HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders have opened their 2023 NFL Training Camp, and Coach Josh McDaniels took to the podium to address the media.

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

 Head Coach Josh McDaniels 

Q: Jimmy Garoppolo had a day off yesterday, is that kind of the plan you guys have in place right now to get him back into all that? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, just normal protocol. Any time you're rehabbing or recovering from something they have kind of like that, here's how we're going to do this to reintegrate every player that kind of has that situation goes through that. So, they're all different based on what body part, what position, is it pads or is not, all that stuff. So, he'll get back out there today." 

Q: As a head coach, is that simply listening to the doctors and the training staff? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yep, I didn't go to medical school. Yeah, whatever they say, that's why they're doctors and trainers, and they don't call plays and we don't make medical decisions. So, they just give us great advice, lay out a great plan for the player, make sure they communicate it well with the player, so the player has a good understanding of what we're trying to accomplish day to day. And there's always work being done, it's just if there's a day that happens to be not on the field, there's other things that are happening. But again, they're in total control of that, so I have a lot of confidence in them." 

Q: How much of the schedule is pre-planned through camp? And how much is just how he feels each day? 

Coach McDaniels: "There's a definite plan. We know what days we're out there, we have minutes restrictions basically by the league. So, today is two hours, Monday’s are 105 minutes, etc., so we kind of know what it is based on by the calendar. Like I said, a number of players are going through the same process. So, we just kind of work it as it goes, and again, the players health and body will tell us if we need to make any adjustments with any of those things." 

Q: Last year watching the guys you brought in as free agents who knew your system were helping guys but watching this week, you're seeing Kolton [Miller] and Maxx [Crosby] help guys. How much further along does it make you because now you've got a bunch of coaches out there helping the new players? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah, I think there's just so much more confidence in knowing their job, knowing what's being asked of them, their side of the ball, their unit. We have great guys, we have great leadership, great people. They come to work every day with the right mindset. And now the comfort level in the system with the communication, the expectations, what every period in practice actually means. I mean, last year, I remember they'd look at the practice schedule and kind of go like: 'What is that in period five,' because it was just new to him. Now, they know all the drills, they know all the things we're doing on a daily basis. So, they're willing to use their voice to help the young guys or new guys, guys who might not be as comfortable as they are. And good teams function like that and bond together and help one another, and I've seen a lot of that so far." 

Q: About half your roster has changed. In a league where there's so much turnover now, do you have to change your verbiage just because free agents go into other teams? Do you have to change on a regular basis, or do you stick with it? 

Coach McDaniels: "No, I mean, little things change every year, but I think a lot of times the verbiage we use is really just private to us in terms of during the game. Most of the time there's a lot of things going on, on both sides of the ball. So, it's hard to stand there and think you're going to listen to the terms that the other team is using. I've always kind of felt that gets overblown at some point where: "Well, they know what that word means,' and if they do then maybe we change one thing here or there. But there's a number of -- we call them dummy code words, where they may say whatever it is if it's an actor or movie title or whatever, like: 'OK, that means one thing but then there's an actor in a movie title that they use, that means something different.' So, it's a process that you have to look at each week, depending on who you play, how well they know it, and then hopefully make the right decisions. But we don't try to change to any of those things." 

Q: How have you seen Zamir White grow from when he came in a year ago to now? 

Coach McDaniels: "Again, he's a guy heading into his second camp. I'd say he's more comfortable, more familiar with what we're doing. I think Z is a really physical guy. His strength and some of the things that he's excited to do probably won't take place until we have shoulder pads on and we're able to do some of those types of things. That's what he excelled at in college and that's what we saw from him last year, too. So, like I said, he's a year further ahead. He knows what to expect, understands what's being asked of him now. And now excited for him and those other guys that are going into their second year to have an opportunity to go out there and play here in the month of August." 

Q: What's the latest with Nate Hobbs? 

Coach McDaniels: "Nate is just one of the few guys who we have who are kind of working through a couple of things. Again, I don't think we have too many guys that the expectation is it's going to drag out too long. But I think hopefully if he continues to progress here, we'll see him out there in the not-too-distant future." 

Q: No more softball games for him? 

