The Las Vegas Raiders want their defense to improve in 2024. Of course, that all starts with team leader Maxx Crosby, one of the best defensive players in the league, not to mention linebacker Robert Spillane, who led the Raiders in tackles and interceptions last year.
Under head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ goal is to be a physical, no-nonsense team, and Crosby and Spillane undoubtedly set that tone on the defensive side of the ball. Unfortunately, things boiled over a bit in practice, and things got physical with one of the team’s offensive linemen.
According to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Spillane and undrafted center Will Putnam got into a scuffle, one in which Crosby would join in and throw punches at his teammate:
Wild #Raiders camp moment…Robert Spillane and UDFA C Will Putnam got into it twice, then Maxx Crosby entered the fray, throwing at least 3 punches at Putnam before ripping Putnam’s helmet off and throwing it downfield. Music DJ responded with Rocky theme then We Are Family…
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 16, 2024
There will always be moments throughout training camp for any team where players get into it with each other. But ideally, things don’t get to the level they got to in this case, and it is unfortunate that it involves two team captains, Crosby and Spillane.
There is no way to know what was said that could have led to punches being thrown, but it simply isn’t a good look for team leaders to be involved as they are supposed to set the tone. Some shoves between teammates are one thing, but tossing helmets after throwing punches can’t happen.
Add in the fact that Crosby or Spillane could have injured themselves by throwing punches at someone with a helmet on, and it just gets more unacceptable. Surely, this won’t be something that lingers around the Raiders going forward, but everyone must do a better job of not allowing things to reach that level.
Raiders Maxx Crosby calls Adam Butler one of the most underrated players in the NFL
Another player who has gone under the radar but will be very important to the Raiders’ success in 2024 is defensive tackle Adam Butler. With the team signing Christian Wilkins this offseason, Butler has been a little forgotten, but not Maxx Crosby.
Crosby recently spoke about Butler, saying that what he brings to the table should not go unnoticed and calling him one of the most underrated players in the NFL. With Crosby and Wilkins garnering so much attention, there will be opportunities for someone like Butler to thrive.
Last season, Butler finished with 28 tackles, five sacks, eight tackles for loss, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble.
