From Raiders Training Camp: LB Curtis Bolton

 Linebacker Curtis Bolton Q: You had a chance to play last year, especially on special teams. With that experience, how much did that help coming into your second training camp with the Raiders? Bolden: "A lot. I think they do things a little differently compared to a lot of other places I've been. It's just good to get into year two and be able to put their game plan to work and try to get the young guys come along and see where we take it this year." 

Q: How differently would you say? Bolden: "I think we work a lot more on drill work. I think they're a lot more focused on the little things. I think they're a lot big on turnovers. I've never been somewhere that forced turnovers on special teams. I think that's a spot here, and I think we're rolling through with that, just putting it on a tape and we're seeing that." 

Q: That emphasis on turnovers is now being really preached this offseason and training camp. On a regular defense, would you talk about the change in the mentality? The defense is playing different, looks different this year, would you talk about the mentality change? Bolden: "Yeah, it's aggressive. The biggest change of a game is a turnover. So, if you can get that in any phase, on offensive it's detrimental, on defense it's great, and on special teams, it probably wins you the game. So, it's been a point of emphasis and we're just trying to go out there and put that on tape." 

Q: You've contributed as a special teamer a lot last year, but going into this offseason, where did you aim to improve for yourself as a defender when you're actually lined up at linebacker? Bolden: "Just the little things, keeping my technique right, my eyes right. Just coming in trying to get better every day, and I think I put an emphasis on that, and I'm happy with my progress through camp."  

Q: When you talk about those little things. It feels like in the NFL, there is a fine line with the talent being so good at this level. Did you feel like those little things need to be focused on at this level so that those don't become the reason why you lose games? Bolden: "Yeah, I think in the NFL it's a small margin of error that you don't see in college, and I think a lot of guys get that confused when they get here. You'll see it week in, week out, the bad teams will play the good teams, and the bad teams will be in it and they'll lose by touchdown. And at the end of the year, you won't know that, they just see wins and losses. So, whatever way I can impact, I try to come in on special teams and do that." 

Q: What's your approach? Do you look at the depth chart and kind of figure out where you stand during training camp in the preseason or do you just let it fall where it falls? Bolden: "I think it's volatile if you do that. I think you get in your head when you do that. I try not to. Pieces move around a lot, injuries happen a lot. Your situation, you can be bottom of the roster one week and playing on defense come week 14-15, you never know. So, I feel like you just have to approach it the same, come into it, give your best, take all the coaching points, and act and operate like you're the starting guy." 

Q: For a young player was that kind of a hurdle to get over that at this level where like you said it's volatile. Did you have to get over that in your head? Bolden: "I mean, I think for a lot of guys, yeah. But for me, I spent some down time at Oklahoma. I had an injury year, some other stuff going on, so I think I was pretty well prepared for that coming into the league. I think it speaks for itself. I'm in year five, I haven't played much on defense, been on practice squad a few years. It's just nice to see it all come together and just trying to stay around as long as I can." 

Q: You’re in year five, but you bounced around a lot. You might have been here longer than just about anywhere now. Does this kind of feel like home now, and how nice is it to have a chance to kind of get to know one place? Bolden: "Yeah, I mean it's felt like home all my life. I grew up a Raiders fan if y'all didn't know. My pops was from Vallejo. So, come week six if I'm still here, it'll be my longest tenured team, and regardless, they have a different kind of culture here. It feels like family regardless, so I'm just grateful for the opportunity to come play for here, and to get here and to find out how they operate is a dream come true. I have nothing but gratitude." 

Q: Did you go to games a kid, and who was your favorite player? Bolden: I did not go to games as a kid. I lived in Southern California, so we didn't get too much up to Oakland. I actually lived around the corner from Qualcomm where the Chargers used to play for a little bit. So I didn't hit too many games, but Charles Woodson was basically my favorite player. He's my favorite player of all-time growing up now. It's just nice to be able to put on the same uniform he put on and try to come bring that same intensity. I'm not the player he is, but I try to be." 

 Q: I know you from the Inland Empire, it seems like that's kind of Raider country. Do you feel like you're holding it up for the Inland Empire, and how do your family and friends feel about you playing for the Raiders? Bolden: "It's great. I've got a lot of friends, family who are Raider fans. It's nice to see them wear my jersey and it's not just a custom one. They go get it off the store, it's a real one. So, I try to put on for my section. There's not too many of us out playing in the league, regardless anywhere, so I just try to come in and show our brand of football." 

Q: So when you were a kid were you a Raiders fan or a Chargers fan? Bolden: "The Raiders. I lived in San Diego for a good chunk of my life, and then I moved up to the I.E., but I've been a Raider through and through. A lot of rough years back then." 

Q: Have you talked to Charles [Woodson]? And to see him around, what has that been like being in the same place as him? Bolden: "Just in passing, and I think it's surreal. I think we have a lot of Hall of Fame guys come through. A lot of Raider legends, greats come through, heard them talk at dinner. It's a dream come true, and I don't have too many other words for that." 

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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