Coach McDaniels: "Yeah. We were talking about needing to show him how to catch those things in the indoor facility at night. We've had a couple of jokes about that. But no, he's doing fine." 

Q: You've retold your wide receiver room and brought in some different skill sets compared to what you had last year. What was the thought process behind that? And specifically, the addition of Tre Tucker, what have you seen so far from your rookie? 

Coach McDaniels: "Again, the goal at the beginning of the offseason was to try to see if we can improve the competition in every room for the singular purpose of guys, when they compete and know they're competing for the same opportunities, that's really the best way for them to improve because they don't get comfortable, and they're not just satisfied with where they were. And so, we tried to do that everywhere we could. Some places are easier to do it than others, based on your opportunities. But I think some of the guys we brought in -- Phillip [Dorsett] was an offseason award-winner. Tre's really been a quick study and been eager to learn from the guys that are in his room. DeAndre Carter, same thing. I mean, he's done some really good things, Kristian Wilkerson. So, we have a very competitive room, a very competitive room. And I think the older guys have really taken to trying to help some of the younger guys come along with some specific aspects of receiver play. I think we've increased our team speed, no question. Again, there's a lot to sort through, and everybody's kind of working to improve at this point but feel like we've added competition and added a couple of different skill sets to the group." 

Q: Going back to Goroppolo, what is the expectation or maybe goal for when you don't have to sort of account for days off and kind of bring him back when he can just go? 

Coach McDaniels: "Meaning like, when is that? No, we don't. Like I said, I think we're just going to follow the plan that they have in place for him. Continue to build chemistry while he's out there and he's been out there. Like I said, he was out there the first few days; I said we had a planned day yesterday. But just keep it day to day and continue to progress him back in there and take the reps that he's taken and try to make the most of those. And eventually that would obviously be the goal, where there's zero restriction and we're kind of through that phase, but as of right now there's not a preset date where that's going to happen." 

Q: It's only been a couple days of practice but Jakorian Bennett, his speed is as advertised. What have you seen from the young man? 

Coach McDaniels: "He's mature, really a pleasure to work with. Takes the game very seriously, intelligent, can learn quick and then take it from the meeting room to the field. You've seen him compete on some down-the-field throws. It's hard to run by the guy because he runs very well and he's trying to get his hands on balls, which we saw in college as well. So, just a competitive guy, good leader, quiet at times when he's really paying attention. Does a really good job of understanding the material, works really hard at it. And again, there's a lot of those guys I think in this class that kind of fit the same mold, but JB has done a good job so far." 

Q: How has the cornerback room competition really increased with a lot of new faces? 

Coach McDaniels: "Same thing, very similar. Maybe a little bit more changeover than the receiver room. But again, I think there's a depth of competition there now, so different faces than they were last year. And again, different levels of that. JB [Jakorian Bennett] is obviously in his first camp. Marcus Peters has got a lot more experience and wisdom in certain areas, certainly. And then we have a lot of guys in between that. [Brandon] Facyson and Duke [Shelley] and David Long [Jr.] and on and on and on. So, I just think that there's a lot of guys out there working and competing. Look, we have 11 receivers and 11 corners right now. And they all know that there won't be 11 and 11 eventually, so everybody's trying to give their best effort to be ready to go every day and compete. And that's what we hope to build at each position on the roster, and you can really see those two groups really stand out." 

Q: Throughout the week, you guys are going to have a couple youth groups come in as well as a few of the high schools you donated equipment to a couple months back. How important is it for the community to come out and for you to pay it forward to them? And also how important is it to pay it forward to these high schools that are coming in and watching these practices so they can see what it takes to become a professional? 

Coach McDaniels: "I think it’s really important. It's important to us to do the right thing on the field, but also do the right thing off the field and in the community. This organization has always stood for that, and it's been clear to me since I set foot in this building that that's a priority. And so being able to help those kids in this area, whether it's equipment or an opportunity to witness us try to do our work, I think all the guys who play football know how much of a role model they become to our youth and how important our game is to those kids. Anytime we can give back to them, or help them in any way, that's certainly been a goal that’s been very clear to me since I got here. Excited to see everybody -- I know today's kind of a big day around the league also, relative to everybody getting back to camp and having it be a weekend day, so I expect probably our biggest crowd of camp so far." 

