Raiders' McDaniels Midweek Presser on Bears Week

Las Vegas Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels conducted his midweek press conference moments ago, and we have it all.
In this story:

LAS VEGAS, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) are headed to the Windy City this weekend to meet the Chicago Bears (1-5) at Soldier Field and get to above .500 for the season.

With that game looming, Coach Josh McDaniels of the Raiders gave his Silver and Black midweek update, and we it all for you.

You can watch the entire video above or read the transcript below:

Head Coach Josh McDaniels Opening Statement: "All right, good morning. All right, so we're knee deep into the Bears. This is obviously a team that we don't know very well, we haven't played them a whole lot. And really, I'd say they play a totally different style of football than what we faced the last few weeks, for sure, just in terms of schematically the way they deal with it. Their personnel, I'd say the challenges that they present in all three phases are different. It's a team that's -- this is an explosive team. Starting in the kicking game, I mean, the returner, basically in a top-10, top-five in every category last year -- created turnovers, kickoff returners, really good, big, strong fast. Same thing at the punt returner. The kicker is obviously exceptional. They're the only team really to block two field goals this year. So, they present a lot of challenges in that regard. They're very well coached and they're physical, which stands out in every unit. Defensively, they lead the league in negative runs. Coach [Matt] Eberflus has always done a great job of going after the football, trying to create takeaways and turnovers and when they've done that, obviously, that's been a big precursor for victories for them throughout his coaching career. But you can see the effort and the attempts at the ball, the way they play kind of lends itself to creating turnovers if you're not careful with the football, or you don't take good care of it if you have it. So, the defensive front is very disruptive, they play a lot of players, some of which we're familiar with who were here before -- Andrew [Billings], Yannick [Ngakoue]. I mean they have some guys there -- [Justin] Jones is, I'd say, one of the best defensive linemen that we're going to see the entire year. Their linebackers are rangy, big good blitzers; [Eddie] Jackson, obviously, he's found the end zone on defense more than any player since he's been in the league. So, they are very opportunistic, create a lot of long yardage situations. I think Matt [Eberflus] is as good a defensive coach, he's right up there with all the rest of them who are that good. I mean, he challenges you in a number of different ways. And then offensively, I mean, they led the league in rushing last year. It's really the same guys picking up where they left off in that regard. Their running backs are all big, all hard to tackle, make a ton of yards after contact. So, tackling will be important this week. [DJ] Moore is at the top of every category basically in the league -- yards per catch, contested catches. He's hard to tackle when he has the ball in his hands. So, they get the tight ends involved, they have other skill players who they throw it to, and obviously [quarterback Justin] Fields. And I understand the report, may or may not go, but obviously he's a versatile guy, he can hurt you with his arm, can hurt you with his legs. And then the young kid when he came in last week, very much the same thing. He understands the game plan, he can do things with his legs as well. So, we've seen a lot of film on him. So, they are an explosive team in all three areas, all three phases. We have to do a good job of understanding who we're playing against and where they're at and how they win, and how they make big plays, because that's obviously going to be a big factor on Sunday." 

Las Vegas Raiders Josh McDaniels spoke ahead of the Silver and Black's trip to Chicago this weekend.
Las Vegas Raiders Josh McDaniels spoke ahead of the Silver and Black's trip to Chicago this weekend / Darrell Craig Harris, Raiders Today

Q: Any updates on Jimmy Garoppolo? 

Coach McDaniels: "Nothing yet. I mean, that will be a medical thing as we go through the week here and just kind of see how it progresses. But nothing yet." 

Q: Will he be able to practice but not today? 

Coach McDaniels: "Not today. He won't practice today." 

Q: I know you have a game plan at quarterback and Brian Hoyer came in off the bench did a pretty good job, Aidan O'Connell's already gotten a start. 

Coach McDaniels: "I mean, both of them will get opportunities today. Like I said, we'll kind of see how today goes and then see what the prognosis is and see how practice goes, see how Jimmy [Garoppolo] is feeling. So, I think there are a few balls in the air right now that we're going to have to sort through for sure." 

