In this episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast, we look at the Silver and Black’s newfound investment in the NFL Draft rather from their previous status as gamblers.
In less than two weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders will hold the NFL Draft, and they are putting the finishing touches on their draft board in an effort to find the team’s next great player.
Coach Antonio Pierce, Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham, Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy, and General Manager Tom Telesco are all aggressively scouting players that have the potential to drastically alter the Silver and Black for the ensuing ten years.
The group is advancing with a single goal in mind and is looking forward.
In this episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast, we look at the Silver and Black’s shift from being gamblers to investors in the NFL Draft due to their newfound leadership.
Maxx Crosby has responded to such high praise from one of the greats. Howie Long, the defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, recently stated that Crosby has a place among the best Silver and Black defensive lineman of all time.
Yes, it’s really humbling. It’s humble, to put it mildly. I mean, I really look up to those guys. Ultimately, those guys altered the course of the game. Within this organization, they were trailblazers. The list is endless, including men like Howie [Long] and Lyle [Alzado]. Those guys were top-notch players who played the game like true savages. Ted Hendricks, for example, is another. I consider his wife to be family, as does my own wife. George Atkinson and Charles Woodson—I could go on forever—those guys are the ones who drew the initials. And since I’m always asking them questions, hearing it from Howie is a huge honor and motivates me even more to reach my full potential.
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I always mention that I watched something recently—I can’t remember the statement exactly—but they asked him when he realized he was very good. Additionally, he advised to wait until after I was finished since, at the time, the day-to-day was the only thing that counted. The only thing that mattered was how I might improve today. You’re too busy to look back and say, “Oh [expletive], I did all of this and blah, blah, blah, blah.” For me, for example, I think it’s fantastic when I hear things about that. But what comes next? I know I’m not even close to where I want to be, but I have to keep working because, as I mentioned before, people are coming for what I’ve earned and accomplished on a daily basis. I have 52 career sacks in actuality, and they aren’t helping me reach where I want to go. Do you understand what I mean? Since I’m just starting started, what motivates me is to be the best version of myself and, more importantly, to show the tiny group of individuals who know what I do right—while also proving others wrong. And really, that’s all that counts. It all began with men like Howie Long and other guys who set the bar, and I want to do the same for the next generation of players entering the NFL. I also want my presence to be felt positively by everyone that enters this building.”
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25–27, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. With the 13th overall pick right now, it belongs to the Las Vegas Raiders.
