On Now
Coming Up
  • Sun., May. 26, 2013 10:00AM - 5:00PM PDT Raider Nation on Location in San Ramon

    The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, May 26 and 27, 2013 in San Ramon’s Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. from 10am to 5pm both days. This family friendly festival features professional kite flying demonstrations, arts & crafts booths, entertainment on 4 stages, puppet shows, two large kids’ activity areas, food booths and more!

  • Mon., May. 27, 2013 10:00AM - 5:00PM PDT Raider Nation on Location in San Ramon

    The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, May 26 and 27, 2013 in San Ramon’s Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. from 10am to 5pm both days. This family friendly festival features professional kite flying demonstrations, arts & crafts booths, entertainment on 4 stages, puppet shows, two large kids’ activity areas, food booths and more!

  • Sat., Jun. 01, 2013 11:00AM - 7:00PM PDT Walnut Creek Art and Wine Festival The 32nd Annual Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Art & Wine Festival, will be held June 1 and June 2 at Heather Farm Park and Raider Nation On Location will be on hand.
  • Sun., Jun. 02, 2013 11:00AM - 6:00PM PDT Walnut Creek Art and Wine Festival The 32nd Annual Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Art & Wine Festival, will be held June 1 and June 2 at Heather Farm Park and Raider Nation On Location will be on hand.
  • Fri., Aug. 09, 2013 7:00PM - 10:30PM PDT Raiders vs. Cowboys The Raiders host the Dallas Cowboys Friday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. at O.co Coliseum in Preseason Week 1 action.
  • Fri., Aug. 16, 2013 5:00PM - 8:30PM PDT Raiders at Saints The Raiders travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Friday, August 16 at 5:00 p.m. in Preseason Week 2 action.
  • Thu., Aug. 29, 2013 7:00PM - 10:30PM PDT Raiders at Seahawks The Raiders travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Thursday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m for a Preseason Week 4 matchup.

News

Q&A with FB Owen Schmitt

Posted Jun 6, 2012

Fullback Owen Schmitt took questions from the media after the Raiders 9th OTA day at their Alameda practice facility.


FB Owen Schmitt. Photo by Tony Gonzales

Q: Obviously, you have some familiarity with [Greg] Knapp’s offense from 2009 in Seattle. What can Raider fans expect in how he utilizes the fullback?

Schmitt: It’s a big part of the offense. I’m just excited to get a chance to be here and play another year of ball, so it’s going to be exciting. We have a lot of weapons this year. Hopefully we can utilize everybody and win some ball games.

Q: Even with the return of Marcel Reece this week, you guys are completely built differently and have different abilities. Can you tell Raider fans what you bring and how you expect to play a role on this team?

Schmitt: Just a tough guy, hard-nosed guy, blue collar, just bring a physical presence to the field, blocking is probably more the asset I can bring. That’s just something I can bring, just a physical nature to the game.

Q: We’ve seen some of the crazy stuff you’ve done on YouTube videos in the past. Are you still a crazy guy or have you mellowed out a little bit? Are you getting older and wiser?

Schmitt: Older…wiser yes, but still catching up there. But yeah, I’ll bring the intensity, but the helmet smashing and stuff plays a role in the whole concussions thing so I kind of stay away from that stuff.

Q: Those first two years in the league at Seattle, you guys didn’t have the best record, but third year in Philadelphia, you made the postseason. What do you see in this team and how can they make the postseason this year?

Schmitt: It’s a young team, some great vets on the team, obviously good leadership, a whole new staff. I love this offense. It just seems to really – the run game, I’m in love with it. The zone, it’s just something that’s really easy for us. Hopefully we can bring a lot of explosive plays to the field as far as offense goes. Just try to tie some together. Take it one week at a time and go from there.

Q: Talk a little bit about the running game you do have behind you with Darren McFadden, Taiwan Jones and Mike Goodson.

Schmitt: Oh phenomenal. Very explosive, probably some of the fastest guys I’ve played with. All they need is a seam and you can see out here in practice, they go the distance. It’ll be interesting to see what happens once camp rolls around.

Q: You mentioned the offense and the running game; does it also open up things for the passing game downfield?

Schmitt: Extremely. First and foremost, I think the run game is a key element to getting the pass game going. As far as what Knapp’s concerned with, what he’s done in Houston and stuff, if we can get that rolling, even a fraction of that going, the pass game should open up real nice.

Q: Carson Palmer, first impressions of him so far?

Schmitt: Great guy, class act, great guy and came and introduced himself to me.

Q: You’re a physical guy; looking forward to getting in some pads?

Schmitt: Yeah, right now it’s nice, just getting your feet underneath you a little bit and getting the movement going. Once camp rolls around, it’ll be nice to bang a little bit.

TEAM ARTICLES