RaiderBeat.com Staff

Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski spoke with the media Monday before he departed for Pittsburgh, where he could spend a few days off before returning to Alameda, Calif., so he can prepare for the 2010 season. Here is what he said before he left the locker room for the final time this season:

Q: What’s your take on this season?
A: “It’s been an up-and-down year but a lot of positive things to build from. Me going into the offseason right now, I’m excited. I’m excited for the things we’ve put on film and the time I got to play this year. I was very fortunate. I felt like we were building a lot of chemistry when I was out there. So, it’s exciting to think we come back next year, going into the offseason, and just keep building that and actually learn from what we’ve done out there. Just continually get better, and it’s something to really look forward to, next season.”

Q: So, you expect an open competition for the starting quarterback job?
A: “Yeah, the worst-case scenario, it should be a competition for the starting job. My play itself showed on film. The guys in this locker room in who they want to be out there with. That just all takes care of itself. I’m always open for open competition. I know the coaches will do the right thing, and we got a good coaching staff. Hopefully, we can all stay together. It’s all about consistency in this league. We need to build a nucleus around us and work together for a couple year, and we’ll put a good run together of successful years.”

Q: Why did you sign with the Raiders?
A: “Actually, the Raiders picked me off waivers from Cleveland, so it actually wasn’t my choice. But I was excited for the opportunity because I’ve worked with coach Paul Hackett before in Tampa. So, I was excited. I was excited to become a Raider. This year has not disappointed me. It’s even got me more excited to be a Raider. To come in last year and knew the situation I was going in to … as a QB room, we had a great QB room this year. JaMarcus (Russell), Charlie (Frye) and myself, we all got along. We were helping each other out. All three of us got to play, and whoever was out there this year, we had their back. And it was good to know that because it’s a competitive game, but we’re all in this together. We’re a team. We just need to find the right guys out there to win football games.”

Q: Does coach Tom Cable deserve another year?
A: “I definitely think Tom deserves another year. Coach Cable has done a great job this year. To be a head coach and come in this league and only get one year and one shot, it’s tough. The good football teams in this league, their coaches have been there for a while with the same players and got to work together. It’s not only hard on the coaching staff but it’s hard on the players to continually learn new systems, have new coaches. If we come back with the same coaches, we’ll have the same systems, guys will be more comfortable going into next season, so it’s all about consistency. That’s one thing we’ll focus on this offseason, is being more consistent next year. I’m very positive about that going into the offseason, and it makes me excited.”

Q: Will you go back to Pittsburgh right now?
A: “I’ll go back to Pittsburgh for a little bit. I get a little time off but also I’ll be back here on and off, continually just getting better. I’m only a couple of weeks away from being totally healthy, so that’s not a problem. It’s going to be hard for me to just stay away from this place. I wake up Tuesday morning and, what’s there to do now? But you always need to get away for a little bit, get some time to yourself and clear that mind. But once offseason workouts begin, I’ll be right back where we started last year with a different purpose, different goals in mind and get ready to go to the playoffs.”

Q: Does it give you more confidence that team is rallying behind you?
A: “Yeah, it gives you more confidence knowing the players around you believe in you. Zach (Miller) feels the same way I do. Going to battle with Zach, he’s a great football player and he’s a true football player. He plays hard, works hard, he’s a true professional, and guys in the locker room understand that, understand what it takes and appreciate guys that do that. So, going into next season, we’re excited to get back to the offseason and work out and just build what we started in those big games with the Bengals, the Steelers. There’s a lot of good stuff to learn from and to build on. We’re looking forward to that.”

Q: To go from fighting for No. 3 to presumptive No. 1, great move for you?
A: I feel like I’m just starting. That’s why I’m so excited. I feel like I’m just starting, I’m just getting into my own, the zone and where I’m comfortable in myself and  the point in my career. I feel like it’s just about to begin. It’s exciting. I got a little taste of it this year but not enough. That will kind of drive me going into next year. There’s a lot to be excited about. I’m excited. I know guys are excited but also need their time away. It will be good to get time away, watch these playoffs, watch what it’s going to take for next season, just build and stay positive.

Q: How much time will you spend watching film?
A: I’ll relax. I’ll relax for a little while. But when we get back out here I always like to watch like Drew Brees. I’ll probably go back and watch his game film and Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and the consistent quarterbacks in this league. You like to go watch them and see what they’re doing and see why they’re so successful and kind of just try to learn from that and just try to continually get better. That’s one thing I’m excited for. I can’t wait to get better this offseason. I know there’s a lot of room for me to improve and that’s what I’m excited about it because I know I can adjust and make improvements in my game and get better. That’s the good thing about football is. You can continue to get better. You can never stop learning and growing.

Q: Did you open Raiders eyes?
A: Yeah I think I surprised them. I think I surprised a lot of people, especially coming in and having to compete for a No. 3 job where in my mind, ‘I’m like I should at least be competing for a backup.’ But that’s how this league is. No grudges held, it’s the way this business goes. You have to earn what you get and I believe that. I don’t want to be given anything I don’t deserved. That’s one thing. Hopefully I opened eyes around here but there’s a long way to go still. I realize that and just have to keep growing and keep getting better and hopefully we can just go into this offseason the same way we came in and just keep moving.

Q: Have you had much interaction have you had with managing general partner Al Davis?
A: No.