MODS PLEASE LOCK | The Oakland Raiders 2015 Season Thread: Week 17 @ Kansas City / 7-8

How many wins will the Raiders have this season?

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TheWindScar31 said:
Went yesterday. finally was able to sit in the shade for once during a training camp. Everything looked good. TJ Carrie took a TD away from Crabs in the back corner of the end zone on a fade route right in front of us.

Mack was working with the d-lineman exclusively.

Was able to get C-Wood, Carr, Jano, Donald Penn, Austin Howard, Gabe Jackson and the best of all? Khalif Barnes...Only guy I took a pic with. I told him by friend wouldn't believe me that I got khalif Barnes autograph.. He's a cool dude though...


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Awesome stuff man
 
Raiders’ rookies impressive on defense
By Vic Tafur
August 4, 2015

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Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., (97) warming up during rookie camp at the Oakland Raiders headquarters in Alameda, Calif., on Fri. May 8, 2015. Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., (97) warming up during rookie camp at the Oakland Raiders headquarters in Alameda, Calif., on Fri. May 8, 2015.
On the football field, you hear things that aren’t said or viewed as compliments anywhere else. Take Raiders rookie defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr.

He is “twitchier” than they thought he would be, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said.

“Edwards is doing some fantastic things,” Norton said. “The things we saw on the film when we scouted him, he’s a lot twitchier, he’s fast, he moves pretty good.”

Edwards, weighing 279 pounds after being as high as 310 at Florida State, has been lining up at both defensive end and defensive tackle at training camp in Napa.

“We’re very, very, very, happy with his development,” Norton said. “And he’s only getting better.”

Another rookie who has been doing well on defense is linebacker Ben Heeney, a fifth-round choice from Kansas. He blocked a punt in Sunday’s practice and then broke up a pass in a scrimmage Monday.

All while being served a slice of humble pie.

“I found out what it truly means to be in the league, and I could (be) put on my butt one time,” Heeney said. “I am not really used to that.”

Not the biggest linebacker at 6-foot, 230 pounds, Heeney had a knack for being around the ball in college, and the Raiders want to see more of the same.

“They just think I am a hard worker and a hustler, and they told me to keep doing what I am doing,” Heeney said. “And I should be fine.”

He has been taking it all in stride the first week of camp, but there is some nervousness.

“The rookies all have to sing a song off the radio in front of the whole team,” Heeney said. “I haven’t been called yet, but I know it’s coming. It’s nerve-racking.”

Legion of Doom II?: The Raiders’ coaches are trying to build up the players’ confidence, and Norton compared the team’s young cornerbacks to the Seahawks’ Legion of Doom secondary.

Norton was on the Seattle staff last year, and said the Seahawks’ nasty defense wasn’t born over night.

“It didn’t start out that way,” he said. “We had to build.”

Norton wants TJ Carrie, Keith McGill and DJ Hayden (15 combined starts) to “bump and run” and “make great plays on the ball.”

“The young corners that I’ve been with in the past, they started out with no one knowing who they were, then all of the sudden, they’re the stars of the league,” Norton said. “And it’s a matter of coaching, developing, time, energy, effort and the whole group. A village raising everybody.”

And he really sees that potential in Carrie, McGill and Hayden?

“Absolutely,” he said. “The talent ... it’s just a matter of work. It’s a matter of experience. It takes time. Winners aren’t built in a week. That’s what camp is for and they’re working their tails off.”
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Raiders DC Ken Norton Jr. says Raiders defense has potential to be like dominant defense he assisted in Seattle
Posted on August 3, 2015 by Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
A transcription of defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.’s first training camp media session Monday as provided by the Raiders:

Q: Coach Norton, it’s your first training camp as a defensive coordinator in the National Football League and being with the Oakland Raiders. What are your opening thoughts?

Norton: “I’m really excited. I really like Napa; really nice town. The team is really working hard and I’m really happy to be here putting my stamp on this defense. It’s been really exciting so far.”

Q: It seems like you’re in perpetual motion. Have you always been like that as a coach?

Norton: “Yeah, I always pattern my coaching after how I played. I’m going to approach it that way – with a lot of energy, with a lot of enthusiasm and really enjoy what I do, and it’s contagious to my players.”

Q: Do you ever have to get yourself going in the morning or are you just naturally like that?

Norton: “I’m naturally that way from the way I am and being around my coaching staffs from the past years. A lot of energy and enthusiasm, that’s the only way how to do it.”

Q: What’s the biggest difference from being a position coach to now taking on the whole defense? Do you find yourself spreading yourself out or do you still find yourself heading toward those linebackers?

Norton: “The biggest difference is I don’t have one position to coach – I’m coaching all the positions now. I have a whole group. In the old days it was just the linebackers, now the whole room is my room. Now the whole room feels who I am and what’s important to me, and I’m able to spread myself amongst others.”

