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The 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders head to the Superdome as 3.5-point underdogs. The New Orleans Saints team they're facing just came back from 14-3 down to beat the Ravens in Baltimore. On this week's radio show from 101.5 KDWN, Scott Gulbransen starts with Brock Bowers back at practice after his meniscus trim. Klint Kubiak called it day-to-day the whole way, and he was right. Scott explains why Bowers' snap share on Sunday will tell you more than the injury report. He also isn't backing off his wide receiver take, even with Kirk Cousins throwing six touchdowns in two games.

Segment two is the Raiders defense. It's first in the NFL in EPA per play and first against the run, with eight sacks from six different players and a takeaway on about one of every five drives. The linebackers are the best group since 2002, and missed tackles are way down. Tyler Shough doesn't turn the ball over, though, so the pass rush has to carry this one. With Kelvin Banks on IR, Maxx Crosby should see plenty of the Saints' backup left tackle.

Then Kubiak goes back to New Orleans, where he called plays in 2024. Scott argues both sides of who has the edge. He takes calls from Raider Rob in San Diego and Michelle in the East Bay, then closes with his score prediction.

Call or text: 702-907-8669 | X: @LVGully, @SNBToday Live postgame show on YouTube with Murf from Raiders Fan Radio. Silver and Black Today is part of BLEAV, and can be heard EVERY Saturday at 5 PM PT on 101.5 KDAWN in Las Vegas!

Chapters:

00:00 Show open 00:40 Raiders 2-0, headed to New Orleans 01:44 Today's rundown 02:43 Dolphins win and the first SoFi win with fans in the stands 03:11 Saints favored by 3.5 after beating the Ravens 04:14 Brock Bowers back at practice 04:50 Kubiak was right about Bowers' timeline 06:01 What the offense looked like without Bowers 07:04 Cousins' six TD passes, first since Ken Stabler 07:22 Pushing back on the X pushback about the WR room 08:44 18th in passing yards, WR room ranked 31st 09:31 Why Bowers is a matchup problem 10:52 The Saints' thin secondary 12:02 Saints lose LT Kelvin Banks 12:47 Back at practice vs. back to 100% 14:01 Watch the snap count, not the injury report 15:53 The Raiders defense nobody's talking about 16:45 Best linebacker group since 2002 17:13 First in the NFL in EPA per play 17:46 Takeaways and a rookie with two picks 18:37 The Raiders are tackling again 19:33 Credit to Rob Leonhard and John Spytek 19:55 Tyler Shough doesn't turn it over 21:04 The comeback in Baltimore 22:10 Chris Olave 22:38 The matchup that decides the game 23:05 Porter's foot, Stokes in concussion protocol 24:50 Crosby vs. a backup left tackle 25:32 Why Crosby matters beyond the stat sheet 26:47 Kamara, Etienne and the Saints run game 27:17 Chase Young, Cam Jordan and the Raiders O-line 28:51 Kubiak returns to New Orleans 30:35 The case for Kubiak 31:17 The case for the Saints 32:12 Scott's verdict: who has the edge 33:44 Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion 34:23 Raider Rob in San Diego 36:27 Strength of schedule is real 37:36 Michelle in the East Bay 40:05 Scott's Raiders-Saints prediction 41:29 Postgame show info and sign-off

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The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-0 after a 26-14 win over the Chargers at SoFi Stadium, the franchise's first win in LA with fans in the building since leaving in 2021. Now Brock Bowers is back at practice ahead of Sunday's Week 3 road game against the New Orleans Saints. Scott Gulbransen breaks down what Bowers' return from a meniscus trim means for Kirk Cousins and the offense, and why his snap count will tell you more than the injury report.

Scott also answers the pushback on his wide receiver take. Tre Tucker had his best game of the season and Cody White scored on both of his catches, but the Raiders sit 18th in passing yards and the room ranked 31st in the preseason. One good Sunday doesn't fix the depth problem.

The story nobody's talking about is Rob Leonard's defense. It's first in the NFL in EPA per play, tied for the league lead with eight sacks, hasn't allowed a fourth-quarter point and forces a turnover on about one of every five opponent drives. Kwity Paye, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are a big reason why.

Then the Saints preview. Tyler Shough is completing 79% of his passes without turning it over, Chris Olave is a problem, and Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne give New Orleans a real two-back rotation. The weak spot is a thin Saints secondary, and that's where Bowers comes in. Scott makes his pick with the Saints favored by 3.5.

In the Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion:

• Michelle from the East Bay on how fast the new coaching staff has made a difference
• John from New Jersey on Klint Kubiak's missed challenge on the Justin Herbert fumble
• Jacob from Fresno on Maxx Crosby's impact beyond the box score and the offensive line's step back

Sponsored by Kalshi. Use code MENDOZA for a $25 reward when you make a $25 trade.

Call or text: 702-907-8669 | Email: mail@silverandblacktoday.com Silver and Black Today is part of BLEAV.

Chapters:

00:00 Show open 00:46 Raiders 2-0: first win at SoFi with fans in the stands 02:10 Today's rundown 04:51 Brock Bowers back at practice 07:59 Back at practice vs. back to 100% 10:01 Meniscus trim and reaggravation risk 11:39 Revisiting the wide receiver room debate 12:14 Tre Tucker and Cody White's big day at SoFi 14:54 One clean game against one opponent 16:09 Preseason rankings had the WR room 31st 17:03 Raiders 18th in passing yards 19:51 How a healthy Bowers covers for the receivers 24:05 The Raiders defense is quietly elite 25:17 Eight sacks, six different players 27:14 First in the NFL in EPA per play 28:01 Turnovers on one in five opponent drives 28:53 Missed tackles way down from last season 29:08 Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and the linebackers 30:52 Saints preview: New Orleans at 1-1 32:46 Tyler Shough is playing well 33:52 Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne 35:12 The Saints defense and a thin secondary 36:40 What it means for the Raiders offense 37:55 What it means for the Raiders defense 39:41 Bottom line heading into Sunday 41:13 Scott's Raiders-Saints prediction 41:56 Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion 42:13 Michelle in the East Bay: the coaching difference 45:56 John in New Jersey: Kubiak's missed challenge 50:13 Jacob in Fresno: Maxx Crosby and the O-line 52:40 Why Crosby matters beyond the stat line 54:12 The offensive line's step back vs. the Chargers 56:18 Wrap-up and sign-off

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Raiders 26, Chargers 14. Vegas is 2-0 for the first time since 2021, and it's their first win at SoFi Stadium since then. Scott Gulbransen is joined by Murf from Raiders Fan Radio, calling in from a pool deck in Florida, to sort through a game that got messy in the middle before the Raiders closed it out.

Klint Kubiak becomes the first Raiders head coach to start 2-0 since Bill Callahan, and Kirk Cousins becomes the first Raiders quarterback with three touchdown passes in each of the first two weeks since Kenny Stabler did it in 1976. Cousins wasn't perfect, and the offensive line gave him plenty of reason to scramble, but he found Tez Tucker deep twice and got two touchdowns out of practice-squad call-up Cody White.

The defense is the real story. Nakobe Dean's forced fumble on Omari Hampton flipped the game, and rookie fifth-rounder Hezekiah Masses picked off two passes filling in for an injured Darien Porter. Scott and Murph make the case that this linebacking corps, with Dean, Quay Walker and Maxx Crosby, might be the best the Raiders have had since their last Super Bowl run in 2002.

In this episode: the offensive line's rough day and why DJ Glaze struggled specifically, Ashton Jeanty's three drops and 48 rushing yards, a play Scott thinks should've been overturned from the booth, John Spytek's draft classes starting to show up on the field, and live viewer call-ins with Tarek in Texas, Rossi in Australia and Pastor Mike in Boise, Idaho. Scott closes with a look ahead to next week's road trip to New Orleans.

Tonight's Super Chats go straight to the One Nation Foundation, supporting Raiders charities including Raider Dad. Check them out at 1nationfoundation.net.

Silver and Black Today is part of the Believe Podcast Network. Tonight's post game show is brought to you by Kalshi — use code MENDOZA for $25 free with your first deposit.

