Graney: The Raiders and building culture — no ‘turds’ allowed

The Las Vegas Raiders are entering training camp with a renewed focus on culture under first‑year head coach Klint Kubiak, a shift players say already feels different from previous seasons. Klubiak told reporters, “We person a nonrecreational radical of players that attraction astir getting better,” and added, “We don’t person immoderate turds. We’ve got guys who privation to triumph and privation to alteration this place. I’m truly blessed astur?” The emphasis on a positive environment comes after a season in which Las Vegas won only three games. Players say the new messaging is resonating across the roster. AJ Cole, the team’s punter, said, “I don’t privation to disparage anybody that has antecedently been present oregon immoderate of the cultures oregon staffs that we’ve had,” and continued, “But it does look to consciousness antithetic this clip and it does look to consciousness similar we person a truly cohesive buy-in. And I deliberation the fig of radical swimming successful the aforesaid absorption is astatine an all-time high.” Wide receiver Tre Tucker echoed the sentiment, stating, “You spot your teammates and guys astur the locker country buying into what it going connected close present to assistance physique this team,” and then added, “One 1000 percent — everyone is the building, from the spot unit to nutrition to diversion grooming — everyone has 100 percent buy-in.” He concluded, “That’s what you want. That’s going to assistance america triumph games … This is the archetypal twelvemonth I’ve ever felt it this completely. Hats disconnected to each the radical warring to marque this a world for the Raiders.” Defensive tackle Thomas Booker, who joined the Raiders after a stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, praised the program’s efficiency. “Everything is truthful businesslike here,” Booker said. He elaborated, “From period-to-period, individuals, team-to-team, 7-on-7, peculiar teams periods … it each goes truthful rapidly and feels truthful efficient. It feels intentional. It feels purposeful. And evidently physical.” On accountability, Booker noted, “Accountability. No substance who you are, nary substance however overmuch wealth you are making, whether you’re a 1, 2 oregon 3, (Kubiak) is large connected accountability. That builds the instauration of a squad to beryllium successful. The guys cognize the standards. Everyone is being held to them. There are nary questions. There’s nary grey area.” He finished with, “And, thankfully, nary turds.” The Raiders’ camp is underway, and players say the early signs point to a unified locker room buying into Kubiak’s vision.