Raiders LB Luke Masterson from training camp today

 Linebacker Luke Masterson 

Q: First day in pads. As a linebacker, I'm sure that's right up your alley. Did you enjoy getting out there and being able to play some real football? 

Masterson: " Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we all expected that with the first day of pads. Everyone's excited. It's NFL football, it's always going to be physical. So, we were ready.” 

Q: Will you talk about the intensity of Robert Spillane? Add him with you and this is a linebacker core that's going up another notch with intensity. Would you discuss that, please? 

Masterson: " Yeah, Robert is awesome. He comes every day with a championship mindset. He attacks every drill like it's his last drill ever. Film sessions are awesome with him. He speaks up if you got a question. He's a great dude. I love his energy and it's definitely infectious for the linebacker room and it's exciting to have him around.”  

Q: I know you don't take anything for granted, but last year at this time you were a guy that was kind of fighting for your football life a little bit. Now you're amongst the top group and the starter in some cases. How have things changed for you from last year to this year? 

Masterson: "Honestly, I'm trying to approach it the same way. I'm trying to approach it like I'm still fighting for a job because I am. Everyone's fighting for a job out here. I come every day with that mindset and I'm trying to treat it the same way.” 

Q: It seems like Maxx Crosby had a really good day out there, which we've grown used to seeing here. Now that you've played with him for a year, just what is it like being with the guy every day in practice? 

Masterson: "Maxx is awesome. Similar to Robert, championship mindset every play and every day. He's definitely the life of our defense and he showed it today. And he shows it every day, so it's awesome playing with him.” 

Q: There's a UDFA that reminds a lot of people of you in Drake Thomas. I know there's a long way to go for him. But when you see a guy like that who's taking your route, do you take him under your wing a little bit? 

Masterson: " I try to a little bit. It's definitely awesome to see a guy like Drake with the mindset that he has. He comes in every day ready to work. He asks questions. He busts his butt on every play. And he's just a great dude. He's really fun to work with.” 

Q: Even from a Wake Forest guy to a North Carolina State guy? 

Masterson: " Yeah, we talk a little bit about that. We played each other a few times in college. I remember him in college. He was a good player back then. He's a good player now.” 

Q: How would you assess your rookie season? 

Masterson: " A lot of ups and downs. I would say there was some good games, some bad games. I just tried to learn every week from my mistakes and try and get better every play. Definitely trying to take that next step this year, learn from my mistakes last year. I have some core things that I'm trying to work on and get better at.” Q: As a rookie, your mind was probably going a million miles a minute for most of the season. Were you able to kind of just decompress a little bit in the offseason and really take a look back and evaluate it? Masterson: " Yeah, it's hard to do that during the season. You're just week to week trying to win, get the game plan and get ready for the game. But after the season you’re able to take a step back a little bit and reflect, and that was really where I could see where I needed to grow. Take a step back and look at yourself honestly and see what you did good, what you did bad, and how you can grow going into this year. 

Q: Did you stay around here this offseason? 

Masterson: "Yeah, I was back and forth a little bit for sure.” 

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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