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Show open — Kalshi Silver and Black Today postgame show 1:22 Scott brings in Murph, vacationing in Florida 1:42 Final score: Raiders 26, Chargers 14 — Vegas moves to 2-0 1:55 Kubiak matches Bill Callahan's start as a first-year head coach 2:28 Setting up the turnover story and Nakobe Dean's summer hype 6:13 Kirk Cousins' case for the game ball 6:26 First Raiders QB with 3 TDs in Weeks 1-2 since Kenny Stabler in 1976 7:13 Why Cousins' composure carried the offense through a rough day 10:10 Cody White's two touchdowns off the practice squad 10:36 Ashton Jeanty's three drops, including one that nearly cost the game 10:57 Hezekiah Masses' two interceptions filling in for Darien Porter 11:33 What John Spytek's draft class is proving on the field 17:16 The case for the best Raiders linebacking corps since 2002 21:01 Nakobe Dean's forced fumble — the play of the game 21:14 Kalshi segment — how the prediction market works, plus Scott's Giants-Rams pick 23:51 Back to the offensive line's rough day 25:06 DJ Glaze's tough game and the schedule getting harder 28:16 Comparing Kubiak's coaching staff to Antonio Pierce's 30:37 The turnover swing — Chargers fumbled the ball six times 33:03 The disputed forward-fumble ruling Scott wanted challenged 34:08 Fan drop-in: Tarek in Texas 38:04 Fan drop-in: Rossi in Australia on the road SoFi crowd 40:12 Malcolm Koonce's return to form at edge 45:57 Fan drop-in: Pastor Mike in Boise, Idaho 53:08 Scott's closing breakdown and a look ahead to New Orleans 56:44 One Nation Foundation, super chats, and sign-off

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Raiders are 1-0, but we're not just taking the win and moving on. We break down the deep-ball problem hiding in the box score, bring in former Charger and LSU national champion Breiden Fehoko for a no-holds-barred read on the 0-1 Chargers, and open up the phone lines for the Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion.

Chapters:

00:00 — Intro, welcome back Raider Nation 01:10 — Raiders 1-0, but there's a stat line that should make you nervous 01:45 — Breaking down Kirk Cousins' split stat line: elite under 10 air yards, 1-for-7 with 2 picks over 10 yards 03:23 — Three theories on the deep ball issue: arm strength, play design, or receiver separation 05:39 — Theory 3: is the wide receiver room the real problem? 09:10 — Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers absence and why WR separation matters 13:00 — What "fixed" looks like by Week 4, and prediction for the Chargers game 15:35 — Brock Bowers injury update: day-to-day, not week-to-week 19:49 — Prediction on Bowers' snap count for Sunday 20:26 — Max Crosby's managed workload: why his snap count dropped and why that's by design 25:00 — Kalshi prediction market picks for Raiders-Chargers 28:03 — Breiden Fehoko joins the show 29:07 — Fehoko on the Chargers: "the West Coast Cleveland Browns" 30:35 — Jim Harbaugh accountability and red flags from Chargers' Week 1 loss 34:21 — What Fehoko saw from the Raiders defense and Maxx Crosby's culture 37:03 — Offensive line turnaround under Klint Kubiak, DJ Glaze and Tyler Linderbaum 40:23 — Brock Bowers as a matchup nightmare, compared to Darren Waller and Derwin James 45:20 — Fernando Mendoza timeline: the Patrick Mahomes/Alex Smith comparison 53:15 — Wrap with Fehoko, prediction for Sunday's game 58:22 — Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion opens: Raider Rob's call

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The Raiders opened the 2026 season 1-0, beating the Miami Dolphins 27-13 in their first home opener since 2021. Scott Gulbransen breaks down a game that answered a lot of questions, starting with Ashton Jeanty, who erased any doubt about his ankle with 23 carries for 102 yards, 45 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Scott credits the rebuilt offensive line for the holes Jeanty ran through all night and argues the O-line, not Jeanty, deserves the game ball. Kirk Cousins finished 21-of-30 for 260 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, and Scott makes the case that one uneven game doesn't put his job in danger. On defense, Rob Leonard's plan neutralized De'Von Achane and Miami's run game, and rookie safety Trey Stokes stood out in a defensive effort Scott calls physical and disciplined from the start.

The one real concern from the win: a wide receiver group that produced modest numbers behind Jeanty and Michael Mayer, a problem Scott has flagged for weeks and will be watching closely over the next few games, especially with Brock Bowers' return timeline uncertain. Scott also previews next week's road trip to face a Chargers team coming off a loss to the Cardinals, and looks further out at the difficult stretch against New Orleans, Kansas City and New England.

Scott takes calls and reads live chat throughout, covering Maxx Crosby's improved supporting cast, realistic win-total expectations for a rebuilding roster, and why this is a foundation-building year regardless of the final record.

BE PART OF THE SHOW Call or text: 702-907-8669 (confirm exact digits before publishing, see flag below) Email your video or comment: mail@silverandblacktoday.com Find us on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Spotify: search Silver and Black Today

Silver and Black Today is part of BLEAV.

Chapter: 00:00 Raiders open 1-0 — reaction to the 27-13 win 1:48 Ashton Jeanty answers the ankle questions 2:42 Kirk Cousins' two picks and final stat line 3:34 The offensive line's turnaround 4:49 Young defense flashes early 6:04 The wide receiver concern 9:51 Schedule check: Chargers, Saints, and the road ahead 12:53 No rush to Mendoza 15:50 Handing out the game ball 19:59 Live chat and caller reactions 24:14 Win-total expectations for a rebuilding roster 35:01 Fixing the receiver room going forward 38:44 Wrap-up and Chargers preview

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Brock Bowers had a meniscus trim in Dallas and will miss Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Klint Kubiak’s Week 1 plan just lost its engine — and the thin Raiders wide receiver room is impossible to hide.

Scotty Branson breaks down the Bowers timeline (trim vs. repair), $8.2 million in new cap space from Quay Walker and Jaylen Nailor, Ashton Jeanty returning to practice, Michael Mayer’s snap jump, why Fernando Mendoza is still not the Week 1 answer, and the keys to beating Miami at Allegiant. Plus Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Jeff Hafley, Malik Willis, and a Dolphins roster that’s thin at receiver too.

Prediction: Raiders 20, Dolphins 13.

Also on 101.5 K-Dawn in Las Vegas — Saturday at 4 PM this week (Dodgers preempt the usual 5 PM slot). Season 9 is back on Vegas radio. BLEAV Podcast Network.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Postgame episode drops Sunday.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro + 9/11 remembrance

2:31 Bowers out, Jeanty back

3:16 Cap moves: Walker + Nailor

5:08 Bowers surgery & timeline

8:27 WR room exposed

9:11 Michael Mayer’s opportunity

13:40 Mendoza still not Week 1

16:43 Jeanty practice update

23:55 Dolphins preview

27:03 Chris Perkins interview

35:15 Miami without Bowers

39:33 Two thin receiver rooms

41:39 Jeanty vs Miami run D

43:38 Hafley’s measuring stick

46:16 Keys to the game

47:45 Overreaction or concern?

50:06 Week 1 success + 20-13 pick

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Regular season week is finally here, and Scott Gulbransen opens with the two storylines Raider Nation can't stop arguing about. Kirk Cousins is officially the Week 1 starter, but Scott reads between the lines of head coach Klint Kubiak's "he's earned it" comment to explain why that's a football decision, not a philosophical one about Fernando Mendoza's future. Then it's the Ashton Jeanty question everybody's asking: two-plus weeks removed from his August 23 ankle sprain, still without a practice rep, but hearing surprisingly upbeat language from the front office. Scott breaks down the gap between what's being said publicly and what's actually shown up on the practice field, and points to one roster decision that tells you more than any quote does.

