Roster deep dive ahead of Week 1

0:00Raters Masquerade powered by confirmed 360 is back for year number three. Go all in with the all-inclusive tailgate located in Lot B at Allegian Stadium, the ultimate pregame with unlimited food, an open bar, and live music before every home game. No game ticket needed, just your pass to pregame. Visit RaidersExperiences.com today for passes or walk up before the game while space lasts. Again, that's RaidersExperiences.com to party with the nation. We're on Nockfee with Nockfee injury law. Over 1,000 of our cases were referred to us from other lawyers. When other lawyers trust you to handle their cases, you should too. Hall Nockfee at 702 injured. Hey, welcome to another edition of A Pond Further Review, brought to you by Kors Light. I'm your host Paul Guichetes. And we are this much closer to real actual football. We're real close to week one, the Raiders hosting the Miami Dolphins or excuse me, playing host to the Miami Dolphins.

1:05I remember my copy editor at the Las Vegas Review Journal back in 1998. You used to get on me, you play host, you're not the host. Anyway, it's an AP style kind of a thing. A guy that knows a lot about style, has a lot of style, can talk pro wrestling, chalk hockey, talk Raiders, Raider Nation Radio and Fox five zone Vince Sopianza. Vince, top of the morning to you. PGO is a great time. Let's talk a little silver and black. Yeah, let's do it. Let's do it because we're that much closer, like I said, to the season starting. And you know what, as we get into this thing here and we start breaking down the team, it's real easy to look at certain position groups. But with you, I want to dive deep into some position groups that we can think have an immediate impact on the silver and black against the teal and orange and white or whatever the dolphins are wearing this this year, because they really messed up their uniforms. They had a classical look. Now it's terrible. Anyway, Raider linebackers, I mean, it's one of these groups where from the start, you saw they really remade the linebackers. They brought in the the heat seeking missiles in the Kobe Dean and Kueh Walker.

2:06But you also have those guys, the the the thumpers, the Berg Brothers, Tommy Ikeberg, Cody Linda Berg, and you got Sagoon Olibi as well. When you look at this linebacker group, what kind of just hits you immediately besides the linebackers? I guess a strength of the defense. Yeah, strength of the defense. You know, it's so fascinating in this position group in particular, because when free agency hit, Tyler Linderbaum was the apple of everybody's eye, right? He was the crown jewel of the free agency period, specifically for the Raider. So everybody else, I don't want to say they were lost in the shuffle, but they were a little bit in the shadows if we're being completely honest, because all the attention was on the offensive line, Clint Kubex and got to fix the run game Tyler Linderbaum does that, right? But these linebacker signings might be the unsung heroes of this team when we look back at the 2026 campaign, and we sit there and say, hey, what steps did the Raiders make? I think we can look back, and we will look back at this position group as being really the spine of what helped create the foundation,

3:09at least specifically on defense in Kwe Walker and Nicobie Dean. You know, I've used the term set it and forget it. We've talked about those kinds of players like Brock Bowers, a Colton Miller. We talked about it with Tyler Linderbaum, but on defense, with all the new, with the injection of youth specifically in the secondary, you know, the set it and forget it group might be this linebacker core, and Kwe Walker and Nicobie Dean are too highly touted, highly regarded linebackers in the National Football League, and I think it was, you know, I think if you would have asked Raider Nation, if you would have got one of those guys in free agency, you would call it a win. The fact that they got both of them, a huge, huge dub for Las Vegas, I don't think it's nothing when you talk about these guys, Georgia Bulldogs, these guys for teammates, these guys know each other, these guys know the ins and outs, they communicate with one another, and I don't know if that was necessarily the plan from Chef Spite Tech,

4:09as it were, but it worked out really swimmingly, right? It's one of those ingredients that you sprint playing, like, ooh, that's pretty good, happy accidents do happen. So the fact that those two guys can communicate, those two guys can play off each other, especially with Rob Leonard, first time defensive coordinator. Now you have two linebackers literally in the middle, the focal point of your defense who are elite communicators who have done it on really good defenses that can help dispel the message to those young guys to get everybody on their assignments. So I think this, that group in particular goes far and wide, but it's not just the top order, right? It's not just those two guys. You mentioned the Berg Brothers. I've been high on Tommy Eikenberg for a number of years. I think this is the first time he's truly healthy and ready to go. I remember talking to him the off season, and, you know, without going into too much detail, he feels like this is one of those years that he could be them more than just a special team's player.

