HENDERSON, Nev.–Dave Ziegler the brand new GM of the Las Vegas Raiders hit the bottom working since Mark Davis handed him the keys to the Silver and Black machine.
Ziegler, a stickler for element, burned the midnight oil to scour the nation in search of new Raiders. One participant that seized his consideration was defensive deal with, Bilal Nichols.
Nichols is thrilled to be a Raider and talked concerning the transfer. You possibly can watch his total press convention under, or learn the transcript as properly.
Defensive Sort out Bilal Nichols
Q: Simply being right here in Vegas, driving by the stadium, Sin Metropolis, all that it comes with; what are your feelings during the last 48 hours or so?
Nichols: “Simply getting right here is giving me goosebumps. I am so excited, so able to work. Simply feeling the vitality of the town, wanting on the stadium, taking a look at this lovely facility. All of the assets that they supply their gamers with. I am simply taking a look at it as an exquisite alternative.”
Q: Whenever you see that on the defensive position you may have Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, do you simply get extra goosebumps or what?
Nichols: “Yeah, extra goosebumps. You understand, anytime you get to be on the market on the sector with gamers of that kind of caliber, gamers that put within the work and bought the accolades to again it up, oh, man, it’s particular. I really feel like it may be good for all of us and I can not wait to line up with these dudes. I am getting excited sitting right here speaking about it with you.”
Q: There’s some familiarity for you right here within the constructing with Champ Kelly. How a lot did that sort of assist lure you right here to the group?
Nichols: “It undoubtedly performed a component. Me and Champ, now we have an incredible relationship and when he got here right here, I all the time knew that it was going to be a chance. So, he undoubtedly performed an enormous function in it and the Raiders simply believing in me and giving the chance. I am endlessly grateful for that. Simply realizing that you’ve got group behind you that believes in you and needs to offer you a chance to go on the market and show what you are able to do to the world. I am simply blessed to have the chance.”
Q: Whenever you hear about Patrick Graham’s protection and the best way that he makes use of sub-defense and totally different packages, the place do you see your self becoming in?
Nichols: “I simply see myself being versatile. Simply showcasing what I can do in every spot and wherever it’s that the staff appears like I am greatest at, that is what I’ll do. I am simply right here to play my butt off and play any spot that must be performed and win video games level clean, interval.”
Q: Having performed the Raiders final yr, was there any specific participant that you just noticed or performed in opposition to that actually sort of stood out to you as being a teammate you really need play with?
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Nichols: “One factor I do bear in mind about enjoying the Raiders final yr was that going into the sport, each time you play the Raiders, you already know it may be a slugfest. That was one factor that was talked about, ‘Oh, it may be a tricky sport. It may be a bodily sport. It may go all the way down to the final minute and it may be a slugfest.’ So, I simply bear in mind once we performed them final yr, it was a scenario the place it is like all people was very bodily and gritty and that principally received me over as a result of I attempt to play the identical precise manner. So, for me, it was like coming right into a philosophy the place I attempt to do the identical precise factor. It was a no brainer for me.”
Q: A giant theme of immediately has been the historical past of the Raiders. Having the ability to play within the Silver and Black uniform, what does that imply to you?
Nichols: “Oh, it is superb. I grew up watching the Raiders. It is a dream come true, actually. By no means in one million years would I’ve ever thought that this could be potential. So, I am simply actually sitting in right here and taking this second in and simply cherishing each little bit of it and simply grateful for every thing. I simply cannot wait to get began.”
Q: Patrick Graham has mentioned that the subject of a 3-4 versus a 4-3 is sort of outdated in immediately’s NFL, however for someone in your place the place you’re at down there within the inside, how does that issue into your choice to come back right here? As you mentioned you need to be versatile, however how does all of that sort of play out in your thoughts as a participant?
Nichols: “Oh, properly, I checked out it as a scenario the place I might have the ability to show various things, whether or not it is a 3-4 with the ability to play every place on the road, whether or not it is a 4-3, with the ability to play one-technique, the three-technique. It sort of fell again into me with the ability to show the flexibility that I had, which I really feel like is certainly one of my strongest fits as a participant is me being versatile. So, it simply felt like a simple choice for me. After which additionally given the observe document with teaching, the gamers he is been in a position to develop, the issues he is been in a position to do on this league. It simply felt like an ideal alternative.”
Q: You had Khalil Mack in Chicago. And now you come right here, you bought Max Crosby and Chandler Jones. How a lot does that assist you out? How a lot did you assist him out?
Nichols: “You possibly can say I’ve been a little bit spoiled in my profession, however any time you get to play with dudes like that, they make your job simpler, you already know what I am saying? I need to go on the market and make the most of the chance. These guys are going to get a number of consideration and that is the place I are available in, so I’m excited.”
Q: Have you ever been in a position to meet or chat with any of your new teammates?
Nichols: “Yeah, I have been in a position to chat with Maxx. It is humorous, as quickly because the information broke out, Maxx Crosby truly reached out to me. So, I admire that. Me and him have been speaking. I am excited and I can not wait. There’s a normal right here, it’s held very excessive. I am excited to go on the market and meet it each day.”
Q: Did you occur to cross paths with Chandler Jones?
Nichols: “Not but. I am fairly certain very quickly, although. Not but although.”
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