A transcription of Raiders coach Jack Del Rio’s press conference Sunday following his team’s ninth of 16 practices in Napa as provided by the club:



Q: What is your philosophy when it comes to game-planning for preseason games and that kind of thing?

Del Rio: “There won’t be any game-planning, not for the first preseason game. We’ll basically just pair down things that we’ve installed and try and really evaluate the players, their ability to play fast and some of the basic concepts that we want to be able to utilize. We’re not trying to outsmart the opponent in this game. We’re trying to get a real thorough evaluation of the people we have and what they’re capable of and really looking to kind of settle some of the battles at different positions.”

Q: How important is it to see these guys take what they’ve learned on the practice field to the game?

Del Rio: “Everything we do is geared toward performing well on game day. We want to have that heightened sense of urgency. We want to be able to take what we’ve been able to teach and accomplish on the practice field and be able to apply that in a game setting. You’re typically looking for guys that when the lights come on and it’s in a game situation, that they’re at their best.”

Q: It’s been nine days for Rod Streater and Clive Walford missing practice. Were they worse than you thought they were originally? Were there any setbacks?

Del Rio: “No. Two different scenarios. With one, we’re trying to determine exactly what we’re dealing with with the non-football situation. The other is very close. Two different situations.”

Q: Could Jamize Olawale’s injury be more significant in terms of time missed than some of the others?

Del Rio: “I hope not and I don’t think so.”

Q: Did you feel like the players earned that day off tomorrow?

Del Rio: “Oh, we earned it. We had a great first week or so of camp. I think a lot of productivity – a lot of energy and effort – but a lot of productivity. I think we grew as a football team this week. We went through a lot of different situations. Fundamentally, the teaching that went in, the work and the sacrifice and the coming together and understanding how we’re going to apply ourselves within the system. I think all of that was really excellent. Good first week. This effort would have earned a day off, but it’s mandated so they’re going to get it regardless. But I was glad to see that kind of performance.”

Q: What is your take on the players mentioning that the playing background of the coaching staff makes things carry a little bit more credibility?

Del Rio: “I don’t put a lot of stock as a professional coach into that aspect of it. I am aware of it. Certainly the guys that have had experience that we’ve been in that seat, been in those pads, understand what we’re going through. I think there is a different perspective that you have. But there are a lot of excellent coaches that never played the game, so I don’t think it has a whole lot to do with whether you can coach or not. I think you have an ability to relate to them a little bit better. The coaches are good coaches because you can help your players be better players. That’s what I’m most concerned with.”

Q: When a unit has had a bad session or a bad practice, have you seen the bounce back that you like to see?

Del Rio: “Well, we’re looking to flatten it out and be more consistent on a daily basis. So where we’re seeing ups and downs, we want to see the up at a high level and be maintained and be consistent with it. So that’s what we’re striving for. Yeah, if we fall down, we get up. If we stumble, we get back on track. So we’re going to continue to do that, hit the reset button where we need to, but we’re looking to sustain excellence, looking to sustain a high level of play and that’s what we’re striving for. Again, it’s coming together. I think we’ve sputtered a little bit throughout this week where the offense would have the upper hand, the defense would have the upper hand. It’s gone back and forth and that’s normal for a training camp, but what we want to see is our effort on both sides continue to elevate.”

Q: What is the significance of the term “Unpaid Debt” on the T-shirts?

Del Rio: “We heard from a guest speaker who – the guy was outstanding. He came in and shared a message. Rob Lively was his name. He had a tremendous message about the sacrifices that are made, and he was talking from a military perspective, but how it relates to what we’re doing here on the football field. It’s really about doing it for your brother, doing it for the guy to your right, doing it for the guy to your left. The accountability for each other. And certainly, I think the message was right on time for us. It was a moving kind of speech that he gave and a talk, and I think it resonated with our guys. So that unpaid debt is something he referred to and it’s something when we see that, we reflect on those words that we heard. It was awesome.”



Q: How many guest speakers have you had in camp?

Del Rio: “We’re trying to touch guys how we can, different areas, and that was one.”

Q: Any thoughts on Tim Brown’s induction into the Hall of Fame?

Del Rio: “Well, he certainly earned it. A terrific player, a great Raider, and I’m really happy for him. I think everybody that’s associated with the Raiders is proud to have another member going into the Hall of Fame.”

Q: How has Austin Howard done filling in for Menelik Watson?

Del Rio: “I think our line has been pretty good. I think, like I said earlier I think last week, I feel good about the group. I think we have a good group. They’ll be competitive for what roles will end up being determined, but they’ll get game time on Friday to really kind of put it all together. I think the line is working great right now and I think it’s been a pretty solid start for them”

Q: Mike Tice had said earlier this week that he was going to take the Monday off day and maybe reevaluate how that first team has done and maybe move some pieces around. Is there any thought to doing that with other position groups?

Del Rio: “We’ll do that as a staff, take the time that we have when the players are off to be real thorough going through the tape. A lot of time to kind of catch our breath, go back and evaluate the roster and talk about the roster, and if we feel the need to alter anything then we’ll do that. That’s pretty normal for this time of year.”



Q: You said you liked the way the group is forming right now, but do you think when Menelik Watson comes back that he’ll be stepping back into his first team role? Or will you just stick with these guys?

Del Rio: “I’m just going to continue to coach the guys that are out here and guys that aren’t ready, they’ll get the treatment and get back as soon as they can. We’ll come out here and compete every day. I’m not going to get into specific discussions about whose rep and whose role is what at this particular time. Right now we’re trying to create competition, so everybody is getting significant reps, turns and opportunities.”



Q: When the first depth chart comes out, what significance should we attach to that?

Del Rio: “I think the biggest thing you can get out of the depth chart that’s going to be released tomorrow is how much [Raiders senior director – media relations] Will [Kiss] has been paying attention. I’m just going to be honest with you, it’s Will taking a stab at it and it’s going to be fine until the season gets here. It’s not going to really be my list until the season gets here, so whatever he put down, good for Will. If he’s been watching we’ll be in good shape.”



Q: Besides Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, what have you seen out of the receivers so far?

Del Rio: “I like the approach. I think we’ve had some outstanding catches and separation and attention to detail. I think we started fast in that area with the receivers connecting with the quarterbacks. I think having that early time helps a little bit, and then it hasn’t been as consistent throughout the week as it needs to be. There are a lot of numbers there to work through for us, so that will be a good position to evaluate. Getting some game reps against other people will be good for us and seeing how that position continues to grow. We feel like we have some options there; some guys that maybe will develop beyond what they’ve been in the past. We’ll see how that goes.”



Q: What about your backup quarterbacks? How have they been?

Del Rio: “Pretty solid. I think quarterback play has been pretty darn solid to start camp. Obviously having Derek [Carr] lead the way, he provides a great example, even as a young player, of what it should look like.”



Q: What has Lee Smith brought to the team?

Del Rio: “He’s a great veteran presence, he’s a physical guy and he loves football. To me, we want to collect as many guys that love football as we can.”



Q: He’s a nice guy off the field. It seems like he has a bit of an edge to him on the field.

Del Rio: “He’s a tough guy. He’s a man, he’s a tough guy and he’s a great addition.”