With the Oakland Raiders season over, many of the players were back at the team's facility Monday afternoon to pack their belongings and gather whatever personal belongings they have in their lockers. In the process, many of the players took the time to speak with members of the media about the season's conclusion, as well as how they'll prepare for the offseason, and the news of former Head Coach Jack Del Rio's departure.
Here are some of the best quotes from the locker room:
**Linebacker NaVorro Bowman
**
"I thought Jack was a great guy and a great coach. I enjoyed the time that we had together. He wanted me to be here and we ran into each other before I made my decision so I knew it would be a smooth transition."
Long Snapper Jon Condo
"What Jack has done to bring this organization back to life, so to speak, and give his three years, we built a good team and some good games. Obviously, this year was a disappointment. I think everyone in this locker room would agree to that. It's unfortunate, it's the nature of the business. You build relationships with all the coaches and for something like this to happen is tough. Life goes on."
"I still want to play the game of football. I love it. I still feel young and this is the healthiest I've been. I haven't had any trips to the training room this year and I took care of my body. We'll see."
Linebacker/Defensive End James Cowser
"I have so much respect for that man [Jack Del Rio]. He reminds me a lot of my college coach, who I attached to, just the way he goes about his business. He's very professional about what he does and he's very true to himself."
"I don't know what's going to happen. What I do know is the quality of people that these coaches are and that the players are. I know that we'll move forward and they'll move forward with strength and doing the right thing."
**Safety Reggie Nelson
**
"I came here to win and like I said, we fell short this year and things didn't turn out the way we wanted them to. At the end of the day it's a production business and we didn't produce, like I said."
Kicker Giorgio Tavecchio
"There was good, there was bad, there was ugly. But I can sum it up in one word and that's gratitude. That's the first thing that comes to mind now that I get a chance to process things. I am reminded of an Enrique Iglesias song called The Highway. It's a journey. I'm so grateful that I've gotten to share it with the men in this room and the people in this building. It's been a special ride. I hope I did them proud. I hope I was able to give what was expected of me. I know that I'll forever cherish these moments because when it comes down to it, you want to make a living by what you take but make life by what you give. I feel like I gave everything. There's nothing more I can do."
"[Raider Nation] It's special, man. There's only one Silver and Black out there. International brand. It's the hometown team so it's been an unbelievable experience. When you get in the locker room and see that black jersey with the silver number. These are some tough guys so to be able to don the silver and black in my hometown… I've driven past the Coliseum hundreds of times growing up, it's very, very special. I go back to the word I used earlier: gratitude. So grateful. I hope I made the Raider Nation proud."
