Head Coach Jack Del Rio
The Oakland Raiders officially kicked off the start of Organized Team Activities [OTA] Monday, but Tuesday afternoon Head Coach Jack Del Rio met with reporters to talk about the team's progress. Per usual, Del Rio continued to emphasize the team's willingness to let all the players compete, and that he will do what's necessary to perfect all three phases of the game.
Following Tuesday's practice, here are the quick hits from his media session:
**Del Rio is impressed with rookie cornerback Gareon Conley's professional attitude, and seriousness about the game.
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"He's really gifted. He has a great demeanor. I would say he's similar to 'Coop' [wide receiver Amari Cooper] that he doesn't say a whole lot. He's really more about business. He's a student of the game. He's a guy that wants to know. Very bright and is picking up things quick. He's very gifted. All of our young guys are going to earn their way. We have a good football team. We're going to let them earn their way. We'll let them compete."
He talked about wide receiver Amari Cooper's production and growth over the last two seasons.
"I know he's just scratching the surface of what he wants to accomplish in this league. Very prideful. Amari has always been very serious about the game and works hard at everything, really. His conditioning level and understanding what he needs to be able to do to play at a high level. Again, talking and having a guy like Calvin here as we're getting started in these OTAs, to be able to share some of the insight of what he experienced playing that position is very valuable for us."
Del Rio shared that running back Marshawn Lynch has continued to bring a positive energy to the team each and every day.
"He's been here like he said he'd be here. Really committed. He said, 'Coach, this is home for me, so it's not like I'm going home and I won't be here.' He's committed to being here. He's excited to be a Raider. We're excited to have him."
**The Raiders Head Coach believes defensive end Mario Edwards, Jr., can play a big role this season.
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"Mario loves to play football. For him to be healthy right now and be with his buddies, his teammates, I think is huge for him. We missed him last year. He's an impactful player. He's getting himself ready to have a really big year for us."
With the NFL making some rule changes to rules regarding roster reductions, Del Rio communicated his thoughts on the matter.
"I think it's a healthy transition. I'm not sure that extra week, when we're playing on a short week, everybody is going to play on that Thursday and it comes so quick. You're trying to move guys out earlier that week, it's a little bit disruptive. So, I'm glad to see the league make that move."