Q: Davante Adams mentioned how savvy Jakobi Meyers is for a younger player. Is that something you've always seen with him, or what's been your experience with Jakobi? 

Coach McDaniels: "I mean, I was with him when he was a rookie. It's hard to use that word with a lot of rookies, but he played right away. I mean, he played on opening day as a rookie, I remember that. So, he's always been a mature guy. He's always been intelligent, and he learned quick. And so, like all young players, you have to kind of go through that process of making a few mistakes and then learning from those, but he very rarely repeats an error. And that's something we preach as much as anything. It's OK to make a mistake, you just can't keep making the same one over and over again because that usually hurts your opportunities to win. So, Jakobi has learned from every player that he's been around. And now he's able to kind of give back to some of the younger guys on our team; but it's really cool to see guys like Davante and Jakobi, Hunter [Renfrow], Phillip [Dorsett], Keelan [Cole Sr.], some of the guys that have a little bit more exposure to playing in the league be able to have conversations about different techniques, and they're taking ownership of certain things and it's been really fun to go through the first few days of camp because we're putting in a few little wrinkles here and there, and they're the ones who are communicating some of those things too. So, their ideas are always exciting to hear, and you try to find the right places to do it. But Jakobi certainly fits in with that group." 

Q: Any communication with Josh Jacobs? 

Coach McDaniels: "Nothing to add to that whole situation there." 

Q: I realize that you didn't come with the franchise when the Raiders moved here to the Las Vegas market. I'm just wondering, after a couple of years, what is your own assessment and observation about the way this franchise has immersed itself into this particular market? 

Coach McDaniels: "I mean, this area to live in has been exciting for me and my family. And you can just see that this organization's imprint on the community and this area is growing and growing and growing. And that's what we hope it does. And our fan base is worldwide, and you can feel that every game we play, every stadium that we're in, and I think the more we give them something to cheer about, the more exciting it'll be to come to Allegiant Stadium. It's a great venue, it's an incredible place to be, an incredible place to play, and this is obviously one of the top organizations and all sports. So, to be able to do it here, in Vegas, it's an exciting time for us. I know this city is really excited about everything that's going on and we hope to continue that." 

Q: We spoke with Hunter Renfrow yesterday and he was very open about how he felt like he let the team down last year. He lost the fun for football, and he said he met with you and discussed a lot of these things, and how he hopes to bounce back this year. What do you tell a guy like who has kind of I guess fell on hard times mentally but is a proven player in this league. What your message for him? 

Coach McDaniels: "I think Hunter's got great character and there's a reason why he's been a really successful player at every level that he's played football. And a lot of players go through different adversities in their career, injuries, and some have seasons that aren't necessarily the way they wanted them to turn out for a number of reasons, a number of factors. And some of those you have zero control over because it happens to you in your body. Hunter is healthy, ready to roll, and came back this spring and had a great mindset, great attitude, great approach. And it's just been exciting to see him. He's out there, he's doing his thing, he's the same guy. And he's working to improve himself, helping other guys get better as well, and I said it a couple of days ago, I'm really excited for Hunter Renfrow this season." 

Q: We know what Zamir White can do physically running the football, but for him to get more reps and to be able to be on the field, how much does he have to improve in the passing game, not just catching but blocking and all of that? 

Coach McDaniels: "I think any second-year player has got a lot of things that they can get better at. So, the timeline on that is really dependent on them. And he's going to get a lot of reps, there's no question about that. He did last year. And so, every [running] back, they come from college football to the NFL, and they realize now, it's blitz pickup, front identification, route assignments, sometimes coverage reads.' There are some different elements here that maybe they didn't have a lot of exposure to before. So, it takes time for all of them. Each one of them is a little different for when it happens, when it doesn't. I've had a lot of backs that didn't necessarily do much their first year and then really started to establish themselves as they went forward. So, I know that's what Z's focused on, and I'm excited for him to have this second camp to really kind of settle himself down in terms of thinking on every play and just go out there and play football and do his job and continue to get better. But he works really hard, he'll get a lot of opportunities here, and I know he'll make the most of them." 

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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