Photo credit: Eric Nguyen, Vegas Sports Today
HENDERSON, NV. — Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes says the confidence and physicality instilled during his time at the University of Georgia have carried directly into his current role with Las Vegas.
With several former Georgia Bulldogs now on the Raiders roster, Stokes described the group as confident and emphasized the different personalities they bring to the team — while noting that their mindset changes once they step onto the field.
“If you really know us, we all got different personalities, but we’re all pretty much the same to us,” Stokes said. “Once it’s time to get in between the white lines, we’re animals. We’re ready to compete.”
Stokes also pointed to the physical style emphasized during his time at Georgia as one of the biggest lessons he has brought with him to Las Vegas.
“One thing that I can always say Coach Smart emphasized was physicality,” Stokes said. “He wasn’t going to play nobody that wasn’t going to be out there banging. That’s just the Georgia way.”
According to Stokes, that mentality has translated to the Raiders’ defense.
“You’ve got to be physical. You have to be able to set the tone,” he said. “That’s one thing that we just had to bring here. We go hunt, we go fly through the ball, and you will feel us.”
Raiders Off to a 3-0 Start
Las Vegas has opened the season 3-0, giving the team an early position of strength as it looks to build momentum throughout the season.
Stokes said the team isn’t getting caught up in the record and is approaching each week with the same mindset.
“It feels great,” Stokes said. “We treat every week like the Super Bowl to us. So once we finally do get to the Super Bowl, it’s just another week to us.”
Despite the strong start, Stokes said the Raiders remain focused on taking the season one game at a time.
“We know for a fact we’re trying to go 1-0 every week, no matter what,” he said.
Trusting the Defensive Game Plan
Stokes also credited defensive coordinator Rob Leonard for putting the unit in positions to make plays, particularly late in games.
The Raiders have shown an ability to elevate their defensive performance as games progress, and Stokes said the players have complete confidence in Leonard’s calls.
“We just believe in whatever Rob will call,” Stokes said. “We know for a fact he puts us in the best situations.”
Stokes said Leonard’s ability to recognize opportunities on the field allows the players to play aggressively without hesitation.
“Regardless, it’s us to go execute it,” Stokes said. “We know for a fact he puts us in a position to make plays and handle the business he wants.”
Stokes Embracing a Leadership Role
Stokes also discussed the development of younger Raiders defensive players, including rookies who have already made significant contributions.
Rather than taking credit for their production, Stokes said the young players are simply showing what they are capable of.
“They’re just making plays,” Stokes said. “I can’t stop that. They’re just them being the athletes, the freaks that they are out there making plays.”
Stokes specifically praised the impact of rookie players such as Zeke and Tre, while emphasizing that his leadership extends beyond what happens on the football field.
“Just being able to help them with some things and doing other little things where it’s bigger than football,” Stokes said. “That’s what I try to come into, because you can be a leader no matter what, only and off the field.”
Playing Fast and Creating Turnovers
Stokes was also asked about the Raiders’ ability to quickly attack the football and create turnovers, particularly when defensive backs such as himself and Jeremy see an opportunity.
He credited the team’s preparation and the coaching staff’s emphasis on playing fast.
The mentality, Stokes said, is to trust what they see and immediately attack the football rather than hesitate.
The Raiders’ early-season success has been built in part on that aggressive defensive approach, and Stokes believes the unit’s confidence, physicality and preparation have helped establish its identity.
For Stokes and the rest of the Raiders, however, the message remains simple: enjoy the 3-0 start, then get back to work and focus on going 1-0 the following week.
