Notes and quotes from Raiders mandatory minicamp

[Sold My Soul]

"The pieces we've added this offseason, the energy, the direction - Pete [Carroll] has really master crafted coming in and how to do things, and the guys, we're taking it and we're rolling," Kolton Miller said.
"It's been really fun, and we've gotten so much - this is probably one of the most productive OTAs I've been a part of," he added. "It's not easy, like we're kind of flying around. But no, it's been really good, and I'm excited where we're headed."

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https://www.raiders.com/news/notes-and- ... y-minicamp

[Sold My Soul]

After his first offseason program with the team, Raiders third-round CB Darien Porter left an impression on the staff. Las Vegas ST coordinator Tom McMahon emphasized Porter’s speed he showed during their first practices.

“When you’ve played six years in college and you got that many reps, it’s practice and he plays fast,” McMahon said, via Levi Edwards of the team’s website. “He’s a big player that plays really, really fast. He’s detailed and he’s got a lot of [traits] we can’t teach what he can do.”

[Sold My Soul]

https://x.com/nickwalt/status/1932871939674288387

[Sold My Soul]

The words "legend" or "legendary" have been frequently used to describe their head coach.

"To be able to play for him, that's just another dream come true," Raiders rookie wide receiver Jack Bech said.

When Carroll speaks, they take in every word, especially the defensive backs who admire Carroll's work with the Legion of Boom.

Starting safety Isaiah Pola-Mao said it's been a different experience with Carroll because he has never had a head coach as hands-on with the defensive backs.

"But I love it," Pola-Mao said. "Pete's legendary. Learning from him, he knows what it's supposed to look like. I'm just learning, listening and trying to take it all in."

"We're having the most fun time in football that we've ever had, and that starts with him," Powers-Johnson said. "... He doesn't have a bad day. And it's infectious energy that's been put on us."

For All-Pro punter AJ Cole, the change of pace might've been needed. Cole said the franchise has seen some dark moments over the past few years.

"It's been rough. We've lost a lot of games, more than we should have," Cole said.

But Carroll has made Cole optimistic about the future. That was one of the reasons he signed a four-year, $15.8 million contract extension to remain in Las Vegas.

"To be completely honest with you, I haven't been this excited to come to work in a really long time," Cole said.

From the moment he attended Carroll's introductory news conference in February, Crosby has not allowed himself to dwell on the franchise's past failures. During the offseason, he said, he woke up every morning at the crack of dawn, enthusiastic to attack the day. Crosby said the energy within the building has been a source of fuel. He even admired how Carroll pushed him and the rest of the team to be the best version of themselves.

"He's true to that. It's not fake energy," Crosby said. "And it's not just him, it's the assistant coaches, the whole building. It just feels different.

" ... Pete creates that culture where everyone knows it's hard. You're going to work your ass off, but you've got a whole group and an organization of people that all got to be on the same wavelength and go in the same direction. That's one of the hardest things you could do."

Raiders starting left tackle Kolton Miller has watched Carroll push the coaches just as hard as the players. Miller believes that's what sets Carroll apart from the rest.

"That's what he excels in," Miller said.

"Am I competing to be a good husband? Am I competing to be a good father? Am I competing to be a good citizen in the community? It all transcends," Glenn added. "When you truly buy into it, that's the secret sauce."

[Attyla]

Just a sip...

[NoThanksSir]

Hard not to be optimistic with Pete running things. It's getting to that point in the summer where the koolaid starts looking good.

[Trainnvain]

The 100° days are about to hit here in the Sac valley, I’m gonna be guzzling that koolaid! I love training camp, to me it’s the time to let go of the disappointments and be a fan again

[RI RAIDER]

Thanks for the updates Soul!

[Xramfan]

I’m in on a few sips of koolaid. It’s been well over a decade I’ve felt any genuine excitement for an upcoming season.

Yea I was happy when the turd was dumped but I knew the team was still somewhat rudderless.

For the first time likely since Gruden 1.0, I’m anticipating real progress with a plan in place.

I’ve said it before somewhere in here but I remember when the Niners first hired Walsh as HC and I heard my dad say,”He’s a great coach. I think we will see the Niners become very good soon.” We weren’t Niner fans obviously but he knew Walsh was the real deal. I’m getting the same feeling with Pete Carrol and company. I’ve been Charlie Brown trying to kick the football a couple of times but this time feels different.

Shots all around on me gentlemen

[Attyla]

My one concern is a concern most have about Carroll and that is his age. Not a long term solution so I am hoping the Carroll effect is in full action and he is mentoring someone who can be the long term solution. Chip comes to mind, his offenses have been good over the years, he just needs to kneel at the alter of Carroll to learn the things you cannot learn designing an offense.

[Xramfan]

My one concern is a concern most have about Carroll and that is his age. Not a long term solution so I am hoping the Carroll effect is in full action and he is mentoring someone who can be the long term solution. Chip comes to mind, his offenses have been good over the years, he just needs to kneel at the alter of Carroll to learn the things you cannot learn designing an offense.

Are you concerned with his physical fitness at this point or are you more concerned that the game and players and how he relates to them can pass him by?

[Attyla]

Are you concerned with his physical fitness at this point or are you more concerned that the game and players and how he relates to them can pass him by?

more basic than that. Death. He seems sharp, he seems active and he seems to be connecting. But time wins the life vs death game every time.

[Xramfan]

Death is undefeated for sure. He appears healthier than many much younger than himself but one never knows. If I were a betting man on life expectancies, which I’m not, I’d put money on Pete outliving Andy Reid and a few others for sure…….but again, death can be a sneaky sucker

[NoThanksSir]

I'm doubtful that Pete will drop dead within the next 4-5 years, and really that's all one can expect from 99% of coaching hires. The sad truth is that McDaniels and then Pierce set us back big time when we were just becoming a somewhat respectable organization. If Pete can get us playoff wins I don't mind that he's only a short term solution.

[Trainnvain]

I think the important and lasting contribution that Carroll needs to make is what Attyla alluded to and that’s building a coaching foundation that can carry on beyond Carroll’s time here. That’s the sort of legacy that brings long term success