Raiders Head coach Norv Turner
(On the Raiders) "We came out and played in the first half, executed on both sides of the ball. I think we were extremely efficient and were good in a lot of areas. I do feel real good. I told them on Sunday after our last game this week we can improve a great deal and we did. I think these practices can help us prepare for the game and I think we played awfully sharp in the first half. As good as I feel about that, I'm deeply concerned and I told them at the beginning of training camp we're on a fast track and we don't want to fall behind. We have some young guys that need to catch up and some guys that need to understand the urgency we have and put a game like that away. The great thing is in September we have a lot of players on both sides of the ball and we're going to get to evaluate a lot of those young guys and we're working to find out which ones of those will help that group that played in the first half."
(On Marques Tuiasosopo's playing) "Well we have to find out if it's pressing or if it's problematic and we just got to keep working at it. He's just got to understand that ball is precious-it's our lives. It's every guy on the sidelines. The guy with the ball in his hands, he holds all our futures and it's precious."
(On what he felt the most significant play of the game was) "I think the most significant play of the game was the deep ball that (Doug) Gabriel…the safeties just went flying, they double-teamed him, they actually had a guy underneath, both safeties running to him opposite ways. They threw the ball inside to Doug, it's a big play. They were doing a lot of things to roll up to Randy. There are some things we can use to get him the ball and some of that stuff we'll use when we play in the regular season. He had a great practice working with him and he had great practices in Houston and I think he's on track."* *
Raiders RB LaMont Jordan
(on the balance of Randy, LaMont and Kerry Collins) "I think it is very important. We did a good job moving the ball…now we have to start scoring. We have to start turning those good drives into touchdowns. We have to start scoring touchdowns. I don't think we have been tested yet…not to take away anything from those two teams, but they were not one of the top two defenses in the NFL last year."
(on how close he is to breaking a big play) "I had some decent runs, but I'm definitely not happy with the way I'm playing. Definitely on our outside plays, I'm not being as patient as I should be. I'm continuing to cut the ball up out of the backfield…and that is something that I've continued to do throughout camp."
(on not that many opportunities in the game to work on getting better) "For me, I have a lot of training as a back up. People always say that when I go in there it looks like I've been in there the whole game. I just think it is something with this offense and the outside stretch plays. After that third game, that is where I feel like I should be at my best. Next week is the biggest game for me."
(on reserves not being able to hold the lead) "They need to understand that this is the NFL and there is nothing more disturbing when you give these guys the lead. They need to understand that A) you haven't made this team and B) you need to show the coach that you are one play away from going into the game, and I think I understand that the more than anybody because I've been doing this for four years. They need to understand that if Randy or Kerry and anyone else goes down…they need to have not only the coach confident in them, but also the players."
Raiders LB Danny Clark
(On the Raider defense stepping up several times when the Texans were in scoring position) "That's a confidence builder and that's stuff that helps you become a better football team. Anytime you're in a football game, there's going to be adverse situations that come up and the key is how you respond to them. Our attitude has changed (a lot) this offseason and I'm excited about it."
(On the Raider's defensive philosophy after Carr left the game) "We just want to concentrate on what we do no matter who's out there at quarterback. Our defense is getting better every time we take the field. I think our attitude is the biggest key for us right now and we're focused on getting better."
(On playing both the 3-4 and 4-3 styles of defense) "We enjoy the 4-3 as well as the 3-4. We've got them both in our arsenal. Right now, we're showing both and we're comfortable playing both. Ultimately, we're just trying to get better at both."
(On helping the younger players remain focused in the second half) "That's a tough situation. We try to lead by example. We did give them seven points on the board, which was kind of tough. That's something we spoke about earlier - trying to go out and dominate so (the younger players) can understand that they need to pick it up where we left off."
Raiders DT Warren Sapp
(On the Raiders improvement from week one) "We wanted to make sure we took some positive steps in this game. Our first half was real good for us. We just want to keep building, going towards the start of the season, and I think we're getting some good things done."
(On the Raiders showing various defenses) "We're catering to our personnel. We know exactly what's expected of us in the defense that we're playing, whether it's the 3-4 or the 4-3. Whenever you know exactly what's expected of you, there's a better chance of you going out and having success. We're taking steps. All we want to do right now is make steps and have this thing ready to go when we line up on September 8."
Raiders WR/KR Randall Williams
(On his special teams performance against the Texans) "It was like a roller coaster tonight; it was one good play and then the next play wasn't so good, and so on and so forth. For me, a guy who's made his career pretty much just playing special teams, I don't think it was a successful night. I've got to be more consistent but the good thing is that there's always tomorrow - hopefully. Hopefully I'll get another chance to get out there and make up for the mistakes I made and make some plays next week."
