The Las Vegas Raiders have been on a tumultuous journey since Mark Davis took over in 2011, with a revolving door of head coaches and starting quarterbacks. The team's struggles have been well-documented, with no playoff wins to show for it. This offseason, Davis handed over football control to general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady, signaling a new era for the franchise. The Raiders made a bold move by poaching Klint Kubiak from the defending champion Seattle Seahawks and drafting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. While Mendoza is undoubtedly the future of the franchise, the Raiders are not ready to start him just yet.
This is where Kirk Cousins comes in. Cousins, a veteran quarterback, has been named the team's Week 1 starter by Kubiak, and Davis has been impressed with his performance at training camp. Davis praised Cousins' ability to find open receivers and get the ball to them, likening it to the 'Tom Brady effect'. This comparison is particularly intriguing, as it highlights the potential for Cousins to lead the Raiders to success, despite the team's past struggles.
However, the Raiders' training camp has been marred by an unusual amount of fights. Kenneth Walker has gotten into scuffles with his new Kansas City Chiefs teammates, and Ja'Marr Chase has been seen ripping helmets off. The Raiders had their first scuffle on Friday, with Cousins and star defensive end Maxx Crosby getting into a fight. According to ESPN, Crosby hit Cousins twice, and the veteran lost his temper, grabbing Crosby's jersey and exchanging words with him. Both players were held out of practice on Saturday for disciplinary reasons, but will return to practice on Monday.
This incident raises questions about the Raiders' culture and the expectations set for the team. Kubiak emphasized the importance of clear expectations and discipline, stating that the team violated those expectations on Friday. The incident also highlights the tension between Cousins and Crosby, two key players on the team. The relationship between these two players will be crucial to the Raiders' success, as they navigate the challenges of a new season and a new era for the franchise.
