Raiders HC Antonio Pierce lauds ‘relentless’ pass rush from Maxx Crosby’s supporting cast vs. Giants

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.

Raiders DC Patrick Graham: ‘I don’t think I did a good job’ putting defense in the right spots vs. Bears

Raiders DC Patrick Graham takes the blame for his defense vs. Bears

It was an awful day all around for the Raiders on Sunday in Chicago, but among a host of issues, tackling of defense may have been Vegas’ most glaring shortcoming.

Notably, a clip of cornerback Marcus Peters lightly touching a Bears ball carrier as he ran by was highlighted on the TV broadcast and shared on social media — and that wasn’t the only such example from Sunday’s game. Still, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham sidestepped questions about his players’ effort, or apparent lack of it, and put the blame on himself.

“Last week, again it starts with me, first and foremost. I don’t think I did a good job putting them in the right spots, and it was just a bad result,” Graham told reporters on Tuesday after he was asked about his group’s effort.

“I know this: we’re working hard right now upstairs in the classroom, the coaches; we’re going to work hard when the players get back tomorrow in terms of trying to rectify the situation, and that’s the main focus right now.”

The Raiders defense appeared off-balance all afternoon in Chicago, so it’s no surprise to hear Graham say he didn’t call a great game. As most NFL observers know, the Bears started a rookie quarterback, Tyson Bagent, who hadn’t played football since he suited up for Division II Shepherd University. While it’s embarrassing for Las Vegas to lose to such an inexperienced player, there was minimal NFL film of Bagent to study, which only makes game planning more difficult.

Graham said it’s time to learn and move on and prepare to face the Lions on Monday Night Football.

“You can’t spend too much time on the week before. You’ve got to learn from it, and then you’ve got to move on. We’ve got another opportunity and thankfully it’s Monday night against the Detroit Lions and a chance against a really good team. It’s going to be a really big challenge.”

Graham also faced a question about Peters specifically, but he refused to single out his veteran cornerback.

“There were several plays, whoever it is, that we want back. Whenever the result is what it was, I mean, 30-12, there are a lot of plays that everybody wants back,” Graham said. “There are calls I want back. So, to single out a person in a result like that, I’m not with that. That’s just not me.”

On one hand, it’s admirable that Graham wouldn’t single out his player — at least to the media. On the flip side, it’s obviously not ideal to have so many poor plays and poor calls to clean up, especially as Las Vegas prepares for their toughest test in weeks against a quality Lions team.

The Lions offense thrives on toughness, so Graham’s defense has to reemphasize their tackling in practice this week and then show they’re up to the task moving forward. Ideally for Graham and the entire Raiders organization, their terrible overall performance in Chicago was the low point of the season and not a sign of things to come.

Josh McDaniels: ‘Definitely not going to be patient’ fixing Raiders defense

Raiders defense has issues. To which Josh McDaniels says he’s ‘Definitely not going to be patient’ fixing it this offseason

Despite what you might hear if you get in a twitter argument (something I would never advise you do), you might think that one person or one area is the problem with the team. Some will say the problem is Josh McDaniels, others will argue it was Derek Carr, while some will say it was on the defense.

The real answer is all of the above. But fresh off a game in which Jarrett Stidham led the offense to 34 points against the league’s top ranked defense only to lose in OT 37-34, the discussion naturally turns to the defense as being a big issue.

With few exceptions, there have been issues with the defense much of the season. They rank 25th in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed this season. While being 31st in takeaways.

How to fix it may not be an easy answer.

How much blame falls on new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham? Or do they give him a reprieve and see how his defense can perform with an influx of talent? We could soon get our answer.

“Defensively do we want to have some things we’re going to try to improve? No question,” said McDaniels.

“We’re definitely not going to be patient in that regard. Those evaluations after the season will be very important to us. Kind of lay a blueprint for what do we try to do with the guys that are coming back to make sure that they can take a step forward and improve and then what do we need to address somehow someway to acquisitions in the offseason. We’ll be hard at work at that after this next game.”

