Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is one of the most dominant players in the NFL. Everyone who regularly watches football knows this. But recently, a former Denver Broncos star called Crosby’s ability into question.
During a recent episode of The Arena, Broncos legend Aqib Talib and former Raiders offensive lineman Richie Incognito got into a heated debate over Crosby, with Talib claiming that Crosby is not good at stopping the run. This in spite of countless statistics that prove otherwise.
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Crosby was asked about Talib’s comments during the most recent episode of The Rush, and he respectfully fired back at the five-time Pro Bowler.
“You can’t get mad at somebody who’s uneducated in the situation. It is what it is,” Crosby said. “… Go look up the numbers. Go look up the tape. Go watch me play a football game.”
Crosby has logged 37 tackles and five sacks this season and has long been one of the best run-stopping edge rushers in football. In fact, Crosby was the No. 1-ranked edge against the run in 2023 and has very frequently been in the top 10 throughout his career.
“That’s why I say he’s uneducated in that situation. He’s a corner,” added Crosby. “I’m not expecting him to go and do his full research and watch every play that Maxx Crosby plays. … People know what I do against the run. I do respect the heck out of him, but it was just disappointing.”
Talib spent 12 seasons in the NFL between 2008 and 2019, beginning his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He eventually made his way to Denver in 2014, where he spent four seasons and made the Pro Bowl each year, also earning one First-Team All-Pro selection. Most importantly, he helped lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl during the 2015-16 campaign.
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Crosby has made four straight trips to the Pro Bowl himself, with his best season to date coming in 2023 when he racked up 90 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.
There is no question that Crosby can stop the run. Perhaps Talib should actually watch a Raiders game sometime before jumping to such an obviously errant conclusion.
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