(On the opportunity to showcase his world-class speed) "They're trying some different (with me). I'm trying to make a transition a little bit at tight end – some other things like that. If I'm (good) at that then obviously I'm going to do it, but at the same time there are certain times when I have to use technique rather than straight speed to get open."
(On his attempt to prove that he is a capable receiver in addition to being a solid special teams player) "I didn't get much opportunity today to receive the ball, but I think I did some things in the first game catching some balls and throughout the practices so far to show them that I can catch the ball and be an offensive threat. I only have one career reception so obviously they didn't bring me in here to save the receiving corps or anything of that nature. They brought me in to play on special teams. So that's what I'm trying to do: what I'm asked."
Raiders RB Justin Fargas
(on things tonight that are going to be taken into the regular season) "It's a lot to learn, I think the first half, the team came out and showed some good things. Second half, we showed that we need to be able to complete a ball game and guys that got an opportunity to play the second half, me being one of them, need to step it up and work on the little things so that we can finish these games out. It's a learning experience. That's what the preseason is for but you want to go out here and win, so you just want to learn from that."
(on things that he personally needs to work on) "It's a lot of little things. Attention to details. Some things in the passing game, a few mistakes I made. I don't want to single anything out but I know what I have to do. But that's what this camp is for. That's what the preseason is for but I just have to step it up."
(on where he sees the team going this season) "I think we're going to do some great things. I have confidence in that. We have great players, great staff and we're coming together as a team and we're just going to take it one ball game at a time but we definitely have our goals set high."
Raiders QB Marques Tuiasosopo
(On the game and losing the lead in the second half) "I think we were two or three plays away tonight. If we make those plays, we score some points and we probably win the game. The thing is, we didn't make those plays. If we can cut out those mistakes, I think we will be in a place where everyone feels good about our team"
(On taking care of the football) "It's important for me to be smart with the ball. This isn't new to me. I should be able to do it. I can't be making those decisions I made out there tonight."
(On whether or not he was pressing) "I was just trying to score some points. I'm trying to make plays. I just need to be more careful. I need to help us out by taking care of the ball."
Raiders FS Stewart Schweigert
(On the defense) "We're close. Coach Turner says we just need to get better every game and I think we are. Ultimately, it's your goal to win a game but the most important thing is to get better. We are on the right track."
(On the play of the secondary) "We played pretty good tonight. Coach just wants us to improve and we are, but we have some steps to take before the season starts."
Raiders DE Warren Sapp
(On how the defense was after the first series) "The thing you have to do is evaluate the film and take it from there. Things were going too fast actually to determine what was going on. We didn't give up any big plays on that drive. They just picked and dumped and executed like a professional football team. We eliminated our mistakes from that series and stiffened up. We had a pretty good lead at the half, but did not end up winning the game."
(On how the defense played) "We are playing well, we're playing well. We got a couple of rush guys and we are all starting to mesh well together and that is the big thing."
Raiders WR Doug Gabriel
(On how he played) "Well, basically they called my number today. It seems like every week someone is making a big play."
(On Randy Moss being on the field) "We know for a fact that when the defense is out there, they are focusing on him. Everyone knows that he is going to get double and triple teamed."
Raiders QB Marques Tuiasosopo
(On the game and losing the lead in the second half) "I think we were two or three plays away tonight. If we make those plays, we score some points and we probably win the game. The thing is, we didn't make those plays. If we can cut out those mistakes, I think we will be in a place where everyone feels good about our team"
(On taking care of the football) "It's important for me to be smart with the ball. This isn't new to me. I should be able to do it. I can't be making those decisions I made out there tonight."
(On whether or not he was pressing) "I was just trying to score some points. I'm trying to make plays. I just need to be more careful. I need to help us out by taking care of the ball."
Raiders FS Stewart Schweigert
(On the defense) "We're close. Coach Turner says we just need to get better every game and I think we are. Ultimately, it's your goal to win a game but the most important thing is to get better. We are on the right track."
(On the play of the secondary) "We played pretty good tonight. Coach just wants us to improve and we are, but we have some steps to take before the season starts."
Raiders DE Warren Sapp
(On how the defense was after the first series) "The thing you have to do is evaluate the film and take it from there. Things were going to fast actually to determine what was going on. We didn't give up any big plays on that drive, they just picked and dumped and executed like a professional football team. We eliminated are mistakes from that series and stiffened up. We had a pretty good lead at the half, but did not end up winning the game."
(On how the defense played) "We are playing well, we're playing well. WE got a couple of rush guys and we are all starting to mesh well together and, that is the big thing."
Raiders WR Doug Gabriel
(On how he played) "Well, basically they called my number today. It seems like every week someone is making a big play."
(On Randy Moss being on the field) "We know for a fact that when the defense is out there, they are focusing on him. Everyone knows that he is going to get double and triple teamed.
