Maxx Crosby is angry. Usually he takes his anger out on opposing linemen, which often ruins their day. These days, however, he seems to be angriest at the team that employs him, which isn’t good for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Crosby is taking a playful approach to his situation, however. He was labeled a winner by Steven Ruiz of The Ringer for not having to play in yesterday’s Raiders debacle, dubbed the “Toilet Bowl,” against the New York Giants.
The Raiders defensive end has been told he needs surgery, possibly, although it’s tough to tell what the Raiders are telling the truth about these days. Crosby is fighting back, though, in a very playful way, by posting photos that show him playing basketball and playing with his young daughter on a trampoline.
The Raiders have managed to alienate nearly everyone this year—fans, experts, and now their own players. There’s been suggestions that Las Vegas shut down Crosby and Brock Bowers—their two best players, coincidentally—to help gain a competitive disadvantage that would lead to the loss that put them at the top of the draft board.
But Las Vegas doesn’t need help with losing. They’ve already proven they can do that quite adroitly, regardless of the circumstances. Their 11-game losing streak has been exhausting for everyone who watches the club, with the possible exception of coach Pete Carroll, who keeps insisting he has this team on the right track.
The Giants actually looked competent yesterday, however, although they got plenty of help in that regard from Raiders. “Toilet Bowl 2” happens next week against the Kansas City Chief when the Chiefs take the field with their third-string quarterback, Chris Oladokun, under center, and we all know sequels are always worse than the original.
The Raiders put out a statement about Crosby, so it will be interesting to see what happens with this situation going forward. The team would love to see this latest debacle come to a quiet conclusion, but that’s not Crosby’s style. He’s a flashy, loud player who nonetheless plays the game the right way, so expect him to handle his medical situation the right way.
Technically, every NFL player as the right to get a second opinion about their medicals, although this rarely happens. But it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Crosby go that route, and if that happens this situation is just going to get worse—just like nearly everything else with the Raiders these days.