In this episode: Kubiak's exact quote naming Cousins the Week 1 starter and why Scott thinks it's being over-read as a long-term stance on Mendoza, the case for and against playing Mendoza sooner rather than later, Scott's updated Mendoza timeline (now more likely Week 7 or 8 than after the bye), a full timeline of Jeanty's ankle injury through GM John Spytek's September 1 comments, why the Raiders keeping only three running backs on the 53-man roster is the real signal to watch, rookie defensive end Kyron Crawford's season-ending Achilles injury, a shoutout to depth signing Patrick Johnson, and a note on Allegiant Stadium's newly approved $75 million north entry upgrade.

Scott also previews Saturday's radio premiere on KDWN 101.5 FM in Las Vegas (moved up to 4 PM this week only, streaming on the Audacy app), which includes an interview with longtime Dolphins beat writer Chris Perkins ahead of Sunday's opener.

Be part of the show: call or text 702-907-8697 (confirm digits before publishing — flagged below), or email mail@silverandblacktoday.com. Find us on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Spotify: search Silver and Black Today. Silver and Black Today is part of the BLEAV Podcast Network.

Chapters:

00:00 Show open — Labor Day recap and five days to kickoff 00:57 Saturday's radio simulcast moves to 4 PM on KDWN 101.5 01:37 Three things on today's show 02:12 Viewer question — Jeanty full go, limited snaps, or out entirely 03:27 Kirk Cousins named the official Week 1 starter 04:03 Breaking down Kubiak's "he's earned it" quote 05:56 Where that leaves Fernando Mendoza on the depth chart 07:00 The case for playing Mendoza sooner 07:56 The case for sitting Mendoza behind Cousins 13:49 Scott's verdict and his updated Mendoza timeline 17:56 Ashton Jeanty's actual practice timeline since the August 23 sprain 19:57 What Kubiak and GM John Spytek have said publicly 22:56 The roster tell — why the Raiders kept only three running backs 25:47 What the front office's silence signals about Jeanty's plan 27:23 Kyron Crawford's season-ending Achilles injury 28:55 Why Patrick Johnson's roster spot deserves more attention 32:16 Zooming out on the roster build heading into Sunday 34:26 Where the receiver room still needs to prove itself 37:23 What Scott's watching the rest of this week 39:33 Recap — send in your Jeanty and Mendoza predictions 44:44 A note on Allegiant Stadium's $75 million entry upgrade 48:33 Saturday's radio show and the Chris Perkins interview 49:04 Sign-off — five days to kickoff vs. the Dolphins

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Preseason is over, the 53-man roster is set, and Scott Gulbransen says the last 72 hours have proven one thing: with this front office, "final roster" is a relative term. He starts with the move he thinks matters most — a waiver claim that cost the Raiders zero draft capital.

Las Vegas held the league's first waiver priority coming out of cutdowns and used their only claim on cornerback Derrell Luter Jr., plucked off the 49ers. Scott breaks down why it's bigger than it looked: Luter allowed just 1.8 yards after the catch per reception when targeted last season, second-best among defenders with 20-plus targets, and what the pick signals about how this front office is building the roster.

From there, Scott connects a cluster of related moves — Segun Olubi re-signed for special teams, Dante Thornton Jr. landing on IR for at least four games, Cody White added to the practice squad, and the Jordan Meredith trade, where a backup interior lineman turned into a 2027 sixth-round pick. Then the debate: the Raiders kept three quarterbacks, including Aidan O'Connell behind Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza, and Scott makes the case for and against keeping him instead of shopping him elsewhere.

In the back half, Scott shifts to the injuries that will actually decide Week 1 — Keyron Crawford's season-ending ankle injury, and a full update on Ashton Jeanty's ankle, including what it means for Mike Washington Jr. and the wide receiver room Scott says still isn't finished. Fantasy analyst Joe Pisapia of Fandom NFL then joins to talk Jeanty and Mendoza's draft value, Brock Bowers, and late-round sleepers, before a listener video from Tariq in Texas closes the show.

Check out Joe's show on YouTube for a fantasy edge: https://www.youtube.com/@FandomNFL

Also, FandomNFL on BLEAV: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fandom-nfl-w-joe-pisapia/id6796010118

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The Raiders are down to 53. Scott Gulbransen is joined by Raider Fan Radio’s Murf to break down every cut, every surprise, and every name that made the team, and they want Raider Nation weighing in with him while it happens.

Call in, comment, argue with a cut you don't like, tell us who you think won't make it through the week. This episode is built around the live conversation, not around a script.

There's a wrinkle waiting at the end of this roster, too. The Raiders landed the first waiver claim priority in the league this year, which means once cutdown day wraps around the NFL and players hit the wire, Las Vegas gets the first look at anyone another team let go, ahead of every other club in football.

So the 53-man roster on the board today isn't necessarily the 53-man roster the Raiders carry into Week 1. Scott and Murf walk through why Monday's roster could already look different from Sunday's, and who the front office might be eyeing off other teams' cut lists.

BE PART OF THE SHOW: Call 702-900-7869 or email us a VIDEO TAKE to mail@silverandblacktoday.com.

00:00 Show open — special cutdown-day edition
00:33 Bringing on Murf, fresh off his flight from Vegas
01:00 The 53-man roster drops (Raiders late as usual)
01:21 Trade: Raiders send Jordan Meredith to the Jets
02:58 Why this 53 isn't the Week 1 53
03:56 How the waiver wire actually works for the Raiders
04:31 Keyron Crawford lost for the season on IR
06:02 Malcolm Koonce and filling the edge void
08:47 Surprise cut: Roman Hemby out of the RB room
09:23 No other Indiana Hoosiers made the team but Mendoza
10:38 Connor Heyward's fullback role and the Marcel Reese comp
12:26 Quarterback room: all three kept, no surprise there
13:08 Tight ends locked in, wide receiver group set
14:03 The debate: how worried should fans be about the WRs?
19:00 Offensive line: the Antonio Mafi surprise
20:47 Why better coaching changes everything up front
26:38 Realistic 2026 expectations against a brutal schedule
27:49 Turning to defense and first-year coordinator Rob Leonard
30:12 Six corners, five safeties: what the numbers signal
33:03 Watch for progression, not perfection, this year
34:12 The Aidan O'Connell question and why he won't stick around
38:10 One Nation Foundation and the Raider Dad tailgate
41:55 Murph's show info and how to follow Raiders Fan Radio
42:58 Sign-off and what's next on the waiver wire

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Camp is over, and Raider Nation is staring down two deadlines at once: tonight's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, and Saturday's roster cut down to 53 names. Scott Gulbransen breaks down both, starting with the injury hanging over everything.

Ashton Jeanty went down diving for a low Kirk Cousins pass Sunday and couldn't put weight on his right leg, prompting the entire team to take a knee in prayer. Head coach Klint Kubiak stayed characteristically tight-lipped on Tuesday, offering only "he's on the mend," but reports since then point to a low ankle sprain rather than anything long-term. Scott lays out why there's still a real chance Jeanty opens the season on the shelf, and why that makes fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. one of the most important names in the building. With Jeanty sidelined the last two practices, Washington stepped into first-team work, showed real growth as a pass catcher out of the backfield, and is averaging over 8 yards a carry through two preseason games.

From there, Scott runs through the rest of the rookie class making late-camp noise: second-round safety Treydan Stukes, who's taking heavy first-team reps and drawing praise from defensive coordinator Rob Leonard; cornerback Darien Porter, whose recovery speed has shown up against Brock Bowers and Jalen Nailor; and offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III, whose versatility across the line could be the difference-maker in a crowded position group. Plus the latest on No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, his chemistry with Malik Benson, why Scott still doesn't think he should start Week 1, and how Kubiak is keeping the quarterback competition close to the vest.

Also in this episode: the right guard battle between Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers, what to watch for tonight against the 49ers, a call from Anders in Oakland pushing back on the offensive line and the Mendoza timeline, and Scott's honest read on where this rebuild actually stands heading into Week 1.

BE PART OF THE SHOW Call or text: 702-907-8697 (confirm before publishing, see flag below) Email your video or comment: mail@silverandblacktoday.com Find us on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Spotify: search Silver and Black Today

Silver and Black Today is part of BLEAV.

