From Raiders Training Camp: FB Jakob Johnson

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders are in their fifth week of training camp, and with one preseason game left this weekend, the intensity is ramping up.

Fullback Jakob Johnson spoke after practice: We have it all for you. You can watch the entire press conference and read the transcript below:

Fullback Jakob Johnson

Q: We're toward the end of training camp. How excited are you to get this phase over? I know Denver is still a little bit of a ways away, but it's kind of looming. How excited are you to start tracking them down and start getting ready for an actual game?

Johnson: "I mean, it's a process, right? You've got the beginning half of training camp where you're just working against yourself. You transition to join practices, that gets you a little bit closer. Now we're getting ready for the last preseason game, another chance to compete. Then the regular season starts, that's what we've been building toward, that's what we're working toward. And personally, I'm a big believer in routine, so I'm just ready to get my in-season routine started. And yeah, playing against some teams in a different color when it counts."

Q: Can you allow your mind to go there just yet or does the other process still have to play out?

Johnson: "Man, I'm a former international player, man. So for me, I'm first of all waiting for the roster to be made, and I would just love to have the opportunity to compete with these guys and take the field with this team, because I think we've got some guys who are ready to put some work in."

Q: Speaking of taking the field, you were able to do that on Saturday. How did it feel getting those juices flowing and being out there with the ones?

Johnson: "It was awesome. That first drive, man, it was over just like that. And honestly at that point you're just like warmed up. You're like: 'Alright, we're here and now we're ready to play.' And to have to take a step back, it was still fun like cheering the guys on and being there for your teammates. A bunch of young guys making plays out there, I mean, David [Agoha] got his first sack, that was exciting to see. But it definitely made me hungry for more."

Q: Precisely talking about David [Agoha], I asked you last time you were up here about him and seeing him get that first sack what did it mean to you as one of his mentors out there with the team?

Johnson: "Oh, it meant a lot, man. Still a lot of work to be done. My guy is still adjusting to being here in the States and learning the game. But I think he's done a great job every day just showing up and putting in the work on the field, and that's what you have to do if you want to get there."

Q: What do you think that meant for him?

Johnson: He was excited, man. Did you see this little dance? He had a celebration and everything man, like he was out of it. I think a little bit is also us international guys, we kind of have like an internal competition. Some of the international cats on other teams have already gotten some sacks and made some plays, so I think he was hungry for it and it paid off."

Q: How have you seen just in your time in the NFL, the game popularized around the world?

Johnson: "Oh man, it's this a huge change. Growing up, I think I watched my first football game in like 2007 or something. It was a late night broadcast, very, very boring, very dry. Right now, Germany actually just opened a giant football broadcast facility with like a field goal inside of it and a mascot, full time broadcasting staff. A bunch of the German legends are there, Sebastian Vollmer, Björn Werner a first round draft pick. So, it's changed a lot. And on the heels of that obviously, our international leagues have profited as well, European League of football. I say it every time, I'm a franchise owner over there. We're looking pretty good for the playoffs right about now. The game is growing, and I think that will help all of us. Like 30 years from now, I still need some kids to play football to pay for my pension, and I think the more international kids we can get involved, the better."

Q: It's probably not a question of if, but when the NFL ventures out to Europe. As a player that's here based in the United States, what do you think about that possibility? And I know this is above all of our pay scales in a lot of ways, but how could you see that being possible?

Johnson: "I think it would be easier for a farm league to kind of exist over there, where you slowly but surely improve the coaching and the level of competition over there and kind of just use it as a way to grab international players without necessarily having them go through the college process, just have them play over there. Kind of like how it happens in basketball and other sports like that. I think having a full division over there where everybody has to do international travel multiple times a year, I think is going to be tough. As long as the NFL brings a couple of games over there, like once or twice a year, I think we'll get the best of both worlds."

Q: Obviously you've been around Zamir White, you've been blocking for him here in camp. How close is he to being ready to take on that role if he has to? Obviously, Josh Jacob's status is out there. How different is it to be prepared to get 25 carries, but also actually do that?

Johnson: "Evaluating running backs is not one of my core skills. But what I'll say is that he's come in with a completely different attitude from last year, and really worked his ass off every day to be ready. And that's what we're all trying to do. What happens it's going to be up to the coaches and the football gods, but I think he's definitely ready to step up."

Q: What have been your impressions of Jimmy Garoppolo so far?

Johnson: "Jimmy is a great guy. I mean, you guys see it. The haircut is amazing every day, a smile on his face. I mean, the guy, you cannot shake him. He's in a good mood, he's coming out there slinging the ball and it's been a lot of fun."

Q: How would you describe him in the huddle during the game situation?

Johnson: "He takes charge. I've played with a lot of different quarterbacks. I think he's definitely a guy who gets everybody on the same page and is not afraid to tell me to take a couple steps back if I'm too eager to get up in there. But yeah man, overall a great guy."

Q: Are you campaigning in Josh McDaniels' ear yet to get that first carry at some point?

Johnson: "I stay out of it. I try to let my practice performance talk, and whatever happens, happens."

Q: Have you been close to one in your career? Has there been an almost case or not really?

Johnson: "Yeah, I think I have maybe in New England at some point. I know I had a couple of catches out there and stuff, but I don't really keep track of that type of stuff. It's just whatever's in the game plan, that's what we'll do."

Q: When was the last time you had a carry actually?

Johnson: "I think I had probably something last year, maybe."

Q: So is there a play call that when you hear it in the huddle...

Johnson: "That I'll get the ball on? Oh yeah, for sure. Hey listen, all you've got to do is put Brian Hoyer in there. Ever since he found out that he is German he can't stop throwing me the ball. So whenever we're on the field there's some type of connection going on."

Q: What do you think your reaction would be if you heard that call?

Johnson: "I mean, I'm excited, but I'm just as excited for fullback lead, man. At the end of the day it's football, and if you're on the on the field, you better have fun otherwise you're doing something wrong."

Q: We see you guys in the I-formation even when you're not on the field. What have you seen from John Samuel Shenker that has been taking those snaps?

Johnson: "He's been doing a great job. That's a really challenging role in this offense, I would say. If you have to learn the tight end and the fullback position at the same time, that's a lot of volume, but he's done a great job going in there in the games playing physical, also getting catches, getting open as a tight end. So, the more you can do."

Q: What's the busier group chat, the fullback group chat or the international players?

Johnson: "I've got to get some more of the fullback guys on the same page. We're all I would say like pretty even keel and humble guys. Maybe that's a bit of a problem, because the tight end said their fancy Tight End U meeting and all that stuff. We've got to come up with something that us fullbacks can get together and bond over."

Q: What's it mean to still be a steward of that position in today's game?

Johnson: "I think it's just like with everything in football, like we all stand on the shoulders of giants. That's what y'all say here right? So there's been guys before me that made this role available, so I'm just trying to do my best to leave it in a in a better place than I found in."

The Silver and Black open the regular season at the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4:25 p.m. EDT/1:25 p.m. PDT.

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