The Raiders will face the Chiefs on Saturday to close out their season. They were officially eliminated from the playoffs Sunday with that OT loss to the 49ers. So, the final game is just to try to play spoiler against a division rival. Otherwise, the game is just something to get out of the way as they head for the offseason.

Next up will be free agency in March and then the draft in April. This time with picks in the first two rounds — something they didn’t have in McDaniels and Ziegler’s first draft with the Davante Adams trade.

Currently the Raiders’ spending is severely lopsided toward the offense. They devoted $107 million of the cap to the offense with just $60 million spent on defense.

The departure of Derek Carr and his contract will give the team a chance to even things up a bit in that regard. Whether they do it or not will depend on whether they turn around and simply hand big money to another QB in free agency or if they pass on any big names (cough-Tom-Brady-cough-cough) and look to the draft instead.

The primary areas on the defense that could use some attention are the interior defensive line and the secondary. And, of course. they must decide if Graham gets another shot to see what he can do with some more players he handpicked.

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The great unknown: Raiders’ defense about to be tested for the first time vs. Panthers

In a year without a preseason, the Raiders know a lot more about their offense than their rebuilt defense.

[jwplayer xqUrAatf-ThvAeFxT]

In a year with no preseason, it’s a good time for NFL teams to be familiar with their personnel. For the Las Vegas Raiders, the offense is a known quantity, save for their rookie wide receivers.

The offense moved the football last season with an assortment of different wideouts, however, and none possessed the potential of Henry Ruggs III and Byran Edwards, which bodes well for this year’s situation. But I digress.

This year’s Raiders defense, as opposed to the offense, is more of an unknown entering Week 1. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has two new starters at linebacker, a rookie cornerback, a key addition on the defensive line and a second-year safety with much to prove in Johnathan Abram.

Further complicating matters, Guenther has no film of the Panthers, whom the Raiders will face on Sunday.

Perhaps the most striking change to the defense is the linebacking unit. After struggling at that position for years, the Raiders struck early in free agency in signing Cory Littleton, a former Pro Bowler who excels in pass coverage. Las Vegas also signed Nick Kwiatkoski to patrol the middle.

Littleton, who played for the Rams a season ago and enters his fifth year in the NFL, said the defense isn’t a finished product, but the key is limiting mistakes and outlasting the other team.

“I most certainly expect us not to be perfect, but what game ever is a perfect game?” he said to reporters on Wednesday. “All you got to do is try to limit the mistakes that you do have and make less mistakes than the other team.”

As for the secondary, the new look starts with cornerback Damon Arnette. The rookie first-round pick will start on the outside, opposite second-year CB Trayvon Mullen. Each will be tested relentlessly by opponents until they prove they can keep up, especially Arnette.

Guenther says games are won or lost in practice, and he likes what he’s seen from the young CB duo, so he isn’t nervous about the big reveal on Sunday. “It’s a player’s day. It’s a player’s game,” he said. “I have the utmost confidence in both guys. They’ve showed well, very well out here for the training camp. So, I’m excited to see them play.”

Abram isn’t a rookie like Arnette, but he played in just one game last year, injuring his shoulder after delivering a hit Week 1 against Denver. Himself a former first-round pick, he has much to prove, starting with avoiding another catastrophic injury without losing his edge.

Up front, Las Vegas is leaning heavily on former Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins to unlock the potential of Guenther’s group. Joining the team as a free agent, Collins was labeled as a key to the Raiders defense by coach Jon Gruden, and he was named team co-captain of the club.

Though his career, which is entering its fifth year, is on the rise, Collins has yet to have a true breakout campaign. According to Guenther, the time is now for Collins. “He’s been voted a captain here for a reason,” Guenther said. “He’s a guy that’s a coach on the field, he’s a very good player.”

The Raiders will need as much on-field communication as possible. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said it’s the first time he’s had to prepare for an NFL offense without any film to look at. Plus, Las Vegas faces All-Pro running back, Christian McCaffrey

“You really just have to follow your rules of the defense,” Guenther said. “We have to follow our rules, play sound, play with sound eyes, rush the quarterback. I’m harping to our guys: play aggressive, don’t be worried about making mistakes and make sure we’re tackling good.”

