Tyrell Crosby: Nasty on the field, a conscience off of it

The New York Giants can use help on their offensive line. Everybody who has paid any attention knows that. They can also use quality people to freshen the air in a locker room that turned toxic during a 3-13 2017 season.

Oregon offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby, who spoke with Big Blue View via phone recently, could provide them with both.

Playing left tackle for the Ducks last season, Crosby surrendered just three quarterback pressures all season. He allowed no sacks or quarterback hits. Crosby is considered an excellent trap blocker in the running game who excels at getting to the second level. One scout told me “anyone who sees film on this guy recognizes that he’s the best trap blocking OT since Walter Jones,” and added that “Crosby has the best lateral moves on the planet.”

Crosby told me he was aware of his sack-less streak during the season, but tried not to think about it. He said it wasn’t until after the Senior Bowl that “it really hit me how awesome an accomplishment that is.”

Throughout most of the draft process, Crosby has been considered a likely Day 2 selection. That’s how Chris pegged Crosby a month ago in his prospect profile, writing “Crosby probably isn’t a player they would want to count on to immediately fill one of of their tackle spots. However, if he happens to slip to the mid-rounds, he could be a high-upside player with the potential to develop into a starter with a bit of work.”

Crosby’s performance at the NFL Combine, though, could have pushed him into the conversation as a late-Day 1 pick. Football Game Plan’s Emory Hunt considers Crosby the best offensive tackle in this class.

NFL Draft Scout says:

Crosby may not be well known outside of the Pac-12 but offensive line enthusiasts will appreciate his intimidating girth and power in the running game, where he often simply rag-dolled opponents. Given his success on the left tackle, Crosby deserves an opportunity to remain on the blindside, though his bulk and physicality suggest that a move back to right tackle or even inside at guard could be in the forecast.

Crosby was one of 21 nominees for the Lombardi Award, which is “based on performance, leadership, character and resiliency,” per the Lombardi Foundation.

Crosby’s Oregon teammates appreciate the work the big man does for them. Running back Royce Freeman, likely a mid-round pick in the upcoming draft, had this to say:

“He’s been blocking his butt off, man,” Freeman said of Crosby after rushing for 122 yards and two touchdowns during the Ducks’ dominant win over Oregon State in the regular-season finale. “If you ask me he’s one of the best, if not the best, tackles in the country. He gives everything he has every Saturday for us.

“I’ve seen that for four years and I’m really just appreciative to have him as a teammate and a blocker for me.”

Why bring that up in the context of this piece? Because taking care of his teammates and earning their respect is important to Crosby, and it’s a trait that should be valued.

“It means a lot, especially from teammates. Those are the guys I’m around, those are the guys who I trust to keep me safe and who they trust to keep them safe. when we’re on the field or at practice. Even off the field, make sure everyone’s safe, taken care of,” Crosby said. “Having them say that kind of stuff is an awesome feeling, just that your teammates have the respect for you that they do.”

Crosby said he will carry that desire to earn the respect of his peers into an NFL locker room.

“Going in as a rookie you really want to gain the respect of the older people, the guys that have been there,” Crosby said. “You’ve gotta just put your head down and work and show them that you’re there to make the team better. Just earn their respect through time. Just don’t get in there acting too cocky.

“Having the respect of your team is huge.”

The 6-foot-4 5/8, 325-pound Crosby wants to use the platform provided by being an NFL player to impact lives. He showed that conscience by wearing the No. 58 in Oregon’s bowl game to honor the 58 victims killed outside a casino during a Las Vegas music festival.

“I just knew it was my last game and I just really want to represent where I’m from. I knew that that concert and the shooting that happened will always be a historical thing in Vegas. I just wanted to use it as a symbol, pay my respect for the 58 people that lost their lives and their families,” said Crosby, a Nevada native.

Crosby said he is passionate about “trying to affect people in a positive way.”

“If I can change one person in their life I feel like that’s a huge thing. I just want to be a positive role model for all those around me, especially the community, and just give back as much as I can,” he said. “The platform that you’re given, so many people look up to you, esp. Young kids. I feel like it’s wrong not to utilize the platform you have to better someone else’s life.”

As nice a guy as he appears to be off the field, describing himself as “super nice, friendly, respectful,” Crosby is known for being a punishing blocker on the field.

“On the field if you’re wearing the opposite color as me I’m going to try to rip your head off each play,” Crosby said. “I’m going to finish, play nasty and just really get after you.”

Could Crosby be bringing that demeanor to the Giants?