Chapters:

00:00 Jeanty's injury and the team's prayer 02:35 Kubiak's tight-lipped injury update 05:14 The backfield names to know 07:04 Mike Washington Jr. takes over first-team reps 11:14 Trey Stokes and Darien Porter's late-camp surge 14:31 Fernando Mendoza and the QB1 question 18:25 Trey Zion III and offensive line versatility 20:01 Roster locks and the right guard battle 24:00 What to watch tonight vs. the 49ers 26:35 The foundation analogy and win-total expectations 32:33 Listener call: Anders from Oakland 38:07 Sign-off

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Ashton Jeanty's ankle sprain sends a jolt through Raider Nation, but Scott Gulbransen explains why the backfield may be in better shape than fans think, thanks to fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. Then it's the biggest question in Henderson: is this Kirk Cousins' team or Fernando Mendoza's, and what is head coach Klint Kubiak really signaling heading into Thursday's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers?

In this episode: Jeanty's Sunday practice injury and what's known about the ankle sprain, Mike Washington Jr.'s preseason production (63 yards on 6 carries vs. Arizona, 56 yards on 9 carries vs. Houston) and what it means schematically under Kubiak, Kubiak's "job to lose" comment on Cousins, Fernando Mendoza's rough box score against Houston and the case for patience, Will Anderson's praise for Mendoza's poise, and a look at a struggling Raiders wide receiver room after Kubiak's blunt "we took a step backwards" comment. Plus caller Jacob from Fresno and a stack of viewer comments in the Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion.

Silver and Black Today is part of the Believe Podcast Network. Subscribe wherever you get your audio, or on YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Spotify. Email your video or comment: mail@silverandblacktoday.com

Chapters: 00:00 Cold open — Ashton Jeanty's ankle injury and the sigh of relief 01:29 Welcome back, show intro, subscribe reminder 02:20 Teaser: the hidden running back story nobody's talking about 03:43 Who is Mike Washington Jr.? Arkansas, the trade-up, pick 122 04:52 Preseason Game 1 vs. Arizona — 63 yards on 6 carries, the 53-yard house call 05:31 Preseason Game 2 vs. Houston and the Texans joint practice 06:34 Why it matters schematically — Kubiak's Seattle blueprint (Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet) 07:43 Kubiak on Washington: "guys are earning roles" 09:04 The gap that keeps him a hidden weapon — pass protection and receiving 12:01 Washington's "welcome to the NFL" moment and the character angle 15:01 Turning to the QB competition 15:50 State of the Cousins-Mendoza competition heading into practice 18:13 Kubiak's "it's his job to lose" line, unpacked 19:51 Mendoza's developmental framing and Will Anderson's praise 23:03 Three things to watch in practice this week 25:11 The verdict — Cousins starts Week 1, Mendoza is the long-term plan 28:16 The Raiders wide receiver room and Kubiak's "we took a step backwards" 35:30 Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion 36:20 Caller: Jacob in Fresno on Fernando Mendoza 41:54 Comment: Black Friday513 (YouTube) 43:38 Comment: Special Ops J (YouTube) 45:41 Comment: Shield60 (YouTube) 47:39 Silver and Black Today returns to K-Don 101.5 FM in Las Vegas, Saturdays at 5 PM 48:20 New show alert: The Silver and Black Verdict 49:09 Sign-off and what's coming Thursday

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In the debut episode of Silver & Black Verdicts, Judge Gully puts Raider Nation's preseason panic on trial. After Fernando Mendoza's rough pick-six outing, fans and national media are ready to bench Kirk Cousins and hand the rookie the keys — but the court isn't buying it. Judge Gully lays out the defense: rushing a ten-year franchise investment before he's ready isn't patience; it's panic, and the same people demanding Mendoza now would be the first to blame the coaching staff if he struggled. Verdict: stay the path, start Cousins, let Mendoza develop on his own clock — case closed.

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The Raiders escaped Houston with a 22-20 comeback win, but the real story broke after the final whistle. Fernando Mendoza ran the entire first half of the offense, threw an early pick-six, and struggled — then Aidan O'Connell came off the bench and threw for 166 yards, including the game-winning score. Afterward, head coach Klint Kubiak refused to name Kirk Cousins the Week 1 starter, telling reporters "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job."

On this episode of Silver & Black Today, Scott Gulbransen breaks down what Kubiak's comments actually mean for the quarterback competition, why Mendoza's rough start might matter less than the box score suggests, what Aidan O'Connell's performance does to that quarterback room, and every notable moment from the win over Houston — including Malik Benson's continued rise, the Jackson Powers-Johnson injury situation, and what to watch as the Raiders return to practice ahead of next week's preseason finale against the 49ers.

Silver & Black Today is your source for Las Vegas Raiders news and analysis, part of the BLEAV Podcast Network.

Follow the show: @LVGully / @SNBToday

Chapters:

00:00 — Intro and show setup 00:49 — Raiders beat Houston 22-20, but the real story is what Kubiak said after 01:03 — Kubiak's "let's keep going" QB comment, and what it actually means 01:37 — Mendoza's rough patch: the pick-six and his honest breakdown of it 03:34 — Kubiak's real plan: why he let Mendoza take his lumps 05:00 — Scott's take: Kubiak isn't undecided, he's strategic — Cousins still the heavy favorite 07:03 — Three things to watch this week: practice reps, silence from the building, and next week's finale vs. SF 09:12 — Aidan O'Connell quietly wins the game and why that matters 10:49 — Defense: don't overreact, that was Houston's starters 12:06 — Depth players stepping up (Booker, Sloan, Lafayette pick) 12:38 — Malik Benson's rookie night — flashes and drops 14:52 — Big picture: offense outgained Houston but the game was sloppy 17:00 — Penalties and discipline — Kubiak's clear message 19:00 — Bottom line heading into the 49ers finale 20:08 — Wrap-up and radio return Sept. 12

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Raider Nation, we asked for honest feedback all camp — well, we got it on Tuesday. Scott Gulbransen breaks down everything that came out of the Raiders' joint practices against the Houston Texans, starting with the offensive line getting worked by a legitimately talented Texans front. Protection breakdowns, a run game that never got going, and what it all means heading into tonight's preseason game.

Then the real story of the week: Fernando Mendoza taking extensive reps with the first team, including multiple pick-sixes by both QBs, and how he handled it afterward. Scott explains why a rough day against a real NFL defense isn't a red flag — it's tuition — and lays out the difference between Kirk Cousins as the floor and Mendoza as the ceiling at quarterback.

Also on deck: Klint Kubiak's measured response to Tuesday's practice, Brock Bowers returning to the field, the Powers-Johnson injury and what it means for Caleb Rogers' shot at right guard, the secondary competition with Darren Porter making noise, and a preview of what to watch for tonight as the Raiders take on the Texans in preseason game two.

Call in with your take at 702-907-8690, or send video to mail@silverandblacktoday.com. Catch Silver and Black Today live on the radio starting Week 1 on 101.5 KDON FM, Saturdays at 5 PM, and don't forget to subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your audio.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and welcome to Silver and Black Today 00:52 Setting the table: joint practices with the Texans 03:53 Headline: honest feedback from Tuesday's practice 04:28 Offensive line struggles against the Texans front 05:47 Run game fails to get established 06:00 Pushing back on the panic button crowd 08:00 Klint Kubiak's measured response 09:22 The big question: how worried should Raider Nation be 10:49 Kirk Cousins gets real reps, veteran poise under pressure 12:02 The Fernando Mendoza story: extensive first-team reps 13:01 Pick sixes and Mendoza's honest reaction 14:19 Why taking responsibility is a good sign 17:00 What outside observers and national media saw 19:01 Cousins as the floor, Mendoza building the ceiling 19:57 Roster board: JPJ injury and the interior o-line 20:38 Caleb Rogers' opportunity at right guard 21:47 Brock Bowers is back 22:38 Secondary competition and Darien Porter 25:16 Individual flashes and joint practice value 28:10 Tonight's preseason game 2 preview vs. Texans 30:23 Watching Ashton Jeanty and Malik Benson tonight 31:16 Defensive keys to watch tonight 32:42 Call-in and video submission info 33:09 Radio show details: 101.5 KDON, Saturdays at 5 PM 34:18 Sign-off and where to follow the show

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Fernando Mendoza got his first live NFL action Thursday against Arizona — and the film tells a real story. On this episode of Silver and Black Today, Scott Gulbransen breaks down Mendoza's uneven-but-promising preseason debut, his touchdown pass to Jack Bech, and why his growing chemistry with rookie receiver Malik Benson might be the storyline that matters most heading into the season.

