Takeaways from the Spytek and Carroll Press Conference
The Las Vegas Raiders held an entertaining press conference late Monday morning, introducing new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. At one point, former Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch shouted, "Raiders," Carroll responded, "There you go, there you go. That's what I'm talking about." Lynch played for Carroll when he coached the Seattle Seahawks. The two won a Super Bowl together in 2014.
Competing
The one thing Carroll kept saying during the press conference was the willingness to compete and be good teammates. "It all starts with competition," Carroll said. "You're either competing or you're not." He also highlighted the importance of teamwork, adding, "To be a great team, you have to be a great teammate." Look for the Raiders to bring many players willing to compete and be good teammates. Competition brings out the best in a team. With Carroll now coaching, expect training camp to be very competitive.
Win Now
At 73, Carroll is the oldest coach in the NFL, but age is not a deterrent for him. During the press conference, Carroll clarified that the Raiders are in a win-now situation. “It took us a few years to get to the very top of the last couple of programs I was with,” Carroll reminisced, referring to his successful stints at USC and the Seattle Seahawks. “We're starting right now and going for it immediately. We're going to start right now. We're going to go after it and build this team as quickly as we can.” The Raiders, under Carroll's leadership, are determined to make every moment count in their pursuit of success.
It will take a lot of work for the Raiders to turn it around quickly. A quick turnaround could happen if they find a quarterback to do well in free agency and the NFL Draft. Carroll told Maxx Crosby to send the message. "Maxx, send the message, man. We're coming after you," Carroll said. "We're going to come find you guys and get this thing rolling as soon as possible."
Quarterback Situation
The Raiders have struggled at the quarterback position in recent years, and Spytek and Carroll are under pressure to find a quarterback who can help turn the franchise around. Spytek is looking for a quarterback who will lead the team. "I want the guy that will push his teammates to a place that is uncomfortable and will give almost anything to win," Spytek said. "That's what the best ones do, and we're going to find one of those," Carroll added. Tom Brady, a highly successful quarterback, will play a significant role in the search for the right player. "The mission is to build the team around the quarterback spot," Carroll said. "We happen to have the greatest of all time to help us, and we're going to lean on Tom as much as we possibly can. Because nobody has the insights that he has." Brady's experience and success in the NFL make him a valuable resource in identifying and developing the next generation of quarterbacks for the Raiders.
