On the Raiders defense, there’s one clear-cut leading man. It’s defensive end Maxx Crosby. He’s achieved superstar status as one of the best defenders in the NFL.
But we’re not talking about the movie business. One player simply can’t carry an 11-man defense in the NFL or even a seven-man defensive front.
Crosby has come close, especially in regards to pressuring the quarterback, and he’s a one-man wrecking crew at times. But if the Raiders defense is to be consistent, Crosby’s supporting cast has to step up and provide pressure as well.
They did so in Vegas’ big win against the Giants. Crosby led the way with three QB sacks, three tackles for loss and three QB hits. But as a team, the Raiders had eight sacks, eight tackles for loss, and nine QB hits. Interim coach Antonio Pierce praised the group when talking to reporters on Monday.
“Maximum effort,” Pierce said when asked about Crosby’s running mates. “You know, me and Maxx joke about it; me trying to match his effort and vice versa. But our defense and our team, especially our D-Line and guys that were blitzing did a heck of a job last night of just being relentless.
“We talked about that; straining to finish through the play. Playing through the whistle, not thinking that ‘Oh he’s gonna make [the play]. That guy’s going to make it.’ No. ‘I’m going to make it.’ And if we all have that mentality, roll call on the ball.”
Pierce appears to be a master motivator, judging from the turnaround the Raiders just experienced under his leadership. It makes sense that his message could hit the hardest along the defensive front; that’s where he thrived as a player when he was a Super Bowl-winning linebacker.
That’s perfect for the Raiders. Unless Crosby’s supporting cast takes advantage of the extra attention Crosby receives from opposing offensive lines, Crosby will continue to be a superstar player on an average defense.
If the defensive front continues its relentless play, the Raiders defense will produce more pressures, sacks, and turnovers and rise to a new level altogether. That would make for a story Crosby would be proud to star in and one Raider Nation would line up around the block to see.