Added Littleton, “Know where our help is. There is going to be a lot of situations where I‘ll have outside leverage on a back, hoping that I have somebody working across the middle of the field that’s going to protect me. And that’s what we do as a defense, protect our brothers.”

Abram is more comfortable directing traffic pre-snap, which should also help the defense stay on the same page and protect each other. But there will almost assuredly be a learning curve for the Raiders defense.

Sunday is just the start for this group, however. If they’re to set a foundation for greatness, they must bond quickly through solid effort, win or lose. “Right now, where we are, we’re not perfect but we’re really something special,” said Littleton. “I can see it, and I expect us to show that.”

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Raiders QB Derek Carr excited about ‘stickier’ coverage by Las Vegas cornerbacks

Cornerback was a position of need for the Raiders this offseason, and they missed out in free agency. Not to worry, says QB Derek Carr.

The Raiders replenished their defense at every level this offseason, via the draft and free agency, though not all went according to plan.

General manager Mike Mayock attempted to land a big free-agent prize at cornerback but missed out on Byron Jones, who ended up signing with the Dolphins. The Raiders also reportedly signed CB Eli Apple to a bargain contract, but the deal fell through.

But not to worry. Mayock and coach Jon Gruden turned to the draft to fill the need, selecting Damon Arnette in the first round. He’s been lining up with the starting unit, along with second-year CB, Trayvon Mullen, and quarterback Derek Carr is impressed.

“I’m really excited about our corners,” Carr said from training camp on Tuesday. “The coverage is stickier. They are doing some good things, so very excited.”

It’s just an early impression from practice, but Carr’s comment is still encouraging for the Las Vegas defense. Though cornerback was a priority in the offseason, the Raiders’ group is young and mostly unproven, even behind their current starters.

Rounding out the depth chart are second-year prospects Isaiah Johnson and Keisean Nixon, along with rookie Amik Robertson. The Raiders did sign one veteran in free agency in Prince Amukamara, and he could step into a starting role if needed. Returning veteran Nevin Lawson also figures to be in the mix.

But it’s best for the Raiders if Arnette and Mullen can hold on to their starting spots. The two represent large investments in the draft and could potentially patrol the corners for years to come. According to team leader, Derek Carr, so far, so good.

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Raiders DE Maxx Crosby has a simple goal in 2020: To ‘dominate every single game’

The Raiders found a gem in the fourth round of last year’s draft, but DE Maxx Crosby isn’t satisfied with simply outperforming expectations.

After Maxx Crosby’s surprising success during his rookie campaign a year ago, expectations for the defensive end are sky-high.

And that seems to be okay with Crosby. He’s mentally and physically prepared for a big season, stating he’s yet to approach his full potential.

Crosby led the club with 10 sacks in 2019, but in 2020, he has a simple goal: dominate the opposition.

“I feel like I could dominate every single game and that’s my goal and that’s what I plan on doing,” Crosby said Monday from training camp. “This offseason I put on some good weight. I’m running 275 right now and I feel great. My conditioning is getting to where I need it. I’m just super excited to show everybody that it wasn’t just a fluke rookie year. I want to prove to everyone that I’m going to be here for a long time.”

Crosby is clearly mentally charged for the upcoming season, but he’s also been adding weight to his frame, as coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock said he must do when they drafted Crosby out of Eastern Michigan.

He’s listed on the Raiders’ official roster at 255 pounds, though it’s no secret Crosby added to that total throughout last year’s campaign. He now weighs in at 275, fulfilling the projection of his coach and GM.

As for Crosby’s goal of domination, there was a bit of added nuance in his statement Monday. He also said he wants to improve in every phase of the game including pass-rushing, run defense and being a playmaker. “I feel like I definitely did some good things last year, but I haven’t even touched where I want to be,” he said.

But he’s had a taste of success, and his appetite for more is evident. The Raiders’ defense must improve if the team is to have a prosperous season, and Crosby appears ready to make the campaign easier for his teammates by dominating the edge and disrupting the opponent.

Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell embraces lofty expectations, says ‘Pressure is a privilege for me’

The Raiders drafted DE Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 in the draft a year ago, and he embraces the pressure that comes with it.

