Head Coach Jack Del Rio
Friday afternoon, Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio met with the media to wrap up the team's final practice prior to the game on Sunday. Del Rio talked about the recent Aldon Smith news and shared his thoughts on the progression of rookie quarterback Connor Cook.
Head Coach Jack Del Rio
Opening Statement:"Had a good week of practice. The guys are energized and ready to go. We'll travel to Denver tomorrow and take care of business."
Q: Is Derek Carr making the trip?
Coach Del Rio:"No."
Q: Did the NFL contact you to tell you that they were going to wait until March for a decision on Aldon Smith?
Coach Del Rio:"Nobody called me personally to tell, but I got the news."
Q: What was your reaction to that news?
Coach Del Rio:"A little disappointed, honestly. I feel like from everything that I've gathered, obviously it's not my job to make a rule, but from everything I've gathered, he's done his duty to take care of all the things he needs to take care of. I see some of the guys that have been allowed back. My question is what's the difference? It's always a question mark. If a guy has a chance, he should have a chance to make a living. I don't really agree with what's gone down, but it's not my job. We'll move on as a team. That's what we have to do, but I'm a little disappointed."
Q: What have you seen from Connor Cook this week?
Coach Del Rio:"Connor has done a nice job. He's done a nice job all year with the work he gets and the attention to detail. I think he's really matured, become more comfortable in what we're asking him to do. The ball comes out of his hand nice. I think all the signs are real positive for Connor as we go forward."
Q: Obviously, as the number three guy, he doesn't get many, if any, reps.
Coach Del Rio:"He gets a lot of reps, he just doesn't get them with the first-team offense."
Q: Does he do the other things to make up the gap for not getting those reps?
Coach Del Rio:"It's a really good, healthy room. [Quarterbacks coach] Todd [Downing] does a great job working the room, and they all work. That part has been very good."
