The Las Vegas Raiders used to have a reputation for being tough, hard nosed, gritty players. And, in a way, they still are, only right now their record doesn’t really reflect that, as they are 4-12 on the year. They have, however, used that old gritty mindset to go on a two game win streak against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints.
This year hasn’t been much fun for the fans, though. They really miss and reminisce on the days where they were a force to be reckoned with, on both sides of the ball. They used be be actually feared by other teams, and now they are a team that sometimes is looked at as an easy win, even with players like Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers on the squad.
Yet, despite all of that, they still have players who show that old school version of them that does tend to come out from time to time — players who could have likely played back in the day. One of those guys, I’m very confident, is cornerback, or nickel, Nate Hobbs.
Raiders’ Nate Hobbs plays through illness
The Raiders have been known to be tough. Remember last season when Maxx Crosby was in the hospital a day before one of their games due to his knee swelling up so bad? He had to have the fluid drained out so that he could play.
This past Sunday they went through a similar situation.
According to The Athletics’ Tashan Reed, Hobbs had been hospitalized on Thursday due to developing pneumonia. On Sunday against the Saints, he somehow played 41 snaps on defense at corner, and man, he had some pretty aggressive plays.
That’s the thing with the Raiders this year — there isn’t enough players on the team that embody that like they used to. And no, having more wouldn’t fix their issues and make them a playoff team, but they would be much more respected.
That’s one thing that would surely change with the potential hiring of a guy like Mike Vrabel. But, as far as the whole coaching thing goes, that’s a different story for a different day.
The Raiders played the Los Angeles Chargers next to end their season.
