Raiders LT Kolton Miller from Training Camp

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders have opened their 2023 NFL Training Camp, and defensive end Maxx Crosby took to the podium to address the media.

You can watch his entire comments below., and read the transcript:

Tackle Kolton Miller

Q: A lot of like consistency on the offensive line, a lot of guys back. How important is that for just kind of maintaining what you guys are doing?

Kolton Miller: "Great, yeah we want to be you know a cohesive unit. Having all the guys back is great, including the new guys, [McLendon] Curtis and [Dalton] Wagner. They've been really focused, they've been great rookies so far. They're sponges, they ask questions, they're really trying to get ahead of the game, which is great. But yeah, it's great to see all these guys back."

Q: What did you see in the offseason that makes you believe it can remain consistent?

Miller: "By keeping the group together. I know from the experience of last year, along with the growth guys have had, added strength, coming out here and seeing the focus, the attention to detail. It's very promising, and we want to continue to work and get better."

Q: How much different is it having to get used to a new quarterback?

Miller: "Jimmy is great, he's been working his butt off. I have seen him through OTAs and the offseason, and I'm excited for him."

Q: I know he's [Jimmy Garoppolo] a new quarterback, but he knows this system. How much does that help him in relaying to you guys quickly on the field?

Miller: "Great with cadence, mike points, everything. It's great. It makes for an easy transition which is awesome."

Q: Secondly, when he [Jimmy Garoppolo] went to San Francisco, he won the locker room quickly. This offseason, even though he wasn't on the field in mini-camp and OTAs, a lot of you guys talked about spending time with him off the field getting to know him. What is it about Jimmy that allows him to acclimate so well so quickly?

Miller: "He connects well with us. It's that and you see his work ethic, he's a competitor, everything you see from him. So, I'm really excited. We just started up, so I'm looking forward to what he does and what we do as a unit these next few weeks."

Q: There were a couple of your teammates on the offensive line who really kind of worked themselves up through the offseason with training. Can you just talk about how successful and how much you guys kind of work together in the offseason to train and get in good shape?

Miller: "Yeah, I think that's a mentality standpoint. From the end of OTAs we have this time off, coming seeing guys back, you can tell they put in the work. You can tell that they didn't take this time off and relax. It's a mentality. So again, we were clean out today, and we're going to continue to work."

Q: As a veteran, what's your approach? What's your focus these early days of training camp?

Miller: "The focus, working that cohesiveness. So, having the guys together, double teams, your footwork, engaging blocks, your sets, everything. It's just getting back in that routine, that rhythm and focusing to work together."

Q: Communication is key. Can you talk about Dylan Parham's progress at this point from last year to this year and what that means to you going forward?

Miller: "It's been huge. He had a lot of experience last year. He's learned a lot. He's put on the strength this offseason, you see it. It's been awesome to see. I'm happy to see him back, and again, we're working those combinations and it feels just like it was yesterday, so that's awesome to see."

Q: Last year at this time, even going back to last OTAs and mini camp you guys were doing a lot of laps. There were mistakes that were made, offside, just little mental mistakes where you ran laps as a group. I haven't seen that as much during OTAs and training camp. It's that kind of a testament to sort of where you guys are a little bit further ahead of the game than last year?

Miller: "That's taking the next step. That shows maturity, what we learned from OTAs be able to keep that up and progress. That's what we're trying to do right now. We're trying to acclimate to the heat, guys coming back from where they were training from. They didn't let the heat and those outside distractions affect them, we were able to take a step forward."

Q: Greg Van Roten comes in who is a grizzled veteran, and like you he's a reliable guy, available. What does he lend to this offensive line that you've seen?

Miller: "He didn't miss a step. Coming in it takes a second, but he's used to working with guys. You're able to -- if you gel well with guys, you're going to naturally be able to contribute immediately. So yeah, he's been working, great vet. But across the board everyone is competing. There's not a guy that's just like too good for -- everyone is doing the work. We all come in with that same mentality to improve every day, so it's been great."

Q: Last year around this time -- I know you guys said you didn't pay attention to it, but there was a narrative of like: 'Hey, the offensive line is terrible. They stink.' And you guys kind of got galvanized by that a little bit. It kind of drove you and you had a good season. Do you have to find kind of motivation now if people are like, 'Hey, they're pretty good.'

Miller: "No, I think you just keep it simple. We choose what we work on each day, we improve those things. I felt great about our group, and I feel even better, they're here more experienced, stronger. So yeah, we just keep our head down, grind and that's all there is to it."

Q: Last year. you were voted a team captain. Just going through last season, what would you say you learned most about being a leader that you want to continue to apply to being a leader for his offensive line and this team?

Miller: "Yeah, I think it's a huge -- I think it's a thanks being recognized. I'm just going to continue to work, to push guys, and I think it is easier with our group and the guys we have. Everyone wants to push each other, we're all on the same track, we're taking strides. So, we're going to continue to do that, and I'll do as much as I can along the way."

Q: How much pride did the offensive line as a unit as a group last year take in Josh Jacobs leading the league in rushing and being a first-team All Pro?

Miller: "That's something that we take huge pride in. Josh [Jacobs] put in -- I mean you've seen him. He makes those cuts, but it starts up front with us. Ding the fronts, coming off the ball, controlling the line of scrimmage, and we're going to continue that. We're going to try to continue that mentality. We're going to do our best protections, staying clean on that, and we're just going to continue to work."

Q: You mentioned one of the new guys at the beginning, Dalton Wagner. He's a guy that you always noticed on the field at Arkansas and even in some of the reps we've seen him take so far. What stands out about him? What where's he compared to -- I'm sure you've seen a lot of rookies in your career?

Miller: "Yeah, he's a big guy, his ability to move, but it first starts with your mentality. You come in, and again you absorb as much as you can. He's asking questions, his sets look great, and from OTAs to now you see the progress, which is huge. So yeah, we're excited. He's been doing a great job so far."

Q: McClendon [Curtis] is another guy, a UDFA on the offensive line that there's seems to be some expectations for. Even though he's from a small school they bragged about his football IQ. Can you talk about that, please?

Miller: "Football IQ, yeah. He chirps up in meetings. I mean, he's always on it. And again, another big guy, big guy that move. It's been exciting to see him work, really has. He really hasn't missed a step when it comes to the mental side. We'll see with our whole group next week with pads how he can take that next step."

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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