From Raiders Training Camp: FB Jakob Johnson
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson spoke after training camp practice, and we have it all for you.
Transcript
00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:05 I'm gonna say something to start.
00:06 When we practice outside, I expect better body language on the sideline.
00:10 Some of you guys looked a little tired, you know what I mean?
00:13 Let's get some hats, get some sunscreen, all right?
00:15 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:17 Rock out, yeah, I see you right there.
00:19 >> We need the freezer.
00:20 >> [LAUGH] Yeah, right.
00:23 Cool box, all right.
00:25 >> Basically what you're saying too is that we're toward the end of
00:29 training camp, I think tomorrow's the last day.
00:32 How excited are you to get this phase over?
00:34 I know Denver's still a little bit of a ways away, but it's kind of looming.
00:38 How excited are you to start tracking them down and
00:41 start getting ready for an actual game?
00:44 >> I mean, it's a process, right?
00:46 Like you get the beginning half of training camp where you're just working
00:49 against yourself, you transition to joint practices, that gets you a little bit
00:52 closer, now we're getting ready for the last preseason game, another chance to
00:57 compete, and then the regular season starts, right?
01:00 That's what we've been building towards, that's what we're working towards.
01:04 And personally, I'm a big believer in routine, so
01:06 I'm just ready to get my in-season routine started.
01:10 And yeah, play against some teams in a different color when it counts.
01:14 >> Allow your mind to go there just yet, or
01:17 does the other process have to play out?
01:20 >> Man, I'm a former international player, man.
01:24 So for me, I'm first of all waiting for the roster to be made.
01:29 And I would just love to have the opportunity to compete with these guys and
01:34 take the field with this team,
01:35 cuz I think we got some guys that are ready to put some work in.
01:39 >> Speaking of taking the field, you were able to do that on Saturday.
01:42 How did it feel to you getting those juices flowing and
01:44 being out there with the ones?
01:45 >> It was awesome, it was awesome.
01:47 That first drive, man, it went over just like that.
01:50 And honestly, at that point, you're just warmed up.
01:54 You're like, all right, now we're here, now we're ready to play.
01:56 And then to have to take a step back, it was still fun cheering the guys on and
02:01 being there for your teammates.
02:02 A bunch of young guys making plays out there.
02:06 I mean, David got his first sack, that was exciting to see.
02:10 But yeah, definitely made me hungry for more.
02:13 >> Precisely talking about David, I asked you last time you were up here about him
02:16 and seeing him get that first sack.
02:18 What did it mean to you as one of his mentors out there with the team?
02:21 >> I mean, it meant a lot, man.
02:23 It's still a lot of work to be done.
02:25 My guy is still adjusting to being, I think,
02:30 here in the States and learning the game.
02:34 But I think he's done a great job every day just showing up and
02:37 putting in the work on the field.
02:39 And that's what you have to do if you wanna get there.
02:42 >> What do you think that meant for him?
02:44 I mean, we saw- >> He was excited, man.
02:45 You seen his little dance.
02:47 He had a celebration and everything, man.
02:49 He was out of it.
02:50 I think a little bit is also, us international guys,
02:54 we kinda have an internal competition.
02:56 Some of the international cats and other teams had already gotten some sacks,
03:00 made some plays.
03:01 So I think he was hungry for it and it paid off.
03:05 >> What's that group or a group thread?
03:06 >> Yeah, we do WhatsApp.
03:07 [LAUGH] That's the right platform, that's what we use.
03:11 >> How have you seen, just in your time in the NFL,
03:14 the game popularized around the world?
03:17 >> Man, it's a huge change.
03:19 Growing up, I think I watched my first football game in 2007 or something.
03:24 It was a late night broadcast, very boring, very dry.
03:29 Right now, Germany actually just opened a giant football broadcast facility
03:36 with a field goal inside of it and a mascot, full time broadcasting staff.
03:42 A bunch of the German legends are there, Sebastian Vollmer,
03:44 Bjorn Werner, our first round draft pick.
03:47 So it's changed a lot and on the heels of that,
03:50 obviously our international leagues have profited as well.
03:54 European League of Football, I say it every time, man,
03:57 I'm a franchise owner over there.
03:59 We're looking pretty good for the playoffs right about now.
04:02 So the game is growing and I think that'll help all of us, right?
04:06 Like 30 years from now, I still need some kids to play football to pay for
04:10 my pension.
04:11 And I think the more international kids we can get involved, the better.
04:14 >> It's probably not a question of if but when the NFL ventures out to Europe.
04:21 As a player that's here based in the United States,
04:24 A, what do you think about that possibility?
04:26 And I know this is above all of our pay scales in a lot of ways, but
04:31 how could you see that being possible?
