Raiders MLB Spillane on Taking on Bigger Role

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane is a veteran in a young linebacker room.

The Las Vegas Raiders signed linebacker Robert Spillane to a two-year contract during free agency in March.

Spillane comes over from the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent the previous four seasons and posted 191 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and eight passes defended.

Now 28 years old, Spillane joins a Raiders team with a few young linebackers. After spending four years in Pittsburgh surrounded by veterans at that position, Spillane has a chance to be that veteran for this Raiders’ linebacker group.

Spillane addressed the media at training camp and spoke about how he prepares himself physically and mentally to take on a bigger role with the Raiders.

“Yeah, I mean it just comes down to leadership, showing guys what we want to be as a defense,” Spillane said. “And not just by talking in the meetings, going out there and practicing every day, showing that effort, showing the attack on the football. I’m going to keep reiterating that because that’s the main point of emphasis for me and I want the guys around me ball hungry. I mean, good players make 100 tackles, they might get a contract the next year, they might not. If you are a linebacker with five-plus turnovers, you’re going to be in this league a long time. So, I’m telling guys to find ways to get that ball out and make plays.”

Spillane brought up a point that safety Marcus Epps also spoke about, which is forcing turnovers, something the Raiders’ defense did not do much last season. It is clear they are looking to increase those numbers in 2023.

Spillane also talked about being a leader and rallying the players around him to have the same relentless mentality as he does, as having all the defenders on the same page, displaying a tenacity for the football can improve the defensive unit as a whole.

Spillane has an opportunity to come to the Raiders and be a vocal leader, as he has been surrounded by great linebackers throughout his career. With some young talent around him, Spillane is hoping to lead the unit in the right direction.

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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