Oakland Raiders’ general manager, Reggie McKenzie: Draft preparations going very well – NFL News
Oakland Raiders’ general manager, Reggie McKenzie, has said that the team’s draft preparations are going very well and the scouts have collected essential information on the basis of which the team will utilise its picks in the upcoming National Football
League (NFL) drafts.
While addressing Raiders’ pre-draft press conference, McKenzie informed that a lot of aspects are being considered in any player’s evaluation before making a final call to hire or reject him.
McKenzie asserted that on-field and off-field behaviour of the prospective players is also checked, but he stressed that the medical evaluation plays a major role in the evaluation.
Without informing his proper plans, the general manager said that the management will try its best to select the best players.
He commented:
“At this point, we’re not looking at needs. When I get the coaches in and start banging heads with those guys and figuring out what they really would like to have, then that will come into play. The decision from day one, when I talked to the head coach,
we’re going to get the best player available.”
McKenzie was appointed as Raiders’ general manager in January, 2012. In his first year as the team’s general manager, he wants to mark a long-lasting impact.
In the upcoming drafts, Raiders have one third-round pick, one fourth-round pick and two fifth-round picks. Raiders also have a pick in the sixth round. Initially, they also had a pick in the first round, but they traded it with Cincinnati Bengals for quarterback,
Carson Palmer.
McKenzie informed that he has not spent a lot of time with Palmer, but said that the coaching staff and the quarterback have been working out well to develop chemistry.
He said:
“The coaching staff is very excited and he’s very excited to be here. So it’s been very positive in regards to Carson.”
McKenzie also acknowledged that since he has not spent a lot of time with the scouts, it is slightly difficult for both the parties to understand each other. However, he said that both are adapting well to the changes.
He said:
“When I got on board we’ve been together at the Senior Bowl and of course the Combine, so we’re on the same page now.”
The NFL drafts are scheduled from April 26 to April 28.
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