Raiders’ backup QB Marcus Mariota to regularly feature in playoff push
Mariota has shown flashes of why he was drafted second overall by Tennessee. That can only mean good things for Vegas.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ thrilling road victory in Dallas on Thanksgiving was a thing of beauty for most on a day of celebration. Quarterback Derek Carr was instrumental in the victory, while his backup Marcus Mariota also had a hand in the Raiders’ 36-33 win.
The former Tennessee signal-caller has been called upon throughout the season to mix up Vegas’ offensive schemes and it’s fair to say Mariota has been effective. The 28-year-old scored a pivotal rushing touchdown on Thanksgiving, putting the Raiders up 23-13 at Jerry World.
Sitting at 6-5, just outside the wildcard spots, Las Vegas will continue to use Mariota, according to interim head coach Rich Bisaccia.
“I think you saw [offensive coordinator] Greg [Olson] do a great job of this week, we had him in there multiple times and he ends up scoring a touchdown for us because of his athletic ability and what he can do in certain situations, but certainly what we are asking him to do,” Bisaccia told Vegas media on Monday. “Without giving too much away, I think he is hopefully going to be a part of the packages as we go forward. He practices like he’s preparing to play all the time. And the other thing is, it’s really hard to take No. 4 (Derek Carr) out from behind the center as well, especially if he’s playing the way he played on Thanksgiving Day.”
Some quarterbacks can become frustrated when snaps are taken away from them, though Mariota’s fellow quarterback Derek Carr isn’t most QBs. The Fresno State product is known as a standup teammate and Bisaccia echoed those sentiments Monday.
“I think on the touchdown, you saw Derek might have been the first or second guy out there to congratulate him. So, I think Derek is about the team,” he said. “Derek is about doing whatever we can do to put ourselves in position to win a game. I think you see it by the way in which he prepares, by the way in which he plays, and they certainly have a professional relationship with respect to each other’s job and what they are trying to do to help us win.
“So, I don’t feel like that’s an issue in any way. I just feel like they are certainly competitors, but I certainly think they want to do whatever they can do to help us win games.”
The Raiders, Carr and Mariota will get an opportunity to show what they can scheme when Washington arrive in Sin City on Sunday.
Week 1 AFC players of the week announced
The 4-0 AFC West is well represented with Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby chosen.
After a pulsating start to the 2021 NFL season, three players were selected as a class above the rest in the American Football Conference.
The 4-0 AFC West is well represented with Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby chosen. Alongside, game-winning Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson. Each were respectively voted the offensive, defensive and special teams players’ of the week.
Mahomes helped his Kansas City Chiefs to another miraculous hometown comeback, defeating the Cleveland Browns 33-29 despite trailing by two scores in the final quarter. The 25-year-old completed 27 of 36 pass attempts for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Tom Brady’s heir apparent threw no interceptions, amassing a 131.4 QBR. What’s more, Mahomes got himself a rushing touchdown too.
The Chiefs’ No.15 has now achieved six Offensive Player of the Week Awards, overtaking Joe Montana for the most by a Kansas City quaterback.
Mad Maxx Crosby was an integral component to the Raiders’ gutsy overtime victory against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Eastern Michigan alum had two sacks, six tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss as the Raiders christened Allegiant Stadium.
Crosby has won the award twice previously, once as a defensive player (Week 11: 2019) and the other for his Special Teams work all the back in Week 17, 2020. In what is sure to be a humbling moment for the resilient 24-year-old, Crosby has now accrued more Player of the Week Awards than any Eastern Michigan player in history.
Fairytales can come true, right? If you’re a non-believer, just find rookie kicker Evan McPherson. The Alabama-born specialist slotted a 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and wasn’t close to being done there. McPherson followed it up with a 33-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in Cincinnati’s overtime victory over Minnesota.
The Bengals’ newest hero is only the second rookie kicker in NFL history to make a game-winning field goal with no time remaining in overtime. Miami’s Jason Sanders (October 14, 2018) is the co-owner of the prestigious record.
At 22 years and 53 days old, McPherson also became the youngest kicker in NFL history to kick a game-winner in overtime. Want another record?
McPherson is the first rookie kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week since Indianapolis’ Rodrigo Blankenship in Week 11 of the 2020 season.
Raiders announce proof of vaccine policy for home games
The Las Vegas Raiders have set a contentious precedent, undoubtedly soon-to-be followed by other teams around the league.
The Las Vegas Raiders have set a contentious precedent, undoubtedly soon-to-be followed by other teams around the league.
In a statement released on their website last night, the Raiders informed fans they must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend any games during the 2021 NFL season.
Attendees can demonstrate their vaccination proof through CLEAR's free mobile app and Health Pass feature, ensuring fans can attend games without wearing a mask. There is no scenario in which an unvaccinated fan will be allowed into Allegiant Stadium this season.
t is the first vaccine/no mask policy implemented in the National Football League. Those planning to attend the Raiders first regular season home game against Baltimore on Monday Night Football (September 13) must be vaccinated to receive entry.