Q: When you talk about the preparation for the Bears their quarterback, the young kid, Tyson Bagent, there's not much film one him, he's a small school guy obviously. And Justin Fields has already been reported as not playing. How much do you have to kind of weigh that, prepare for him, and how do you prepare for a quarterback you don't know that much about necessarily? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I mean, look, there's film on everybody if you look hard enough to find it, you know what I mean. So, he's played in the preseason a bunch and played last week, obviously. And there's college tape as well. So, I think most importantly, is to understand the skill set of the player you're talking about and in this case, it's multiple players. We have to be able to defend whoever is out there. So, we always talk about the backup quarterback anyway. Last week was no different, you know what I mean? We had some tape on [Malik] Cunningham and knew that there might be something where he could potentially be a factor, and so you have to prepare and do your due diligence. So, like I said, we have all the tape on him. We'll watch it all, he's played in their system and their offense, he did some good things in the preseason, certainly. He can do some things with his legs, he finds the right people in the passing game and he's accurate, he has a good arm. So, I mean, there is enough to go off of, for sure." 

Q: Was he on your radar in the pre-draft process or the drafting process? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I mean, a lot of them that are. I think, once we ended up going with Aidan [O'Connell], I think it kind of changed just the entire mindset of that whole thing." 

Q: It seems like safety Tre'von Moehrig this season has taken a step forward. What have you seen from him in terms of his growth? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, this is Tre's [Tre'von Moehrig] third year, he's played a ton of football obviously, and he's had an opportunity to really try to take I think the best of the guys that he's been around. He was around John Abram, a physical type of style player. He got to be around Duron [Harmon] last year a little bit, who'd been in the league for a long time. I think Tre tried to gain and take as much from him as he could. And now, Marcus [Epps] comes in this year, a different player, different experiences. Marcus has had a lot of success in his career on some really good teams. And I think Tre's just done a good job of trying to learn from all those players that he's playing with or beside. He works hard at it, I know he studies hard at his position, the opponent. I think he's trying to be good in every area of that position, and we ask a lot of that position. Sometimes they're down in the box, sometimes they're in a deep part of the field. Sometimes they're covering, sometimes they're blitzing. I think Tre has improved as a tackler. And he certainly had to deal with his fair share of adversities too as he's got the cast on the thumb. So, I just think he's a tough-minded kid who's really focused on trying to be the best version of himself. And I think he's really taken something from all of the guys who he's had an opportunity to play with, which I think is great for every young player to do because obviously you don't know everything when you're young. So, just feel like he's continuing to get better and better. I really like Tre's path here." 

Q: As the trade deadline comes, is that something you and Dave Ziegler discuss? Is it something Dave will say: ‘Hey, I think we can fill a need here.' How do you and Dave handle that?

Coach McDaniels: "That's really for Dave [Ziegler] and Champ [Kelly] and those guys upstairs to really monitor that stuff. I mean, I don't have enough -- I wish there was two more hours in every day as it is to do other things. So, it's an important part of the process. It doesn't mean that anything will or won't happen, but I have total trust and faith in those guys. They've monitored all that stuff, if there's something that eventually we need to have a discussion about or what have you, then you try to do the best thing for the team. But I'm going to be in my lane here, and if he needs to honk the horn and we need to pull over to the side of the road and have a conversation, then we will. But those guys are going to do a great job of that. They did a great job last season of monitoring that whole thing. There are a lot of conversations, sometimes there are things that happen, a lot of times there is not." 

Q: Any update on Nate Hobbs? 

Coach McDaniels: "He won't be out there either today. He's continuing to try to progress and work hard at it. Again, he'll be out there as soon as he can. He's just not quite ready." 

Q: We talked about your interior defensive line as a whole other day, but the guy who's getting the most snaps and seems to be in a really good stretch is Bilal Nichols. How important has it been for him? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, Bilal [Nichols], he's been a steady guy since we got him last year. He just works really hard at all the areas that are required at that position. He's got to be able to play the run and be physical inside. He works at pass rush diligently every single week that we're out there. I think he's improved in both areas. I think he understands the scheme that we're playing now, the best since I've been here. I think all our guys are really getting acclimated to it. But he's a true pro, really a good influence on everybody else. He comes in prepared every day, puts in a great deal of work at practice technique wise, fundamentally, and then he gives great effort. He's in good condition, he can play a lot of snaps as you mentioned, and he impacts the game in multiple ways, which obviously if you play that position that's what you want to do. So really, again, we're happy with the progress that we've seen from Bilal." 

