Raiders DT Bilal Nichols From Training Camp

Training Camp for the Las Vegas Raiders is progressing, and today defensive tackle Bilal Nichols spoke, and we have his comments for you.

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders have opened their 2023 NFL Training Camp, and running back Ameer Abdullah took to the podium to address the media.

You can watch his entire comments below., and read the transcript:

 Defensive Tackle Bilal Nichols 

Q: Today got pretty physical. As a big guy, you've got to love that the pads are on and you’re finally able to hit to some of these guys? 

Nichols: "Oh yeah, definitely. We haven't had the pads on since the end of last season, so to finally be able to put the pads back on feels amazing. They always say for the big guys this is when the real football starts. So, it felt amazing to be back out there with the guys, be back out there thumping again." 

Q: How much does Maxx Crosby set the tone for what you guys do up front? It seemed like he had another great day out there. 

Nichols: "That's every day with Maxx [Crosby]. I mean, he’s that type of guy who inspires others with his work ethic and he’s going to bring it every day. And as a teammate it forces you to have to match his energy. So, he’s just an all-around unbelievable dude and he inspires all his teammates just to be better and better each day." 

Q: What was your plan for the offseason and how much were you able to stick to what you wanted to do and get accomplished this offseason? 

Nichols: "Just really training on my mental and my physical strength. Just getting my body where I wanted it to be and just training on things that I observed that I could've been better at last year. Always as an athlete your goal is just trying to make those things that you feel like you need to get better at strengths. So, that's pretty much what I focused on this offseason." 

Q: Having a guy like Robert Spillane paired with Maxx Crosby, what does that do in a huddle? How does it make a defense better? 

Nicholas: "Oh man, Rob's [Robert Spillane] a great dude. He brings the intensity. One thing about Rob, he's very physical. As a D-lineman, having somebody that's physical like him coming downhill, you appreciate that. And just seeing him fly around and come down hill ready to thump and bang, it kind of turns you up like: 'Let's go Rob. Yeah, let's do it.' So, another unbelievable guy who brings it every day." 

Q: One of your defensive linemen made a very good play on a running back and Spillane is running up almost cheerleading you guys. Does that help when you see that interaction? 

Nichols: "Oh yeah, most definitely. I mean, that's something as a teammate you just want to celebrate your other guys' plays. That's something that we really want to do a lot this year. Another man makes a play, you celebrate it just like you made the play. And just having that moral, having that chemistry as a team, I mean, it's infectious. That can go through everybody. So, that's something that we want to do more of." 

Q: A word we've heard thrown around a lot from Coach McDaniels is disruption. That’s what he wants on defense. What does disruption mean to you and how do you kind of create that? 

Nichols: "Just doing my technique to the best of my ability and being a factor on each and every play. We have great coaches here, we have great players, you've just got to trust the training and the technique. If you trust your training and technique, you will be disruptive and you'll make an impact on that play. And that's just doing that on a consistent basis every single play." 

Q: The talent in that defensive line room looks pretty deep right now. How competitive are you guys right now? 

Nichols: "It's very competitive. We compete in everything we do, even shooting trash inside the trash can. But that's what makes each other better, and we're very close, too. It's competitive, but we’re very close. We get together with each other, we’re always with each other 25/8. We made that a huge priority and it's allowed guys to be able to compete and still push each other so that we all can get better." 

Q: For you and a lot of your teammates coming back for year two with Patrick’s [Graham] system. Do you feel like there's a more of a comfort level at this point compared to last year in that process? 

Nicholas: "Oh, yeah, definitely. You definitely have more comfort with the more experience that you have with something. That's definitely something that helps a lot, so it definitely feels good to come into year two and kind of know what to expect a little bit more. And just knowing Pat [Patrick Graham] better, knowing how he likes to call things, knowing what he may be thinking in certain situations just so we all can be on the same page. I think that's huge." 

Q: Last year, there were times where it just seemed like everybody was learning and there was a lot of thinking, not a lot of having fun. It's has really appeared this camp guys are back to having a good time. Am I reading that correctly? Does it seem like the guys are having a lot more fun now because it's not like last year where everybody was learning the system? 

Nichols: "Yeah, definitely. You can definitely feel the energy that guys are having a lot more fun out there. Guys are just flying around, guys are just doing whatever they got to do to just have fun, and that's something that we preach as a unit. At the end of the day, we've been blessed enough to play this game and we've been playing this game since we've been kids, and we started playing this game because we had fun playing it. That's something that we just wanted to get back to and just be able to remember that you’re out there and you're doing something that you love to do. You get to fly around and hit people for a living, so have fun doing it." 

Q: Who is the best in the D-line room at throwing trash in the trash can? 

Nichols: "Me, 100 percent. I don't care what Maxx [Crosby] says, what Chan [Chandler Jones] says. Me, I'm the best." 

Q: When you make it in the trash can do you look around the room for validation? 

NichoIs: "Oh, 100 percent." 

Q: Is Chandler Jones a trash talker or a jokester? 

Nichols: "No, Chandler [Jones] is definitely a jokester. One thing that's great about Chandler is that way every day, you know what you're going to get. If you're not having the best day, I guarantee you Chandler is going to say something that's going to put a smile on your face, and that's what you love about Chandler. Even like when we are out there on the field and he makes a hell of a play, he's going to say something that's going to make you laugh, and it's not trash talking. It's just a joke. It's just like" 'Yo, you're crazy,' and I love that about Chandler. I love that about Chandler, that's like my brother. I love playing with him, it's an honor. He's unbelievable. 

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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