The Las Vegas Raiders have story lines that go beyond Cousins and Mendoza, and some are important.
The Las Vegas Raiders had their first practices this week, and nearly all of the attention is focused on the quarterbacks. That’s as it should be, mostly, but there are also things happening with other players and position groups, and Ryan McFadden of ESPN provided an update that’s well worth reviewing.
Maxx Crosby, DE
Start with Mad Maxx, who’s been talking about a storm about all things Crosby. According to McFadden, though, he also looked good on the field, which is far more noteworthy. The writer felt like Crosby was hesitant in his first practice on Wednesday, but he discovered his inner Maxx aggressiveness and consistently got into the defensive backfield. Crosby was also effective at containing the run, which is a good sign that he’ll fit in well with the Raiders’ new linebackers.
Hezekiah Masses, CB
Masses is an unknown, but he’s been making a name for himself since OTAs and minicamp. Masses has been making a case for himself as a starting cornerback, as he’s been alternating reps with second-year corner Darien Porter, who often struggled last year.
The Raiders are expected to play more man coverage this year, and that fits Masses’ aggressive style. It also fits what new coordinator Rob Leonard wants from his defense. The battle is early yet, as McFadden noted, but this could be an actual competition.
Jermod McCoy, CB
McCoy, meanwhile, is still being eased into the action slowly. He’s been playing with the second-and-third teams, according to the writer, as the coaching staff wants to see how his surgically-repaired knee responds to a higher workload.
Tonka Hemingway, DL
The Raiders didn’t have much of a pass rush last year beyond Crosby, but Hemingway did have four sacks in the last five games. He’s pushing for a larger role based on what the writer observed, as he’s been working with the first-team defense. Hemingway also made several plays against the run, and McFadden thinks he could be at or near the front of a rotation of defensive lineman.
Trey Zuhn III and Jordan Meredith, OL
The Raiders don’t seem to know if either of these two players will be starting, so for now they’re rotating up and down the line. Both got reps at center and guard with the second team, but so far the starting unit has been consistent, with Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze giving it a go from left to right in the early days of training camp.