Q: What do you want the Oakland Raiders defense to look like? What kind of identity do you want to have?

Norton: “Good, very competitive, smart, tough, enthusiastic and just playing really hard. I want to let them know that we coach effort first. What are they made of? How hard are you playing? When you guys watch them play I want it to jump off the film that these guys really want it and they’re really playing hard.”

Q: A few of the players were talking about how this energy thing is from morning until night. It sounds almost like there’s a military influence there. Is there any of that?

Norton: “Well, my father was in the military, my grandfather was and my great uncle was, so there’s some military influence. But I just love ball and I know how to do it one way – a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I think if you love what you do, it’s not work; you just wake up clapping and go to work. This is what we do and I want to make sure everybody enjoys being here. If you don’t enjoy being here, you’re in the wrong place. We love ball.”

Q: You have an interesting mix of young players and veteran players. Who’s jumping out to you and how do you see the position battles shaping up?

Norton: “The central thing is competition, as you know. There’s competition all across the board in every position group. At the same time, [Charles] Woodson steps out, and [Justin] Tuck and Khalil [Mack] – the main guys that you know. Those guys are really leading the way. They really bought in and understand who I am and what this defense is supposed to be like, and I’m very happy with the way they’re leading the younger guys.”

Q: Is it tough to get veterans excited about camp?

Norton: “Well if they love ball, no. We know how temporary this game is and we know how short the window is to play, so no. If they love ball and they’re a veteran, no. I can’t even imagine that.”


Q: In the grand scheme of things, where does scheme fit in as opposed to passion, energy and effort?

Norton: “It all fits in together. You have passion, energy and effort because you love ball, but you also have to be smart. You have to know what you’re doing and you have to study. The guys are really taking it in and guys are working together, watching their iPads and talking a lot of ball. We know we’re in meetings day in and day out, so scheme has everything to do with it, but you have to combine it. You can’t just have scheme and a bunch of guys who don’t want to play or a bunch of guys who do want to play but don’t know what they’re doing; there’s a combination between the talent and the passion and each guy working together and understanding their connection across the board.”

Q: Some of the guys in the offseason program talked about how the scheme was more basic to where they were just allowed to play fast. Is that something you believe in?

Norton: “I just want them to know what they’re doing. If you put too much, then you’re spreading yourself out. I’ve always known that you get really good at one thing and you get really good at it, then you go to the next thing. It’s important that they understand that no one’s going to out-play us, no one’s going to out-effort us and no one’s going to out-scheme us. You guys are going to know exactly where you are, the connection between everybody.”

Q: Reggie McKenzie was asked this morning about the possibility of taking a look at Tony McDaniel. He said yeah to possibility. You’re familiar with him. What kind of player is he or what could he bring?

Norton: “I’ve had some good battles and good times with Tony. Those decisions are made in another group but if they can do anything to help improve us, if there’s someone out there that can help us get better, let’s bring him in and give him a shot.”

Q: How key is a middle linebacker to your defense, having brought in Curtis Lofton in the offseason?

Norton: “When you have a former middle linebacker as your coordinator and a former middle linebacker as your head coach, that position becomes very important. And you look at Curtis’ background and he’s played a lot of football for a long time and hasn’t missed any games. So, he’s very, very productive. Very smart. Knows how to play ball. And knows how to run the defense. And he’s a guy I’m glad we have.”

Q: How much from your experience at Seattle, are you able to bring in and incorporate. That’s a pretty nasty defense up there.

Norton: “Absolutely. It was. It didn’t start out that way. We had to build. And we had to understand the positions and the people and the knowledge and everybody working together. And I think it just takes time. Time, energy as a function of us developing who we want to be.”

Q: Would you like your cornerbacks to be physical at the line of scrimmage?

Norton: “We like them to play hard, we like the competition that’s a factor, but again, we also like guys who bump and run and who make great plays on the ball. Absolutely.”

Q: There’s a conscious decision made in the offseason after three years of bringing in veteran corners. But now developing the guys we got. How’s that coming along?

Norton: “Pretty good. We’ve only been here a little over a week. Again, the competition is there. The young corners that I’ve been with in the past, they started out with no one knowing who they were, then all of the sudden they’re the stars of the league. And it’s a matter of coaching, developing, time, energy, effort and just the group. The whole group. A village raising everybody. So I’m real happy with where we are and we still have a long way to go.”

Q: Do you see a certain potential with this group here?

Norton: “Absolutely. At this point, yes. The competition, the talent, it’s just a matter of work. It’s a matter of experience. It’s a matter of time. It takes time. Winners aren’t built in a week. It takes time. That’s what camp is for and they’re working their tails off.”

Q: A guy like Khalil Mack, he stood out as a leader. It’s pretty clear you guys are counting on him a lot. Have you ever had a guy that you used the same way as he is? Have you seen a guy like him before?

