Carl Nassib likes everything about his new home in Las Vegas except for being behind the wheel.

I have to drive like Vin Diesel in `Fast and Furious to stay alive, the Raiders defensive end said Thursday via Zoom teleconference. Craziest drivers Ive ever seen in my life.

If Nassib can drive like he plays football, he wont lack for effort. Nassib knows only one speed, so assume hell be cutting across lanes of traffic on two wheels if thats what it takes to reach his destination.

Its that quality that drew the Raiders to Nassib during free agency, as they shelled out a reported guarantee of $17 million in a three-year contract worth a maximum value of $25 million.

Well, that plus the fact that hes 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds.

Want to know why the Raiders didnt pursue Yannick Ngakoue and havent made a move toward the available Jadeveon Clowney? Because they believe putting Nassib on the edge is the antidote to a mediocre pass rush even if he spends as many defensive snaps on the sideline as he does on the field.

Over the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nassib played in a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker. Sometimes he rushed while standing up. Sometimes he put two hands on the ground and split wide. He even chased receivers downfield on occasion and broke up the occasional pass.

Nassibs leap-off-the-screen effort level made him a fan favorite, even as he realized his role with the Bucs wasnt necessarily suited to his strengths.

Im really excited to be playing the position I feel like Im meant to play, being a 4-3 D-end, Nassib said. I have my hand in the dirt I had to make a lot of adjustments going to outside linebacker.

The signing for the Raiders was viewed in some circles as a reach. Nassib had 12 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons in Tampa Bay, playing roughly half the snaps. The Raiders made him their highest-paid defensive lineman at an average salary of $8.33 million per year.

But given the going rate for edge players, it wasnt really out of line. Nassib will be getting about half what the No. 10 player at his position receives. Considering how hard Nassib competes, being an every down player would reduce his effectiveness rather than enhance it.

All of which makes Nassib perfect for the philosophy of new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who values effort and hustle above all else. Both Nassib and second-year end Maxx Crosby are off the charts in terms of getting after it, a quality they believe can create a ripple effect amongst the front four.

I guess you could say its contagious, Nassib said. I personally would say its a standard that (Marinelli) sets, and he does not waver off the standard.

The Raiders system should keep Nassibs snap count about where it was with the Bucs, subbing in and out with Crosby, Clelin Ferrell and Arden Key as outside rushers, with Ferrell moving inside on occasion along with Maliek Collins Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst and Daniel Ross.

While the Raiders improved their pass rush a year ago, going from an appalling 13 sacks to 32, the fact is their jump was from 32nd to a tie for 25th. Theyre still 15 to 20 sacks from being truly formidable. This years opposition includes Patrick Mahomes (twice), Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers, all looking to prey upon a young secondary but needing the time to succeed.

Thus the Raiders are hoping for a centipede effect and fresh legs to apply pressure.

You dont want any dropoff, Nassib said. You want to consistently get after it, consistently pressure. I think were going to do that here.

Nassib, 27, has a prove it mentality borne of being an angular 6-foot-6, 218-pound walk-on at Penn State, before ascending to a scholarship and then being honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in college football.

A third-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, Nassib was inexplicably cut after two seasons, the second of which the Browns were 0-16.

Tampa Bay claimed Nassib on waivers, and once there he formed an opinion of Jon Gruden from a distance.

I never had met him personally but playing in Tampa, you hear about him, Nassib said. The whole town still loves him.

Gruden, combined with Marinelli, a better scheme fit and a huge paycheck, turned out to be a winning hand.

The cards all matched up and Im really happy to be here, Nassib said.

Speaking of cards, Nassib isnt much for games of chance while residing in a city that is famous for them. When it comes to money, Nassib is all about compounding interest, and he even gained a measure of fame on HBOs Hard Knocks with the Browns for giving his teammates a seminar on camera. Hes attempted to educate some of his Raiders teammates as well.

I hate gambling, Nassib said. Ive given little spreadsheets, one-page documents, to teammates, just the basics, and Ive had multiple conversations. I love it. I love hearing about that kind of stuff. Its not about how much you earn its about how much you save.

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Raiders driving force Carl Nassib feels at home with his hand in the dirt - The Mercury News