Raiders coach Klint Kubiaks players wont mistake quiet demeanor for weakness

HENDERSON, Nev.— At this stage of his career, you wouldn’t think 37-year-old Kirk Cousins would be nervously checking his watch to make sure he doesn’t arrive late to a voluntary practice, of all things.Yet, that is exactly what the new Raiders quarterback found himself doing throughout the club’s two-month offseason program, which wrapped up Wednesday when the final horn sounded to conclude minicamp.Cousins is as conscientious and hard-wired as they come, so it’s not like he has a history of being tardy.

In fact, he prides himself on beating everyone to work.But the veteran quarterback has quickly picked up on the serious tone that new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is setting in Las Vegas.It’s predicated on thoroughness and work ethic, with a heavy emphasis on even the most minute details.That includes a keen awareness of punctuality and being prepared to work as soon as you set foot in the building.As vested as Cousins is in the NFL, and despite the deep roots he has with Kubiak after working under him for three years with the Vikings, he isn’t above being on the wrong end of a disapproving glare from Kubiak.Even if it’s for something as small as rolling into work not late, mind you, but not early enough.All part of the new culture the 39-year-old Kubiak is cultivating with the Raiders as a first-time NFL coach.“I feel it,” Cousins said.

“I’m like, ‘I better be on today.’ I check my watch like four times to make sure I’m on time or early, because I just feel like he brings that sense of urgency that the great coaches tend to bring.”Therein lies the crux of Kubiak’s first five months at the helm.“All ball,” Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes said.Yes, there is time for fun.But there is a new sense of urgency in Las Vegas that hasn’t been felt since the Raiders landed here in 2020.

It’s not necessarily about winning immediately; it’s about maximizing every next step in a way that will eventually lead to positive outcomes.“It...