KIRK COUSINS FINALLY HAD ENOUGH: THE RAIDERS DEMONSTRATE A TOUGH ATTITUDE IN SEARCH OF IDENTITY

If you’re looking for a sign that the Las Vegas Raiders might actually have some damn fight in them this year, I think we found it. And apparently, that fight comes with a side order of Kirk Cousins getting furious at Maxx Crosby.

Yes, you read that correctly. Kirk Cousins. The same Kirk Cousins who usually looks like he’s about to politely ask the defense if they could please stop rushing him because he has a meeting at 3.

Well, apparently Kirk has entered his “DON’T TOUCH ME AGAIN” era. During Friday’s training camp practice, Raiders superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby hit Cousins not once but TWICE during the team period.

The second time Crosby got into Cousins’ arm, Kirk apparently decided that enough was enough. Cousins got right in Crosby’s face, grabbed his jersey, and the two started exchanging words before teammates stepped in and broke it up.

Now, before everybody starts acting like the Raiders just reenacted the final scene of Fight Club, let's pump the brakes. Nobody needs to be throwing punches at practice. But you know what I DO want to see? COMPETITION. I want players pissed off. I want players getting after each other. I want guys fighting for every inch. Because the Raiders have had enough seasons where watching them felt like attending a corporate seminar called: “How To Lose A Football Game In 14 Different Ways.”

Maxx Crosby has never exactly been confused with Mr. Rogers. The man practices football like somebody stole his lunch money. And the Raiders coaching staff apparently warned Crosby before camp that he needs to be careful about hitting the quarterback. Crosby basically said, Yeah, I understand. Then apparently his brain said, “LOL. Anyway…”

Crosby has admitted this isn't exactly new for him. Going all the way back to his college days at Eastern Michigan, he was known for practicing with so much intensity that head coach Chris Creighton occasionally had to kick him out of practice. THAT is Maxx Crosby. The dude doesn't have an off switch. He has a “WHERE'S THE QUARTERBACK?” switch. And apparently Kirk Cousins found that switch Friday.

Cousins didn't back down. Instead, he stood up for himself, and according to tight end Michael Mayer, that's exactly what you want from your quarterback. “You want him to defend your team.” THAT'S RIGHT. I don't care if it's training camp. I don't care if it's August. I don't care if they're wearing shells, pads, helmets or freaking pajamas. If your quarterback is getting popped twice and just walks away like nothing happened, I'm going to have questions. You want your quarterback to have some fire. You want your quarterback to tell his teammates, “You hit me again and we're going to have a problem.” That's leadership. And apparently, Cousins has had that edge since the moment he arrived in Vegas.

Now, this wasn't the only episode of “Raiders Training Camp: WWE Edition.” Defensive lineman Jonah Laulu also punched second-year right guard Caleb Rogers earlier in practice. So apparently Friday's practice came with free entertainment.The Raiders didn't need to hire a DJ. They didn't need a halftime show. They just needed Maxx Crosby and a football.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said these things are part of camp, but he also made it clear that his players have to be smart. And he's absolutely right. There's a difference between playing with passion and being stupid. You don't want somebody getting suspended or injured because two guys decided training camp was UFC 312.

But here's the biggest takeaway: I LIKE THE ATTITUDE. The Raiders have been searching for an identity. They need toughness. They need accountability. They need players who aren't willing to get pushed around. And if that means Maxx Crosby occasionally has to be reminded that Kirk Cousins is wearing the same jersey as him, so be it. Because here's the thing: I'd rather have a team that needs to be told to CALM DOWN than a team that needs to be told to WAKE UP.

The Raiders are showing some emotion. They're competing. They're getting after each other. And most importantly, they're showing that they're willing to fight. Just maybe save the actual punches for somebody wearing a different uniform. Because if Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins are already ready to fight each other in August, then I can't wait to see what happens when the Raiders start playing somebody they actually hate.