Podcast: Dynamic Around the Raiders and the NFL

Our latest episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast discusses Chandler Jones, the latest around the Silver and Black and the NFL.

The Las Vegas Raiders have many issues revolving around their franchise, from who will start at quarterback, the story around defensive end Chandler Jones, to many other issues, including Coach Josh McDaniels leading them back to winning football.

In addition, the National Football League is surrounded by revolving issues around the world's most significant professional sports league.

In our latest episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Pocast (taped Friday morning), we tackle some issues around the Silver, Black, and the NFL.

You can watch the entire podcast below:

In addition, on Friday, Josh McDaniels spoke to the media, and here is the entire transcript of what he said:

Head Coach Josh McDaniels 

Q: Any update on the Chandler Jones situation? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, again, I'm going to stay with where I'm at. I don't have much to add to any of that. Nothing's changed on our end in terms of what the status and everything else. I'm not up to speed on everything." 

Q: What's the status of Jimmy Garoppolo? 

Coach McDaniels: "He's still in the concussion protocol. He'll be out there again today kind of working through that. Again, we're at the mercy of the testing and all the rest of it. He'll go through the normal set of tests, and we'll see if he clears." 

Q: Do you think that will be something that lingers into Saturday or Sunday? 

Coach McDaniels: "As soon as they're ready to go from one phase to the next, that's the protocol. Like I said, we'll kind of see where it goes today." 

Q: As far as that protocol goes, is there a time that you'd have to know by? Or is it right before kickoff? 

Coach McDaniels: "No, it will be well before then. I mean, we'll have an idea today and tomorrow as we go, what is or isn't happening based on the testing. But it's not going to happen Sunday morning." 

Q: You don't have to make an announcement, do you? 

Coach McDaniels: "If we were to not travel any player, we would do that. Again, it's really out of our hands at this point until the medical people tell us where that goes. So, as soon as we're clear on what it is and what it isn't, then we'll go ahead and move in one direction or the other." 

Q: Maxx [Crosby] missed practice the other day, any update? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, the same thing. We have a number of guys three games in who are dealing with some bumps and bruises, and those kinds of things. I don't ever want to try to minimize them or put a timeline on anything. They're all working as hard as they can to get back out there as soon as possible. So, we're just trying to be smart with them. I feel like there are some guys who would do better with a little bit of rest and not going out there and running around. He was out there Wednesday and we’re just making smart decisions here with some of our guys." 

Q: How much was Jimmy [Garoppolo] able to do and how did he look today? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I mean, it's non-contact for a quarterback. Hopefully we're not contacting the quarterback ever in practice, that's why they have red jerseys. He went through the whole workout. So, it was what it was for a practice for our quarterbacks. It's fairly simple, it's a lot more difficult when it's a position player, obviously." 

 Q: Obviously there are not a lot you guys can say about the Chandler Jones situation, but as somebody you've known for a long time, is there just a human level of kind of concern when these kinds of situations emerge? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I mean, I care for all of them. I think we all do. We want the best for all of our players, former players, etc. So, that will never change. That part is going to be there now and forever for all the guys we've coached and got an opportunity to know and work with. So, we just kind of take it as it comes here as we're going through this, and we continue to try to do the best we can. Like I said, there's not much we can do other than that." 

Q: How different is Davante Adams just as a player on the field and what he's able to do? 

Coach McDaniels: "He's one of the more unique players and people who I've been around. I feel like I've been fortunate to be around a number of guys who were really good football players and good people as well. He's just exceptional in almost every way, starting with his ability to be out there all the time. And the pace that he practices at, the tempo that he works at, it's obviously very clear why he has achieved what he's achieved because every day is basically that. And the consistency, the work that you put in when nobody else is looking to make sure your body stays always ready for peak performance as best you can for so many years like he has. I mean, this guy hasn't missed a practice. I mean, like maybe one time in my time here with him he's missed a practice for a blister or whatever it was. But I mean, honest to God, his consistency is amazing. He sees the game very special. 

