Las Vegas Raiders’ new regime is already pushing players to do what they’ve never done in their careers
The Las Vegas Raiders are pushing players to go beyond what they’re used to doing.
The Las Vegas Raiders are running things a bit differently in this new regime. There’s a reason everyone says this time feels different, even though we have heard that a million times. This new coaching staff is already pushing players to do things they haven’t done.
The staff is putting players in positions they have never played before. They are pushing them by putting more on their plate. And that may worry some fans, but at positions like linebacker, that’s crucial. New linebacker Quay Walker is going through just that.
Raiders LB Quay Walker has a lot on his plate
“Honestly, man, just staying in the playbook because this is this is new,” Walker told reporters earlier this week. “We’ve been challenged in different ways. I’m playing more positions that I probably ever played in my career, but this is a challenge that I’m willing to accept. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. I want to always want to be a guy who can move around and play multiple positions. And honestly, man, where we at right now, we’re growing each and every day, that’s all you can ask for.
Walker will be a sort of captain on this defense. Not only will he play multiple positions, but he will also have to know where everyone’s supposed to be at. Right now, Walker is likely going to be the WILL linebacker, with Nakobe Dean likely being the MIKE. But, Walker could play the WILL. And, he could be on the end as an outside linebacker in coverage. Vegas will also likely send him on blitzes a ton, too, just because his pursuit and angles in the run game are so good.
This time in the offseason is been spent very well by the Raiders. We saw them have more OTA sessions than the teams in their division. They are just putting in a ton of work, and it really feels like they’ve used the time they do have very wisely. As Walker described it, they are trying to find the smallest ways of separating themselves from the pack. Winning the offseason is a step in becoming a winning team.
“A lot of teams are preaching the same thing around this time,” Walker said. “So, how are we going to separate ourselves in order for us to get to where we want to get and get what we can get out of the OTAs and this offseason. So, we just have to stay locked in with it and just have the mindset, and as a leader, it’s my job. I feel as if I come in with the right mindset, making sure that guys can match my energy, whatever the case may be.”
Walker, along with all of the other additions they have made, is being pushed hard. But that’s why they’ve decided to pay him the big bucks that they did in free agency. They’re open to the challenge, and it’s only going to make them better.