Q: Defensive tackle John Jenkins is somebody else who probably doesn't get the notoriety that he deserves. He’s been kind of an anchor for you guys? 

Coach McDaniels: “Yeah, he has. There’s another guy who is nothing but a pro. He's ready every day, knows the opponent, understands what his job is, doesn't get tired of doing it right with the technique, very consistent in his approach, and practices his butt off. For a guy who's been in the league as many times, as many practices and games as this guy has played in his career, you see him practice and you're impressed. He's always trying to either help himself improve or help somebody else get better, which I mean you wish you could put a roster full of 70 guys together who are like that. So, we just love having him here. He's played very well so far this season, and we're going to need him to continue to do that.” 

Q: Defensive end Maxx Crosby has seemingly always kind of been a team leader anyway, but it seems like he's taken even more of a leap this year. How has he been able to do that? 

Coach McDaniels: “Yeah, I mean, he searches honestly daily for ways to improve himself and improve himself in all the areas that he's working on. And everybody sees the player part of it, but I’m probably just as impressed with the other stuff, in the meeting room, how he leads his teammates on the practice field, his preparation every day, his treatment, his recovery process is never ending. And I think young players sometimes know how to get themselves in a routine. And I think one of the biggest challenges that young players see, and I think Maxx is really getting over the hump on this, is how do I improve other guys? How do I help them improve and motivate them to do more and try to improve themselves? So, he just has such an effect on everybody every day, and then along with that, there's a lot of pressure because you have to be on every day. You can't come in and have a day where you just go through the motions. And he never does, so he's learned to deal with all those stresses of being a great leader, a great teammate, along with being a dynamic elite player. He's obsessed with being the best version of himself every day and you see it, and that's why you see him improve at it.” 

Q: I'm sure you know a lot about him already coming in. But was there a moment last year when you were like: ‘Oh, this guy this guy is different. Like there's something different at Crosby?’ 

Coach McDaniels: “Yeah, I mean, the first few times I saw him in the weight room. Of course, my office is right over there by the parking lot. So, when you look down there, his car is here most of the time and you’d think he was coaching because he's here early, he's here late and all the rest of it. Ever since I've had an opportunity and the good fortune to be here, he's been an incredible influence on me, on the people in the building, on the players. I mean, we're blessed to have him, we really are.” 

Q: Have you watched him spar and how much does it panic you that he's in there? 

Coach McDaniels: “Yeah, I have. We try to keep some of the shots to a minimum as we go into the season part of it. I mean guys have different ways that they prepare and he's a violent guy, and he plays that way too.” 

Q: A player like wide receiver Davante Adams is such a focal point and cameras catch him when he's sitting and who's he's talking to during the game. On Sunday, he was frustrated and left the locker room without talking to the media after the game. As the head coach dealing with somebody like that, are there times where you feel like you have to sit him down or the office is open for him to come to talk to you to express any frustration? 

Coach McDaniels: “I always have open communication with all those guys. And honestly, great players wouldn't be great if they didn't want to try to help the team win in every way that they can. We have a handful of guys who have earned that opportunity. We were just talking about Maxx and talk about Davante, and I've been around a handful of other ones. Look, the game is different for them because they've achieved a certain status, and they want to contribute every single time that they're out there as much as they can. So, that's part of them being them. I would never tell them to squash that. He's been a great leader, a great influence. We know how this goes. There are stretches and we've seen this already in the league a half a dozen or more times this year, where a certain player doesn't necessarily get a certain number of targets one week or the other for a number of reasons. The other team gets a little bit of a vote or something else happens that affects that, but to me, I wouldn't want him to change or any other player who is like that. I wouldn't want Maxx to change and he's getting double teamed on every pass rush. We've tried to move him to help him be more impactful. I've said that before, our job is to make sure our best players have an opportunity to impact the game, and they can only do what they can do. So, he's going to do everything he can to help us win, I know that for sure. He's got a great attitude and mindset. He's as competitive as a guy I've ever been around, and he should want the ball and he should want to contribute. So no, I don't try to tell them to not feel a certain way, and they should want the ball, that's why they are who they are. So no, he's great in every way and this is no different." 

