’s not forget that he’s a California guy. I highly doubt Al wants him playing in powder blue or red and gold on Sundays.
Raider fan in MIAMI wants to know if the Raiders show enough improvement to make the playoffs.
Playoffs? Playoffs?
Don’t talk to me about Playoffs!?!?!
Just kidding, I know, it’s a really old joke. Listen, the Raiders can show enough improvement to make an impact in the AFC West and if they make waves in their division, then they could have an inside track on a playoff berth. Don’t forget that the Chargers won the division with an 8-8 record a few years ago and the 11-5 Patriots had to sit home and watch them go all the way to the AFC Championship game with that record. 8-8 is very possible for this team this year and the Chargers are planning on hold outs from their left tackle and best wide receiver.
Mike Orth wants to know how Oakland’s D-line doing as a unit. How are they doing in training camp getting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run?
It’s hard to say right now. I can tell you that I really like it. I can tell you they have a lot of potential. I mean any defensive line with Richard Seymour on it can’t be too bad.
But it’s hard to say at this point because nobody has put on any pads yet. Stay tuned. I’m sure there will be more info on that situation to come in the next week.
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