Head Coach Jack Del Rio
Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio is pleased with the team's progress in training camp, thus far. The team stripped the pads off Friday for a lighter practice, after a solid two days of work in pads. Del Rio is focused on the continued development of the team, but is looking forward to former Raiders' quarterback Ken Stabler being inducted to the Hall of Fame this weekend.
Here are the quick hits from Del Rio's time at the podium:
Del Rio and the coaching staff decided today would serve as one of the team's non-padded practices.
"A little lighter day today, intentionally. We had two really long, tough practices the last two days and we'll have two more coming in the next two days going forward. But, this being the middle of the week of a five day week, we elected to lighten it up a little bit, took them out of pads, put on the light shells and shortened things up quite a bit."
Del Rio addressed the team's decision to keep rookie safety Karl Joseph and tight end Clive Walford out of practice yesterday.
"We work hard to make sure that we're working smart, doing the right things with our guys so that they can be at their best. Just continue to strengthen and just kind of preventative and make sure we don't have issues. We'll push plenty, but there are times when you need to pull back a little bit, and with individuals, it may be wise to do so. And, when that's the case, we'll do that."
He emphasized the importance of training players to serve multiple roles on the team.
"Our guys, we try and cross train them to do multiple roles so that we have flexibility when the fall gets here. Shilique's done a nice job of being able to be a guy that can play when they're behind Khalil [Mack] or he can play in there behind Bruce [Irvin]. They're going to do both. We like them coming forward a lot, but they do have coverage responsibilities from time to time and so Shilique is learning, much like they're learning how to do both."
Del Rio shared his thoughts on Raider legend Ken Stabler being inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend.
"Very, very proud for the family. Very happy, very pleased for the Raider Nation. He's one of the all-time greats to play here. He did it and then he led this team, there were great teams. I think it's long overdue and I'm just happy that it did occur."
With high expectations around the team this year, Del Rio thinks the receiving corps can have a big year.
"We returned the four key guys that Derek throws to in the receiving corps. I think it's a really good group. We all expect it, with them knowing each other and the subtleties of the route running, the things they need to do that we can take advantage of it and have a big year."
