Although it may be a bit too soon, the Carl Nassib free-agent signing, may not work out as the Las Vegas Raiders intended. They brought in the defensive end to fortify their defensive line, but he has failed to make an impact in his short tenure with the team.
The Raiders aren’t overreacting and we shouldn’t
We are pleased to see the Raiders are taking the necessary steps to improve their defense. Of course, not every single move is going to pan out. Nevertheless, they should be able to overcome those miscues if the rest of the team is solid. Last year, it was linebacker Vontaze Burfict. The veteran showed he hadn’t changed the way he played and ended up getting a 10-game suspension. Likewise, defensive back Lamarcus Joyner’s play wasn’t on par with his contract.
This year, it may be Nassib. While the Raiders have recognized the impact defensive tackle Maliek Collins, tight end Jason Witten and safety Jeff Heath have had, not much has been said about the defensive end. The Silver and Black have signaled Witten’s leadership skills and the time Collins spends helping his teammates. Meanwhile, Nassib hasn’t made much noise in training camp.
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The Raiders gave Nassib a three-year $25 million contract to partake in their defensive line rotation. So far, he hasn’t stood out in practice and even Arden Key has had a more newsworthy training camp. It may be a tad too soon to have a clear read on the situation but at the same time, Nassib’s involvement in the defense will be worth monitoring.
NFL teams fumble draft picks, nobody has a perfect record. The same thing happens with free-agent signings, they don’t always work out. The difference is organizations not only invest selections, but they also spend money. That’s why it’s painful for teams and fans when big-name free agents don’t give a return proportional to the investment made in them. It happens often, it’s just not pleasant.
The D-Line should be fine even if Nassib doesn’t become a factor
Of course the Raiders want Nassib to thrive. They didn’t just give him a deal for the sake of it, but if it doesn’t work out, they are in adequate shape to withstand the hit. The fact Rod Marinelli will oversee the defensive line should be encouraging. Moreover, Key and Ferrell are trending up while defensive end Maxx Crosby’s rookie success should carry over to the 2020 season.
Nassib could be the icing on the cake and complement the Raiders defensive line. However, the front four has gotten to the point where Nassib isn’t a must. The Silver and Black won’t be pleased to see the defensive end on the sidelines, but if that happens, it will mean Ferrell and Key are playing up to their potential.
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