Mckenzie: 'It Was A Punch In The Gut'

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie held a midseason roundtable discussion with reporters during the bye week.

During the 26-minute session McKenzie talked about the team’s disappointing first half, the unexpected effect of the Week 3 loss to Washington, the play of Marshawn Lynch and the likelihood of Khalil Mack getting a new contract before next season among other topics:

Q: With all of the expectations that the team had going into the season, how surprised are you to be 4-5 going into the bye?

A: Obviously we would like to be more in the win column, for sure, but our record is what it is and our play is what it is. We’re focused on getting better and winning the next game. That’s where we are.

Q: There were a lot of distractions during training camp, from Gareon Conley’s situation to Donald Penn’s holdout to the whole Las Vegas move. Did that stuff have any effect at all on how the season has played out so far?

A: No. As far as the hoopla, what was said and done throughout training camp, that’s what training camp is all about. You fight through all of that stuff. To say that that had a say on how we go into the season, no. By the end of training camp we were fine. Donald came in and got right in and played so we didn’t have to miss games with him. That’s not an excuse on the record if that’s what you’re alluding to. I don’t think we can point fingers at that and say that’s the reason why. No.

Q: Has Conley’s injury been more serious than previously thought or have there been setbacks?

A: People’s bodies are different. When you have those type of injuries, you wait and see if it can heal and feel better and get enough to play. Early in the season he was feeling better, then we had a setback. We’re trying to give it some time to calm down and see if he can play. We’re going to give him every opportunity to see if he can do it.