Las Vegas Raiders just got the perfect feedback in more ways than one regarding their edge room while at training camp
The Las Vegas Raiders have a good thing going on in the edge room with Maxx Crosby and Tonka Hemingway.
Training camp has been going so well for the Las Vegas Raiders. There has been good and bad, and even with the bad, it’s a positive because they’re learning about themselves in real time. And now, we are learning that the Raiders have two weeks of training camp.
The Raiders have some good news out of training camp. And this good news is coming in more ways than one, and in this situation, we are talking about the edge rusher room.
Maxx Crosby looks rejuvenated
Crosby set a career-high in tackles for loss last year in just 12 games. It’s easy to remember that because everyone focuses on his injury. But he was on his way to another amazing year. The failed physical with Baltimore, the trade that fell through, the return to Las Vegas — all of it has fueled a player who thrives on being doubted. So, teams need to be on the lookout.
Teammates like Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean have expressed awe at what Crosby is doing in camp. Kubiak acknowledged that game-planning for Crosby is already a necessity during practice installations. And Crosby makes it very hard for the offense to get anything done.
With Kwity Paye moving around the defensive line and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard installing a more aggressive scheme than Pat Graham’s approach, Crosby should see more favorable matchups than he has in years. This may be the most talented defense he has played alongside. And, he will have a young buck helping him.
Tonka Hemingway is the breakout candidate to watch
Coming into this season, we knew the Raiders were going to need someone on the defensive line to step up big time. That guy has been Tonka Hemingway. Hemingway closed last season with four sacks over five games and has added noticeable muscle this offseason.
He is running with the ones and appears to have leapfrogged Thomas Booker in the interior rotation, but that doesn’t mean Booker is out of that battle. The switch to an odd-man front benefits his skill set as a tweener who can rush from the 3-tech or 5-tech spot. Hemingway and Adam Butler pushing from the interior, with Crosby and Paye working the edges, gives Rob Leonard legitimate pass-rush depth. It’s going to be insanely fun to watch the defensive line get after some of these offensive lines.
