After progressing through Training Camp 2015 and the preseason, the Oakland Raiders are finally preparing to play a regular season game.
The team opens up against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at O.co Coliseum, and following Wednesday's practice, Head Coach Jack Del Rio spoke to the media.
Here are the highlights from his press conference.
**Head Coach Jack Del Rio and Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis have history together – they were both on staff when the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV, and there's a mutual respect between the pair.
Check out who's currently on the roster for the Oakland Raiders.
Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (56)
S Nate Allen
LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
S Larry Asante
DE Denico Autry
LB Neiron Ball
OL Khalif Barnes
G Tony Bergstrom
WR Brice Butler
QB Derek Carr
CB TJ Carrie
WR Amari Cooper
LS Jon Condo
WR Michael Crabtree
DE Mario Edwards Jr.
DT Justin Ellis
G Jon Feliciano
CB DJ Hayden
LB Ben Heeney
RB Roy Helu, Jr.
WR Andre Holmes
TE Gabe Holmes
OL Austin Howard
C Rodney Hudson
G Gabe Jackson
K Sebastian Janikowski
RB Taiwan Jones
P Marquette King
LB Curtis Lofton
LB Khalil Mack
DE Benson Mayowa
T Matt McCants
CB Dexter McDonald
DT Stacy McGee
CB Keith McGill
QB Matt McGloin
RB Latavius Murray
FB Jamize Olawale
T Donald Penn
FB Marcel Reece
TE Mychal Rivera
WR Seth Roberts
TE Lee Smith
LB Malcolm Smith
WR Rod Streater
CB Neiko Thorpe
DE Justin Tuck
TE Clive Walford
T J'Marcus Webb
DT Dan Williams
FS Charles Woodson
**
"Marvin and I had a great three years together in Baltimore. I've known him a long time. We were together back in 1999, 2000, 2001, won a World Championship with him, so yeah, we've remained good friends. He's a good friend and a really good coach, and looking forward to going against him Sunday."
The Cincinnati wide receivers will provide the Raiders secondary a good test, but Head Coach Del Rio made sure to note that each week in the NFL is a test in its own right.
"It'll be a good test. Every week there's a good test. We'll talk about the talent on the other team every week. Everybody has talent in this league, certainly they have talent and we're looking forward to matching up."
He also spoke about the expectations for rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper heading into his first regular season game.
"He'll just get himself ready to play. Prepare himself, and go compete and play hard. That's all we expect of him. That's all we want him to do, and that's the way he's wired anyway."
The Silver and Black open the season at home, and Head Coach Del Rio spoke about the importance of starting the season out with a positive result.
"I think it's important to win at home. We've got great fans that are going to come out in full force on Sunday, and we want to put on a good show for them and make sure they're proud."
