Some would argue that the joint practices between teams that take place during training camp are more important than preseason games. It certainly allows for some of the best to matchup with other greats around the league, and that was the case with the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers, as Niners tight end George Kittle was able to face off with Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Both are two of the best at their positions, and Kittle recognizes Crosby’s greatness, as well as the potential of this Raiders team under new coach Pete Carroll, whom he is very familiar with after years of facing off against Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks teams. In fact, following a recent joint practice, Kittle said the Raiders are already resembling a Carroll team, and wants them to let Crosby do his thing, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“They’re flying around and celebrating each other,” Kittle said. “That’s a Pete Carroll team. That’s what they do. I like the vibe here. Let Maxx Crosby be Maxx Crosby, and they’re going to have a great year.”
The Crosby comment wasn’t a random one from Kittle, however. Rather, it was a reference to a play during the joint practice that saw the Raiders line Crosby up in a four-point stance over Kittle, something the Niners tight end believes led to a big play for their offense:
“I’m not the defensive coordinator for the Raiders, but Maxx Crosby in a four-point stance at six-technique takes a lot of pressure off me and (right tackle Colton McKivitz), where I can just run through his outside shoulder and McKivitz can just eat it up at the second level,” Kittle said. “I’ll take that any day of the week.”
The job of the coaches is to put players in the best position to succeed, and Kittle believes the Raiders did the opposite for Crosby on that particular play. It’s a very honest admission from Kittle, but he simply wants to face the best at their best because that is how you get better:
“When you get to go against Maxx Crosby, you have to take advantage of those reps, because if you’re going against guys who are premier at what they do, it will make the rest of the season easier when you’re going against guys that might not be as good as them,” Kittle said.
Surely the Raiders’ coaching staff has a plan and idea of what they’re doing with their alignment of Crosby. But if one of the best players in the league is telling you that you’re making life easier for him with what you’re doing, the Raiders might want to reconsider.
Raiders trade for Eagles DT Thomas Booker
The Raiders hope they have gotten Crosby some help on the defensive line, especially after their decision to release Christian Wilkins. The team recently traded CB Jakorian Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles for DT Thomas Booker.
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