Tuesday was a chilly day at the Oakland Raiders facility in Alameda, Calif., but that didn't prevent the players from engaging in competition. The team started Organized Team Activities (OTAs) earlier this afternoon, and following the field work, Gabe Jackson, Bruce Irvin, and Amari Cooper took the podium individually to speak with reporters.
Here are the quick hits from their press conference:
Guard Gabe Jackson
Jackson shared how he feels about the new offensive line staff, and their scheme.
"To me, they have the answer for everything. It's a good system. I can't go into details about it, but it takes some studying to get in to it, to learn everything. I wouldn't say it's easy. I wouldn't say it's the hardest, but you have to really pay attention to detail."
He discussed his first impressions of rookie tackles Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker.
"They don't talk much. I've said a few things to them and they're real quiet guys as of now. They probably may be talkers, but they've been quiet. But they've been working, working hard."
An exclusive look as players and coaches hit the practice field for their first organized team activity of 2018.
Linebacker Bruce Irvin
He opened up about what it meant to recently graduate from college.
"It was big. Being the situation I came from, since I dropped out and got my GED, the odds were stacked up against me to get my bachelor's degree. It was a surreal moment. I kind of put it up there with the Super Bowl, neck and neck. Super Bowl probably would have been better if we'd won two in a row. It was a great moment, not only for me but for my son and my family. I'm glad I got to experience it."
Irvin is happy to be playing football, but he's even happier to be playing defensive end.
"You can ask anybody in the locker room, they'll tell you I talk smack. It's what I do. There's no hard feelings, but you're going to hear me. The transition from linebacker to end has been very smooth. Seemed like defensive end is more natural to me. A lot of going forward and reacting instead of me dropping in coverage and knowing receiver routes. I think defensive end is a more natural fit. It gets me going and reacting more instead of thinking and covering people."
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper
No. 89 said working with fellow wide outs Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant has been a good experience.
"It's been really cool. Been learning a lot from Jordy, obviously with him being in the league for such a long time. He knows a lot and he's always sharing his wisdom in the receiver room. It's been cool being around Marty as well."
Cooper talked about what he's learned from Head Coach Jon Gruden thus far.
"He brings a lot of excitement to the team. He's funny. He makes us laugh a lot in the meeting rooms but he's also really serious as well. So it's been real cool so far."