Plus: Kirk Cousins locks down every first-team rep for a third straight practice, Brendan Jackson lands on IR after his Arizona injury, and the Raiders respond by signing veteran defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi. Scott also digs into Jermod McCoy's rough return from a 20-month injury layoff, Max Crosby's dominant week of practice, the still-unsettled right guard battle between Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers, and a shuffling secondary as the Raiders prep for their joint practice and preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Call in with your take at 702-907-8869 or email mail@silverandblacktoday.com — you might end up on the show. Silver and Black Today is back on the radio in Las Vegas on Fridays at 5 pm on 101.5 KDAWN, starting Week 1, with the show posting to this feed Sunday mornings.

Chapters

0:00 Intro – Mendoza's first live NFL action 1:29 Recapping the 27-14 loss to Arizona 2:12 Fernando Mendoza's debut breakdown 4:04 Kirk Cousins' opening drive and QB1 clarity 4:52 Jeremiah McCoy's rough return at cornerback 6:07 Mike Washington Jr.'s memorable NFL debut 7:27 Roster moves: Jackson to IR, Fatukasi signed 11:28 Sunday practice notes and the jersey swap 13:57 Max Crosby dominates one-on-ones 14:44 Right guard battle: Powers-Johnson vs. Rogers 16:02 Camp absences: Bowers, Hemingway, Runyan 18:29 Inside the QB room: Cousins vs. Mendoza 20:48 The Mendoza-Benson connection 22:18 Mendoza's correctable rookie mistakes 26:52 Defensive back room shakeup 28:46 Rookie safety Trey Dan Stokes rising 32:03 Houston trip and schedule preview 33:44 Why Houston is the real test

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Bonus crossover episode. Scott Gulbransen from Silver and Black Today hops on Raiders Fan Radio with Murf for an extended conversation on the Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza's rookie preseason performance, why the defense's rough debut under Rob Leonard isn't cause for panic, and why Scott thinks Mark Davis finally deserves credit for building a real football operation around John Spytek, Tom Brady and Clint Kubiak. They also get into what "success" actually looks like for this rebuilding season, the Cousins-vs-Mendoza QB question, and close with a fast-paced "who's the better guitarist" game.

This episode is part of the BLEAV Network. Catch Silver and Black Today and Raiders Fan Radio for more Raiders coverage all season.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and catching up 00:59 Why this season feels different already 02:19 Fernando Mendoza excitement 03:00 Mendoza owning his mistakes — fair or not? 06:39 Defending Max Crosby 08:03 Raider Nation's "big tent" culture 09:34 Defense's rough debut vs. Gardner Minshew 12:35 Have the Raiders finally figured it out? 16:47 Building toward a "true north" 21:01 Giving Mark Davis his flowers 26:00 Defining a successful 2025 season 30:09 Cousins vs. Mendoza at quarterback 31:47 Quick-fire: greatest guitarists of all time 34:03 Sign-off and Raiders Fan Radio info

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The Klint Kubiak era starts for real Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium, and Fernando Mendoza makes his first appearance in live NFL action.

Scott Gulbransen sets the table on what actually matters in the Raiders' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Kubiak confirmed his starters will play and said the club has a plan for snaps and series it isn't sharing publicly. Mendoza will get "plenty of reps." Scott lays out the three things to watch, and none of them are the stat line: the under-center exchange, whether Mendoza climbs the pocket or bails out the back, and what happens on the second read.

Also on the watch list: the receiver rotation order, the Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers guard battle, the open cornerback job, and Mike Washington Jr.'s workload.

GUEST: Mark Anderson, Associated Press. Mark covers the Raiders for the AP and joins the show to discuss what genuinely surprised him at training camp, whether Mendoza's under-center struggles are real or just rookie adjustment, Jack Bech's turnaround, what fans will notice about the Kubiak offense, the linebacker room, and his own top three things to watch Thursday night.

Chapters

00:25 - Thursday night at Allegiant, the Kubiak era begins

00:53 - Setting the record straight on Arizona's Hall of Fame Game

01:30 - Kubiak on who plays and for how long

03:11 - How much does Fernando Mendoza play?

05:57 - First unofficial depth chart, Mendoza over Aidan O'Connell

06:35 - Three things to watch with Mendoza

08:01 - What the Cardinals are doing with their starters

11:00 - Roster watch list: receivers, guards, corners, backs

15:15 - Tuesday's open practice recap

17:33 - The safety competition

19:30 - Quick hits: kickers, offensive line, O'Connell, Crosby

21:50 - Why the third quarter matters most

22:53 - INTERVIEW: Mark Anderson, Associated Press

47:53 - Caller: Lonnie from Fontana

51:05 - Video: Tariq on Kubiak and leadership

54:37 - Wrapping up

BE PART OF THE SHOW Call the show: 702-907-8869 Send a video: mail@silverandblacktoday.com

Silver and Black Today is a BLEAV Podcast. Subscribe wherever you get your audio.

Coming soon: back on the radio in Las Vegas, Saturdays at 5 PM on KDWN 101.5 FM.

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Four Las Vegas Raiders got into it Friday in Henderson. Two of them sat Saturday. Two of them took first-team reps. Nobody has asked Klint Kubiak to explain the difference — and that difference is the whole story of what this staff is building.

Maxx Crosby tipped a pair of passes at Kirk Cousins' release point and caught his hand on the second one. Cousins grabbed him by the jersey. No punches, both finished practice. Kubiak said almost nothing Friday, went home, slept on it, and Saturday morning his QB1 and the best defensive player this franchise has had in a decade stood on the sideline through the entire 11-on-11 period in front of 90 teammates.

But there was a second fight Friday. Jonah Laulu and Caleb Rogers went at it in the trenches. Rogers practiced Saturday, took first-team reps at right guard for a third straight day, and was on the playside of Ashton Jeanty's long touchdown run.

The verdict: this staff is operating on a genuinely different standard than any Raiders regime since the move to Vegas — accountability that runs upward, not downward. And there's a falsifiable tell you can check by the Houston joint practice on August 18th.

Also in this episode: Fernando Mendoza's first day with the first team, including three touchdowns and the snap issues nobody wants to talk about. Two on-air corrections. A national outlet that fabricated details and got syndicated to Yahoo. The Athletic's QB tiers, with Kirk Cousins landing 28th. The right guard competition and DJ Glaze's very unsettled hold on right tackle. Plus calls from Dave Casper the Ghost and Pastor Mike Behind Bars.

Chapters:

(00:00) Friday afternoon in Henderson (06:08) Rebuilding what Maxx Crosby actually did (08:31) Correction #1: it was not an interception (11:42) The second fight nobody reported (15:50) The red jersey is not a guideline (20:05) Kubiak's full quote — and the pronoun that matters (26:07) The verdict: accountability that runs upward (30:46) The tell — Houston joint practice, August 18 (31:24) They told you this would happen on July 29 (36:33) Fernando Mendoza's first day with the ones (40:30) How the touchdown count got made up (43:18) The snap issues nobody wants to talk about (47:56) QB tiers: Kirk Cousins 28th overall (51:30) Offensive line and the right guard competition (56:34) Rapid fire: Jeanty, Bech, Benson, Koonce (01:02:23) Raider Nation calls (01:11:30) Closing verdict

Be part of the show Call: 702-900-7869 Video mail: mail@silverandblacktoday.com Radio: Saturdays 5PM PT, KDAWN 101.5 FM Las Vegas

Silver & Black Today is a BLEAV Network podcast. Ninth season covering the Las Vegas Raiders. Follow @SNBToday and @LVGully.