The Raiders have received praise for their 2019 draft class, and rightfully so. Running back Josh Jacobs, tight end Foster Moreau and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, among others, certainly impressed.

It’s the man at the top of the draft class, however, that many aren’t sure what to make of just yet. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, the No. 4 overall choice a year ago and the first-ever draft pick by Raiders general manager Mike Mayock, generally underwhelmed during his rookie campaign.

The success of the rest of his class provided some cover for Ferrell’s lackluster season, but negative opinions of him from outside of the team still persist.

But that apparently doesn’t bother the former Clemson standout. He’s actually embracing the unmet expectations that surround him.

“I never look at pressure as something that can break you down. Pressure is a privilege for me. I never listen to what people had to say even though you know you hear it,” Ferrell said Thursday from training camp. “You definitely hear it, but for me, nobody knows what I know internally or what we know internally as a team. I just block a lot of that stuff out. It doesn’t matter. I know I had a good rookie year regardless of what anybody had to say about me. I’m just ready to improve on it and get to a Super Bowl this season.”

Much of the criticism directed at Ferrell stems from his low sack total from 2019. He racked up 4.5 such plays, and for a top-5 draft pick, more impact is expected.

Mayock and the Raiders coaching staff were clear early on, however: they weren’t anticipating high QB sack totals from Ferrell. He’s a well-rounded DE, rather than a one-dimensional pass rusher.

Plus, he battled food poisoning Week 5 against the Bears, losing 15 pounds during the season. He’s gained that weight back and added an additional 13 pounds of muscle, setting his playing weight at roughly 275.

It’s clear the outside voices heard by Ferrell didn’t stymie his physical growth. They may have even fueled it. And his stoicism fits the role of team leader, which is another reason Mayock and coach Jon Gruden selected him.

Now, all he has to do is use his attitude and brand-new body to fulfill expectations—not those from the outside, mind you, but rather those from inside the organization and Ferrell himself.

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Jon Gruden: Raiders third-year defensive lineman must ‘prove they belong’ in the NFL

It wasn’t long ago that Raiders defensive lineman P.J. Hall, Maurice Hurst and Arden Key were the talk of training camp.

It doesn’t seem long ago that Raiders defensive lineman Maurice Hurst, P.J. Hall and Arden Key were bright-eyed rookies who provided hope and confidence to the coaching staff.

Times have changed, however. It appears the trio could be fighting for roster spots in 2020, their third year with the club.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden had a lot to say about Hall, Hurst and Key when asked how new defensive line coach, Rod Marinelli, could help the team’s young front line. All three players were drafted by Gruden in his first year back with the club in 2018, with former general manager, Reggie McKenzie, by his side.

“They have to prove they belong in this league,” Gruden said over a Zoom call with the media Thursday. “They have to prove that they can be front-line guys. P.J. Hall, [Maurice] Hurst, [Arden] Key, those are three guys that we used high draft picks on. Arden’s got to stay healthy, P.J. Hall, I’m anxious to see where his weight is, he came in overweight last year — not at that position, can’t happen. Mo Hurst has had some good moments, but we need these guys to burst on the scene, no question.”

While it’s not accurate to say Hurst was a high draft pick, he carried a first-round grade into the draft before a heart condition caused him to slide to the fifth round. On the other hand, Hall was a second-round choice and Gruden picked Key in the third round.

Hall has underwhelmed at defensive tackle, with the worst fear surrounding him — that his small-school pedigree wouldn’t transfer to the NFL — coming true thus far. It’s especially concerning that he was overweight last season.

Key, as the only defensive end in this group, looked to be the best pass rusher, having flashed immense potential in college at Louisiana State.

But he’s had his own weight issues. He’s looked too slender to make an impact at DE, though he’s displayed potential as a disruptor at times. Worst of all, he played just seven games last year after suiting up in 16 contests in 2018.

Hurst has easily shown the most promise amongst these three linemen. He followed a solid rookie campaign with a slow start in 2019, but he picked it up, earning the sixth-best grade in the NFL at defensive tackle from Week 9-17 last season.