5:11And I would also make the argument watching training camp every day, like you and I did out on the field, or Raiders HQ, that Tommy Lindenberg might have taken the biggest steps of any returning player for the Las Vegas Raiders, talking to linebackers coach, they were so impressed with how far he's come from a year ago, not taking a single defensive snap, being strictly a special team's player, yet earning the opportunity and the confidence and trust to be on that game day roster each and every week to building that forward this off season. So becoming a guy that's a green dot guy, and that's trusted in that locker room. So, you know, I'll be honest, Raiders Nation radio, we talk about a lot of things. Fernando Mendoza, Tyler Lindenberg, Gen.T. You know, we probably didn't do the linebackers enough due diligence this off season, but I think they're going to make their voices heard in their play more than anything we could talk about. Yeah, you know, it's interesting to Vince about the linebackers is how much more active they have to be.

6:12And you have to, you've got like I said, the two main guys that we've talked about, Kueh Walker and Nicobie Dean, those guys can play sideline to sideline. They find the ball. They see the ball. They get the ball. And then you got the two thumpers and the bird brothers. And then with Alubi, he's kind of a combo of both of them, both skill sets, but also if you're going into that three, four base defense, you got to have those kind of linebackers that can play all over the place. And it's interesting and I know the game has changed. Believe me, I know the game has changed. But the past week or so, I've been doing a lot of research on the Super Bowl 50, 11 Raiders championship team, the 50th anniversary of that team. And what changed the season for them was going from a four three to a three four because it opened up opportunities for linebackers, not saying this is a Super Bowl caliber team or winning a Super Bowl, but it presents opportunities for linebackers as well. Yeah, and I think when we, you know, when we talked to Kueh Walker in this off season, he talked about that word that you just mentioned opportunity, right? And being used in the right way and he wasn't trying to throw shade at Green Bay or what have you,

7:12but he felt like he was a little bit, I don't know if restrained or restricted is the word, but he feels more like he's in his lane in Rob Leonard's defense. Now what that looks like, we'll see, right? Like, Kueh Walker is going to come up quick and we're going to get a really good idea. But I think him not having the green dot and the public Dean kind of taking over those rules. Kueh Walker really feels free and, you know, Max Crosby kind of joked about it, how he looked behind him and he was like, holy crap, that's my linebacker. I'll be honest with you, you know, I've been covering this team for a number of years, as you know, I have not seen a linebacker that looks like the alien that is Kueh Walker. I'm going to say that in the most common memory way possible because he is an absolute unit out there. And so the fact that, you know, he is quote unquote, not restrained in that way and is going to be moving around in different parts is going to present some real challenges for the defense and that multiple talk that Rob Leonard uses.

8:13I think that's just, you don't know where they're going to line up, whether it's Nikobi, whether it's Kueh, whether it's putting a Tommy, a Nolooby or a Cody in there. So I've got some real opportunities for the Raiders linebackers again to really make a statement this season with their play. Sounds like you came in with a nickname for Kueh Walker, the alien. He led the Packers and Tacos in each of his four seasons with the team and then Nikobi. He gets in the backfield, seven tackles for losses last season for the Eagles. Another position group that should have an immediate impact for the Raiders this coming season, the defense events. You just mentioned it. Max Crosby looked behind him and said, wow, that linebacker is as big as me, but he moves fast too. He's a thumper, but he can also move. There was a little bit of a hiccup in the preseason with Kiehron Crawford being lost for the season with the Torne Killies. But from an edge Russia perspective, again, coverage helps pass rush, pass rush helps coverage. With Max Crosby not playing at all in the exhibition season, how does that affect what this defense can look like?

