Raiders K Daniel Carlson From Training Camp

Kicker Daniel Carlson 

Q: How was your offseason? Were there some areas you focused on? 

Carlson: "I mean, we're kind of obviously wrapping up that part of training, me, AJ [Cole] and even [Jacob] Bob [Bobenmoyer] too. There's a lot of technical training that goes into it and I think now's kind of the time where you transition into to get away from the technique and it's about making kicks, hitting good punts, snapping good balls. And so, we trained at different places around the country, with different coaches and stuff, just fine tuning those last-minute adjustments. And then now it's time to become a gamer, I guess." 

Q: What advice did you give to your brother heading into the season? 

Carlson: "I mean, he's his own kicker. We are different in a lot of ways and personality-wise. He looks identical to me. He's about 6-foot-5 and probably weighs about the same. I'm probably more muscular than him, though. But I mean it's different coming from college to the NFL, for sure. Obviously, I'm familiar with some of those coaches up there in Green Bay. So, I'm excited for his opportunities he's going to have to compete, especially as a rookie and prove himself in those preseason games, in camp and stuff. But so far he's done well, so I'm excited to pull for him and cheer for him until we play him." 

Q: As the rules have changed, have you guys talked on how you're going to attack the new rules? 

Carlson: "I mean, we'll see what happens and shakes out if teams decide to start throwing up fair catches more often than not. But I mean, we're not going to make too many adjustments I don't think from our point of view. If they decide to throw fair catches, there's nothing we can do about that to a certain extent. So, we're going to control what we can just like in any other area. And if the other team decides to throw up a fair catch in kickoff, that is what it is. But we're going to control what we can and try and dominate in the areas that we can." 

Q: I know it's AJ Cole that takes us the snap from the snapper, but is there any adjustment that you need to make as a kicker in terms of pace or timing or anything like that? 

Carlson: "I think it's just getting used to the whole operation. Obviously with Jacob [Bobenmoyer], I think it's just, 'Hey, I've had thousands of reps with Trent [Sieg] and AJ. And now it's we need to get thousands of reps together.' Especially during camp, we consistently get them, which is nice. And we've done that during OTAs, outside of the facility on our own at different high school fields and stuff. So, it's just getting comfortable with our operation. By the time Jacob snaps it to the time I kick it for a field goal is about 1.3 seconds. So, I mean, there's not much margin for error. You have to get really comfortable. I'm only able to see it for half a second before I kick it, just about. So, it's just about getting thousands and thousands of reps so that we're really comfortable going into the season."  

Q: You've hit a lot of big kicks in your day. Anything in training camp you do to kind of get ready for the mental side and the pressure moments? 

Carlson: "I think training camp is a big part of that. Preseason games are always huge for me. I really enjoy playing in them, just getting that feel for being in that atmosphere again like a game day atmosphere. Because it's a long time since we played our last game, I think to try to get in that mindset of those pressure situations. You can try and do it in practice, but I think as you get on in your career, it's a little harder to put yourself in that until you get into an actual game, in the stadium, with a crowd and stuff. But I mean, that's what's always the most fun. So, you try and put yourself in those situations. Coaches put you in that situation where if you miss a kick, you might have to run and stuff like that later on in training camp. Just like any other position, once you actually get to the game, it's easy then, hopefully." 

Q: Along those lines, do you want to be locked in at this point of camp or do you want to ramp up to being mentally sharpest? 

Carlson: "That's a great question. I think over the years, there is a balance of don't peak too early. I've had points in my career where I've come into camp kicking my best and then by the end of the season, I feel worn out almost. So, I think there's a balance and I try and limit my offseason because the tendency is to overwork in the offseason, almost. And so, I think we try and be careful about, 'Hey, make sure you take a month off to completely reset your mind.' Because I think the mental strain is the hardest for me. And so just figuring it out, kind of what that timeline looks like for you to start peaking Week 1 and then hopefully maintaining that or continuing to peak all the way through. Obviously, playoffs would be the goal to play your best ball during that time." 

Q: How would you evaluate the way the franchise has connected with the host community since you came to the team? You have a personal connection, too, with your cause as well. I'm just kind of curious, how would you rate how the team is making roots here in this market? 

Carlson: "I mean, I think it was interesting when we showed up. Obviously, it was Covid and all that was going on, so it was tough. It was tough all across the city, all across the world. But especially Las Vegas, being the city, the entertainment business that it is, I feel like we missed a little of that and I think we're still trying to get better. But I mean, it's an unbelievable city. My family and I have loved living here, all the guys, all the coaches. We just love this city. We love the gameday atmosphere and we look forward to playing here every Sunday that we get to, or Monday Night, Thursday Night, whatever it may be. Because there's just so much more to Vegas and it is cool to have that entertainment business side that people from the outside might see, but there's so much more to living here. And like I said, my family and I, we've really grown to love it and look forward to continuing to get connected to the community." 

Q: Growing up, was your brother always just kind of following in your footsteps? 

Carlson: "Yeah, I mean, or I was beating him up. Two brothers, I was the middle one, so just like any other brothers. We all played soccer and once I transitioned to football, that's when he became interested. He'd kick on the sideline at my football games and stuff. And same thing, he thought he was going to be a soccer player and I guess we weren't good enough and fell into football. So, it worked out. But it'll be fun to see what happens with him and his career. And hopefully I'll get to play against him in Week 5."  

Q: Were you guys kicking in the offseason? 

Carlson: "Like I mentioned earlier, in the offseason, in the summertime, we train different places, go with different coaches. So, we do that and then link up. I went to Auburn and met up with him, kicked a few days with him as well. Just to compete, learn from each other, push each other. And then now it's just cheering him on, except when we're playing him." 

Q: Was Jacob Bobenmoyer prepared for what he was walking into in this special teams room? 

Carlson: "Yeah, I mean, obviously we were familiar playing against him for a few years." 

Q: I mean the conversations more? 

Carlson: "The personality? I mean, I don't know how you could prepare for AJ [Cole], but, yeah, it's been fun getting to know him. And obviously camp is now and we spend 12 plus hours a day with each other, so you get to know someone really quick. I think he's getting a good feel for what me and AJ are like." 

Q: I caught the tail end of a drill where the coaches were kicking a soccer ball and guys were trying to block it; is that what I saw? 

Carlson: "Yeah, just a block drill. A soccer ball's a little less likely to break a finger or something, I think is what we're using that for." 

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.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.