Raiders seek edge with new coach’s performance program

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The Raiders’ new conditioning program is so cutting edge, that the new man in charge, head strength and conditioning coach Joe Gomes, won’t even admit that it’s cutting edge when asked.

“Possibly,” he said.

Gomes sat down last week for a chat, but there were no tours given, and details were offered up as easily as the 12th bench-press rep in a set.

Not surprising, really. Gomes used to consult for the U.S. Military Special Forces and U.S. Secret Service.

His job is to reduce athletes’ injury potential and raise the bar on their optimum performance levels, not tell you how he does it.

“We are building the race car for the race,” Gomes said.

And the Raiders, with 11 wins combined in the past three seasons, definitely could use a faster and more durable race car.

A former rugby player, Gomes came to the United States from London 10 years ago. He worked at Athlete’s Performance (now EXOS) and from 2007 through ’10, Gomes ran the NFL scouting-combine preparation program, working with 13 top-10 picks.

Joe Gomes, who was hired as the Raiders’ new strength and conditioning coach, is know for his cutting-edge approach. Joe Gomes, who was hired as the Raiders’ new strength and conditioning coach, is know for his cutting-edge approach. Photo: Oakland Raiders / Oakland Raiders Photo: Oakland Raiders / Oakland Raiders Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders seek edge with new coach’s performance program 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

He was recommended to new Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio by Denver strength coach Luke Richesson, and Gomes jumped at the chance to work for a football team.

“I have a lot of passion for game day, to see all the parts come together,” Gomes said. “From a coaching standpoint, from a physical preparation standpoint, with the complement of strength conditioning, sports medicine and tradition.”

Besides Gomes, assistant strength and conditioning coach Darryl Eto and strength and conditioning assistant Wesley Miller also previously worked at EXOS. (Assistant Kevin Kijowski came from the college ranks.)

“They’re cutting edge in terms of innovation and what we need to do with our (players) to give them a chance to be their healthiest and at their peak on Sundays,” Del Rio said.

The key for Gomes and his staff is individual programs within a team environment.

“There are so many different components to an individual that we have to respect in order to get the most out of them,” Gomes said. “In order to build that map of them reaching their true potential, (we have to look at) their biological edge, their training history, their injury history, how flexible they are, how stable they are, how technical they are with certain lifting techniques, their acceleration and deceleration skills, cutting ...”

The Raiders’ players have been tested, and as the offseason program progresses — there is a three-day minicamp that starts Tuesday — their “individual deficits” are targeted and training methods implemented.

Players also will find different foods at the training table — sorry, no specifics — as Gomes and his staff focus on nutrition quality and timing.

“We have some great technology in house now that can tell the athlete exactly where he is,” Gomes said.

The technology has been road tested and has produced some pretty cool results, Gomes said.

“That’s all you’re going to get from me,” he said, smiling.

The Raiders’ new “performance system” is a 24-hour approach, as players’ sleeping patterns and habits also will be addressed.

“The two biggest areas you can typically impact would be your recovery component and then your nutrition component,” Gomes said. “And if you just upgrade those areas, what you’ll find is that no matter what training they’re doing, you have already improved the level at which they can adapt to that.”

At EXOS, Gomes and his staff saw firsthand how fast technology has pushed the athlete, and what Gomes thinks is the biggest development in injury prevention and treatment.

“The speed at which we can get people back has definitely increased, and that comes not just from research but really good practitioners,” he said. “Therapists and sports scientists and coaches working together. You can create an optimal healing environment.”

It’s what Gomes and his staff are trying to do in Oakland, and if health can lead to wins, he will be healing a fan base as well.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur