Kirk Morrison on Maxx Crosby Trade and Raiders’ Draft Strategy

0:00When you really need care, you need 24-7 access to a care team, not a maze of paperwork from a third party. Every day, America's hospitals and health systems show up for you. Navigating healthcare can fuel overwhelming, but you can count on real doctors, real nurses, real people, providing quality around the clock care when you need it most. They're in your corner. In communities across America, your neighbors, your lifelines, right beside you holding your hand and helping financiers. That's what putting patients first actually means. Learn more at strengthinhealthcare.org Brought to you by the Coalition to Strengthin America's Health Care. Bishop of Dad's own Kirk Morrison, color analyst for Raider's Radio. It's here to talk to us about it. It was a big deal. X-Crosby Traded Kirk. I need you, Kirk. My partner Marcus here is a lifelong Raider fan. I'm a lifelong 49er fan. We can talk about it together, the three of us. Come on, Kirk. How are you? Hey, what's up, Kirk? Good, good. What's up? How are we doing? Well, how you doing? Tell us your reaction to the Max Crosby Trade. I mean, I think the Jonathan Kaminga Trade set us up for it.

1:00So, let's just be honest, right? Let's be real. When that went down, it was the same kind of situation. Like, oh, my God, one of our guys. And now he's finally traded. What is going to be like? And we knew the chatter from that trade as a kid from the Bay Area growing up. We didn't want to see our guy go, but he was traded to Atlanta. Just never was a fit. I think when it comes to Max Crosby, this is a little bit different, obviously, because he does have a link to the Bay Area. He's one of, right now, currently, well, at the time, four Oakland Raiders, right? Colton Miller, AJ Cole, Daniel Croson. And obviously, Max Crosby were the four guys that were still holdovers from the Oakland Raiders that play games in Oakland, even though they were in Las Vegas. So, we wrapped our arms around Max Crosby on the field, off the field. He's been a productive. He's been a true raider in the community around the team, around the organization.

2:01But whether the organization is right now, you just kind of understand that he is an asset to the football team. And where he's at his career in the prime of his career, I don't think he wants to be a part of a rebuild. He doesn't want to be a part of a brand new coaching staff and a new regime that he's had to go through over his time while with the Raiders, you know, from grudin to McDaniels to Pierce, to Pete Carroll. He's been through coaches. He's been through all of it. And I can sympathize with him. I mean, I was with the Raiders for five years and I played for four coaches. So, I know where the frustration had come in. But the organization is in a great spot right now that they were able to get him to a place that makes him happy. But more importantly, also gets the organization some draft capital to rebuild the Raiders and two of a model franchise. Yeah, Kirk, to your point, Max Crosby in his seven years with the Oakland

3:02and the Las Vegas Raiders play for five different head coaches and had four different general managers. So a lot of shuffling there and it felt like to your point, he was done with going through another rebuild but talked to us about what happened towards the end of the season, the decision to shut him down and not let him play on that knee injury. Like, how differently do you think maybe this plays out if they don't shut him down towards the end of the season or do you still think that this was going to end with the Max Crosby trade? Yeah, I think it was probably going to end with the Max Crosby trade. I think a lot of that is kind of blown up but Max is a warrior. He wanted to be out there and playing but it was honestly no reason for him to be at risk for the next season. So it was a lot of possibilities that came up about why should you play? I'm sure you're not. But let's be honest, Max Crosby is your most valuable asset, your most valuable player on this roster. I don't want to put him out on the field in a couple of games that really didn't matter

4:03for the season in terms of the Redders aren't going to make the playoffs. He had a knee injury since the Kansas City game earlier in the season at Kansas City and he was going to require surgery already. So the Raiders just said, you know what? We're going to shut you down, get surgery, get healthy. And honestly, I think he's going to work out for both sides. It really will. I know it's kind of getting blown up about, oh well, the, you know, last season, when that last part of the season shut him down, he was really upset. I get both sides of it. And at the end of the day, Max is going to be in a much better place for him right now currently than maybe being in Las Vegas. What do you think of the package and what maybe some other teams and, you know, there was talk about the Micah Parsons package, which was what a couple of first runners and a premium player. So how do you feel about sort of valuating the Micah Parsons package versus the Max Crosby package? I mean, the Raiders got two first round picks. I mean, you've got now the Raiders

5:03have four first round picks. Think about it in the next two drafts. That's a lot of draft capital. So it's kind of funny that you want to root for Max because you know, he's a Raider for life, but yet he's now in Baltimore. And so I want his success. But now I kind of cheer that the Ravens don't have success. So we can turn that other first round pick into a high, high draft choice. You know what I'm saying with our own pick. So, but let the deal was the deal. You got Max Crosby. You got two, I mean, they got Max Crosby. We got multiple first round picks. And you also got some cap flexibility with now the money that the Baltimore Raiders are going to take on. So this has been, I think, the right decision for the Raiders is the right decision for Max Crosby. These situations are tough. It's the same thing like you mentioned Michael Parsons in Green Bay. It was a tough decision for Dallas to have to come to. But they feel like they're in a better situation

