Raiders’ Brown serious about lifting weights
Right tackle speaks on offseason, goals for ’20
Raiders right tackle Trent Brown was temporarily the NFL’s highest-paid lineman, a mountain of a man who could move mountains.
And he reached that status (Brown is now the fourth-highest paid lineman) without being serious about lifting weights.
That was one of the revelations from Brown during a 45-minute interview posted Monday by Bleacher Report’s Adam Lefkoe — all while Brown was having his hair cut by his personal barber.
“I wasn’t really big on lifting weights until this offseason,” Brown said. “I’m as strong as
I’ve ever been right now. Last year I dealt with a lot of small, nagging injuries. I ended the season on (injured reserve). I’ve been trying to focus on strengthening the small muscles. Me and my trainer have been going at it since the end of January.”
Other observations from Brown (some edited for language and clarity): FAMILIARITY — FOR THE FIRST TIME >> “This is actually going to be the first time in my career being in the same system for a second time. I’ve had a different head coach every year, a different system, a different offense. It’s going to be special. The car
ryover is going to be crazy.” HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME — BROWN CONCEDES HE
DIDN’T WATCH A LOT OF FOOTBALL >> “I used to be in that category. I’m not going to lie to you. Over the years, the last couple of years I fell in love with the game even more. I’m eating, sleeping and breathing it. I’d rather watch games than film. I think the commentary makes it that much better and easier to watch.”
HIS FAVORITE OFFSEASON >> “I’ve been able stay focused on training and being a dad. I’m so glad we didn’t have OTAs. I was able to be with my kids and I really enjoyed it. This has been the best offseason I’ve ever had.”
ESCAPING THE COST OF CALIFORNIA AND HAVING FRIENDS VISIT >> “State taxes are whipping our ass. High-ass cost of living for no reason. We’re all pretty pumped for it. None of us gamble so it’s going to be normal for us. Country boys, we’re going to be in Vegas. It’s more slowpaced than the bay. More our style.”
HIS REAL HEIGHT (BROWN IS LISTED AT 6-FOOT-8) >> “I’m like 6-9, 1/8. I don’t know why they won’t give me my inch, man.”
THE IMPACT OF 2019 ROOKIES
MAXX CROSBY AND CLELIN FERRELL >> “I got a good eye for Maxx and Clelin. I saw them every day and they’re young, they’re full of energy. I gotta come to practice with it every day. Boys don’t turn it off.” ADVICE TO JETS’ 350-PLUS
POUND FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK MEKHI BECTON
(THEY SHARE THE SAME
PERSONAL LINE COACH) >> “Predraft, everybody is trying to (dump) on you because of your weight. I just told him, if you can ball, you can ball. Don’t let anyone put a number on your game. Don’t let folks get in your head.
That messed with me early in my career, ‘You need to be this weight.’ I didn’t have the proper energy. I didn’t eat right because I wanted to make sure I make weight. I’m probably more athletic than 90 percent of the linemen in the NFL.”
THE SPORT OF HIS YOUTH >>
“When I was younger the first sport I participated in was gymnastics. It was really just a free-for-all type class Saturday morning at the YMCA. Balance beam, the rings, everything in there, really.”
HIS GOALS AND LEGACY >> “My best friend, we talked about that. How do you stay hungry, bro? You got the contract, you got the ring. Hall of Fame is dream, for sure. Even that’s in the hands of others. I can only do my best to keep getting better and do my job and keep ballin’. If they notice, they notice. If not, they don’t. Winning Super Bowls and getting paid, and just leaving a legacy for myself, my kids and their kids, that’s what it’s all about for me.”
FORMER TEAMMATE TOM BRADY SIGNING WITH TAMPA BAY >> “It was definitely a landing spot I didn’t think of beforehand. I honestly thought we’d be going after him just because of all the stuff that was going on . . . after the fact, when you look at what they already had, it makes a whole lot of sense. They’ve got weapons everywhere.”
THE RAIDERS’ O-LINE AND THIS YEAR’S PROSPECTS >>
“Even leading up to last year’s season I felt we had the best O-line in the league. I love our O-line coach. I love our O-line room. Rodney (Hudson) is the best center in the league. Hands down, without a doubt. Considering we had the best run game in the league, we were seeing eight-man fronts every week. Just having the weapons we added in the draft and free agency, it’s about to be scary.”