Raiders OC Mick Lombardi Talks Offense

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.--The Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) are excited to be practicing this week here in West Virginia before heading up the road to take on the Buffalo Bills (0-1) this weekend in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Offensive Coordinator MickLombari updated the franchise's offense as the team practices here in West Virginia this week.

Below, you can watch all of Lombardi's press conference and read the transcript as well:

Offensive Coordinator Mick Lombardi

Q: I want to talk about your offensive line, I thought they battled, no sacks. I thought it was one of their most complete performances in the time that you've been here. Did you share that sentiment? Or can you expand on your feelings there please?

Coach Lombardi: "I thought they pass protected very well, like you said. No sacks in the game is obviously always a goal heading into it. But that takes everyone. Jimmy [Garoppolo] did a great job of getting the ball out on time and stepping up in the pocket when he had to. I'm sure you saw some of those plays to end the game. And early in the game when he scrambled and pushed up, and the pocket was clean, and he had those alleys to run in. And credit to all those guys for keeping it firm and cleaning out the pocket when they could and trying to play physical against a good front in Denver. So, very pleased with the way they pass protected. Obviously, every week in the NFL presents a challenge in terms of defensive front structure and blocking and different things. Buffalo plays a different structure in terms of front than Denver did, so we're up for a different task this week, but we're looking forward to it."

Q: I know Hunter Renfrow talked a lot in the offseason about being excited and kind of being fired up for the season after being disappointed last season. I guess what does he have to do to get more involved and what would you like to see more from him?

Coach Lombardi: "I mean, Hunter definitely has been involved throughout the summer and moving forward. He was a big part of the game plan in Denver, always is a big part of the game plan. It was a kind of a weird game, how it went in terms of the amount of plays and the amount of series we got. He ran some really good routes on third down, he was open the last play of the game when Jimmy [Garoppolo] scrambled and stuff like that. So, some days obviously production in terms of catches and targets is something that you guys look at a lot in terms of that type of thing. But I thought Hunter did a good job of doing his job and being ready to go, and it was just kind of one of those weird games. I mean, we had six possessions, and one of those was a kneel down at the end of the half. So, it was a weird game where we used a little bit more 21 and 12 personnel throughout the first half and kind of just felt like we wanted to keep drives going, and we had them going. But in terms of Hunter, he's done a great job in terms of doing his job in practice and we look forward to kind of getting him integrated here as we move forward."

Q: There's a stat that doesn't show on the stat sheet and that was Jimmy Garoppolo taking what the defense gave him and making a quick read. And I'm just curious, did you see it that way?

Coach Lombardi: "Your last question and this one go hand in hand in terms of sacks and production and in terms of defensive pressures. And there weren't a lot of them, but the offensive line did a good job of staying inside out, and he did a good job of staying with his read and getting the ball out. And that's part of it. Any time your quarterback completes above 70 percent of his passes, you're pleased with how he operates the offense. And we obviously saw him do that this past Sunday, and that'll be a goal for him moving forward every week. But I think, like I said, your first two questions go hand in hand. The quarterback doing his job in getting the ball out and the offensive line doing their job of staying inside out.”

Q: In the running game, was it a matter of Denver just stacking the box, or I guess what do you guys have to do better?

Coach Lombardi: "I think across the board, tight end, offensive line, backs; whether it's the run read, double team, we just have to make sure that all 11 players are connected. We talk about that a lot, getting a hat to hat in the running game, all 11 players are connected. So, if there's one instance where one player either falls off on a double team, or the back reads the play wrong, or the receiver doesn't block the fourth player, you can have a run that doesn't go for a lot of yards. I think that's a goal for us moving forward this week is just saying: 'Hey, let's get all 11 players connected and doing their job because that's really what makes a good run play go.' And that's what we got to try and do a better job consistently. I think you saw them try and play physical, you saw them double team really well and we just have to sustain our job better, longer. I think they're all aware of that and we'll try and get that done this week in practice."

Q: Obviously there was an unfortunate play with Jakobi Meyers late, but he had such a good game. What does it do to have a second receiver kind of establish himself when you have a star like Davante Adams on the other side?

Coach Lombardi: "They do a lot of things right, both of those guys. I think the whole receiver room does. I've known Jakobi for a while, I coached him in New England in my time there. So, I kind of knew the kid he was first, saw the worker he was and the player he is on Sunday. So, nothing Jakobi did on Sunday surprised me, surprised our team, or surprised our unit. It's obviously nice to have a productive player, but it's nice to have a dependable player. And that's how I see Jakobi Meyers -- he's a very dependable guy who goes about his job, doesn't ask many questions and just goes about his job and makes sure he tries to get better every day. I'm really proud of the way he's handled his career and I'm looking forward to what's ahead of him."

Q: You were talking about still trying to get the run established a little bit more. We saw Zamir White had a carry on a sweep. Would you say everything that he's gone through in training camp with getting those reps, do you think that could lead to him getting even more reps throughout the season despite Josh Jacobs being back?

Coach Lombardi: "Yeah, no doubt. Again, it was one of those weird games. The series kind of went a certain way and on third down Ameer [Abdullah] played a little bit. And then we had a long drive and that's why you saw Zamir get in the game. You start playing more drives and more series and more plays in the game, you're going to see a lot more substitutions and a lot more guys coming in and getting involved. Zamir was ready to go, he was prepared. Has been all summer, has been all offseason and will continue to do so. So, looking forward to what Zamir can bring for us."

Q: Can you talk about the fact you guys were able to get the ball and run the clock the way that you were to close out the game? To have a position where you just have to run it down, you have to make plays, get first downs, keep the chains moving, and execute the way that you did. I guess how proud are you of that and how important is it for a team to be able to do that?

Coach Lombardi: "I think just overall execution in the fourth quarter, getting the ball down six points and going down there and scoring a touchdown in about two minutes and then getting the ball back. Our defense -- credit to our defense because we get the lead for the defense and then they get a big stop late in the game and give us the ball back with about five minutes left and it's our time to try and go out there. And regardless of how we run the ball during the game or what it is, we have to go out there and try and execute some runs, eat some clock and get first downs really at the end of the day. So, for us to run for a first down early and then get a third down conversion with Jakobi [Meyers] and Jimmy [Garoppolo], and then obviously get the third down conversion with Jimmy at the end of the game. I mean, as a coach, you're extremely pleased with your guys for battling, being mentally tough and having that stamina to execute their job in the fourth quarter. Because that's really at the end of the day what separates wins and losses in this league. Every game is going to be close. I know there were a couple of games around the league this week that were kind of lopsided forthe score, but my man on the red zone network doesn’t call it 'the witching hour' for nothing. I mean, it's going to come down to the bitter end and if you can execute your job in situational football. We put a stress and a big emphasis on that every week. And for them to go execute that, it's very fun to see as a coach."

The Silver and Black remain on the road this week as they travel to play he Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 1:05 p.m. EDT/10:05 a.m. PDT.

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