National Football League

Durable veteran LB Lofton out to earn Raiders' respect

Published Jun. 4, 2015 11:24 p.m. ET

foxsports

Curtis Lofton is already making defensive calls and checks for his new team.

But despite his veteran status, he feels he still needs to win the Raiders locker room over.

“You have a reputation that people know who you are, but at the same time, you have to come in and earn everyone’s respect,” Lofton told the team's official website. “That’s what I’ve been doing. How you earn everyone’s respect is by coming in, studying, knowing the defense, and helping guys get lined up and just working. The work is going to speak for itself.”

Lofton's body of work should make him an early team captain favorite. He's started 111 straight games since the Falcons drafted him in 2008. He's tallied 100 tackles in six straight seasons, including 144 take-downs with the Saints last year. There's not much he hasn't seen.

"He’s a veteran linebacker, understands what it takes to perform in this league," head coach Jack Del Rio said. "He’s doing a good job of providing some of that leadership in the meeting rooms and out on the field."

There's a reason why general manager Reggie McKenzie targeted Lofton. With Nick Roach out last season, the defense struggled to make routine plays. That shouldn't be an issue with a veteran like Lofton out there for Oakland.

(h/t CSN Bay Area)