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Raiders Mailbag: Finishing stronger in the red zone and injury statuses among Week 9 topics

Oct 31, 2024 at 02:38 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

Bryan Shettler from Calgary, Alberta, Canada asks:

"It has been and now more evident in short yardage situations the Raiders need to change their plays with options. Why will the Raiders not use an additional lineman in backfield or in TE spot?"

The Raiders had some difficulties finishing off drives in their last two games, going 2-of-6 in the red zone and 1-of-4 on goal-to-go situations.

Adding additional linemen on the goal line is a great idea, and when you look at the film, that's exactly what the Raiders have been doing. On several goal line formations in the last two weeks, they've brought in tackle Thayer Munford Jr. and lined him up at jumbo tight end. They've also lined up tight ends Brock Bowers and John Samuel Shenker at fullback to help block out of the backfield.

However, the Raiders have still struggled in punching it in the end zone, which simply equates to the players and coaches needing to dial in on execution and communication in those situations.

"Going 2-for-4 in the goal isn't the worst in the world, but we want to – obviously, when you get a turnover, you want to put that in," offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said, reflecting on last Sunday's showing in the red zone. "Because that can change the momentum of a football game. I think that's where the dynamic of that situation is more so than anything else. I think the plans have been pretty good, and I think the guys get it by the time we're going out there. So, it's when you get in those moments, everyone's got to be on the same page – head coach, coordinator, players – we've all got to be on the same page and know, let's have a clear message about what exactly what we want to get done."

The Bengals defense has allowed a touchdown in the red zone 66.7 percent of the time this season, the sixth-highest allowed in the NFL.

Russell Vanloo from Missouri asks:

"Is Maxx Crosby going to play?"

Maxx Crosby has been battling through an ankle injury since the Raiders' Week 2 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

The injury forced him out of action Week 4, but has played in every game since. The injury doesn't seem to be affecting him too much, considering he's accounted for 40.6 percent of the team's sack total – the second-most of any player in the league. He's also leading the team in quarterback hits (11) and tackles for loss (three).

"I'm always impressed with everything Maxx does," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. "If you were around him as much as we are, you would be impressed with everything. Whether it's a birthday party for his daughter, how he operates in meetings, his prep, getting ready for a meeting, his prep in the walkthrough. Zeroed in and laser focused. I'm always impressed with what he does.

"And physically, he could do anything out there on that field that he puts his mind to. The beauty of it is, he's always searching for more. He's always searching for 1% to get better. As a coach, when you have an elite player like that, that's eager to get better and wants the coaching and wants to work on his craft, that makes my job easier."

Crosby was a full participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, per the team's injury report, so there's seemingly no reason to doubt if he'll be ready to go in Cincinnati this Sunday.

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Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.