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Wednesday was a day off in Henderson, so Gully opens with what actually came out of Tuesday's practice. Masses and McCoy are both pushing for CB2, and if a Day 3 rookie wins that job in eleven practices, that says something about this draft class. Tonka Hemingway has a slim lead at nose tackle with Adam Butler and Benito Jones right behind him. Kwity Paye had a lot to say about him.

Then there's DJ Glaze. A lot of you have been asking why nobody's talking about him. He's taken the majority of right tackle reps and he's got 31 straight starts, but listen to how Rick Dennison talks about him: working hard, made some progress, things to get better at. That's process language, not a vote of confidence. Charles Grant and Trey Zuhn III are right there.

Then it's your turn. Anders in Oakland calls in with the best framing of Klint Kubiak anyone's given yet, running him through Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Washington, and makes the case that the buck actually stops with this staff. Raider Eddie in Denver wants to know if Glaze is too slow-footed for tackle and belongs at guard, whether Grant is really being groomed to back up Kolton Miller, and where Trey Zuhn fits. Plus Angry Rick 68 on X gets into Mike Florio and how PFT covers this franchise.

Be part of the show. Call the line at 702-900-7869 or send a video to mail@silverandblacktoday.com. Follow Gully on X @LVGully and the show @SNBToday.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and turn on auto-downloads.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: it's Thursday, Court of Public Opinion day

0:26 How to get on the show 1:38 Camp notes: Wednesday was a day off

1:58 Masses and McCoy are taking CB2

3:34 Tonka Hemingway's push at nose tackle

4:38 Why nobody's talking about DJ Glaze

6:04 Raider Nation Court of Public Opinion

7:03 Anders in Oakland on Kubiak, Spytek and leadership

10:05 Gully: the buck stops with this staff 13:32 Raider Eddie in Denver: is Glaze actually a guard? 15:59 O-line depth, Trey Zuhn III and Kolton Miller's mileage

19:56 Angry Rick 68 on Mike Florio and PFT

22:15 Strictly Business 450: what a "much better season" really looks like

25:05 Ry7: is Kirk Cousins "faux successful"?

28:24 Las Vegas Ranger: Masses blanketed Dont'e Thornton Jr.

30:13 Red Dirt Raider: the Mendoza reps non-controversy

33:37 Michael Turner 3761: nine years and "didn't like you at first"

35:13 Omega Supreme with Cheese: Cousins' age and the Brady-Bledsoe path

39:17 Wrap, where to find Gully's writing, and sign-off

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The Las Vegas Raiders put the pads on for the first time Monday morning — the fifth practice of training camp — and Fernando Mendoza was still working with the second team.

Over the weekend that became a national argument. Mike Florio said the Raiders are "deliberately choosing the lesser guy" by naming Kirk Cousins the starter, and warned it would cost them the locker room. Albert Breer was standing on that same practice field and wrote that Cousins is still clearly the best guy at running Klint Kubiak's offense. Two respected voices, one practice, opposite conclusions.

Gully works through both, then makes the case that everyone is arguing about the wrong thing — because what has actually broken for Mendoza in this camp isn't arm talent, it's operation. And the man who built this whole plan isn't the head coach. It's a minority owner named Tom Brady.

Plus: Maxx Crosby was dominant on the first day in pads, seven months off a meniscus repair, which puts the Baltimore trade that fell apart back on the table. Eric Stokes is playing like a CB1 and spending practice coaching up the rookies trying to take his job. And the offensive line finally got a real test.

Chapters:

0:00 Pads are on — Day 5 at Raiders camp 1:34 Klint Kubiak: "We don't have any turds" 2:04 Florio: the Raiders are starting "the lesser guy" 3:40 Albert Breer's answer from the practice field 5:00 The under-center problem nobody mentions 6:25 What actually happened to Mendoza in pads 7:12 The Jordan Meredith snap detail 8:42 Operation, not arm talent 10:18 Tom Brady's fingerprints are all over this 12:25 Sits all year or plays a lot? Both can't be true 12:54 Carson Palmer, 2003 — the last No. 1 QB to sit 14:10 The tell: watch his under-center reps 15:05 Maxx Crosby was dominant in pads 16:17 Baltimore had two first-rounders on the table 17:49 The snap count nobody will talk about 20:24 Eric Stokes is playing like CB1 21:49 The CB2 job — being honest, we don't know 23:17 Jermod McCoy's knee 25:20 Why the secondary decides this season 27:04 The wide receiver problem 28:48 No No. 1 receiver, and Kubiak may not want one 31:45 The trenches: Linderbaum at the point of attack 33:54 Kubiak adjusted inside the practice 34:32 Tonka Hemingway is emerging 35:43 The whole rebuild in one morning 37:17 What's next: Thursday and Allegiant 39:50 Raider Nation hotline + where to find us

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Training camp is officially open, and the Raiders got the headline they needed before a single snap: Klint Kubiak said "full go" on Maxx Crosby. Scott breaks down Kubiak's Tuesday press conference — why Crosby's health and the rookie corner's recovery matter more than any camp battle, why Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback for now, and what "versatility over raw talent" means for the guard competition. Then it's calls and comments from Raider Nation on the rebuild timeline, the Vita Vea trade chatter, the Washington Jr./Gentry backfield, and a wide receiver room that still has to prove itself.

Call in at 702-900-7869 or email mail@silverandblacktoday.com to be part of the next show.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro 0:37 Training camp opens — Kubiak's two words that matter 1:51 Kubiak on Maxx Crosby: full reps, no snap count management 3:17 Crosby vs. the rookie corner — contrasting tone, contrasting plans 5:09 How Kubiak communicates through the media 7:02 Fernando Mendoza update — Kirk Cousins confirmed as starter 7:56 Position battles: guard competition, "versatility over raw talent" 8:45 Why Crosby's health and the rookie's recovery are the real story 9:28 How to be part of the show 11:01 Caller: MTM in Hawaii — rebuild timeline, record expectations, Mendoza 16:41 Caller: Al in Texas — the starting QB question, settled 20:33 Comment: Should the Raiders trade for Vita Vea? 22:59 Comment: "Voice of reason" 23:51 Comment: Washington Jr. and Gentry — thunder and lightning backfield 25:53 Comment: The wide receiver room still has to prove it 28:47 Comment: Why the background isn't "Chiefs red" 30:52 Comment: Can the Raiders bring back the deep ball? 33:36 Comment: Pushing back on Kubiak's coaching track record 38:26 Wrap-up and what's next

#radiersnews #raiders #raiderstraningcamp #raidernation

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Training camp is open, and this is the most consequential stretch of the Klint Kubiak era. Gully breaks down what the Las Vegas Raiders actually got with the Kubiak hire — and the honest counter-argument: six stops since 2021, and a running game that finished outside the top 10 in designed run rate at his last two stops before Seattle's Super Bowl run.

Also this episode: why the offensive line spend — highest-paid center in football Tyler Linderbaum — was the smartest money John Spytek and Tom Brady spent this offseason, why Ashton Jeanty might be the real swing piece of this offense rather than the wide receiver room, Fernando Mendoza's fully guaranteed $57.27 million rookie deal, why the QB timeline still points to Kirk Cousins deep into the season, and a Max Crosby health update heading into camp.

Be part of Thursday's show: Call/voicemail: 702-900-7869 Send a video: mail@silverandblacktoday.com Follow: @SNBToday | @LVGully

Open camp practices: August 2, 3, 7, and 8 at the team facility, and August 11 at Allegiant Stadium.

Silver & Black Today — Las Vegas Raiders analysis.

