New Las Vegas Raiders DT Christian Wilkins addressed the media today, and we have it all for you.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Christian.
00:02 >> Christian, go ahead.
00:05 >> Raiders.
00:08 >> All right, now we're good, let's get to it.
00:11 >> Vinny Bostrom with the Las Vegas Review Journal.
00:13 >> Yeah. >> Congratulations,
00:14 welcome to Las Vegas.
00:16 A player of your stature, I'm sure there were other teams that were interested in
00:20 money aside and all that, what was it about the Raiders that kind of?
00:23 >> Yeah, no, just definitely before I answer your question and
00:27 any other questions, I just definitely wanna, from the top down,
00:32 thanks to the owner, Mark Davis, Tom, everybody for getting me here.
00:38 And just invested in me, not only as a player, but as a person and
00:43 a man and everything, I'm really humbled to be here.
00:46 So far just being here today, it's a great organization and
00:49 I couldn't be more excited about getting started here.
00:51 And starting off this new chapter in my life,
00:54 this next chapter of my NFL career, and I'm really looking forward to it.
00:59 But yeah, Vegas is obviously a great city, great place.
01:04 There's a lot to be excited about, Coach Pierce and his energy, and
01:08 the things that the team was able to do last year,
01:11 toward the end during his time taking over.
01:14 There's a lot of great teammates, a lot of things to be excited about.
01:17 There's one big reason to definitely wanna come here, and that's number 98.
01:22 He's obviously a heck of a player and I have a lot of respect for who he is and
01:26 how he operates and how he plays.
01:27 And I'm excited to be his teammate, and a lot of other guys as well,
01:32 just even seeing the defense and getting to know those guys.
01:36 Guys have been around here all day, just kind of chopping it up with them too, so
01:38 I'm just really excited to be here.
01:40 >> Great, any questions to Sean Reed, who we have with you?
01:43 A little back when you got drafted to the Dolphins in 2018,
01:45 the Patrick Ramsey, DC, and the Luke Rockman, and some staff as well.
01:49 How much of that familiarity do you play?
01:51 >> No, that's definitely good, that makes it transition like this easier.
01:56 Just kind of having a rapport and
01:57 relationship with the coaches that are already here.
01:59 And so I'm excited to just come here and work with them again, and
02:04 work with all the other coaches and everybody else on the staff as well.
02:06 So just getting familiar here and getting to know everybody,
02:11 just looking forward to building good relationships with people here as well.
02:14 >> Chris, Q Myers from Red Edition Radio, 920.
02:17 Have you had this conversation with Max, and
02:19 what do you think it's gonna be like with you next to him on that?
02:21 >> Yeah, we definitely talked a little bit, and
02:24 just about the possibilities and the things we can do.
02:27 But it's gonna have to be built, it's definitely a process and a journey.
02:32 It's just gonna have to start with just getting to know each other better, and
02:36 not just us, but again, it's gonna be a team effort.
02:39 It's gonna take all 11 guys on defense at all times
02:44 to make this thing work and to do good things here.
02:47 So definitely just looking forward to the possibilities and
02:50 just being one piece of the puzzle.
02:51 No one man's bigger than the other, just a small piece, and
02:55 I'm just excited to be a part of it.
02:57 >> Christian Case Kiefer from Las Vegas Sun, congratulations.
03:00 I know you've been a productive player every step of your career, but
03:02 it seems like you really took another step last year out of career year so
03:05 far in the NFL.
03:06 What went right last year, and
03:07 what did you do that you think you can keep building on going forward?
03:10 >> Yeah, just really for me, I'm a big process and routine based person.
03:16 I just continued to just dig, grind, and
03:21 just had a will not be denied mentality, and just kept grinding as a player.
03:26 Just more bank reps and things like that, you just get better as you go along, and
03:29 if you have the right mindset, who knows?
03:31 And I hope I'm still continuing to grow as a player.
03:35 I just still have a lot more room for me to grow, so I just hope I can put my best
03:38 effort here and continue to be productive and
03:41 have a lot of success in this league and for this organization.
03:44 >> Christian, Paul Gutierrez from ESPN.
03:47 What about your personality makes you such a good fit,
03:50 just culture-wise with this organization?
03:51 >> Yeah, yeah, that's a great question, cuz definitely just being here,
03:55 definitely getting a feel for the people and everybody, and
03:58 just kinda like the big things, be yourself.