6:03or a position to do some things in the future. They put their money on the offensive side and they didn't invest defensively. It was crazy to hear that they were in on the Max Crosby deal and you're after letting Michael Parsons go. But that's just the way that this league is. Man, it is a year-to-year, a week-to-week, game-to-game type of league. And so things can change pretty quickly. But you know, Baltimore right now has put themselves in a good position to go out there and win and be a contender. But they got to go prove it. And for the Raiders, I think the arrow was pointing up. This was a four-win team a year ago. And I just don't see that being this 2026. I think they got a lot of money, a lot of cap and draft picks that change this thing around. And really, I think put themselves in the thick of the NFL. Kirk, I'm not breaking any news to you. But Raider fans have seen this play out before when the Raiders traded away Kalil Mack. And then of course, John Gruden had the famous quote. It's hard to find a great pass rusher after trading away Kalil Mack.

7:05So to your point, what the draft picks that they now have acquired, do you think maybe this changes the draft strategy at all for the Raiders? Like are they still locked into Fernando Mendoza number one overall or maybe now do they go Arvel Reese and think about maybe trying to get a quarterback in the free agent market or later on in the draft? Who would you draft the one overall? You know, now that Max has gone, I might go Arvel Reese. Like I was all in on Fernando Mendoza, but I know how hard it is to find a generational pass rusher. Yeah, you will never be a GM too, brother. Yeah, I hear you, Kirk. I hear you. That's funny. Hey, that's great, that's great radio talk, buddy. Yeah, but if you want to put your stuff in Arvel Reese, go ahead. I mean, no offense to one of my great teammates, man, a buddy of mine, but Mario Williams was a draft pick. Remember a couple years, God, how long was Mario Williams drafted ago? But he was drafted in front of Reggie Bush. And remember the general manager who drafted him, yeah, that's why he's no longer a general manager. It is hard to draft, I mean, generational pass rusher.

8:09And look, I think Arvel Reese is an outstanding football player, but we know what the quarterback position means in the NFL, especially the number one overall pick, even in a first round pick. If you look at the playoffs last year, fellas, all the quarterbacks in the playoffs were first round picks. It's up for two. Brock Purdy, obviously, one of them. And then the other was Jalen Hertz. And he was a high second round pick. This league is going to be about quarterbacks. It was be about pass ruskers. But it's quarterback first. And then go out and try to find the generational pass rusher. Which what you're seeing is what? Teams trade or they go get them in free agency, like Parsons, like Crosby. But you're only able to do that when you think you have the quarterback secure. Jordan Love is secure. Dick, that press got a secure. And I think the rate is to be secure with their quarterbacks election coming up in his draft. Well, Kirk, let me follow up on that then, because the criticism on Fernando Mendoza has been, look, he's not a Joe Burrow or an Andrew Luck or even a Caleb Williams.

9:09He's not that type of generational prospect. So where do you put Fernando Mendoza? Is he worth the number one overall pick? I mean, the Raiders are beggars. They can't be choosers. But like in comparison to the number one overall picks that we've seen in recent years, what is Joe Burrow one? Nothing. Okay, what is Brock Purdy one? I mean, let's just start going to these. He's not a generational quarterback. Okay, well, tell me, because two of his guy released. Kyle Murray just got released. Josh Allen, you gave him the world and he ain't one that yet. We talk about what a prayer can't be, but I could say what a player can be. And I say that Indiana was a team that or a university that nobody cared about unless they played basketball. Now they're national champions. He's a guy that brings, he uplifts and for people in the Bay Area, you saw him at Cal. And what he was able to do as a starter for a couple of seasons, really put that team, I thought on the map. And then all of a sudden, now he goes to Indiana and changes that I look at his attributes, his traits.

10:10And the me, the guy is, I just, I fell in love with the guy a long time ago because I know what he likes to do. He likes to practice hard. He likes to know the why. He uplifts his teammates. I think that for all the attributes that some say he doesn't have, I think he makes up for it with effort, tenacity and just grit and love it again. When you really need care, you need 24-7 access to a care team, not a maze of paperwork from a third party. Every day, America's hospitals and health systems show up for you, navigating healthcare can feel overwhelming, but you can count on real doctors, real nurses, real people, providing quality around the clock care when you need it most. They're in your corner. In communities across America, your neighbors, your lifelines, write beside you, holding your hand and helping find answers. That's what putting patients first to actually means. Learn more at strengthinhealthcare.org. Brought to you by the Coalition to Strength in America's Healthcare. Listen up, Redwood City residents. Your City Council is calling on you to make your voice heard. The city is seeking passionate individuals

11:11to serve on various advisory boards, commissions and committees. Multiple positions are available on the Arts Commission, Library Board, Planning Commission, and other important advisory bodies. Many positions are open to residents as young as 16. All voices are welcome because diversity strengthens our community. Ready to make a difference? Find out more and apply today at redwoodcity.org-vcc. That's redwoodcity.org-vcc. On Saturday, March 28th, Habaslaw is covering the adoption fees for every dog and cat at the San Jose Animal Care Center. Wonderful pets are waiting for someone just like you. If you've been thinking about bringing a pet into your life, this is your moment. Join Habaslaw in the San Jose Animal Care Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2750 Monterey Road in San Jose. Come meet your new best friend. Give a loving animal the second chance they deserve. Get details at the San Jose Animal Care Center website. Man, it's interesting times, man. The Raiders trading away Max Crosby, Kirk Morrison, here for us. This is the last one for you. Just how do you feel the general thing about just Tom Brady?