9:16Or does it because really the sense you get is that Max is going to be more of a of a freelancer out there anyways. Yeah, Max is going to be Max. You know, I know that. I mean, he could have taken 50 snaps in the preseason. He could have taken zero in. And I don't think the expectations changed of what you would expect out of out of the condor that is Max Crosby. He has to be the leader, both verbally, production wise. He's that guy. The question we have been asking for years is who's the other guy? Who's going to be one helping 98 and you know, Max has always talked about Malcolm Coons is his guy, right? He has been the guy that he has been his best running mate, but you know, injuries that have been undoing for a Malcolm Coons. Getting back up to speed has been a real challenge. And so relying on that is is a tough ask if we're being completely honest. There's a lot of that is expected out of Malcolm Coons and the key Crawford injury really hurts because that was supposed to be the second layer.

10:18Right. That was supposed to be part of this rotation part of this, you know, second wave, if you will. And I thought key Crawford put on some really good tape in the preseason and more than anything, you feel for the for the kid, right? I mean, you feel for the third round draft pick that was just trying to find his footing and a devastating injury that he's going to have to, you know, really attack. And by all accounts talking with his coaches and just what the way he plays, you know, you know, it doesn't feel like that's going to be a problem for him. He's very aggressive and everything he does, you would imagine he's going to come back and he's young enough that he can bounce back in a big way. But, you know, the NFL, as you know, Paul is a freight train and there's no slowing it down. You got to find the next man up. And what's interesting is Malcolm Coons, Quitte Pay gets the big payday. If you can get Quitte Pay back to where he was a couple of years ago, eight sacks. Yeah. I think you're feeling really good about those two edge rushers and the production that's coming from it. On top of that, a Patrick Johnson, you know, this is a guy that is 28 years old, one sack in his career.

11:21But maybe he's one of those late bloomer types. And again, I'm not going to pretend I've watched all the tape in the world on Patrick Johnson from his years prior. But I know what I've seen in training camp every day like you. I know what I've seen in the preseason. And I know what I've heard from Klee Koovyeck. Every time the coach is put on the tape, he's making plays, whether that's in the backfield, whether that's pursue drills, whatever it may be. And one thing we have seen is he will not be blocked by a tight end. Now, those are backups and things that we've seen. He's got to do against starters in the NFL at this level. But if he's part of that rotation and you feel good about it as a, as a D line coach and Travis Smith or D coordinator Rob Leonard, then you feel you can keep guys fresh. Quity pay has got to be the guy you paid. You know, Patrick Johnson has to, has to level up. And that's just the brutal honesty of it all. But I think, you know, they've seen enough that they're optimistic of what they can get out of that position group. And at this point of the season, that's really all you can ask for because, you know, as we saw on the waiver wire, PG, there's, there's no all pros and elite players just being let go by their teams, right?

12:29The inventory is what it is. Your team is, is somewhat what it is. You may not be as talented as some of the rosters in that particular position group. But when you're, you have a position group that's led by a max crossby, you know, it lifts all ships, right? So I really like what I've seen out of Quity Pay. So we'll see what they do that to go do it on the field. But max obviously presents a massive piece to all of this, which is interesting because remember they, they kind of built this line. Initially in the off season with the thought that Max wasn't even going to be there. And Quity Pay was kind of that crown jewel of that, that edge rusher free agent signing anyway. But yeah, it's probably time for for Malcolm Coons really to show that form that he showed a couple years ago before his unfortunate injury. So a lot, I like the way you put it. You're bullish on them doing some things from the edge rusher position. And if the secondary holds up, then that's going to give them more opportunities as well. So again, that's just the way the game goes. A third position group that again, maybe the strongest position group on the team, the tight end room, Brock Bauer's already a first team all pro as a rookie.

13:35Michael mayor who can be a good blocker. But hey, he was the best tight end in college football before Brock Bauer's. And then Ian Thomas, who's just literally a combo of the two. A lot has been made about Vince about the Raiders not having that true wide receiver number one. Is that kind of overblown though because of what they do have in the tight end room or, or, or am I being kind of silly talking about talking about things that way? Look, so I'm of the campaign and I've been in many arguments on air and off that I'm wrong and that's fine. It won't be the last time, definitely not the first, but you know, when you have a Brock Bauer's, even if you had a number one wide receiver, right? I would make the argument Brock Bauer's is still option number one. I mean, he's just that damn good. And, you know, I've run out of adjectives on air to talk about him because you watch him in practice. You watch him in the games. I said it's almost a crime when the past is not thrown to him because he's open every time.