04:00 And I'm such a character, such an animated, sick, twisted individual up here.
04:04 And I just love the game, I love the grind, and you just feel that here.
04:06 Just people who just love ball, just love it, just great energy.
04:11 And you can just kinda tell everybody's accepting of who everybody is, and
04:15 everybody's just already themselves.
04:16 So you can kinda tell that playing against the Rakers.
04:20 You've just kinda seen it on TV and things like that.
04:24 Just something's different about this place and just how people go about it.
04:28 And everyone's just, like I said, themselves, and
04:31 there's just great energy here, and I'm glad I could be a part of it.
04:33 >> There was a discernible change in that when Antonio took over.
04:37 >> Yeah. >> It kinda resonated with the players.
04:40 I know you were a total vision on what was going on in Miami.
04:43 But as a player, do you pick up on that?
04:45 Do you see that, kind of what that head coach has meant?
04:47 >> Yeah, absolutely.
04:48 I'm a big fan of football, and a big fan of what's going on in the league.
04:51 So I'm always watching, I'm always paying attention.
04:53 You definitely pick up on stuff like that.
04:54 And again, like I said, that's a big reason why I wanted to be here.
04:59 Just that energy, that stuff's important.
05:02 And just having the right mindset, having the right people to be able to
05:06 build things around here the right way, and get to where you wanna be.
05:11 >> You mentioned your character, and you kinda smiled when you were talking about
05:14 just what you do and your personality.
05:16 >> Yeah. >> And you're on the field, and
05:17 you're talking a little trash.
05:18 Do you see your opponent getting frustrated and agitated by that?
05:22 >> Yeah, absolutely.
05:24 That's a big part of my game, of course, obviously.
05:26 But it's all fun, it's all just gamesmanship, if you will.
05:28 But yeah, so that's just what it is.
05:32 It's just, I guess who I am out there on Sundays,
05:35 just flip that switch and ready to go play ball.
05:38 That's what I'm finding.
05:38 >> Christian, what do you think having Max on the edge is just gonna create for
05:42 you, maybe not as many double teams as he's been in Miami?
05:46 Or yeah, what do you think?
05:47 >> Well, that's kinda left to be seen.
05:50 But just the possibilities, there's a lot of possibilities.
05:55 But like I said, we're gonna have to put the work in and build a rapport.
05:58 That's very important, just to get around the other guys on the defense.
06:02 And the other D linemen, we're all working together in this thing.
06:07 The secondary guys, the linebackers, there's a lot of guys on this defense.
06:11 Obviously, Max is a big one, but then I'm excited to play with him.
06:15 And I'm just looking, like I said, looking forward to being part of this whole.
06:18 >> What did you think of the defense and
06:19 just the team overall when you faced them last November in Miami?
06:23 It was a pretty hard fought game.
06:24 >> Yeah, definitely, just some dogs out there.
06:26 Really just that grind will not be denied mentality.
06:30 You can just kind of feel it and just guys just flying around,
06:32 playing ball, having fun.
06:33 And you can definitely just see that and feel that.
06:37 >> Christian, how excited are you for
06:38 the challenge of facing the quarterback like Patrick Mahomes twice a year now,
06:43 if you're with the Raiders and with Justin Herbert as well,
06:45 some of the guys in the division?
06:46 >> Yeah, no, I love that.
06:47 And playing against top level talent like that,
06:50 it definitely brings the best out of you as a player and as a team.
06:53 And you always get up for those games.
06:56 And just you gotta be on it cuz those guys are very good and
07:00 they can make you pay if you're not.
07:01 So it's just part of competing.
07:04 It's just definitely gonna bring the best out of you.
07:06 And I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge.
07:09 >> Christian, Chris Matthews with CBS Affiliate here.
07:12 I gotta believe that we're all envious of the jacket.
07:14 >> Yeah.
07:16 >> Is that silver and black or what was the-
07:18 >> Well, this whole thing,
07:19 I've had it for years, quite honestly.
07:21 It's actually, we'll go with silver and black.
07:25 It's close enough.
07:26 And actually, I got a little blackjack on the inside too.
07:28 So very fitting being here in Vegas.
07:31 So I mean, I guess it was meant to be.
07:32 I've had this thing for a little while, but
07:34 no better time than now to bring it out.
07:36 So yeah, thanks for noticing.
07:37 >> Are you a card player?
07:40 >> Say that again?
07:40 >> Are you a card player?
