Sarcasm Alert: Who would have predicted that a fourth round pick from Eastern Michigan with a nickname like “Mad Maxx” would turn out to be the next great pass rusher in Oakland Raiders’ lore!
Okay, he’s a rookie so lets pump the breaks right now for just a moment on Maxx Crosby.
Before Raider Nation dubs him “the next Howie Long” let’s look at his accomplishments and try to keep in mind he still has a long way to go before such an accolade can be bestowed upon him.
He has to prove to be Derrick Burgess 2.0 first, yes, Burgess wasn’t draft by Oakland, I’m referring to the sack production and the fact it’s been a while since the Raiders had a great pure pass rusher.
The Road Warrior
What makes a lot of Crosby’s production so impressive is in the short span in which it has occurred. Take, for example, the fact that last Sunday’s performance in which he had four sacks is tied for most in 2019 as pointed out by the Raiders official PR Twitter. That record also is second-most by a rookie in NFL history and adding the cherry on top, it’s the most by a Raiders rookie…ever.
Another impressive showcase of what Crosby has done is him generating 15 pressures with five of them being sacks as Tweeted out by Pro Football Focus.
Pillaging Podcast: Mid-Season Report Card for 2019 Oakland Raiders
Going back earlier this month, Crosby had another scary display against the L.A. Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Pro Football Focus noted that he had seven total pressures and by that time was leading the Raiders with 25.
We’re midway through this season and something to keep an eye on is the “other” Raiders rookie pass rusher. Clelin Ferrell looks to be coming into his own, so much so that the two have dubbed themselves “Salt and Pepper.” Not exactly a nickname that strikes fear but no matter because it will be seeing Crosby lined up opposite of you as a quarterback that will do that you.
Should Raider Nation be excited about Crosby? Of course! Enjoy all of this but let’s wait and see if this is just lightning in a bottle or quite possibly, the begging of something scary for AFC West quarterbacks, well scratch that, all NFL quarterbacks.
