Baltimore Ravens Hall of Famer, Ray Lewis, held his teammates to the highest standards – so is the Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby. In a recent interview with Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Las Vegas Raiders star defender discussed how the team must be better moving forward.
“We need to re-evaluate the standard – what is playing hard, what is improvement, what does that look like? I think that starts with the offseason, having everyone on the same page and re-evaluating that standard and getting to where we need to be. That’s every single guy on our team there shouldn’t be a gray area. There should be 11 guys playing relentlessly no matter what the score is, no matter our situation.” Maxx Crosby via – The Las Vegas Review-Journal
For Crosby, he walked the walk and talked the talk this season as he was just four votes shy of earning his first All-Pro selection. The star edge rusher camped in the opposition’s backfields all season long.
Can't get enough of The Condor 🦅
Watch @CrosbyMaxx's top plays of the 2022 season (via @nfl) â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Sak49ezwTU
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 17, 2023
The accountability and energy that ‘Mad Maxx’ brings to the table are precisely the persona head coach Josh McDaniels is looking to duplicate.
Maxx Crosby and Josh McDaniels Have the Same Goals.
Despite having a sub .500 win/loss record in his first season as head coach, Josh McDaniels has set a foundation. The foundation is that winning is all that matters at the end of the day. If someone can’t handle constructive criticism or perform well – ask Derek Carr how heavy that anchor is. The goal is to bring a Super Bowl to Las Vegas sooner rather than later for Maxx Crosby.
“We want to win here. We want to win Super Bowls. I want to be in those playoff games. That’s why I do this. Big games are what I look forward to most. That’s why you work year-round, so it’s disappointing when it doesn’t happen.” Maxx Crosby via – The Las Vegas Review-Journal
Crosby Demands More from Himself and His Teammates
For the Raiders, having a Bonafide leader like Maxx Crosby is like finding a diamond in the rough. Though the decade-long struggle of the defense prevails each year, Crosby rises above the occasion and sets the example for others all season. He admittedly works year-round, except for one month following the season, honing on his craft.
“That’s how I push myself every single day from a personal standpoint. I’m proud of the body of work, but there’s always more I can do. Always more to improve. Definitely going back to the drawing board to see what I can do better and help put this team in the best position to win.” Maxx Crosby via – The Las Vegas Review-Journal
His teammates acknowledge his elite work ethic.
.@CrosbyMaxx was voted by his teammates to receive the Commitment to Excellence Award.
The award is presented annually to the Raider who best exemplifies hard work, leadership, and excellence » https://t.co/rMSTeHEyWu pic.twitter.com/j8tQC5jY4Z
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 10, 2022
However, it is time for them to up their standards; Maxx Crosby demands it. With Derek Carr out of the picture for the organization’s future plans, it is now Crosby’s time to step forward and become the franchise’s pillar of authentic excellence.
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*Top Photo by USA Today Sports