07:41 >> Not too much, maybe a little here and there or whatever.
07:44 But I don't do too much playing cards.
07:46 Maybe I have to cook out or something like that with the family,
07:49 play a little spades or something.
07:50 But I'm not too much of a gambler or card player or anything like that.
07:54 >> You talked about Antonio and what he did around here.
07:58 I'm curious to compare, kind of compare and contrast him with Mike and
08:01 Daniel, who seem very different.
08:02 >> Yeah. >> But it does seem like both of them
08:04 are kind of encouraging of letting guys be themselves.
08:06 >> Absolutely, and that's what I was gonna say.
08:08 It's probably the biggest thing I can see is just that player coach mentality,
08:13 allowing guys to be themselves.
08:15 It's hard to be the best player you can be if you're not,
08:17 if you're forced to be in a box or be in a show or
08:20 try to conform to what some people want you to be, just be yourself.
08:25 That's a big thing I believe in, to get the best out of your players.
08:30 >> Your former first round picks, the scrutiny that comes with that,
08:34 that expectations thrust on you when you're a young guy.
08:36 You have a guy on the defensive line with you here that's going through that,
08:39 Tyree Wilson.
08:40 How do you kind of help him make that decision?
08:41 >> I'm really excited to get around Tyree, truly, because just
08:46 even with all this going on, I think about my journey and
08:50 reflecting back on my path kind of getting here and the way it looked for
08:55 me my rookie year, I didn't think I'd be in this position.
08:59 I didn't think I'd be in front of you guys.
09:01 So I definitely gotta make it a goal of mine to help him out as much as I can and
09:06 be there for him in any way he needs me.
09:08 Cuz I know how difficult it can be, the pressures and all that other stuff,
09:11 the expectations and all that.
09:13 So I'm there for him in any way he needs cuz, like I said,
09:17 I went through all of that.
09:19 It was definitely a rough start for your boy, but I'm glad to be here.
09:21 I didn't get down about anything, just kept working, kept grinding.
09:25 I seen him in here today, and that's the first start, just be around,
09:29 get to work, put your head down, keep grinding, see where you end up.
09:33 >> As you look back on four years ago or five years ago,
09:37 what was necessary for you to change that so that you are here?
09:42 >> Yeah, this guy's got all the questions, too, so
09:44 I'm gonna ask you about that.
09:45 >> [LAUGH] >> But no, just again,
09:50 that mentality of just I won't be denied, and just the desire to be great.
09:54 I worked so hard and didn't have much results or much production early, and
10:00 you just gotta just grind through it, I guess.
10:02 And I'm not one to speak much on myself.
10:04 I really don't like to talk about all that, but
10:07 there's people out there listening and watching.
10:10 No, things seem rough, you don't know what's at the end, so
10:12 just keep grinding, keep your head down.
10:14 You never know where you'll end up if you just keep working with passion and
10:18 a great mindset.
10:19 Just keep having that love for what you do, you never know where you'll end up.
10:25 >> You were a low key one of the breakout stars of Hard Knocks last year.
10:29 >> Yeah. >> Did you feel kind of the increase in
10:31 your profile and your popularity from people around the league?
10:35 >> Well, you know.
10:35 >> [LAUGH] >> No, really again,
10:38 I don't pay too much attention to kind of all that stuff.
10:41 But definitely there was definitely some more attention, love, recognition,
10:46 things like that, which I appreciate.
10:48 But I just try to keep everything just focused on ball locked in, and
10:52 not really worry about all that other stuff.
10:54 But I might have got a little extra,
10:57 might have got that 11th nugget at McDonald's or something like that.
11:00 Someone being nice, hey, you're that guy, something like that.
11:03 But yeah.
11:06 >> What are your thoughts on the facility,
11:09 the city of Las Vegas being in the sports mecca of the world?
11:13 >> Yeah, another good question.
11:14 I just, you said it, I can't set it up, I'm just excited to be here for
11:20 so many reasons and just put my best foot forward here.
11:24 This organization too is just so historic.
11:29 And I'm just gonna do my best to, again,
11:32 just be a part of moving this organization forward.
11:36 My goal when I'm anywhere is just to leave it better than I found it.
11:39 So I'm gonna do what I can to try to make that happen.
11:43 >> Christian Harry with the Spanish radio broadcast for the team.
11:46 You played at Allegiant Stadium twice already?
11:48 >> Yes.
