The Las Vegas Raiders‘ defense has been struggling in recent weeks, and the team hasn’t been able to generate a pass rush all season. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have both been fired, so defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has to be feeling some pressure.
There aren’t many great players who are available to the team right now, but they are bringing in one name. The Raiders announced on Tuesday that they have signed defensive lineman Boogie Basham to the practice squad.
Basham was previously on the Carolina Panthers this season, but was let go earlier in the season after appearing in three games. The veteran first came into the NFL as a second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Across his first two seasons, Basham had 4.5 sacks, but hasn’t notched another one since. He lasted two seasons with Buffalo before moving to the New York Giants for a couple of seasons. He’s played 43 games in his career, so he’s got some solid experience. He’s starting on the practice squad, which means it’s unlikely he’ll play immediately. But with the Raiders needing all the help they can get on defense, he could carve out a role eventually.
Raiders Struggling to Get After Passer
On the season, the Raiders have just 20 sacks combined. That’s the sixth-least in the NFL. When Christian Wilkins was cut in the offseason, it was expected that the defensive line could struggle, but they have been very ineffective all year.
Maxx Crosby is playing decently, but even he’s struggling to put up big numbers without much help. If the Raiders can start pressuring the quarterback more consistently, the defense would be much more productive.
It’s unlikely that Basham’s addition changes much, but he likely won’t hurt the group if he gets playing time.
Pete Carroll Talks State of Raiders Locker Room
With the Raiders having such a lifeless start to the season, there are bound to be issues in the locker room. The team has been a leaky ship, so there hasn’t been a lot of insight into how the players have responded to the rough year.
According to head coach Pete Carroll, the locker room is staying together despite the trying season.
“Fortunately, we have a couple guys or a number of guys on our team that are the leaders that are obvious,” Carroll told reporters on Monday. “If you could have heard Maxx [Crosby] in the locker room yesterday, you would think that these guys are tight and connected and on the same page. I’m proud to be able to say that he’s a captain on this club, and he and Geno [Smith] have to speak for us when they get their chances. But they’re not the only ones. And so, we’re going to fight for every bit that we can for this week and get a great week together in practice and bring it to the to the field in L.A. and play a really good football game and try to get the win we’ve been looking for.”
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