Michigan's own: Why Raiders' Maxx Crosby 'cannot wait' for first game at Ford Field on Monday night

Monday night's prime-time showdown between the Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) and Detroit Lions (5-2) is more than just a battle between two teams looking to put ugly Week 7 losses behind them. It's a homecoming for one of the most ferocious pass rushers in the league, Maxx Crosby.

"I cannot wait," Crosby said in a phone interview with NFL Media on Saturday. "That's all I can say."

Crosby, who was born in Michigan before he and his family moved to Texas when he was 11 years old, said he was a "die-hard" Lions fan growing up. He returned to his home state to play college ball at Eastern Michigan before being picked by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 106th overall selection, Crosby was on the board for each of the Lions' first three picks in that draft. Detroit instead opted for T.J. Hockenson (Round 1), Jahlani Tavai (Round 2) and Will Harris (Round 3).

"I wouldn't say I was mad," he said, describing how he felt when his childhood team passed on him in the draft. "But, I remember everything. I remember everything. Let's just leave it at that."

The Raiders faced the Lions during Crosby's rookie year in Oakland, winning 31-24, but Monday night will be his first time playing at Ford Field.

The two-time Pro Bowler is the only Raider with more than one sack this season (he has 6.5) and has at least half a sack in five consecutive games -- the longest streak of his career. His relentlessness and production have gained the attention of many around the league, including Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

"[Crosby] is the most disruptive defensive player we've played all year to this point," Campbell said during Thursday's news conference.

With the help of the Raiders' strength and conditioning team, including Rick Slate