The policy is in accordance with the large events Emergency Directive from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak.
"Health and safety has always been our number one priority," said Raiders owner Mark Davis. "After consultation with Governor Sisolak and other community leaders, this policy ensures that we will be able to operate at full capacity without masks for fully vaccinated fans for the entire season."
Fans will be able to receive vaccinations onsite at Allegiant Stadium prior to Raiders home games, though newly vaccinated fans must continue wearing their mask.
The Raiders announced a policy requiring all full-time employees on the business and football staffs of the organization to be vaccinated in May. Stadium management company ASM and stadium concessionaire Levy also have implemented mandatory vaccinations for all full-time staff at Allegiant Stadium.
Raiders present Darren Waller with incredible sobriety gift
Despite being a star on the field, Waller has had his fair share of battles off the gridiron. One day removed from his four-year sobriety anniversary, Waller’s teammates came together, ensuring today would be a moment equally special.
In an incredibly heartfelt moment, the Las Vegas Raiders showed their support for one of their brothers, star tight end Darren Waller.
Despite being a star on the field, Waller has had his fair share of battles off the gridiron. One day removed from his four-year sobriety anniversary, Waller’s teammates came together, ensuring today would be a moment equally special.
Raiders coaches, teammates, and staff pulled together, collecting donations for The Darren Waller Foundation, surprising their pass catcher with a $30,000 check.
According to the official website, Waller’s foundation was founded to “equip youth to avoid and overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol and support youth and their families during their recovery and treatment journey.”
Waller detailed his surprise and reminisced on his journey on Instagram, sharing some touching photos with his squad.
“Celebrated 4 years sober yesterday. I remember when 4 days seemed impossible 😂 I thank God every day for transforming my mind and my life,” Waller said in his Instagram post.
“Still find it hard to wrap my mind around all the amazing opportunities and relationships I’ve been blessed with, but today I can be present and cherish them while I have them.
“The @raiders didn’t have to take a change on what seemed like an unreliable drug addict at the surface, but I’m grateful that they’ve welcomed me in, cared for me as a person, and gave me a chance to work. What more can you ask for?”
You can find out more about The Darren Waller Foundation, or how to lend your support, here.
Gerald McCoy working out with Las Vegas Raiders
All the way back in April, McCoy reiterated he has a lot left in the tank and wasn’t anywhere near hanging up the cleats.
Stalwart defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has enjoyed an incredible career in the NFL amassing six Pro Bowl appearances, though he isn’t likely to be done yet.
ESPN’s NFL insider FIeld Yates has reported McCoy is out in the desert, visiting - and working out - with Jon Gruden’s Las Vegas Raiders.
All the way back in April, McCoy reiterated he has a lot left in the tank and wasn’t anywhere near hanging up the cleats.
“For me, I just love this game so much, it’s still fun to me,” McCoy told Rick Stroud of The Tampa Tay Times.
“I love competing. I just know what my mindset was going into last season and I don’t want an injury or what the NFL deems ‘age’ to be a derailment and finish like that.” he said.
“I know I can still be an asset to a team, whether it’s sparingly, as a starter, in the locker room, whatever it is. In training camp, a mentor to the young kids. I just know I have so much more to give this game, even if for a short period of time.”
McCoy, an Oklahoma native, signed with his childhood — and America’s — team; Dallas Cowboys. A season-ending quad injury ruined his dream of playing on the big star, witht he Cowboys cutting him in August 2020.
Big Gerald faces stiff competition at defensive tackle with the Raiders having six on their roster, including Jonathan Hankins and former #3 pick Solomon Thomas.
NFL announces Preseason TV schedule
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel…this includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The NFL announced this week there will be a record number of preseason games will be shown on NFL Network.
Let’s hope we’ll see more of this!
Importantly, all preseason games will be shown on NFL GamePass, which is fantastic news for international and American fans alike.
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel will show eight games through Weeks 1-2 before a final seven during the third and final week of preseason.
This includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The Football Team kick off NFL Network’s coverage on August 12 at New England, where we should get our first official look at Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.
Trevor Lawrence is likely to hit your screens on August 14 as Urban Meyer and the Jags host AFC rivals, Cleveland.
Media and fans alike will be hoping to get a glimpse of Jordan Love too, which may come as early as Week 2 (August 21) at home to Zac Wilson and Gang Green.
