Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
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(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby will be the marquee player the New England Patriots are keen on in Week 1. Moreover, it will be a test for rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell if the player lines up against Crosby.
Crosby poses a major threat to the Patriots’ offensive line. Moreover, New England wants to keep Drake Maye upright.
On September 2, Patriots head coachMike Vrabel was on WEEI and stated that it will be a group effort to keep Crosby under control since he knows that the Raiders’ star pass rusher can line up anywhere.
“It’s going to be with all of them,” Vrabel said. “And then Maxx can line up wherever he wants, or they can put him wherever they want. So I think it has to be for everybody blocking them. He has acertain play style. I think if you drop your head,he’s going to jump around. And if you’re over-aggressive,he’s going to try to make you miss.
“I think just a certain play style of just making sure we’re not overextended to where—again, he has a very unique play style where he’ll jab and jump around, and he uses his length and athleticism as opposed to, let’s say, maybe more of a power player. Not that he can’t do that, but again, he makes his money with instinctiveness and jumping under. If you overreach him, he’s coming under and he’s getting in the backfield.”
Mike Vrabel Understands How to Contain Maxx Crosby
In the WEEI interview, Vrabel revealed what he’s told Campbell and the offensive line. Additionally, he explained how to limit Crosby.
“It’s just making surethat you can’t sit there and wait,” Vrabel added. “In a run game, you have to go and get on him, but you have to make sure that you’re not out of control, that your head’s up, your eyes are up, and that you’re able to redirect—and again, not be overly aggressive when you’re trying to block players like that. And again, it’ll change based on who the player is and who you’re going against. But that would be Maxx’s skillset.”
Raiders Look to Build Around Maxx Crosby
In the offseason, the Raiders signed Crosby to a three-year deal. Furthermore, the contract is worth $106.5 million with $91.5 million guaranteed,NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported.
Additionally, on March 5, Pete Carroll explained why it was important for the organization to keep Crosby. With Carroll taking over in Las Vegas, having the star players on board is crucial to buy into what he’s selling.
“This program is built around competition, and we’re always in pursuit of finding great competitors that will help us build a great team,” Carroll said. “There’s no way we could find anybody that is more focused and directed and committed to giving everything he’s got to every opportunity he is going to get.
“For us to make this statement today, it’s like it fits perfectly. We’re so proud to have Maxx be part of the organization, but he knows that’s just the start of it.”