In several ways, Maxx Crosby and Robert Spillane are cut from the same cloth.
The two former MAC competitors in college were voted team captains of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, proceeding to have career seasons in the Silver and Black. Both also set the tone for the defense with a physical, animalistic mentality on the field, seeking out their opposition as prey.
Much of their demeanors can be traced to their respective journeys within the NFL. Crosby went from a 2019 fourth-round pick to a franchise corner piece, and Spillane went from a 2018 undrafted free agent to the Raiders' leading tackler.
As the Raiders begin their voluntary two-week Phase One period of the offseason workout program, Crosby and Spillane will be depended on to set the standard for the defense.
"Going on into Year 2 with the organization, guys have shown that they respect me and that they care about my opinions," Spillane said. "So, it's my opportunity to take young guys under my belt, even older veteran guys that sometimes need a push in the back, and give it to him. I tell those guys, don't be afraid to coach me up. I'm not this perfect player. So, if you notice me lacking in any area, get on me. I'm not above you, as a leader you got to take and give.
"People ask me what do I get out of these offseason workouts? I say, 'I get inspired by young guys. I love getting chased,'" the linebacker added. "Those next guys behind me want my job as bad as I want my job, so how can I keep my job with this team? Just being here inspires me."
While football is ramping back up in Las Vegas, Spillane and Crosby haven't gone anywhere. The two have been in the building since January, training in the weight room and encouraging their teammates to do the same. Antonio Pierce noted he's seen an uptick of players sticking around the building this offseason, and the two defensive players agreed.
"He talks from the heart, he lays out a very clear and concise vision of what he wants this offseason to look like, what he expects our team to look like," Spillane said of AP. "As players, we just go about getting his vision to come through to fruition."
The locker room is seemingly filled with high energy to start the offseason, and Pierce is making an emphasis to bring the best out his defensive anchors and the rest of the roster, while also challenging players to motivate each other.
"AP challenged me early. It's not just about me. There's a lot of really good players, but the great ones bring others up," Crosby said. "For me, I took that personal."
"I pour my heart and soul into this, and I want to be the best leader and teammate I can be on a daily basis," he continued. "Being a Raider is something that's special to me."
On paper, the Raiders defense is in a good position heading into the 2024 season. The unit, which will be going into its third season under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, allowed a mere 16 points per game from Week 9 through Week 18. Christian Wilkins was also added to the mix, one of the top interior defensive linemen on the market in free agency.
But as Crosby enters his sixth season with the Raiders, he's well aware that football games aren't played on paper.
"This team has all the potential and talent to go out there and achieve great things, but all that is bull [expletive] unless you go out there and do it yourself," he said. "We've got a lot of work to do. It's April and we're just excited for what's to come, but all that matters is today and we'll worry about tomorrow when it gets here."
View photos of the Las Vegas Raiders arriving at Intermountain Health Performance Center for the start of the 2024 voluntary offseason workout program.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders special teams coordinator Tom McMahon arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive assistant De'Andre Pierce arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Las Vegas Raiders flag during the team's arrivals for the first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An American flag during the team's arrivals for the first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaydon Grant (40) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Marquan McCall (96) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end John Samuel Shenker (86) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An American flag during the team's arrivals for the first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and defensive tackle Byron Young (93) arrive for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) and defensive tackle Byron Young (93) arrive for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (84) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (84) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elerson Smith (92) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyreque Jones (33) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyreque Jones (33) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Tyreik McAllister (32) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Tyreik McAllister (32) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (31) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (31) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Jalen McKenzie (54) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Jalen McKenzie (54) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Anthony Brown Jr. (13) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Anthony Brown Jr. (13) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Zach Gentry (88) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Zach Gentry (88) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (26) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (26) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Cole Fotheringham (85) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Cole Fotheringham (85) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (99) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (99) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Ben Brown (79) and cornerback Cornell Armstrong (30) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Ben Brown (79) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (25) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (25) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brittain Brown (38) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brittain Brown (38) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