Chapters:

0:00 Camp Is Open: Cold Open 1:21 Today's Topics Preview 2:43 What Did the Raiders Get With Kubiak? Seattle's Numbers 6:19 The Honest Counter: Six Stops Since 2021 8:18 The Run Game Track Record Concern 9:34 The Tell on the Run Game 10:46 The $281M Free Agency Spend 11:44 Linderbaum, the O-Line & the Max Crosby Update 14:14 The QB Room Investment 15:20 The O-Line Was the Smart Money 17:36 The Tell on Gentry 18:45 Ashton Jeanty: The Swing Piece 22:36 Mendoza Signs His Rookie Deal 24:14 The QB Timeline Restated 28:21 Closing Take & 9-Year Perspective 30:14 Camp Dates & Call-In Info

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Raiders camp is officially underway. Rookies report to the Intermountain Health Performance Center today, and the veterans don't walk in behind them until the 28th — five days where Klint Kubiak gets a clean look at what he actually has before Kirk Cousins, Maxx Crosby and the rest of the roster start soaking up practice reps.

Three names I've got on my camp-watch list, and why:

• Fernando Mendoza — No. 1 overall pick, Heisman winner, national champion. My read hasn't changed: Cousins opens the season and Mendoza's real debut lands somewhere around Week 7 or 8.
• Treydan Stukes — the second-round safety out of Arizona who might have the cleanest shot at snaps that count. Four picks last season, a 34.4 passer rating allowed when targeted.The catch: he has only 39 career snaps at true free safety.
• Mike Washington Jr. — the fourth-rounder the Raiders traded up for. Ran a 4.33, 1,070 yards and 6.4 a carry at Arkansas, second-best in the SEC. Kubiak wants a real two-back rotation to take reps off Ashton Jeanty, and Washington is the addition to that room.

Chapters:

00:00 Raiders camp opens — five days of rookies only

01:00 Rookie #1: Fernando Mendoza

04:30 Rookie #2: Treydan Stukes

08:03 Rookie #3: Mike Washington Jr.

11:50 Why camp separates the shorts guys from the real ones

13:06 Raider Nation Court: Pastor Mike Behind Bars on the QB job

18:10 Darkside Nation on the linebacker room

21:16 Dennis McConnell on the wide receiver room

23:57 The safety room and long-term stability

27:11 Paul Raider 41 — welcome back and what's next for the show

29:12 Dont'e Thornton Jr. and the drop problem

33:01 How to get on next week's show

34:20 Camp is finally here — closing thoughts

CALL IN: 702-900-7869 EMAIL / SEND VIDEO: mail@silverandblacktoday.com

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Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker just became the highest-paid linebacker duo in Raiders history — and we're making the case that they're the best Raiders linebacking corps since Bill Romanowski, Eric Barton, and Napoleon Harris on the 2002 Super Bowl team.

In this episode:

• What the linebacker room looked like a year ago, and why it got completely rebuilt
• The $76.5M combined they're carrying, and why that's the real signal on how the front office views the position
• Dean and Walker's college tape, their fit together, and the 2002 comparison — with receipts
• The honest rebuttal: durability concerns, the Cory Littleton ghost, and the fact these two have zero snaps together as Raiders
• The verdict and a falsifiable standard we're holding this group to by the Week 9 bye

• Call in to Raider Nation Court (Fridays): 702-900-7869
• Email: mail@silverandblacktoday.com
• Silver & Black Today airs on BLEAV & KDAWN 101.5 FM, and KXNT 840-AM in Las Vegas!
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Court is in session — Friday belongs to Raider Nation. Your calls, videos, and comments on Wednesday's wide receiver room verdict, and the testimony gets good: the X debate over whether Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty can carry the offense without proven receivers, the case that the thin WR room is by design with a top-10 pick coming, a look at the Raiders' brutal opening stretch, and John from Oroville's argument that Aidan O'Connell has quietly been the best QB of the offseason. Plus why Gully backs John Spytek's slow-and-steady rebuild — and a preview of next week's linebacker corps verdict.

Be part of Friday's show: call 702-900-7869 or send a video to mail@silverandblacktoday.com. Follow @SNBToday | @LVGully.

Silver & Black Today — Las Vegas Raiders analysis. Verdicts, not takes.

Chapters

0:00 — Cold open 3:01 — Court Is in Session: Welcome to Raider Nation Court 6:00 — How to Get on the Show + This Week's WR Room Response 9:06 — First Witness: Terrick from Texas (video) on the O-Line & the Rebuild 13:56 — Mendoza Stan's Testimony: Can Bowers & Jeanty Carry It? The 49ers Comp 20:49 — Next Witness: Psychedelic Raider — Thin WR Room by Design, Top-10 Pick Coming? 22:19 — The Brutal 2026 Schedule: Seven Weeks of Trouble Before the Bye 24:19 — Caller John from Oroville: Don't Rush Mendoza — and AOC's Quiet Rise 29:59 — Aaron Davis on X: "You're Getting Roasted for Stating the Truth" 32:02 — The Ruling: Trust Spytek's Rebuild, but the WR Room Still Has to Prove It 36:06 — Court Adjourned: Next Week's Linebacker Verdict + How to Call In

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Training camp is almost here, and Scott takes a hard look at the one position group that could determine how far the Raiders offense actually goes in 2026: wide receiver. Tre Tucker, Jalen Naylor, Jack Bech, Dante Thornton Jr., and rookie Malik Benson all get the player-by-player breakdown — production, question marks, and where each stands heading into camp. We also lay out the counter-argument (Brock Bowers, an improved offensive line, Ashton Jeanty's running game) and explain why none of it fully offsets an unproven receiver room in Klint Kubiak's scheme, which depends on wideouts winning vertically and separating quickly off play action. Plus: why he's not ready to say the Raiders should trade for a true number one receiver, what would prove him wrong, and how to get your voice on Friday's show. Call 702-900-7869 or email your VIDEO TAKES to mail@silverandblacktoday.com.

Follow us on X: @SNBToday, Instagram: @SilverBlack2Day, TikTok: @SilverAndBlackToday

Follow Scott on X: @LVGully, TikTok: @LVGully, Instagram: @LVGully

‍️Chapters:

00:00 – Cold open
01:42 – Welcome to Silver and Black Today
03:31 – Friday mailbag: how to get on the show
04:38 – Camp outlook and the QB battle recap
05:11 – Today's topic: the wide receiver room
08:08 – Meet the room: roster rundown
09:19 – Tre Tucker: the incumbent number one
12:07 – Jalen Naylor: the big free agent signing
15:16 – Jack Bech: flashes of potential
17:27 – Dante Thornton Jr.: on the bubble
19:15 – Malik Benson: the rookie wildcard
20:35 – Should the Raiders trade for a true number one?
21:52 – The counter-argument: Brock Bowers and the Kubiak scheme
26:35 – Why this room could cap the offense
33:48 – Scott's verdict
35:14 – Have your say: calls, comments, and close

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Raider Nation, most of you are level-headed on this — but there's a vocal chunk that wants Fernando Mendoza in there Week 1. Today, Scott lays out the full evidence-based case on why Fernando Mendoza will NOT start the 2026 season at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders — and why that's the right call for this franchise.

No hot takes. No speculation. Verdicts, not takes.

In this episode:

• The three pillars of the "start Mendoza now" argument — and why each one collapses
• What Klint Kubiak's offense actually demands from a QB: under-center reps, pre-snap ID, full-field progressions, cadence and protection calls
• The Derek Carr New Orleans lesson — if a 10-year vet struggled with the footwork, what does that tell us about a rookie?
• Why Kirk Cousins fits this offense instantly (the 2023 Minnesota reference point)
• Cautionary tales: Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson
• The patient-path receipts: Patrick Mahomes, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy
• Coach-speak decoder — the exact phrases to listen for from Klint Kubiak this camp
• Scouting consensus from Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler on Mendoza's development timeline
• The offensive line context nobody's talking about — Kolton Miller, Tyler Linderbaum, and the interior questions
• Scott's verdict — and when Mendoza actually takes over

Call the show: 702-900-7869 — leave a voicemail with your argument for Friday's Raider Nation Court Email a video (1–2 min): mail@silverandblacktoday.com

Silver & Black Today is part of the BLEAV Network — the Raiders podcast that delivers verdicts, not takes. New episodes all NFL season long.

Follow the show: @SNBToday on X, @SilverBlack2Day on Instagram, and @silverandblacktoday on TikTok. Host: @LVGully on X.