04:33 >> I think it would be easier for a farm league kind of exist over there where
04:38 you slowly but surely improve the coaching and
04:42 the level of competition over there and kind of just use it as a way to
04:46 grab international players without necessarily having them go through
04:50 the college process, just have them play over there.
04:52 Kind of like how it happens in basketball and other sports like that.
04:56 I think having a full division over there where everybody has to do international
05:01 travel multiple times a year, I think is gonna be tough.
05:05 As long as the NFL brings a couple games over there, once or twice a year,
05:09 I think we'll get the best of both worlds.
05:12 >> Obviously you've been around the years a mere and then blocking for me or.
05:16 >> Yeah. >> How close is he being to being ready to
05:17 take on that role if he has to obviously Josh's status is out there and
05:21 how different is it?
05:22 Like you're prepared to get 25 carriers but also actually do that.
05:26 >> It's evaluating running backs is not like the probably one of my core skills.
05:34 But what I'll say is my knees come in with a completely different attitude from
05:39 last year and really worked his ass off every day to be ready.
05:43 And that's what we're all trying to do.
05:46 What happens is gonna be up to the coaches and the football gods, but
05:50 I think he's definitely ready to step up.
05:53 >> What have been your impressions of Jimmy so far?
05:56 >> Man, Jimmy's a great guy.
05:58 I mean, you guys see it, haircut, amazing every day, smile on his face.
06:03 You know what I mean?
06:04 I mean, the guy, you cannot shake him.
06:05 He's in a good mood.
06:07 He's coming out there slinging the ball and yeah, it's been a lot of fun.
06:11 >> How would you describe him in the huddle during the game situation?
06:13 >> Man, he takes charge.
06:16 I mean, I played with a lot of different quarterbacks.
06:20 I think he's definitely a guy that gets everybody on the same page and
06:25 is not afraid to tell me to take a couple steps back if I'm too eager to get up in
06:30 there, but yeah, man, overall, great guy.
06:33 >> You campaigning yet in Josh, Coach McDaniel's area to get that first carry at
06:37 some point?
06:38 >> [LAUGH] I stay out of it.
06:41 I try to let my practice performance talk and whatever happens, happens.
06:46 >> You've been close to one in your career or was it almost a case or not?
06:49 >> I don't know.
06:50 Yeah, I think we had it maybe in Wigna at some point.
06:55 I know I had a couple catches out there and stuff, but
06:57 I don't really keep track of that type of stuff.
06:59 It's just whatever's in the game plan, that's what we'll do.
07:02 >> Last time a macho had a carry, actually.
07:05 >> Carry, man, I don't, probably some, I mean, I had a couple.
07:08 I think I had probably some last year maybe, yeah.
07:12 >> So is there a play call that when you hear it, that's-
07:17 >> That I'm getting the ball on?
07:18 Yeah, for sure.
07:19 [LAUGH] Hey, listen, all you gotta do is put Brian Hoyer in there.
07:22 Somehow, ever since he found out that he's German,
07:25 he can't stop throwing me the ball.
07:26 So, yeah, whenever we're on the field, there's some type of connection going on.
07:31 >> What do you think your reaction would be if you heard that?
07:33 >> I mean, I'm excited, but I'm just excited for a fullback lead, man.
07:37 At the end of the day, it's football, and if you're on the field,
07:40 you better have fun, otherwise you're doing something wrong.
07:42 >> We see you guys with the eye formation, even when you're not on the field.
07:46 What have you seen from John that has been taking those snaps when you're not?
07:49 >> You mean Shanker?
07:51 Man, he's been doing a great job.
07:52 That's a really challenging role in this offense, I would say,
07:58 if you have to learn the tight end and the fullback position at the same time.
08:01 That's a lot of volume, but he's done a great job going in there in the games,
08:05 playing physical, also getting catches, getting open as a tight end.
08:10 So the more you can do.
08:12 >> What's a busier group chat?
08:15 Is it the fullback group chat or the international player group chat?
08:18 >> [LAUGH] Man, I gotta get some more of the fullback guys on the same page.
08:25 We're all, I would say, pretty even keel and humble guys.
08:30 And maybe that's the biggest thing,
08:31 because the tight ends have their fancy tight end you meeting and all that stuff.
08:36 We gotta come up with something that us fullbacks can get together and bond over.
08:43 >> What's it mean to still be a steward of that position in today's game?
08:46 >> I think it's just like with everything in football,
08:50 we all stand on the shoulders of giants.
08:53 That's what y'all say here, right?
08:56 So it's been guys before me that made this role available.
09:03 So I just try to do my best to leave it in a better place than I found it in.
09:08 >> John Johnson merch, no more?
09:12 >> Man, we sold out.
09:13 Like I told you, we sold out.
09:14 We're gonna work on some more, but it's gonna take a little bit.
09:17 All right.
09:18 >> Take care.