Norton: “Khalil is special. There are a lot of players that might be similar. But he’s in a class of his own. Bruce Irvin in Seattle was similar. But, at the same time, Khalil is built. He’s athletic. He’s smart. And he’s relentless. And those things, that versatility, gives you the ability to move him at end, at back, or put him behind the ball. He’s amazing. He’s the type of guy that we want to surround with good football players.”

Q: Are you going to move him around some or would you like him to be at that end spot?

Norton: “Well, I’m not going to talk about schemes, but he’s going to be at a position to make plays.”

Q: Coach Del Rio made a major emphasis at leaving the last several years in the rear-view mirror. But, that being said, did you spend much time, at all, even looking at what the defense played like last year, just to get an idea of the guys that came back? Or did you just move ahead?

Norton: “Well, you have to know your personnel. You have to know who’s playing D-line, linebacker, corner, safety. You have to know who you have. So we spent a lot of time when we first arrived here, to understand who we are, understand what our needs are, understand who has talent, then that’s where you go into the free agency and the draft. They give you the guides from that. But, yes. We do know who we have and watched them, yes.”

Q: How does Mario Edwards Jr. look so far? What does he need to work on?

Norton: “Edwards is just young and he’s doing some fantastic things. The things we saw on the film when we scouted him, he’s a lot twitchier, he’s fast, he moves pretty good. So we’re very, very, very, happy with his development. And he’s only getting better.”

Q: You could bring him both inside and outside. Is that what you like about him? He’s versatile?

Norton: “He’s versatile, fast. He’s a good football player.”
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HNL HI said:
Can't believe Hayden still only competing for the starting job. :smh:
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My buddy always complains about not getting Star whenever Hayden's name gets brought up. And he's got room to talk. He wanted Star before that draft started, before any of us even thought we'd seriously consider getting a CB :smh:
 
I would say corner is one of the weakest positions in the NFL but its still kind of sad you're competing with a mid round pick who barely even played his first season.
 
HNL HI said:
I would say corner is one of the weakest positions in the NFL but its still kind of sad you're competing with a mid round pick who barely even played his first season.
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Even worse, the other guy who's going to start over you is a seventh round pick. DJ has the ability to be a starter, especially on this team. I don't get why he's not able to put it together.
 
Th3RealF0lkBlu3s said:
My buddy always complains about not getting Star whenever Hayden's name gets brought up. And he's got room to talk. He wanted Star before that draft started, before any of us even thought we'd seriously consider getting a CB
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I remember wanting Star Lotuleilei hella bad too prior to the draft, and I thought we was gonna get him for sure when he was available at 12. McKenzie's first draft pick had me feelin like it was the Al Davis from the 2000's drafting.

Watching the draft prior to McKenzie use to be a damn nightmare:

2004 I remember I wanted Larry Fitzgerald or Sean Taylor - got Robert Gallery instead. At the time I wasn't too upset, cause they were basically ready to give Gallery a HOF jacket but I wanted that impact player that I knew Fitz and Sean Taylor would be.

2006 I really wanted Ngata, I didn't like Huff at 7 cause I didn't see Huff like I saw Sean Taylor...but I thought Ngata at 7 might be a reach too at the time.

2007 I wasn't too upset at the Jamarcus Russell selection...we needed a QB and he was the only option that season. I hella wanted Megatron though. I remember not even wanting AP cause he was too injury prone at Oklahoma lol

2008 I wanted Chris or Jake Long, but they were taken before we selected. I remember wanting Glenn Dorsey over DMC, which I guess at this point is kind of a wash.

2009 DHB. Was heated when we passed on Crabtree lol
 
Norton gonna be having them dawgs rushin this year man!!...cus I dont feel to comfy wit our corners.  The aggressive stuff i like but coverage skills seem so questionable...Whos Dbs coach Rod Wood?
 
Ishnaga said:
Norton gonna be having them dawgs rushin this year man!!...cus I dont feel to comfy wit our corners.  The aggressive stuff i like but coverage skills seem so questionable...Whos Dbs coach Rod Wood?
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Get to the QB and the DBs gonna look like studs lol.


Peyton, Rivers or Smith will leave on a stretcher this year.
 
I agree..alotta fire in our front, backers u already know..last year was painful having little to 0 rush. I think it was the jets game ohh man I was getting so heated watching Geno chillin n mooving round like he's vick of 06. Rush def must be better this year...still kinda stumps me why we didn't go LW in the draft but hey...shrug
 
We were better of going with Cooper in the draft than LW as far as needs go, there is far more depth at d line and we haven't had a legit #1 receiver since Tim Brown left.
 
zube42 said:
We were better of going with Cooper in the draft than LW as far as needs go, there is far more depth at d line and we haven't had a legit #1 receiver since Tim Brown left.
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Yes. As badly as I wanted Leonard, I see now what we were missing now that we have Amari here. We won't have to worry about our receiving corps any longer, and we'll give Derek real targets. Our DL will have to do as is for another year.
 
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