Falcons fans are consuming themselves with the NFL trade deadline, which is about three weeks away, and it’s not hard to see why.
Despite multiple defensive coordinators and countless resources poured into it, the pass rush is still one of the worst in football. Right now, the Falcons own a league-low five sacks.
It’s the same song and dance where [insert coach here] says they’re looking to improve it and bring up some hollow excuse about pressures, blah blah blah. It’s getting exhausting.
The pressure numbers don’t even support that narrative. The Falcons rank 29th in the league in total pressures this year. They’re not affecting quarterbacks at all, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.
A number of things can change, but the most significant improvement will come from external additions via trades. Falcons fans’ imaginations have run away with the thought of getting Myles Garrett because the Browns traded away Amari Cooper. In reality, Za’Darius Smith is a much more attainable pass rusher.
Maxx Crosby is no different than Garrett. Following the trade of Davante Adams, Maxx Crosby trade rumors exploded onto the scene. Unfortunately, 27-year-old superstars don’t often get traded. Raiders owner Mark Davis confirmed as much.
“It’s unfortunate today, but there’s so much outside chatter that is not true,” Davis said in regard to potentially trading Maxx Crosby, via The Athletic. “It’s not coming from any sources. It’s not coming from anything. My basic thing is never to answer all that stuff because, otherwise, you get trapped in this black hole. It’s just not happening.”
Those sorts of things just don’t happen… unless… the player forces his way out, just like Adams. And Crosby’s latest comments didn’t flat-out say that he wants out of Las Vegas, but he certainly didn’t slam the door shut on the idea of a potential trade.
“I’m not here to rebuild, I’m here to win,” Crosby said. “So, you know, I don’t know. Whatever that means, but yeah I’m here to win now. And wherever I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be here to win. So that’s all that matters to me.”
How could anyone mistake the Las Vegas Raiders with a contender? They can’t. The only way Maxx Crosby is traded is if Maxx Crosby demands it.
For the vast majority of the time, Crosby has voiced his support for Antonio Pierce, his love for the Raiders organization, and his commitment to being in Las Vegas. However, things can change in an instant when the team keeps losing.
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Photographer: Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire
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