The Las Vegas Raiders need their protection to enhance in 2024. After all, that each one begins with workforce chief Maxx Crosby, among the finest defensive gamers within the league, to not point out linebacker Robert Spillane, who led the Raiders in tackles and interceptions final yr.
Below head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ objective is to be a bodily, no-nonsense workforce, and Crosby and Spillane undoubtedly set that tone on the defensive aspect of the ball. Sadly, issues boiled over a bit in apply, and issues bought bodily with one of many workforce’s offensive linemen.
In keeping with Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Spillane and undrafted heart Will Putnam bought right into a scuffle, one through which Crosby would take part and throw punches at his teammate:
Wild #Raiders camp second…Robert Spillane and UDFA C Will Putnam bought into it twice, then Maxx Crosby entered the fray, throwing no less than 3 punches at Putnam earlier than ripping Putnam’s helmet off and throwing it downfield. Music DJ responded with Rocky theme then We Are Household…
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 16, 2024
There’ll all the time be moments all through coaching camp for any workforce the place gamers get into it with one another. However ideally, issues don’t get to the extent they bought to on this case, and it’s unlucky that it entails two workforce captains, Crosby and Spillane.
There isn’t any technique to know what was stated that might have led to punches being thrown, but it surely merely isn’t a great search for workforce leaders to be concerned as they’re alleged to set the tone. Some shoves between teammates are one factor, however tossing helmets after throwing punches can’t occur.
Add in the truth that Crosby or Spillane might have injured themselves by throwing punches at somebody with a helmet on, and it simply will get extra unacceptable. Absolutely, this gained’t be one thing that lingers across the Raiders going ahead, however everybody should do a greater job of not permitting issues to succeed in that stage.
Raiders Maxx Crosby calls Adam Butler one of the crucial underrated gamers within the NFL
One other participant who has gone beneath the radar however will probably be essential to the Raiders’ success in 2024 is defensive deal with Adam Butler. With the workforce signing Christian Wilkins this offseason, Butler has been a bit of forgotten, however not Maxx Crosby.
Crosby not too long ago spoke about Butler, saying that what he brings to the desk mustn’t go unnoticed and calling him one of the crucial underrated gamers within the NFL. With Crosby and Wilkins garnering a lot consideration, there will probably be alternatives for somebody like Butler to thrive.
Final season, Butler completed with 28 tackles, 5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed, and a pressured fumble.