"I coached Randy [Moss] and Randy, he saw the game very similarly in terms of how intelligent they were at their position, and they saw every defense known to mankind in their career, from punt vise to double teams to linebackers coming over to try to hit them. They've seen it all. So, he's got a perspective that's very unique and rare. And his skill and his talent, it's at the highest level. He plays at an incredible speed, his hands his length, his reach is ability to twist and turn and make tough catches. I mean, it's a privilege to coach guys like that because you don't get to see that every day all the time, and you know you're watching it when you're out there and you're seeing him practice and do it in practice. And then when it happens in the game, it doesn't surprise any one of us because there's so much of it we've already witnessed. So, when it happens in the game, I think it's not a surprise to any of us."

Q: Did you have a relationship with him before you guys acquired him? 

Coach McDaniels: "I didn't really. We did some work on him in the draft when we were in New England, and I didn't go out to Fresno. I don't remember, I'm not even sure if I talked to him when he was at the NFL Combine or what have you with short hair that we talk about. We did a lot of work on it, but we didn't have much of like a personal relationship. That's the other thing that I would say that I really have enjoyed with this guy is just his perspective on the game. But not only that, but his perspective on other things outside of football. He's a very mature guy. He's a great Dad, great husband, great son, great friend and very honest and open with his dialogue about whatever. Any way he could help the team -- he's an incredible captain. He has an unselfishness about him. If there's something that he thinks that could help the team but it's not necessarily best for him, like he'll bring it up and suggest it because he thinks it'll help all of us. So, I honestly can't say enough things about the way he's been since we've got him here. We love coaching him every day, the way he helps us practice and perform on game days I mean obviously speaks for itself. So, just a really unique individual, unique player, special in every way. A Hall of Famer." 

 Q: Adams seems like he's the anti-diva wide receiver, as well, when we think of the generalizations of wide receivers over the years? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah. And again, I've probably been privileged that I haven't -- I don't use that word, and I don't think I've coached many guys who are like that. They've all worked hard and have really been adamant about being great at their job. And this guy is so tough, too. I mean you talk about getting hit and getting up and running with the ball after the catch and getting tackled and getting up and blocking for his teammates. There's an element of toughness and unselfishness also that goes a long way. But again, he's a team player. He wants to win. The one No. 1 he wants to have at the end of the day is 1-0, and that's in the win column." 

Q: What have you seen from the offensive line this week knowing the kind of challenge they have with the Chargers' defensive line and also trying to get that run game going? 

Coach McDaniels: “Yeah, I mean, banded together. We're determined and worked really hard all week long, spending some extra time with each other. That's the way you solve problems in our league. It's a long season and every team goes through some ups and downs in certain areas of their game. And we did this last year, there were certain areas where we were struggling early and kind of figured out how to fix it and improve it. And I think that's the mark of a mature group of guys who want to try to address things that they maybe they're not doing as well as they'd like. And so, again, it's not the offensive line and the offensive line alone, there are fullbacks and tight ends, and backs and receivers, and everybody's involved with those type of things. But that group in particular is very mature, very determined, works really hard, and are very consistent with their day-to-day approach. I see no difference this week. I mean, they're adamant about trying to improve in any way that they can to help the team.” 

Q: Do you see that on film as well, that you feel like the running game is close to getting to where it needs to be? 

Coach McDaniels: “I mean, you're always close. Honestly, in the running game, a lot of times you're one block away or one finish away, or one step away, from a two-yard gain becoming a 20-yard gain. I think that all of us are seeing that every ounce of effort and energy and finish and detail will make a difference. When we run the ball well, that's the case, and when we haven't, that's also the case. So, it's a team thing. Everybody's involved in it. We've all got to do our jobs, and if we do, we'll do it well. 

The Silver and Black return to the road this week in Inglewood, Calif., to play the Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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