Raiders’ standout nickel cornerback has impressed Ricky Manning
New Las Vegas Raiders’ cornerback coach Ricky Manning is just getting used to his new group.
But it didn’t take him long to realize this: Nate Hobbs is a major weapon and will be a huge part of the Raiders’ defense this season. Manning, a former NFL cornerback who was a defensive assistant with the New York Jets the past three seasons, was very praiseful of Hobbs during the offseason.
The support of his new coach meant a lot to Hobbs. During the offseason media availability, Hobbs discussed he feels he’s ready to show Manning and the rest of the league what he can bring to the Raiders’ defense as a premier nickel cornerback.
“I feel like it means it’s year 4 for me and I think I’m a difference maker,” Hobbs said. “There are a lot of difference makers on this team, but if I play at a high level – and this is what people tell me – if I play at a high level, people tend to follow. I tend to ignite the defense, and it’s not me saying that, I try to come out there and do the best I can every day for the team. So, other people telling me that I just take that personal. And I feel like we got a whole bunch of me’s on the defense, five-stars. Shoutout to them. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Hobbs thinks Manning is the perfect addition for the Raider’s cornerbacks in 2024. Hobbs loves the fire and the playing experience his new coach brings every day,
“I think he brings passion. I think he has a certain passion for the game, and the young energy that you usually get to be around as a player. I think being a coach has a level of experience to do with it,” Hobbs said. “But I think he has that experience to him playing the game. He’s actually played in my position. So, he has pointers in perspective other coaches don’t have.”