What We're Learning About the Raiders Defense at OTAs

Is It Actually Better If Fernando Mendoza Sits?

Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER Is the best thing for Fernando Mendoza and the Raiders' season actually not playing him right away? On this episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick takes a deep dive into the Raiders' quarterback situation and explores whether Raiders fans should actually be rooting for Kirk Cousins to keep Fernando Mendoza on the bench early in the season. Jesse also examines historical trends involving No. 1 overall quarterbacks and how the following season pans out for teams that play them. Plus: - What we learned from Episode 1 of Behind the Shield - Why the Raiders may finally be out of purgatory - Why the Stefon Diggs-to-Raiders narrative still doesn't make sense - Keyron Crawford's fit in Rob Leonard's defense CHAPTERS LIST 00:00 IS IT BETTER FOR LV IF MENDOZA SITS? 11:30 TAKEAWAYS FROM BEHIND THE SHIELD: EP. 1 17:39 STEFON DIGGS & WR CONVERSATION 26:44 WATCHING KEYRON CRAWFORD  Subscribe for more Raiders coverage Silver & Black Sports Network FREE Raiders Newsletterhttps://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com Follow SBSN:X: S / jessesbsn Instagram: u / silverandblacksportsnetwork TikTok: b / silverandblacksportsnet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... #raiders #raidersreport #RaiderNation #FernandoMendoza #KirkCousins #LasVegasRaiders #KlintKubiak #StefonDiggs #RobLeonard #NFL #SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Jason Horowitz Breaks Down the New-Look Raiders

Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SBSN [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0hfRVRzY0hya3hoVm9FLVpqMEhKNXd5UDJzZ3xBQ3Jtc0trVVk5OXB6X2FUQ01jaWltR1JmY19BREUyekk4cm5jdklNcU9vbEdzS1MzdFNYVjhlY2U5ekV1U0dYQWpWM1RhTy1oMk8xM1RGcUNDd1NkTkZULVJjamJaNHFUMm45bEFqMWpjSHd3X1JXak5aNHJ4QQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fseatgeek.onelink.me%2FRrnK%2FSBSN&v=GOxiVuZaVQk] Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount The Voice of the Raiders is back on the show. Jason Horowitz joins me after getting his first look at the Raiders during minicamp, and one phrase kept coming up throughout our conversation… This team feels different. We dive into Klint Kubiak's no-nonsense approach, Kirk Cousins' impact on the quarterback room, Fernando Mendoza's development, the offensive line battles, and why this defense could become one of the most versatile groups we've seen in Silver and Black in years. Plus, we discuss some under-the-radar players that could make a major impact this season. 🏴‍☠️ Topics discussed: * Why the Raiders have a different vibe this year * Klint Kubiak's approach behind the scenes * Kirk Cousins' leadership and fit with the offense * Fernando Mendoza's development * Jalen Nailor and the wide receiver room * Ashton Jeanty's role in this offense * Offensive line competitions to watch * Kwity Paye, Quay Walker & Nakobe Dean * How Rob Leonard could reshape the defense CHAPTERS 00:00 What's Different Under Kubiak 08:14 What Kirk Cousins is Showing 11:03 Fernando Mendoza: The Future of the Franchise 17:03 Analyzing the RB/WR Room 25:13 Offensive Line Competition 28:51 Defensive Versatility and Key Players 33:01 DB Room Breakdown Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2pNc0RDdGxzUUh2cXg0cUg5MGFDdmVrVENfUXxBQ3Jtc0trRkJLOHo4SllnZmVjNXMwSG43M2ppWnVNS3kzLThiN3IzNlpHWk1jb29mSEFTbW54dWk5RFFJNWlMWTFPdUdNS0U1Q2V6eUV1djBMUXZUeUVUNGtUYjBGb1NvMF8xbE4tN0NfdEg0QTZyaGJQbEVrRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flink.prizepicks.com%2FLME0%2FSILVER&v=IktlHgOK24I] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Raiders Minicamp Day 2: The Good, Bad & Interesting

Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFh1ODBxTjhkRzBxT2lyTGl3YTZZVWdKTjdmd3xBQ3Jtc0trT1RFMmp1amJIdmVZbnpPcDhxaTRuNF80N21lanZZaEZRQk10bUNpMlo2QU4xelFYN1VzaGtSRzhXdTRpUldzeXhVMTEtV01MRktQZERjblBhZ2o3R05wUFRNeVNscU1zZ1FjLW55MUtLUUcyaS1Lcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Flink.prizepicks.com%2FLME0%2FSILVER&v=Ag1nYlkuwEQ] Raiders minicamp is in the books, and we're starting to get a much clearer picture of what this team is becoming. In this episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick and former Raiders wide receiver Ryan Hoag break down everything they saw from practice at Raiders Headquarters on Wednesday, including Fernando Mendoza's up-and-down day, Kirk Cousins' continued command of the offense, and some important clues about how Klint Kubiak wants this offense to operate.  🏴‍☠️ Fernando Mendoza's development and why rookie mistakes are part of the process 🏴‍☠️ Kirk Cousins' impressive anticipation and leadership 🏴‍☠️ Why the Raiders packed so many reps into practice 🏴‍☠️ The latest on the offensive line and key position battles 🏴‍☠️ Malcolm Koonce's role in Rob Leonard's defense 🏴‍☠️ Quay Walker's versatility and how that changes things 🏴‍☠️ The latest on Nakobe Dean 🏴‍☠️ Connor Heyward's intriguing fit in Klint Kubiak's offense Plus, Ryan Hoag shares his observations from his first look at the 2026 Raiders and explains what stood out most during Day 2 of minicamp.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Kirk Cousins' Performance and Leadership 04:19 "Backup Day" 07:26 Mendoza and O'Connell 12:15 Analyzing the OL 29:16 More Practice Takeaways 34:06 Versatility Throughout the defense 44:16 Connor Hayward an interesting piece #Raiders #RaiderNation #FernandoMendoza #KirkCousins #RaidersMinicamp #KlintKubiak #MalcolmKoonce #NFL #LasVegasRaiders #SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Raiders Minicamp Day 1: Biggest Takeaways

Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SBSN [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbV9oWXM0ZGpiaGpwRnQ1OXAxTERtTlBOWXh2UXxBQ3Jtc0trbUVaRXIzZTN2MWtJLV8yY0QwSllldnZjMmNnMnlYNkpIcXJBMjJISXpHMVN2WmNLOWlQeFZWRmo2aFJlY1Zyd0dsN25xNmFjdmpSMWo4OFRNLThrNE9ZSGR4bGFsS3NWdmwya092U3Z5RzRwcHRldw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fseatgeek.onelink.me%2FRrnK%2FSBSN&v=-z08j4Clrj4] Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount Day 1 of Raiders minicamp is in the books, and we're starting to learn even more about Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins, and the direction of this football team. In this episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick breaks down the biggest takeaways from practice after spending the day at Raiders Headquarters. We dive into Fernando Mendoza's development, Kirk Cousins' leadership, the quarterback room dynamic, and what coaches and players are saying about the future of the offense.  🏴‍☠️ Fernando Mendoza's growth under center 🏴‍☠️ Kirk Cousins' impact on the QB room 🏴‍☠️ Why coaches keep praising Mendoza's approach 🏴‍☠️ New developments on the offensive line 🏴‍☠️ The latest on Nakobe Dean 🏴‍☠️ Ashton Jeanty and the running backs 🏴‍☠️ Defensive standouts and minicamp observations 🏴‍☠️ What we heard from Mike McCoy, Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, and Aidan O'Connell Plus, Jesse shares his firsthand observations from practice and explains why the Raiders continue to be encouraged by what they're seeing from their quarterback of the future.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Raiders Minicamp Day 1 01:57 Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza 11:22 Non QB Takeaways from Practice 27:04 What Stood out on the Podium Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2NIU2MwMVZOMkVPMmpRcmRtU04ydkMzRzhwQXxBQ3Jtc0tsS25lQnZzVF9uNzBLWnlvaGw5QVh0WHpaT2gwU1ZUeTZ0WHRqdFhEMjU3Vy1TMUdfdm9PemFhSE4xUWlqYkFwNkVEejZIRTh6d0Q3RTZ5TGxGZzIyR2lBOXJvSXNCTEh2NDd3MlZ6TjJFcFdBVUhUOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Flink.prizepicks.com%2FLME0%2FSILVER&v=-z08j4Clrj4] #Raiders #RaiderNation #FernandoMendoza #KirkCousins #AidanOConnell #AshtonJeanty #NFL #LasVegasRaiders #RaidersMinicamp #SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Are the Raiders Finally Getting It Right?

Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUNBQnF3NGhCMlQ4Ym5mSzFtLWhtWVhSc21jUXxBQ3Jtc0trellaZjhIUDVuWkk1N0F1OEtGQU5EYnkwOGJyYktmVlpwcW1DMzdEWGRrU1BCandTdDR6dHhyMnpzeV9QMVhrcDhPcWNQS2tpX0VTS19QRi03bExpY0ZVbTlKYWJ4NEZNUWtSbXpMV1puSEFPR05kZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Flink.prizepicks.com%2FLME0%2FSILVER&v=iHrM8l21oqc] For the first time in a long time, there's real optimism surrounding the Raiders. With Fernando Mendoza in the fold, Kirk Cousins helping bring him along, Klint Kubiak running the offense, and Rob Leonard reshaping the defense, the Raiders look very different than the team that finished last season. In this episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick is joined by former Raiders wide receiver Ryan Hoag for a big-picture breakdown of where this team stands heading into mandatory minicamp.  🏴‍☠️ Fernando Mendoza's development and situation 🏴‍☠️ Why Kirk Cousins may be the perfect mentor 🏴‍☠️ Klint Kubiak's offensive system 🏴‍☠️ Brock Bowers' massive potential 🏴‍☠️ Michael Mayer's role in 12 and 13 personnel 🏴‍☠️ The Raiders' wide receiver room 🏴‍☠️ Rob Leonard's defensive vision 🏴‍☠️ Taron Johnson's impact on the secondary 🏴‍☠️ How the 3-4 defense could evolve 🏴‍☠️ Ryan Hoag's latest "Hoag's Hot Takes" CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Offseason Overview 04:46 Kirk Cousins and His Impact on Fernando Mendoza 09:48 Klint Kubiak's Impact on the Offense 12:36 Breaking Down the WR Room 15:41 Importance of 12 & 13 Personnel 28:03 Assessing the Offensive Line's Strengths and Weaknesses 32:02 Transitioning to a 3-4 Defense: Key Considerations 37:39 The Importance of Versatile Safeties in a Modern Defense 41:37 "Hoag's Hot Takes" #Raiders #RaiderNation #FernandoMendoza #KirkCousins #BrockBowers #TaronJohnson #RobLeonard #NFL #LasVegasRaiders #SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].