The Las Vegas Raiders are set to face a familiar face in Week 3. With Jayden Daniels out for the Washington Commanders, Marcus Mariota is stepping into the starting quarterback job.
He previously played with the Raiders in 2020 and 2021. During that time, he got to play with star defensive end Maxx Crosby. Now that he’s about to face him as an opponent, he’s very aware of what kind of competitor Crosby is.
“Maxx is going to get his. He always has. Being around that team for a couple years, you understand that he’s kind of the heart and soul of that team and he’s going to give it everything he’s got every single play,” Mariota said, via Raiders.com.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is also a big fan of Crosby.
“He is an absolute savage of a player. I love watching him, the energy, the effort, the skill of it. Somebody that I just respect a lot – his game, the way he plays, the style,” Quinn said.
Crosby has yet to have a big game this season, but facing a quarterback he knows like Mariota could give him an advantage in Week 3.
Commanders Praise Geno Smith
Geno Smith is coming off one of the worst games of his career in Week 2. He threw three interceptions and no touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers. Even though he had a bad game, Quinn is aware that the quarterback can sling it.
“He’s got one of the strongest arms, can absolutely rip the ball,” Quinn said, via Raiders.com.
It very much sounds like the Commanders are ready for Smith to try and air out the ball.
“Strong arm, talented, can put the ball up,” Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said.
Other Raiders Players Draw Positive Comments
Very few players for the Raiders had good games in Week 2. Tight end Brock Bowers continues to deal with a knee issue, but the team needs him to be right if they hope to win games.
Luckily, it looks like he’s set to play in Week 3. Whitt had some high praise for Bowers.
“A dynamic, young tight end that when you talk about being one of the best receiving threats, you have to almost treat him like a receiver,” Whitt said. “He’s just a dynamic player. I remember watching him when he was at Georgia when he was a freshman and I was like, if he came out, he’d probably be the first tight end to get drafted if he came out as a freshman. So, I have a lot of respect for him.”
Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn played with the Commanders last season, and tight end Zach Ertz thinks very highly of him.
“Phenomenal player. Obviously got a ton of respect for Jerm. Loved our battles last year, he definitely got me better as a player,” Ertz said. “It’s gonna be a tough matchup for me, in particular. He’s a really good player. I’ve played against him in the past when he was on different teams, but I feel like he’s definitely one of the best safeties in the league, especially at his role.”
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