00:00 Welcome Back — Solo Show Era Begins

01:15 Setting Up The Mendoza Year 1 Debate

03:00 Pillar 1 — The High Draft Pick Argument

05:30 Pillar 2 — "Cousins Is Just A Bridge"

06:30 Pillar 3 — The Fan Excitement Factor

09:00 What Kubiak's Offense Actually Demands

11:30 Pre-Snap ID And Full-Field Progressions

13:30 Cadence And Protection Calls

15:00 The Derek Carr New Orleans Lesson

17:00 Why Cousins Fits The System Instantly

19:30 Cautionary Tales — Wilson, Lance, Young, Richardson

23:00 The Patient Path — Mahomes, Love, Hurts, Purdy

26:00 Coach-Speak Decoder For Training Camp

30:30 The Signs That Would Mean Mendoza IS Starting

32:00 The Shanahan Tree Pattern

33:30 Scouting Consensus — Jeremiah And Brugler

34:30 The Offensive Line Context

36:30 The Verdict — Cousins Starts Week 1

39:30 Send In Your Argument — Call Or Video

42:00 Mendoza's 2026 = Mahomes' 2017

43:30 How To Subscribe

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Silver & Black Today is BACK — and court is back in session. After four months away, Scott Gulbransen returns with a new show, a new home on the BLEAV Network, and a Raiders team at the most interesting crossroads it's been at in years.

In this episode: why the show is back, what stays the same (the verdicts, the segments, the honesty), what changes, and the biggest storylines heading into training camp — Klint Kubiak's offensive identity, the Fernando Mendoza/Kirk Cousins QB question, and the O-line pieces that need to come together fast.

Training camp opens July 23rd. Veterans report July 28th. The countdown is on. ️

WANT ON THE SHOW?

Friday's "Raider Nation Court" is all you.

Call/voicemail: 702-900-7869 Email or send video: mail@silverandblacktoday.com (Shoot video horizontally, keep it under a minute or two)

FOLLOW SILVER & BLACK TODAY Twitter/X: @SNBToday Instagram, TikTok, Facebook: Silver & Black Today Host: @LVGully

Subscribe everywhere you listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and the BLEAV Network

New episodes 3x/week all season:

Monday — The Verdicts, Wednesday — On the Record, Friday — Raider Nation Court

Chapters:

0:00 – Raider Nation, We're Back

0:24 – Court Is Back in Session

0:32 – What's Different: Going Solo

1:17 – New Home: Joining the BLEAV Network

1:53 – Where to Find the Show

2:14 – Why This Return Isn't an Accident

2:52 – Klint Kubiak's Offensive Identity

3:10 – Fernando Mendoza: Sit or Start?

3:35 – O-Line Health & Training Camp Countdown

4:29 – The New Format Breakdown

4:55 – What Silver & Black Today Really Is

5:21 – 22 Days Until Veterans Report

5:39 – Friday Show: Raider Nation Court (Call-In Info)

7:07 – Thank You & Where to Follow

#RaiderNation #LasVegasRaiders #SilverAndBlackToday #KlintKubiak #FernandoMendoza

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Raiders owner Mark Davis set up a succession plan — and everyone lost their minds. Scott Gulbransen breaks down what the Egon Durban deal actually means, why it's responsible ownership planning and not a fire sale, and what it means for the rebuild under Spytek and Kubiak. Plus: Maxx Crosby is back and all in. Silver and Black Today, powered by Sportsnaut.

Chapters:

0:00 — Intro: Raider Nation, take a breath
0:50 — What the ESPN report actually said
1:53 — The two camps reacting to the news
3:07 — Why this is responsible planning, not a sell signal
4:23 — The Florio hot take and Scott's pushback
5:21 — Who is Egon Durban?
6:51 — The context everyone's ignoring: Carol Davis & Mark's growing stake
8:22 — What this means for the on-field rebuild
10:12 — Final take: Davis isn't selling, period
11:55 — The real story: No. 1 pick, Spytek, Kubiak
12:23 — Maxx Crosby update: not going anywhere
14:45 — Pump the brakes on Super Bowl talk
15:10 — Outro: Follow Silver and Black Today / Sportsnaut

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Scott and Moe reminisce on their time doing Silver and Black and all that went into making it the show that it is before sharing some thoughts on Combine Week. The latest on Maxx Crosby, which positions the Raiders must improve on through the draft, the state of the AFC West and more. Plus, concerns about Fernando Mendoza succeeding as a Raider are overblown, and we'll explore what's on John Spytek and Klint Kubiak's minds during the NFL Combine.

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Scott and Moe talk about the podcast coming to an end after all these great years as well as why Raider Nation should be looking toward next season and beyond with hope and positivity.

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Scott and Moe take your listener calls for the last time on SBT about the show coming to an end and the Raiders' future during this pivotal time of change and progress.

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Scott and Moe discuss the staff that Klint Kubiak is putting together, changes to expect on the defensive side of the ball, upcoming draft decisions, why the young receivers on this team need to be developed and more. We close with some of your listener calls!

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The guys talk about the coaching staff Klint Kubiak is putting together, with Rick Dennison set to lead the offensive line, Rob Leonard moving up to defensive coordinator and Andrew Janocko coming in to lead the offense.

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Scott and Moe discuss what kind of changes we could see on the defensive side of the ball and how the offense will come together under the new regime. Will there be an extra focus on the linebacker position going forward? What are they going to do at backup running back?

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The guys take your calls as the exciting new Raiders coaching staff comes together!

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On today's show, catch Scott and Moe talking about the Raiders officially hiring former Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as their head coach as well as the latest news and rumors surrounding Maxx Crosby's future as a Raider. Plus, some quick thoughts on the Kubiak-Fernando Mendoza pairing.

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Scott and Moe break down the big head coaching hire in Las Vegas and why they think Raider Nation should be fired up about the move.

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Scott and Moe dissect all the rumors surrounding Maxx Crosby. Is his future in a Raiders uniform or is his time slowly coming to an end? Plus, Rich Gannon's comments on the Kubiak-Mendoza pairing.

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Scott and Moe discuss the head coaching search in Vegas as they seem to be taking their time in making a decision. Is this a good or bad sign? Plus, thoughts on the candidates that have been coming through and who we think could be the best choice as the Raiders look to make a pivotal decision for the future of the franchise. We also take your Raider Nation calls to close things out!

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The guys break down the top candidates for the Raiders head coaching job including Klint Kubiak, Mike LaFleur and Davis Webb. Should this be an offensive-minded hire?

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Scott and Moe take your calls regarding the head coaching search in Las Vegas!

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On today's show, Scott and Moe break down Fernando Mendoza ending his season with a National Championship over the Miami Hurricanes. How impressive was this season for Indiana? Why is Mendoza worth the #1 pick? The guys also get to the latest news in the Raiders search for a head coach with thoughts on who has already been interviewed and why Las Vegas needs to get this right as they look to build a strong foundation for the future.

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The guys break down Fernando Mendoza's performance in the National Championship game on Monday night as well as his entire season as a whole. Which traits make him stand out to NFL teams? How impressive has his progress been as a 2 star recruit heading into college?

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Scott and Moe discuss the latest news on the coaching search in Vegas. How attractive is the job to potential suitors?

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Scott and Moe break down the rumored candidates to take over as head coach in Las Vegas before diving into why they believe Fernando Mendoza should be the undisputed #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. We take your calls to close things out!

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The guys break down the head coaching search in Vegas with a list of the rumored names that could be coming to town.

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Scott and Moe share some thoughts on why Fernando Mendoza is the pick the Raiders need to make in April's draft.

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With the season over and all eyes on the offseason, Scott and Moe take your calls!

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Black Monday came and went as the Raiders chose to relieve head coach Pete Carroll of his duties after just one season in charge. Where should John Spytek and Tom Brady look as they search for new beginnings? Is a complete overhaul needed? Scott and Moe share all their thoughts in this pivotal moment in Raiders franchise history with the #1 overall pick on deck in the 2026 NFL Draft. We also hear from Raider Nation in the switchboard segment on what kind of decisions await the Raiders brass.

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