(Photo: ESPN)
Of course, offense reigns supreme in the NFL today. Quarterbacks are setting passing records left and right, and position players are having career seasons. With that being said, it is an offense-driven league. Defense may take somewhat of a backseat, but those players are just as important and impactful as the guys on the offensive side of the football. When I look at defensive ends today, Myles Garrett is the end-all, be-all. If you were starting a team, he’d be one of the first names you’d try to go after. Then there’s T. J. Watt, who has been everything to the Pittsburgh Steelers over the years. After that, you have Micah Parsons. For several years now, a guy named Maxx Crosby has been wreaking havoc for the Las Vegas Raiders. Just the other day, the Chicago Bears were the heavy favorites to land Maxx. Instead, the Raiders decided to trade him to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round draft picks.
I’ve paid close attention to him, and he hasn’t always gotten the praise he deserves because he played on Raiders teams that struggled for years. Maxx is one of the best all-around defensive players in the league. One thing I’ve always been a fan of is how relentless he is as a football player. He never takes it easy on opponents because when you think you have him blocked or that he’s out of the play, he’ll attack and pursue the quarterback from different angles. I’ve seen him get triple-teamed and somehow still find a way to get home. At 6’5″, Maxx has great speed, and at times he almost seems too slippery for people trying to block him. He has a strong first step, and once the ball is snapped, he’s pedal to the metal. That brings me to my next point about him: his motor. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him get tired or take plays off. His motor is always running, and he plays with the same force and intensity whether it’s the beginning of the game or the fourth quarter. Maxx could play close to 80 snaps and still have all the energy in the world. His hand technique is some of the best in the business today. If you’re an EDGE player looking for someone to study on film, this is the guy I’d recommend. His hands are always active, swiping at blocks, and he can overpower just about anyone with his technique. Maxx finds any and every way to attack blockers with both speed and power. I’ve always appreciated the fact that he puts the same effort into stopping the run as he does rushing the passer. He’s a tackling machine and knows how to get to the ball carrier.
What a move this is for the Ravens. I can tell their emphasis this offseason is getting that defense back to the gold standard it’s been for years. After firing John Harbaugh, the franchise decided to hire Jesse Minter, a defensive-minded coach and a “Harbaugh disciple.” Now they’ve acquired one of the best defensive players in his prime. The Ravens needed someone to bring toughness and an edge to their defense, and that’s exactly what Maxx provides. Last season was the softest I’ve ever seen this defense look, which is surprising for a unit that has historically prided itself on toughness and bullying opponents. I still need to see what they do to fix their run-stopping issues, and the secondary has too many question marks for me right now. Still, this acquisition puts them right back at the top of their division without question.
