HENDERSON, Nev. -- For Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll, part of establishing a culture is laying down the foundational pieces.
Las Vegas did so when it gave defensive end Maxx Crosby a long-term extension. Shortly after making Crosby one of the highest paid non-quarterbacks in league history, the Raiders traded for Geno Smith and eventually gave him a two-year extension to secure their franchise signal caller.
"Getting Maxx signed for a long term to show commitment to one of the great competitors in the game was one step of it," Carroll said.