New Las Vegas Raiders WR Phillip Dorsett
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HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders have made a run at acquiring new talent for the team and accumulating picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
New wide receiver Phillip Dorsett discussed being a member of the Silver and Black, and you can watch his entire press conference below and read the transcript:
Wide Receiver Phillip Dorsett
Q: Could you talk about your relationship with Josh McDaniels and how it evolved, how it developed, and then your desire to play for him?
Dorsett: "Me and Josh always had a good connection. I was always a guy who can play all three positions. His football mind is just out of this world, man. He's really smart when it comes to football and just putting things together, putting game plans together, multiple personnel and stuff like that. Me and him have been close because we see eye to eye when it comes to football, and we've always stayed in contact. But it was just an opportunity that came that I just felt like for me, personally, I couldn't refuse. And I just want to come here and help this team win any way I can.”
Q: From your experience playing in the system, what does it take to comprehensively as an offense to go full steam ahead?
Dorsett: "The details. I would say everybody's got to be on the same page. Like I said before, the details are definitely huge when it comes to just knowing the ins and outs of everything. As a receiver, just attacking leverage and things like that. There’s a lot of minuet things that go into this offense that you can't basically acknowledge. So it's an amazing offense to play in once you've been in it and you understand it and you know what's going on. So, we've just got to keep going."
Q: When you talk about that, there are certain guys who have not really responded well to it. Do you think it takes a certain type of person a certain type of player to play in this system?
Dorsett: "I wouldn't say that. I mean, it's just your attention to detail. Not saying a certain kind of person, but just how much you put into your studying on and off the field. Like I said, the details are big. I mean, you're going to hear that a lot. I mean, it's a fine offense once you get to learn it, and it works because it's always evolving, its ever-changing. He's great at basically just putting his playmakers in position, making sure that whatever you're good at doing, he's going to basically want to exploit that and make sure that that's what you're doing on the field."
Q: When you talk about being in advantageous positions, with your skill set why are you excited to be back in this offense?
Dorsett: "I mean, it's just an offense that I was comfortable playing in. And I'm just excited. I mean, I just want to add another speed element to it, be able to stretch the field, be able to complement Davante [Adams], Jakobi [Meyers], [Hunter] Renfrow, guys like that. I mean, everybody has talent. So, just adding a speed element to it, being able to take the top off the coverage. You're going to see a lot of split safety. So, basically just take advantage of those opportunities when they come."
Q: When you mentioned that speed element and Davante Adams, he's going to get a lot of attention, like he always does. Can you already kind of vision favorable match-ups for yourself?
Dorsett: "I mean, yeah. Anytime you've got a guy like that on the other side, I mean, he's the best receiver in the league and he's going to take two people most of the time. So, you're going to have to need somebody who's going to be able to take the top off, free him up, and then when he is getting doubled, you're going to probably be in one-on-one situations a lot, so you've just got to be able to take advantage of that."
Q: There have been reports you've run a 4.29 40-yard dash and a 4.33. The factor is your just fast, but what has been your best speed of the 40?
Dorsett: "I don't know. I mean, there's been so many numbers that have been thrown at me. I've done heard it all. But I'm still fast."
Q: What's your sense of Jimmy Garoppolo as a quarterback?
Dorsett: "He's a winner. Everywhere he's been, he's won games. I mean, I feel like that's the most important stat for quarterbacks, just going out there and just winning and making the right plays at the right time. I mean, his record speaks for itself. He's a guy who plays the game the right way. He goes out there, he makes the right play, he makes a smart play, and he's a winner and I love playing with him. I was only with him for a little bit in New England and he left that big of an impression on me. So, I'm glad to be able to play with him again."
Q: Can you kind of tell me some of your first reactions when you became a Raider with the history they have here? What are just some of your early thoughts when you found out having to be a Raider and your thoughts about that just in terms of the historical context?
Dorsett: "It's a dream come true to be honest. I mean, it's just like, the mystique, John Madden, everything about it. I mean, just the Silver and Black. It's kind of like a lot of guys dream of playing for the Cowboys with the star on the helmet; for me it's the same thing when it comes to the Raiders. It's just a historic franchise, the fan base is amazing. It's crazy, you can tell by all the interaction you get. It's just a blessing to be here."
Q: Last year when you played the Raiders, you actually scored a touchdown in the stadium. Can you just talk about what was it like playing in Allegiant Stadium, the atmosphere with the fans and what was your overall experience?
Dorsett: “The atmosphere was definitely electric. I mean, being in the stadium and playing there, and just walking through, going into the visitors' locker room, you’re just looking around and it's just like: ‘This is an amazing place.’ I mean, anybody would want to play here. I don't think anybody would want to turn it down. I'm just glad I'm here, I'm definitely blessed to be in this situation, and I'm ready to take advantage of it."
Q: After being on three teams in 2021, then going to Houston last year ... for you coming back here to come full circle somewhat with Josh McDaniels, is that kind of an easy sense of familiarity for you to have that connection and just to kind of be back with one team kind of bouncing around.
Dorsett: "Yes, because I mean, that year was a little rough for me. I dealt with an injury that lingered for a while. And just being back here, just trying to make sure I have a sense of stability, just being back, being comfortable, being in this situation, being with coaches that you're familiar with, and just growing as a player. For me, this past couple of years have definitely helped me, and I'm ready to just hit the ground running. I just can't wait to get started."
Q: How quickly did this come together in terms of like them contacting you and deciding like this the right fit?
Dorsett: "Fairly quickly. Kind of like right away."
Q: You mentioned a star on the side of the Dallas helmet. Did you as a kid, when you're growing up, rock that Cowboy No. 33 because of the last name?
Dorsett: "So, my first number was 33 because everybody thought that was my dad. So, coach, literally, I went out there and he just gave me that number. But I mean, I always hear it – everybody always says: 'Oh, are you kidding? Tony Dorsett, Tony Dorsett." And I say: 'No, I have an uncle named Tony Dorsett, but it's not him.' But I mean, I never acknowledged it. I'm proud for when it comes to my dad, that's why I put the second on my jersey once I got it, because I got tired of people saying it. But I mean, like I said, I'm just happy to be here, and it's a dream come true."
Q: How deep is Miami going to make a run in the NCAA tournament?
Dorsett: "That's a good question. I mean, you never know with March Madness, to be honest with you. I hope they go all the way. I hope they win it all, but you never know."
The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.
Watch the NFL Playoffs live when you get your Raiders tickets from SI Tickets HERE.
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