Tarell Brown speaks of joining Raiders

I hopped on a conference call with Raiders new cornerback, Tarell Brown. Here is what he had to say:

Was there any other teams in the mix, and how did this deal transpire?

"Yeah, there were three other teams in the mix. I just felt like this was the best fit for me. The team has picked up some great pieces and players as well in free agency, and just the best fit, I feel, for me. So, this is what I went with."

Was staying in the Bay Area a big consideration for you, or was it more about the Raiders themselves?

"I think it was just more or less just the best opportunity for me and my family. I think it was a situation that came about and it was somewhere where the team really wanted me. And I wanted to be somewhere where I felt like I would be appreciated and I could let me talent speak for itself. There was no other place to go besides this place right here."

Was there any consideration about going back to the 49ers or had you moved on from them?

"It was always a thought. It was always something I would have loved to work out, but everything happens for a reason, and I understand that. It's a business. There are looking to get younger or they are really looking to bring in other guys, so I can't fault those people for that. So, I understand it's a business and I treat it such as. Like I said, I look forward to being here and starting a new culture here."

How familiar were you with Jason Tarver when he was with the 49ers?

"Very familiar. Me and J.T. [Tarver] have always had a great relationship when he was with the 49ers. He was always a coach I looked up to, especially with the knowledge he was giving me as a younger player first coming into the league. [He is] very aware of the game. He understands the game and he sees the game the way I kind of see it, so that's always a good thing to be around somebody you are very familiar with."

Oakland has a young cornerback in DJ Hayden. Do you also look forward to helping out a young guy like him?

"Yeah, most definitely. I think he is a great talent, a guy with a lot of speed and has all the athletic ability and can play this game. I think the biggest thing for him is just to be around guys that can help mold him and bring him along and help him turn into a true professional - learn how to study on and off the field and things of that sort. But he is definitely a good talent."

The last two days the Raiders have brought in Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley and yourself - all guys from winning teams. How much do you think you guys can come in and sort of change things in terms of attitude and approach?

"I think it's a domino effect. I think anytime you bring in guys that have won a lot of games and have played in a lot of big games as well and have had a lot of success in this league, it definitely helps. We can kind of put things in perspective and guide younger guys in the direction of saying, ‘Look, get under my wing and this is how you do it in the NFL to be successful.' So, bringing those guys in, it'll definitely help this team out; me as well. We just all have to get on one page and make sure that we all get the common goal, and that's winning day in and day out.

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