Q: How are things going out there as far as you guys getting to know each other, new offense, new quarterback?
McFadden: I think, so far, everything is kind of slow motion right now. Like you said, we're just getting to know each other, getting to know a few installs, inputting plays. But, as far as a lot of work on the field, we haven't gotten to do any of that. We're going to start doing some of those things soon. So right now, we're just pretty much feeling everybody out and trying to learn most of the offense.
Q: Is it strange to have to introduce yourself to so many people?
McFadden: Yeah, it's something different. It's the first year I've been here and I can honestly say I probably know 20 people. Other than that, it's part of football. Guys are going to come in and out, so you just have to keep pushing forward. I feel like everybody is doing a great job with putting a team together, so I'm looking forward to the season.
Q: So many guys are gone from last year's team and they made so many changes and yet Reggie McKenzie, he was sitting right here when he talked to us, somebody said, 'What about Darren McFadden?' And he said flatly right out, 'No, Darren McFadden is part of this. We're going forward. He's going to be fine.' What is it to have that kind of backing from the general manager?
McFadden: It's a great feeling that they have that confidence in me. I just want to go out there and prove to them on the field that I can do that, and show them that I'm the type of player they think I'm capable of being.
Q: Of what you've seen of Greg Olson's offense, what do you like about it and how do you think it's going to work?
McFadden: It's a downhill offense. That's one of the main things I like about it. I'm the type of guy, I like to be going downhill off the back. I'm looking forward to it and I think it's going to be a great fit our team.
Q: Last year, you didn't want to put the blame on the scheme and stuff for some of your struggles, but is it comforting to be back in that downhill?
McFadden: I'm not going to put the blame on the scheme or anything. It's the execution. You have to go out there and execute no matter whether you're in a downhill offense or zone offense; you have to execute. If you don't execute, it won't be successful at all.
Q: But just the comfort of the fact that you've had success in the downhill…
McFadden: It's confidence. You know you've had success in it, so you just look forward to doing it again.
Q: Did you spend any time going over what happened last year or have you just wiped it clean?
McFadden: No. I came in last year with my hopes set super high and they were just crushed, so I just wanted to put that behind me and move forward.
Q: What are your thoughts on so many changes? Like you said, it's part of the game, but how do you stay focused on it, especially when there's a quarterback switch again?
McFadden: A lot of people would say we're rebuilding right now, but I think we're just getting a lot of different players in here that's going to help us out. A lot of guys are coming in hungry. I'm looking forward to that. The guys are coming in here wanting to go out there and do better and help turn this organization around. I think it's going to be a good deal for us.
Q: Specifically the quarterback switch, what are your thoughts?
McFadden: The quarterback situation is part of the game. Some guys come and go so it's just part of it.
Q: Have they gotten a hold of you? Have they asked you about saying, 'Hey, you're in your last year here. We might want to get you locked up for several years.'? Or are you going to let the year play out?
McFadden: Whatever they decide on me, I can do nothing but roll with it. We haven't talked about anything. I'm a Raider right now. I'm playing football. I'm preparing this season, so that's all I can do right now.
Q: What do you want to happen? Would you approach them and say, 'Hey, I don't want to go into this year like this. I'd like to see if we can get something worked out?'
McFadden: I'm just going and playing football. When it's time to come and take care of that, we'll take care of that then.
Q: Jacoby [Ford] was talking about this, too…how much it could help this team if you get back to the form you were at and he gets back to the form he was at. To have all those extra touchdowns and big plays and that kind of thing, is that what you think both you guys are looking forward to?
McFadden: Me and Jacoby, we've talked about those things, and several guys on the team. I feel like that's something that just having our offense at full strength, I don't think we've had that the last two or three years. So having our offense at full strength I think is going to be great for us.