Q: I know that he thinks when he's double teamed, he's still open. Where's the fine line with that? Especially when you have to sit down and talk to him about it. 

Coach McDaniels: "I mean, I don't have to sit down and talk to him about anything. There's a fine line for every player like that. We've got to be smart with the ball, but we've also got to make sure we keep our best options available to us. Look, my job is to try to find a way where they can't double him. So, we'll keep working at that part, too. And again, there always are stretches like that which seem a little bit slower than others, but that can change in a hurry." 

Q: Your offenses have always been known for tight end. So as rookie Michael Mayer continues to mature, how much does it allow you to do more of what your scheme is? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I mean I think the more guys who contribute, the harder it isto defend. And obviously the tight end position -- I think [Austin Hooper] and [Michael Mayer] both contributed the last few weeks, significantly. They're right in the middle of defense, so when there's somebody whether it's a back, receiver or a tight end that's contributing right in the middle of the field, you have to pay some attention to that. They're hard to tackle, they are two big guys running with the ball. You get the ball in their hands you have an opportunity to make some yards. So, I love the position. I think the versatility of that position going back a number of years now has continued to evolve and change, and there are so many really good tight ends in the league now. I'm really excited that we're starting to see some of that growth from our guys." 

Q: When you guys drafted Tyree Wilson you had a plan, kind of a ramp up period for him. Has he progressed how you guys expected him to this point so far? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah. I mean I think Tyree [Wilson] is playing more and more in terms of doing the things we thought he could do. I know everybody is waiting for him, so I understand that part of it, but I thought he was very impactful in the running game the other day. Again, some of the things in the pass rush, there are opportunities and we're getting closer on some of those things too. So, the thing he's doing is he's been out there every day, he's stringing weeks together, he's getting better in terms of understanding his role, the defense, what he's doing on every call, the technique we're using, getting off on the football, how to play different blockers. That's a big thing for him too, because the left tackle this week is not the same as the left tackle last week, and that will continue through his career. So these guys, there's a different level of preparation that goes into winning rushes, winning run blocks, etc., against different people. So, he's learning how to do all that, and I love the fact that he's been durable and been able to stay out there on the practice field, which I think is where you're going to see the most improvement from him." 

Q: Maxx Crosby pushes Tyree Wilson in a good way. So how much does it help you to look over and say: "OK: if he's going to learn from anybody, that's the guy?" 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I think all your leaders like that, certainly you know that the young players respect those players. One, because of the way they work, but two because they've earned it based on their production. So, to have guys like that in your organization, and we have a number of them, Maxx [Crosby], JJ [Josh Jacobs], Davante [Adams], Jimmy [Garoppolo], [Marcus] Epps, [Robert] Spillane, Marcus Peters. There are a lot of guys who people can listen to and they have a lot of experiences, a lot of successful experiences to rely on and help teach some of these young guys through their exposure. When you see that, you know it's a good conversation, and the most important thing is how it's received. You see a lot of our young players, whether it's Tre [Tucker] listening to Davante, or Tre'von [Moehrig] listening to Epps or Tyree listening to Maxx, those are all really productive conversations for an organization and team to have." 

Q: Davante Adams has taken some big hits and some physical stuff. I know he wants to practice all the time. Is he going to be out there today, and is that something that you kind of have to help him refrain from themselves? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I think we try to do that with all of our guys. I mean, Maxx [Crosby], you guys have seen on the injury report limited. We're just trying to be smart with all those guys. I mean there's a toll that it takes, especially this year with our bye week where it is. You've got to try to manage that the best you can. We have a late bye week, while last year we had an early one. So, we'll do the best we can to try to manage those guys. I understand if they don't have a certain practice rep, like that's part of doing business. I count on those guys to be ready to go on Sunday." 

The Silver and Black will head out on the road to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 1:05 p.m. EDT/10:05 a.m. PDT.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.


Published
Hondo Carpenter
HONDO CARPENTER

Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. is an award-winning sports journalist who brings decades of experience to his role as editor and publisher, and beat writer for our Las Vegas Raiders and the NFL coverage. Carpenter is a member of the PFWA, FWAA, and USBWA.