The Raiders’ defense must continue to improve if Las Vegas is to keep rising as a team. Hurst, Hall and Key will have their opportunity to show Gruden they can be a part of that resurgence. But they’d do well to get off to a fast start and show their coach that they indeed belong in the NFL.

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Jon Gruden: Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell has potential to reel in more QB sacks

The Raiders drafted DE Clelin Ferrell No. 4 overall, and though he hasn’t made a huge impact, coach Jon Gruden sees untapped potential.

Though Clelin Ferrell has a signature sack celebration, it’s been easy to miss during his rookie campaign. The Raiders’ No. 4 overall draft pick hasn’t made the impact expected from such a high selection.

The defensive end from Clemson notched 2.5 sacks Week 10 against the Chargers and performed his custom move, which appeared to be a simulated fishing rod casting, followed by a quick hook and reel. But he’s been largely shut out otherwise, with just 3.5 QB sacks to his credit.

General manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden expected Ferrell to possess more substance than flash, however. If the Raiders wanted a pass-rush specialist, they could have drafted DE Josh Allen, the highly-touted impact player from the University of Kentucky.

The Jaguars, who come to Oakland this Sunday, did pull the trigger on Allen with the No. 7 choice, and Allen has rewarded them by recording nine sacks thus far.

Gruden talked about Ferrell’s initial campaign earlier this week, noting he suffered from an illness that caused him to lose weight and miss the Raiders’ Week 5 game against the Bears and he’s still regaining strength. The coach also reiterated what kind of player Ferrell is.

“He’s not a specialized pass rusher that comes in 30 snaps a game and cuts it loose. A lot of the production that we’ve got from Ferrell is production that no one really knows about,” Gruden said, though Ferrell played just 29 snaps last week against the Titans. “But he’s had some really good moments. He’s had some tough snaps and some tough, tough moments, but he’s hanging in there and I’m proud of him.”

Indeed, Ferrell struggled early this year in all situations, not just rushing the passer. His play against the run has improved lately, however. Still, Gruden knows his defense needs more QB pressure and foresees more signature moves from Ferrell in the future.

“That’s something he’s got to get going on. He’s got 3.5 or 4 sacks I think, but we think he’s got the potential to get more than that,” Gruden said, after acknowledging that Ferrell himself knows he’s more of a well-rounded player than a one-trick pony.

With the Raiders defense reeling, Oakland needs Ferrell to expand his repertoire if they’re to finish the season strong, starting this Sunday with what will, in all likelihood, be the Raiders’ last game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

And with Allen and his flashy numbers in town, Ferrell has ample motivation to show the entire NFL that Mayock made the correct choice at No. 4. He’s got the signature move. Now, all he needs to do is get to the QB and take him down.

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5 Raiders to watch against the Jets

The Raiders face a sub-500 opponent for the second consecutive week and must find motivation.

It’s been an incredible season for the Raiders thus far, and there’s been plenty for the team to rally around. The campaign started with two division games, followed by a five-game road trip and a three-game homestand.

The Raiders’ current task, a trip to New York to face the 3-7 Jets, is downright mundane in comparison.

Nevertheless, the Raiders must resurrect their road mentality and hand their old AFL foe yet another loss if they’re to improve their own record to 7-4. Here are the players to watch as Oakland attempts to keep the playoffs within reach.

LB Tahir Whitehead

Speaking of un-alluring, the first selection on this list may fit that category. But not so fast. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead deserves some recognition for holding the Raiders defense together after the suspension of starting middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

He never leaves the field, routinely playing every defensive snap, and he’s rewarded the Raiders by leading the team in tackles. Whitehead’s had trouble when isolated on pass defense, but the guy plays hard each play, with an intensity that’s alone worth watching.

For example, his emotion manifested in the form of a karate chop against his old team, the Lions, just a few weeks ago.

Tahir Whitehead karate-chops Kenny Golladay for no reason. No penalty. pic.twitter.com/ihgUx3Fi6t

— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) November 3, 2019

This column isn’t predicting another kung fu strike of any sort. Still, watch Whitehead as he leads the defense against a Jets offense that has shown improvement lately, despite some awful stats.

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