From Raiders Training Camp: LB Luke Masterson

 Linebacker Luke Masterson Q: This defense has come in training camp wanting to make a statement, turnovers playing tougher, more consistent. It certainly has appeared to me, watching all the practice and games, that you're doing that. Do you agree? And talk about how far you think this side of the ball has advanced. Masterson: "Yeah, I think the coaches have done a great job this offseason emphasizing what they want this year, and I think all the guys have bought in, starting in OTAs and all the way through now. I think it's a mindset and we're all buying in and just trying to get better every day." 

Q: You personally, how much did your success at the end of last year kind of help you roll things over to the offseason and into training camp? Masterson: "Playing last year definitely helped, but I think it's a day-to-day process and I think it doesn't matter what you did, it's about what you're doing. So, I'm trying to just get better every day and focus on the day." 

Q: What would you describe the mindset of the defense as? Masterson: "I think we're trying to get the ball, we're playing hard, just going all out every play. I think that's the standard. I think to play defense you have to do that, and I think we're all buying in." Q: What does Marcus Epps, Marcus Peters and Robert Spillane bring to this team? Masterson: "They're great leaders. They demand the standard every day. They do it themselves, which is great. It's great to see your leaders make plays and hold themselves to the standard, and I think they do that every day. So, it's easy to follow them." 

Q: You talked about you don't want to forget the past, just make your own future, I guess. But how different does it feel now compared to where you were last year at this time? Masterson: "It definitely feels different having some experience, having a better understanding of the defense, better understanding of NFL football in general. But I still have a ton to learn and trying to learn from the vets, learn from our coaches every day and continuously improve." 

Q: What are some things that you have just seen so far in preseason that you really like about this team moving forward? Masterson: "I just love the energy. I think every day people come to work. They're ready to work every single day. That transitions into game day, the energy is great. Everybody wants to make plays for each other, we want to play for each other, play for the coaches. The energy is great, and it's really exciting." 

Q: Do you think the energy is a little heightened, just because it's the guy's second year in the system with Patrick Graham so they kind of know a little bit more of what they're doing? Masterson: "Yeah, I mean that definitely helps. I think everyone is just very motivated this year, and the energy is just awesome." 

 Q: I'm sure your guys' energy and mentality you're feeding off each other defensively, but I know a lot of it starts up front, and seems like you guys have done some really good things on the defensive line. There's a lot of depth there this year. What's impressed you about that group in front of you? Masterson: "They've done a great job. Coaches have done a great job, players have done a great job. They're stopping the run right now really well. They've bought in too, and it's really fun to play behind them at linebacker. It's fun to see the growth, and they've done a great job." 

Q: Would it almost be fair to say like last year you believed you could do it, you can play at this level and now you know you can? Masterson: "Yeah, I think you have to have that confidence if you're going to play in the league. You have to know that you can do it. I think obviously playing a year, going into the second year, that confidence elevates a little bit. But still it's just a daily process and trying to continuously improve the things I need to work on every day."

 The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

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