14:35And if he's not open, he can make a one handed grab if you put it in the right spot and come down with it. So, and you talk about the focal point, the strongest group you saw what this team looked like when Brock went down a season ago. Despite all the flaws, despite everything that happened, you know, the one true game where Brock Bauer's was healthy, the Raiders won. And the Raiders briefed one a pretty good team on the road. So, I know that that was ancient history. Brock Bauer's is that guy and I forget which guy who said it in the locker room. It's escaping me, but he goes, yeah, we call him that man's paid. He's like, he hasn't paid yet, but he's going to get paid and he's going to get paid in a big way. And rightfully so, he's going to be the highest paid tight end in NFL history when it comes down to it. That's just the fact of the matter. But what makes this conversation fun and the offense exciting, I think, is the fact of what you said. It might be the best position group on the team and it might be the best tight end room in the national football league.

15:40Not just because of Brock, but because of another Mackie award winner in Michael Mayer. We've had a lot of conversations about how he might be the most underutilized Raider in the last number of years. And I'm not here to point fingers. That's not what this conversation means. He presents a lot. Now, don't you point that finger in the VG. It's a lot of danger for opposing defenses because of his ability. His fantastic hands, his ability in route running, but his blocking, but because he can do both. And I think that is something that he learned, whether it was through attrition or however you want to describe it when he first got into the NFL. I learned how to block at the NFL level and there was some, you know, welcome to the NFL tight moments, but he became more than just this unbelievable receiving tight end. Right. He became a complete tight end. And if you were to put Michael Mayer in any other tight end room, he's probably tight end number one.

16:41And I don't think that's being dramatic one way or another. He's that damn good. And he's a complete football player. I look to, you know, the Chicago Bears game from a year ago when they didn't have Michael Mayer and the field goal that was blocked. And why was it blocked? Well, it's because Michael Mayer was out and they had to put another guy in and the assignment was missed. And you don't, you don't know what you don't know, right? And they missed Michael Mayer in a big way that could have been a win. Again, history of side domino effect, decide butterfly effect and all that. But Michael Mayer is going to be a very, very much used in this 12 personnel offense with Clint Kubiak. If you watched any tape or you saw any highlights from Seattle, they use multiple tight ends. And I, and I don't think it's a stretch or me having some hot take to sit there and say Seattle didn't have close to the tight end room that the Raiders have. Be on Brock Bower. So I think Michael Mayer is going to be a massive, massive piece to the success of this offense, the ability of moving the chains, the ability of extending drives, keeping the offense on the field, allowing them to run the ball, which at the end of the day is going to be the engine, the heart, the soul of this offense and Rick Dennis and everything they want to do starts with the run game.

17:54But if you want to have wide scheme, what did Trace say? No rock, no block, no rock, like you better be able to block in this run game. If you want the ball, and I think Michael mayors earn the trust in short order with this new staff. Vince, so we're talking about Brock. He had seven receiving touchdowns last year, 64 catches, even though we missed five games with the knee injuries. Michael Mayer 35 catches through 28 yards, a touchdown played 13 games for the Raiders last season. Want to thank you right here right now, Vince for helping me break down these three position groups that should kind of pop for the Raiders this season. And we're going to see it right off the bat when they played the dolphins. And it's not PG. All right, Vince, talk to you soon. All right. So after eight seasons, that is a wrap on a pawn for the review. Don't get the hankies out on anything. But I want to thank you for to Raider Nation for listening, watching being part of this podcast. I got to do it for one year. It was a great, great highlight of my career while this show is coming to an end. The coverage you count on. It's not going anywhere. The content you've come to know and love from UFR, the analysis, the team coverage, exclusive interviews. Well, that's all going to continue on Raiders weekly.

19:00So make sure you subscribe to the Raiders podcast, Nambor, wherever you get your podcasts. You can join us for the next chapter for everybody here at Silver and Black Productions. I'm Paul Gutierrez. Thanks for watching. Thanks for watching.

20:10Thanks for watching.