When Maxx Crosby was a rookie with the Raiders, he was busy trying to make a name for himself. He was a high-motor, undersized fourth-round pick from Eastern Michigan and was not sure he had a spot secured on the team.
In fact, he was in fear of getting cut during training camp because, well, coach Jon Gruden had told him so. At least, that's how he understood it.
Crosby has explained in multiple interviews on different podcasts, including his own, "The Rush with Maxx Crosby," that when he was in his first training camp, as the offense and defense were lining up for live drills, he would instinctively bat down passes.
Gruden, though, was trying to work out kinks in the offense, and did not want defensive lineman batting down passes. After Crosby had done it a few times, he recalled, Gruden told him he would cut him.
This week, Gruden, who is now working for Barstool Sports, was face-to-face with Crosby and the two were finally able to hash out the situation. It turns out, Gruden told Crosby, the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
"I am gonna clarify this to everybody," Gruden said after watching clips of Crosby explaining that the coach wanted to cut him. "Our tackles, our offensive linemen were not allowed to cut the defensive linemen below the legs in quick protection (in training camp). So I told the D-line since we were not going to block low, not to jump up and bat balls down.
"But you didn't listen, you jumped up and batted nine balls down in one practice."
"I can't help myself," said a sheepish Crosby.
Gruden went on: "Finally, I said, 'If you bat one more ball down, I am gonna cut your (expletive). Meaning, we were gonna cut your legs out."
Crosby was not going to get cut from the roster, it turns out. Gruden was just going to have the offensive linemen cut his legs while blocking.
"For five years," Crosby said, "I legitimately thought you were going to cut me on the field."
Good thing he didn't. Crosby has blossomed into a star with the Raiders, earning four Pro Bowl nods in six seasons.
