Raiders DE Maxx Crosby is excited about simple consistency in 2023
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end will finally have something on his side that he didn't the last two years.Playing for the Raiders the last few years hasn't been easy. For one, they are a team that has been in the news a lot, and none of it has really been for good reason – […]
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end will finally have something on his side that he didn't the last two years.
Playing for the Raiders the last few years hasn't been easy. For one, they are a team that has been in the news a lot, and none of it has really been for good reason – I don't really need to list everything.
And the other reason, well, they haven't really been good, which also leads to the fact that there hasn't been any consistency, until now. This will be the first time since going into the 2020 season that Crosby will be in the same defensive system. For him, that's extremely helpful.
"Definitely. Last OTAs it was a lot. Obviously, Pat [Patrick Graham] was new. He was installing a bunch of new stuff trying to get everything in before we get to camp," Crosby told the media last Thursday. "So, everything was just like, you're just learning and trying to just figure everything out on the fly. But now, having another year, being able to help the guys that just got in it's going to help them as well. So, things are going a lot smoother.
"We're focusing on skill development right now, focusing on getting better as football players, because at the end of the day, you can call it whatever you want, but if you're not a good football player, it doesn't matter. So, guys are locked in right now, we're working. We're working on our craft, and it's been great to see. Everyone's dialed in, we have dudes with great attitudes and with a lot of talent who are showing up every day, so it's been encouraging to see."
This can be huge for not only the continued development of Crosby but the defense as a whole too. Crosby isn't perfect. There are plays he messes up, as does everyone. Even Davante Adams, the best player on the team and the best receiver in the league sometimes messes up.
So, his development is still crucial when it comes to the future of this defense. He is the defense, heart, and soul, and he isn't anywhere near his peak. The defense as a whole, on the other hand, they haven't been good, so consistency is key there too.
Since Crosby was a rookie in 2019, he has been in three different defensive systems (Paul Guenther 2018-2020, Gus Bradley (2021), Patrick Graham (2022-2023), so this is the first time since his sophomore season that he is in the same system that he was in the year prior.
I have said in the past I didn't think Graham was great last year, and even said there were better options out there at that DC position, but at the same time, consistency is so key in this league, and it's good Crosby is getting it.
Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
