Las Vegas Raiders pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones are surely looking to bounce back on Sunday in Week 2. Facing off against Jones’s old team, the Arizona Cardinals, the duo could perhaps start adding sacks to their stat column. After being made available to the media yesterday, Crosby touched on a couple of topics, including what his new teammate has meant to him as well as his own versatility in Patrick Graham’s scheme.
Raiders News: Chandler Jones’s Positive Influence On Maxx Crosby
The immediate response to Jones joining the Raiders this offseason was how much of a positive influence it would be on Crosby. He’s a veteran leader, a Super Bowl champion, an All-Pro, and a vaunted pass rusher with double-digit sack seasons under his belt. That sounds like what the Raiders are hoping Crosby will be by the time he retires. As a personal idol of Crosby’s, there’s no doubt that the duo is clicking, with a rapport growing every day.
“He’s been great ever since he saw him. I’ve always looked up to him. I looked up to him for a long time. So just having him here, it’s been incredible, and we’re just learning and growing together every single day. And I feel like we’re just getting better and better, so we’re looking forward to [getting] back out there.”
Maxx Crosby quietly recorded a career-high in solo tackles against the Chargers
His 8 tackles topped his previous high of 6, which came in last year's Week 18 victory over the Chargers pic.twitter.com/XWxBu3la3i
— RaiderRamble.comâ„¢ (@TheRaiderRamble) September 12, 2022
Will Crosby and Jones have a multi-sack game this Sunday?
Accolades aside, Jones was seen as forming a lethal duo with Crosby, and despite a slow start against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday presents an opportunity for them to break out. Last Sunday, both Crosby and Jones earned solid pass-rushing grades, 72.0 for No. 98 and 65.7 for Jones. Obviously, this was not the outing that Raiders fans were hoping for out of the gate. Nevertheless, Crosby certainly deserves merit for leading defensive ends in combined tackles (10) in the NFL’s opening week. Moving forward, Crosby also opened up about his coaching staff and the trust he has in them to put him in the best position to succeed.
“I just need to do what’s best for the team at the end of the day. He’s a great coach. And he’s gonna put me into a position to succeed. He’s not gonna put me out at corner or anything like that, but, you know, I trust him, 100%. He’s very transparent and open with me about you know, what he’s seeing and what he wants to do with me every week. I’m looking forward to that.”
3rd & 5, 4Q. Nice adjustment by Graham, 3 down lineman with Crosby off the ball as LB. Cover 1 simulated pressure, brings 4 with Crosby and Brown coming. Ferrell drops out and acts as spy on Herbert as he tries to escape to his right forcing incomplete.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/A6IQjzKaCF
— Ryan Holmes (@Rholm22) September 15, 2022
Some fans might’ve noticed that Crosby was, at one point, aligned behind the defensive line—a QB spy perhaps? Regardless, it showed his ability to come down and blitz. It’s a different look for sure. It’s certainly different from his bull rush stance. Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see how Graham’s play-calling makes use of Crosby against the Cardinals.
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*Top Photo: Official Raiders YouTube Channel
