On not getting signed after first tryout at training camp: "I think I knew I was up to speed, but at the same time, there were some decisions that they had to make. As you know, I came in, I believe, they were finishing their second preseason game, heading into their third, so they were still trying to figure out what needed to be done as far as their roster. But at least I went out into the open and said hey, I'm ready and I'm moving better. So I was just patient waiting to see what was going to happen.
On if there was a second workout: "Yes there was. I think deep down they knew I was going to continue to work hard and continue to focus on the fundamentals and here I am."
On if it was three total workouts with the Raiders: "I did two workouts with this team and I also worked out for Arizona and the Rams."
On if it was hard to not be signed when season started: "It's always tough. It definitely gives you a different perspective. Here I am trying to train hard and work hard and just get better and as the season continues to progress and watching Sunday football on the couch with my son. It was frustrating, but I knew God had a plan and I just kept on continuing to be patient and in the end it worked out well."
On timeframe for getting on field and helping Raiders with pass rush: "That would be the coach's call. I'm happy just to be here. As you know, I'm in the playbooks right now, getting familiar with the scheme, and that would be determined by him. Just take it on a day-by-day basis."
On if he would be ready for a few plays this weekend: "I would hope so. I would certainly hope so. If I wasn't ready, then I wouldn't be here. So obviously, they signed me and I'm glad to be a part of this Raider organization and we'll just take it day-by-day."
On the defense: "Some of the stuff looks familiar. Right now I've learned about this much (holds thumb and forefinger up to indicate small amount) in the playbook. Once we start our meetings I'll get a feel for what they're trying to do. It's been great to see some of the former coaches that I worked with when I was a 49er and obviously they're still here in the Bay Area. It's always great to see former players; me and Richard Seymour go back in the day because we received the same accolades as well as seeing Shawntae Spencer again."
On if his experience adjusting to new teams is helpful: "Oh yeah, by far. At the end of the day, it's always a business so this is my fourth team in this business, but I'm just very blessed by God to come into my 12th year and just to have longevity. Longevity in this business is hard to come by."
On his injury last season: "It was crazy. My wife was at that game and actually she had run into the locker room and asked me what, 'what do you want to do.' And I said, 'I have a feeling I can come back from this."
On if that conversation was that day: "That day. I said, 'I'm not done yet.' Whatever seed God had planted in my head, I knew I could give more and it was definitely a fight. It was definitely a battle every day. I rehabbed probably about six days a week, two to three hours a day. That was the level of dedication that I was trying to do to come back on the field and it paid off."
On if he felt ready during first Raiders workout: "I was ready the first workout and they saw what they needed to see and they were just honest with me saying, 'hey, we're still kind of figuring out what needs to be done, but continue to stay in shape,' which I did, 'and continue to work on football type movements,' which I had been doing before. Did another workout and there you have it."
On if those extra weeks got him in better shape: "Every week I'll always challenge myself from the days I can start running to the days I can start moving well on the field. I did everything from boxing to running on the track to running on the treadmill. But they always say there's a difference between being in shape and being in football shape and being game ready. So I have to break my lungs in eventually."
On where he is physically on a 1-10 scale: "100! Like I said, it was a long battle. It was such a long battle, definitely you had your moments of frustration, but I hung in there, I never gave up and I'm just glad to be here."
On wearing the Silver and Black: "It was great. I had a lot of friends that said, 'you crossed over to the Dark Side.' Everything comes full circle. Where I am in my career, why not be back in the Bay Area where it all started for me. A lot of good memories from the times I played at Oak Grove High School, to being a Cal Bear, to being a 49er. To be the last draft class of Bill Walsh is something I hold dear and just to continue to play in this game."
On if New England was in the mix: "They were, but as you know, sometimes the business side of it, they moved forward and I moved forward. I appreciate the Patriots for bringing me in that last year. I had a lot of great memories, created a lot of great friendships. My teammates, in general, I still talk to until this day and friends that are not related to football. So Boston, Foxborough, the state of Massachusetts, Pats Nation, hey, I love them to death and that was definitely a great chapter of my life and I'll never forget it."
On if the defensive line will be formidable: "I hope so. I think so and I'm confident in that. One thing that's always important is you just have to get a feel for each other and that just starts in practice as well as the game. And also communication is very key because you have to understand where they're coming from, what they're trying to do, not only on the run, but as far as the pass. I'm a believer in that."
On what makes for a good pass rusher: "I just think consistency, constantly attacking your guy. I always say in regards to not just being an individual pass rusher, but having four guys that are just nonstop. You see it time and time again from the times when Tampa Bay went to the Super Bowl to the New York Giants back in the day when Michael Strahan played. I watched film on those guys and the reason they were so successful is because they were always in sync. They always communicated. So those are the things that are very important."
On difference between 3-4 and 4-3: "It's amazing, being in two different schemes, both schemes are so unique, I think what's important is whatever the type of players that you have, those are the guys that you use. So you have to find a way what fits that particular game or that particular season. The 3-4 is unique. I experienced it. But at the same time, I want my hand in the dirt so if I can go 4-3 so be it."