11:50 >> You played at Allegiant Stadium twice already.
11:52 Raider Nation made it to South Beach last year.
11:54 What do you know about Raider Nation and how excited are you playing for them?
11:58 >> Yeah, no, so I will say, it's funny, someone asked me after the news and
12:02 everything that I was coming here, where is my favorite place to play?
12:06 And I've always said it, and it didn't click until they asked again.
12:11 And I was like, I've always loved playing here.
12:13 The stadium gets crazy, you definitely feel Raider Nation.
12:16 Raider Nation, real Raider Nation is alive.
12:18 It's just different here.
12:22 Travel well, even being in Miami, you see a lot of silver and black everywhere.
12:26 And you're just like, man, you definitely feel it and
12:29 understand the history and everything like that.
12:32 So again, I can't say enough, just excited to be a part of it all.
12:36 >> Out there in Miami, five years, how good is your Spanish?
12:38 >> I know un poquito, you know, some, some.
12:42 I grew up around a lot of Dominicanos and stuff like that.
12:46 So I know a little Spanish and stuff.
12:48 So just enough to mess around and
12:52 navigate a little bit, but not fluent, but I know a little something, yeah.
12:57 >> You had some former teammates in this building in the past.
12:59 Would you talk with them about the culture, about the swag, the Raider swag?
13:03 What went down?
13:04 >> Will we talk about the culture in Spanish or?
13:06 >> No, no, no.
13:07 >> No, no, no.
13:08 No, but no, I would.
13:09 And that definitely just like, talking to some of the guys that have been here
13:12 before, just that, just even in conversation years ago,
13:16 before I even knew this was gonna be a possibility for me.
13:19 You just kinda hear the great things that guys were saying, and
13:21 just about the fan base, the Raider Nation, the organization, all that stuff.
13:26 And just like, that's cool, that's what's up, I'm glad you get to experience that.
13:29 And when this became an option for me, that stuff kinda resonated.
13:35 And you kinda recall that stuff that guys were saying,
13:39 how guys felt about being here.
13:40 So you're like, okay, yeah,
13:41 that's definitely a place I can see myself and wanna be a part of.
13:44 >> You said you play with that sick, twisted energy, or whatever you said.
13:47 >> Yeah, I did say that.
13:48 >> [LAUGH] >> Where did that come from?
13:51 Was that the first time you stepped on a field as a young kid,
13:53 and think growing into, coming into your own, or?
13:56 >> Yeah, I would kinda say just growing up, that's kinda just how I played.
14:01 Just had to compete.
14:02 I got a big family, brothers and sisters.
14:04 And you just had to find something about you just to be heard, and just to be felt.
14:09 I don't know, that's always just been the way I competed.
14:12 Just always makes the game more fun.
14:14 >> Last one, guys.
14:15 >> You want?
14:16 >> Christian, can you talk a little bit about- >> No, no, okay.
14:19 >> Okay. >> No, I'm sorry, yeah.
14:21 >> You've probably heard about Max's work ethic.
14:23 >> Absolutely.
14:23 >> Just how relentless he is, and he's doing all that to do that bad.
14:27 >> Yeah. >> Do you kinda match his work ethic?
14:28 What's your background?
14:30 >> Again, we'll see.
14:32 And I've always kinda said too, just like, Max is one of two of my favorite
14:37 players in the league, just cuz he does things the right way.
14:40 Just that work ethic, that grind, and just how he does everything the right way.
14:45 You know what I mean?
14:45 And plays hard, all that.
14:47 And obviously, I have great talent, but that motor is just like,
14:51 something to respect so much.
14:52 But I try to do things like that too.
14:54 I try to be an inspiration for not just kids out there, other football players,
14:59 but anyone in any of their professions, just to do things the right way.
15:03 Do it with passion, play it at a high level, and just play with energy.
15:08 And have passion with what you do behind it.
15:11 So even y'all, as you're typing into your computers,
15:14 you've gotta type in with so much passion and drive to be the best.
15:19 And that's kinda my mindset.
15:21 It's just, now I just wanna be good at what I do, wanna be great at what I do.
15:25 Just be my best, and whatever that means for me, I can live with the results.
15:30 I can be happy, and I put my all into this.
15:33 So that's what I try to do every day.
15:35 >> Who's one of your favorite, who's your second favorite?
15:38 >> My chubby little brother up there in New York, Dexter Lawrence, so yeah.