Klint Kubiak isn’t just focused on the Las Vegas Raiders’ preseason opener. He’s watching their habits, discipline and team-first mentality for signs of real progress.
Kubiak said ahead of Thursday’s action that he wants his younger players to treat practice with the same intensity as game day, rather than viewing preseason contests as a separate challenge.
“That’s something that we stressed early in camp with the guys,” Kubiak said. “There’s a lot of threes on these practice grips that doesn’t stay that way forever. But honestly, I don’t want them to make too big of a deal of it.”
Kubiak said his coaching philosophy centers on making practice more demanding than the games themselves, a standard he believes will prepare players for whatever they face on the field.
“I want them to treat practice like the game because if we’re coaching it the right way, then that’s how it should feel,” Kubiak said. “Practice should be harder than the game, so I want them to trust their training and take their practice habits onto the game field.”
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The coach confirmed the team has a defined plan for how long different groups of players will see action Thursday, rather than making in-game decisions on the fly.
“We have a plan in mind for how long the starters will play and how long the twos and threes will play, yes,” Kubiak said.
Asked about a guiding philosophy for the team’s preseason performance, Kubiak pointed to the same standards he has emphasized since camp opened: competitiveness, effort and a team-oriented mindset.
“It’s really important that our guys have the same attitude we’ve asked them to have all camp—have a team-first attitude and have shocking effort,” Kubiak said. “That’s what we’re looking for, looking for competitive guys.”
The Raiders appear to be on the right track…
Kubiak added that special teams will serve as a critical proving ground for players still fighting for roster spots, particularly younger players looking to stand out.
“One thing that we’ve really stressed, especially for our young guys, is using special teams as their avenue to make the team,” Kubiak said. “So, we’re going to be evaluating those reps very critically.”
With a structured plan in place and a clear set of expectations communicated throughout camp, Kubiak’s message heading into Thursday is consistent: effort and preparation matter more than the label on the game.
What are your thoughts, Raiders fans?
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images