From the Las Vegas Raiders Locker Room CB Nate Hobbs Indianapolis Week
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00:00 >> All righty, Nate, defense is playing lights out, man.
00:03 What can you say about the progress of the defense and what to expect coming forward?
00:07 >> I just feel like it's a testament to the work we put in every day,
00:12 every single day, you know what I'm saying?
00:15 We just took that challenge.
00:16 PG had been telling us early in the season we were good defense, but
00:21 we took that step.
00:22 I think we're taking that step into being a great defense.
00:26 >> What can you say about the attitude that was displayed against Kansas City?
00:29 It seemed like that mean streak was finally let out.
00:32 How do you feel about that?
00:32 >> I just feel like that's who the dudes in that room are, like, for real.
00:38 Genuinely, you know what I'm saying?
00:39 That's who they are.
00:41 That's who we are, you know what I'm saying?
00:44 Off the field, pretty cool dudes, good dudes, but on the field,
00:48 I just think we got a lot of guys with dogs.
00:51 We got a dog in them, and they get real mean when they get on the field.
00:54 And you poke the bird, y'all know what happens.
00:58 >> Was that a little specific to Kansas City, to the rivalry?
01:01 >> Yeah, for sure, yes.
01:03 [LAUGH] >> What have you liked the most about
01:05 playing with Jack since he got here?
01:07 >> I like the energy he bring, his attitude, the way, you know,
01:12 every game I've been here in the game with Jack, we beefing with somebody.
01:18 Like talking, and I like that type of stuff.
01:20 It get me going and spice my game up.
01:22 So, and just the way, I never, I've seen very few people read quarterbacks like
01:29 that, breaking on balls, and it's an instinct, but he is, he bring a different.
01:34 >> Does he just have a way of rubbing opponents the wrong way?
01:36 Is that why you have a beef with everyone, or is that-
01:38 >> I think he just play,
01:39 I think he approach the game a certain way, and he's not afraid to talk.
01:44 You know, you poke him, he's probably gonna push that, he's not gonna poke back.
01:49 So, you know what I'm saying?
01:50 People don't like that.
01:51 It is what it is.
01:52 I'm right here behind him to back him up.
01:55 >> How much does AP encourage you guys to play with that kind of edge that you're
01:58 playing with?
01:59 >> AP, he know we are.
02:04 He know the people on the field.
02:05 Him and PG know who they got on their defense.
02:08 That's one of the reasons why we here.
02:09 So, you know what I'm saying?
02:11 As long as you're not getting excessive penalties, you're gonna let us be us.
02:15 It's one of the things we love about AP.
02:17 >> We heard that the defense has been freed up to play a little bit more loose.
02:21 What does that mean to you?
02:25 >> I just feel like that means not overthinking it.
02:30 Like not being afraid to make a mistake.
02:32 I think that's one of the biggest mistakes you can make is being afraid to
02:37 make a mistake.
02:38 If you're afraid to make mistakes, you're not gonna be fully yourself.
02:42 You're not gonna play to the potential of what you could.
02:45 You know what I'm saying?
02:46 >> Is that like making, you missed the tackle and
02:49 then came back on the fourth down and broke the ball up, clearing it?
02:52 >> Yeah, I think it's knowing that they have that faith in me.
02:59 They're gonna keep me in, but a little bit of just, you know,
03:02 attesting it to what my years in the league and
03:07 what I've been doing, just learning like next play.
03:10 That's just the mentality I have nowadays.
03:12 Like I mean, I play a number of snaps now to know like last play don't matter.
03:17 It's just next play.
03:19 >> Seems like that's a theme in the cornerback room.
03:21 All you guys have that clear it last play.
03:23 >> You gotta have that mentality at cornerback.
03:25 It's a good mentality to bring into your personal life too, but
03:30 especially at cornerback, you gotta have a mentality or you won't last long in this league.
03:35 >> How much did beating the Chiefs elevate your confidence for
03:37 these final two games in the season?
03:39 >> I just think it shows us who we are.
03:45 You know what I'm saying?
03:47 We can find an identity in that, you know what I'm saying?
03:50 Like beating the team that came in and beat us over and over and over again.
03:56 But that's who we are.
03:57 We don't lay down.
03:58 We fall 10, get up 11.
04:01 >> And Coach Piercey mentioned it's one of the youngest defenses out there too.
04:07 So how much upside and potential does this still have to get better?
04:10 >> You don't remember like going to the what ifs and stuff like that.
04:15 But I just feel like the sky's the limit because of the mental.
04:22 I wouldn't say that for any, like just saying it, but
04:26 the mental aspect of every guy in the room and the heart they got in their body.
04:32 I feel like the sky's the limit.
04:34 >> Nate, could you feel Kansas City's frustration during the game?
04:37 If so, how much did that kind of fuel you guys during the game?
04:41 >> Absolutely, it was rattle, you know what I'm saying?
04:44 It was like breaking up the defense or
04:48 the unit to feed off that smell of blood in the water.
04:53 >> How early did y'all smell that blood?
04:54 >> First quarter.
04:56 >> Huh?
04:57 >> Quick.
04:58 >> Did you hear Kelsey's comments about they gave the game away kind of thing?
05:03 >> No.
05:04 >> Thank you.
05:06 >> All right.