TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS
Silver & Black Illustrated|August 2020
Late last year while the Raiders were trying to salvage what they could from the season, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther admitted he hadn’t been able to coach like he had been accustomed to. The defense was in full flex, with new rookies and veterans trying find their way around in the schemes being used, that Guenther really had no other choice.
Michael Wagaman
TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS

“I’m trying to think like the players would think,” he said. “‘Hey, can they handle this? Hey, if this happens, do they know the adjustment for that or the adjustment for this?’ A lot of times you want to let these guys … just tie them up, play sound, stay on top in the coverage, play good in the run fits and let them go.”

Fast forward seven months and much has changed, and not just the team’s home.

There are a few more new faces (Cory Littleton, Maliek Collins, Prince Amukamara to name a few) and handful of fresh-faced rookies (Damon Arnette, Amik Robertson, Tanner Muse) but the vibe heading into 2020 is definitively different than it was a year ago.

No further proof of that is needed than by hearing what second-year defensive end Maxx Crosby had to say about taking on a leadership role on the defense after his standout rookie year.

“I want to show all the guys that we can beat anyone,” Crosby told the Las Vegas Review-Journal during the offseason. “I have no problem being that guy and taking any heat for it. I want to be a leader. I want to set the example.”

Here’s what the Raiders have defensively heading into training camp:

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters: Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, Johnathan Hankins, Maliek Collins Key backups: Carl Nassib, Maurice Hurst,

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