Head Coach Jack Del Rio
With close to a full week of Training Camp 2016 under the team's belt, Raiders' Head Coach Jack Del Rio stepped to the podium to discuss the team's improvement thus far. Del Rio has maintained an emphasis on working hard and not letting the hype around the team be a distraction.
Here are the quick hits from Del Rio's time with the media:
Del Rio constantly is reminding the team that the hype doesn't matter, whether it's good or bad.
"It's all about the preparation that you put in. It's all about the work that we put in and the commitment. It's about executing when we get our opportunities on Sunday – it's about execution. Those are all the things we focus on. Whether you hear, whether you don't like it, whether you like it, it really doesn't matter. It should not deter from your mission and what you need to get done."
Del Rio praised quarterback Derek Carr's work ethic and understanding of what it takes to be good in the NFL.
"He's a great teammate, great worker. Work ethic is spot on. You have to have it. If you don't have the work ethic in today's NFL with all the work that's required, I think you're going to have a hard time. He has it. He has the work ethic. He has a sense of humility about him that I appreciate. I think he's a grounded young man. I just think the sky is the limit."
**With Gabe Jackson moving to the right guard position, Del Rio praised Jackson's willingness to help the team.
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"Obviously, you're taking a guy out of his comfort zone, but at the same time, we feel like it's a natural spot for him. He's a big, powerful man and that right guard spot is really a natural [spot] for a lot of the movement things we want to do. He helps us take it to another level."
He also pointed out how linebackers Malcolm Smith and Bruce Irvin's familiarity with defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., helps.
"Those are two guys that played on the league's best defense over the last four or five years, or one of the best. Obviously, Denver played pretty good last year, but I think Seattle has been doing some spectacular things up there on defense in particular. You know, we get a couple guys down here that are familiar with Kenny [defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.]. So yeah, it definitely helps."
Del Rio was pleased tight end Clive Walford and Carr worked out together over the offseason to build chemistry.
"I think that when you take the time to get on the same page with your quarterback if you're somebody that's going to catch the ball and be involved in the offense, I think that's a positive thing. Obviously, those guys take it upon themselves to do something like that. That's a great sign for our football team."
