McKenzie: ‘You can't build Rome overnight'

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ALAMEDA -- New Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie had a gameplan in mind when Mark Davis hired him to completely take over the team's football operations.So after a voluntary veterans minicamp, the draft, a rookie minicamp, three weeks of OTAs and a mandatory minicamp and with 89 of the 90 roster spots spoken for, where are the Raiders in McKenzie's mind?"I personally think were further along than I thought we would (be)," McKenzie said in an intimate 31-minute roundtable discussion with a handful of beat reporters Thursday. "I knew they were going to throw in a lot on both sides of the ball. But it was good to see things going right a whole lot more than wrong, as far as coaches yelling and screaming, running a play over and over again. Every day you didnt hear a lot of that. Thats a good indication that players are getting it and coaches are coaching it."But hopefully, (come) training camp they digest it even more and we become more complete. Its still Year One. I dont think were looking for a situation where players are going to act like theyve been here for five years in one system, playing with each other and they know each other like the back of their hand. I dont see that, but I do see guys working very well together and getting it right. I feel good about it."McKenzie also oversaw the Raiders update their in-house computer systems -- software and hardware -- to accommodate his restructured scouting staff."It made it more conducive," McKenzie said. "It was needed. It was to definitely improve not only the team concept of what we're trying to get done, but the efficiency in getting it done and trying to get it done right. It aided in that. Yes, it was needed."As was McKenzie getting those ubiquitous "out-of-whack" contracts under control."Yes, we dont want to continue to be in cap jail forever," McKenzie said. "So yeah, the plan was to improve our outlook for the future."McKenzie was also asked about other topicsOn if there has been any progress on securing a long-term deal with the franchise-tagged strong safety Tyvon Branch: "Its been good communication. Nobodys slamming the phone on each other, so thats positive."On his overall impressions of project quarterback Terrelle Pryor: You know, thats one thing that jumps out. The guy wants to be good. And he wants to do well, he wants to play. So his effort and how hes going about his business has been great. Now, hes improved with his technique and his fundamentals and all the little idiosyncrasies of what they want from a quarterback, hes improved since April when they first got him on the field. So theyve seen some progress there. Now its going to be up to him to dive into that playbook and know it when he comes back and so he dont have to think plays, technique work, and you know, its a whole going through his style of quarterback. His history has not been as indepth as the other guys so hes learning the whole gamut. Im ecstatic on how hes going about his business here. But time will tell when we put him in preseason games. See how he does."On if the newness of the situation has started to dwindle because since 1963 the organization has had one name, one face associated with it, and now McKenzie is in charge: "The newness has started to dwindle, but every day is something, and I think thats going to be for a little while, at least into the season because what you just said, things have been done a certain way for so long. Its just the way it is. Still, stuff with the building, trying to adjust. To me, changes are going to continue to be made through this time next year because you cant build Rome overnight, so certain things will stay status quo until we can jump on it during the offseason. But yes, its starting to sink in, but theres still stuff that goes on daily that needs to be addressed."On free safety Michael Huff's quote that the Raiders will be playing in a "real" defense in the wake of Davis' death: "It was important for me -- Im a defensive-minded person -- but going out to specifically say Im going to hire a defensive coach, was not the case. But going out wanting to make sure I interviewed defensive coaches and hopefully liking one, I really wanted that. Because I really, truly believe defense wins championships. But, you know, to Huffs quote, I do think weve got some real defensive coaches, a real coordinator. Im glad he feels that way that we got some good coaches and we've got a good defense. Im kind of anxious to see it play itself out in games, but more importantly Im anxious to see how the players respond and play within that scheme."

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