12:13I know you're in the building now. You're doing Raiders Radio and everything. And you know, it's funny. Raiders fans have a complicated relationship with Tom Brady, right? That's going back to that snowy night in New England. So just your feeling on having him in the building is he, you know, he's not there a lot. I don't know what you read on sort of his influence on Mark Davis and the organization. I mean, to do this intense, man, every time we talk and he just wants to win. Like he's like put himself in the situation where if you ever thought if Tom Brady was a competitor or not, this is now the next feat. I kind of compare it to most recently looking at the joy that Michael Jordan has and being a NASCAR driver, not driver, I'm sorry, owner. And the joy that he gets in competing and winning week in and week out. Tom Brady realizes that I can't run out the tunnel anymore.

13:15But I can be impactful in helping this organization win. And I'm a part of it as an owner. And his intensity that he brings to practice just watching him or even talking with him, he is all ball like seriously. Like we sit in terms of conversations where I practice and train again. Like what do you see? What do you think? And he'll tell you like we are this guy's going to be good. I like this guy. I like this guy here. Do you know what I'm going to be listening to that? So we've had these conversations. I know that he's all in. But he's more of a sounding board. And he has a decision maker, right? He's a guy that's going to give his opinion. But this is all John Spitex. This is all John Spitex doing. But he's got some guys around him like Brady. Who give him some great information? If he could have some checks and balances as well. Yeah, Kirk Morrison is the voice you hear. And obviously he's a really, really, really interesting time. Good stuff on Brady, good stuff on Max Crosby. And it's too bad you're not going to hire my partner here as a GM. Yeah, he's a visionary.

14:18Who knows? Oh, yeah. Hey, man, if you want to go down with our bill, obviously, I think he's going to be a great football player. But this league is about quarterbacks, man. Yeah, it is. It'll be fun. Here's, yeah, it will. It's good stuff. Let's carry it on when we get to the draft, Kirk. It's great here in your voice. Obviously, a product of the Bay Area and love for the Raiders runs deep. Thanks for hopping on with Murphy Marcus and have a good one. Yeah, thanks, Kirk. All right. No, all good guys. Appreciate it. Thanks for the time. Yeah, Kirk Morrison, Bishop. Oh, dad, did he convince you? Allow you to come in. I mean, this is a guy who wore the freaking jersey now. Yeah, you're talking to a guy that head is jersey growing up also. So, wow, yeah, I have a Kirk Morrison jersey. Wow. Yeah, maybe I should have told him that before my take on taking our bill, Reese the one overall. Well, it's not like our bill, Reese is a bomb. It's not like a terrible thing. Let me ask you, like from a prospect perspective, who do you think has a higher ceiling? Who do you think is more of a generational type talent? Well, I feel Reese or Fernando Mendoza. Well, it's two different questions because the other thing is, is the NFL quarterbacks leading without question. But like, we've talked about the possibility of parent, like a Kyler Murray with the Raiders.

15:19Like, you give me Kyler Murray and R. Vell Reese instead of Fernando Mendoza. I'll think about it at least. These NFL Franceses are always looking for that QB to build around. But how about this stat, dude? How about this stat? Did I say this one on the air or off the air? I forgot. You said this off the air and I'll say on air. ESPN stats an info, according to Mike Tannenbaum. Okay, ready for this? With Kyler Murray's release, he is the seventh straight quarterback, drafted first overall by his team, who didn't make the age of 30 with that team. Whoa! That is a startling stat, and you're about to draft a quarterback. You're saying this is bad news for Fernando? I mean, Mike, go on to Reese. What a stat to hear her right when you're about to take a QB. The last one to do it was Matt Stafford. Great. The last one was Matt Stafford. Let's just end this show. Oh, you were another out. You were singing for Nando after the BCS, the CFP championship. I was.

16:19I was. That's when I had Max Crosby line. I'm going through a lot of motions. And look, you're not the only person who's asked me about why I'm so passionate about Max Crosby. They're like, oh, water boy, you had Max Crosby last year and you only won three games. Yes, I understand that. But Max Crosby, that's all I have to do. It's all I have. It's all I have. It's all I have. It's all I have. Well, the jersey, the greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Don't forget when it's all said and done. The greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Yeah, hopefully they don't drop their other Damon Arnett. All right, guys, hey, we're getting close to 90 and the good legal negotiating window. Let's see if something breaks next on these sports leaders. It's all I have. Listen up, Redwood City residents. Your city council is calling on you to make your voice heard. The city is seeking passionate individuals to serve on various advisory boards, commissions, and committees. Multiple positions are available on the Arts Commission, Library Board, Planning Commission, and other important advisory bodies. Many positions are open to residents as young as 16.

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