Below is a full list of the games to air on NFL Network across the preseason:
Week 1
Thursday, August 12
7:30 PM ET – Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
Friday, August 13
7:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
10:00 PM ET – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
4:00 PM ET – Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings
7:00 PM ET – Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM ET – Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 2
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Friday, August 20
8:00 PM ET – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Football Team
Saturday, August 21
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
4:25 PM ET – New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
7:30 PM ET – Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 22
1:00 PM ET – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns
7:30 PM ET – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3
Friday, August 27
8:00 PM ET – Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, August 28
1:00 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills
7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, August 29
1:00 PM ET – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:00 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
For American fans — NFL Network will blackout live games shown concurrently in local markets.
NFL announces joint practices - Who your team is playing and why
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
Joint practices aren’t a new phenomenon in the NFL. They essentially act as an opportunity for teams and players to go through scrimmages against different personnel.
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
New Orleans and Jacksonville were set to meet in Louisiana on August 20, but since the release of the schedule both teams have confirmed otherwise.
Teams NOT involved in joint practices this offseason:
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team
Some teams will engage in two bouts of joint practices; the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and both the New York clubs (Jets and Giants).
Arguably, the most famous joint practice moment of recent memory involved then-Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall getting into it. Things got interesting, real quick…
Thankfully for DB’s everywhere their ankles won’t be tested by D-Hop until preseason at the earliest.
Full list of this year’s joint practices:
Courtesy of NFL Communications
Darren Waller wants to help Tim Tebow succeed at tight end
Tim Tebow may not have received an invite to Tight End University but one star pass catcher is willing to help him at the position.
Tim Tebow may not have received an invite to Tight End University but one star pass catcher is willing to help him at the position.
Star Raiders tight end and all-round good guy Darren Waller wants to offer Tebow some one-on-one mentoring as he tries to make the Jacksonville roster at Waller’s position.
“If he thinks he can learn from me, then I’d love to help him and help make his transition smoother,” Waller told TMZ.com.
Waller, like Tebow, wasn’t a tight end growing up, though he made a far easier transition from wide receiver.
“I tried to find any information I could from watching guys play or asking people when I moved,” Waller said regarding his position change.
“I’d love to continue to pass that on and help him be a better player.”
Some believe Tebow has a shot because of his dogged spirit and experience as a high-level football player. The Raiders’ prized piece echoed this sentiment.
“Football is in his blood,” Waller said.
“I feel like he’ll find a way. He’ll find a way. He’s physical, he’s athletic. So I wish him nothing but the best going forward.”
Tebow’s last appeared in the NFL wearing New York Jets uniform, before spending time at New England and Philadelphia in offseason capacities. The devout Christian is best known for his time with the Broncos however, particularly this magical play below.
‘Maybe We’ll Have something to talk about’: Devante Adams on possible reunion with Derek Carr
Derek Carr and Davante Adams were the ultimate duo in college, starring for little-known Fresno State. Though both have been apart for eight years now, playing for the Raiders and Packers respectively.
Carr recently said he’d do just about anything, including a “full-court press” to land his fellow Bulldog alum.
Derek Carr and Davante Adams were the ultimate duo in college, starring for little-known Fresno State. Though both have been apart for eight years now, playing for the Raiders and Packers respectively.
Carr recently said he’d do just about anything, including a “full-court press” to land his fellow Bulldog alum.
Sadly for Raiders fans, Adams poured cold water on those claims for now, but stopped short of saying a reunion in Allegiant Stadium was off the table.
“Well, I mean, I’m a Packer, so I can’t really get too far ahead on that,” Adams said, via Evan Webeck of the Bay Area News Group.
“When the season ends and if nothing’s figured out, then maybe we’ll have something to talk about. But those are cautious waters, so I can’t really dabble in that now.”
Adams and the Packers have plenty to figure out with Aaron Rodgers’ position on the roster still under question as we head toward training camp.
One thing is for certain though, if Adams does exercise his free agency rights, the Raiders won’t be the only suitor in the queue.
Bengals OC: Tee Higgins ‘will be a Problem’ this season
After a promising rookie season, former Clemson product Tee Higgins is ready to take things up a level, that’s according to a man who knows him better than most.
After a promising rookie season, former Clemson product Tee Higgins is ready to take things up a level, that’s according to a man who knows him better than most.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan couldn’t be happier with the shape Higgins is in heading into his sophomore season.
“He’s more explosive,” Callahan said, via Geoff Hobson of the Bengals website. “I went back and watched some stuff the other day and looked at his routes on air right now and he’s markedly more explosive.
“It’s not necessarily that he’s gotten faster or that he’s a different type of player, he’s just now understanding how to bring those skills into practice every single day and the consistency that it requires to improve the speed you have to play with all the time.”
Higgins had a quietly impressive first year in the National Football League amassing 67 receptions, 908 yards and six touchdowns.
“When you’re a young player, you kind of find your way through. I think he’s found that. Now he knows what it takes to get to the next level of his game. He put all the work in to do it. I’m very, very excited about where he is at and where he is headed. He’s going to be a problem for defenses,” Callahan added.
With a rejuvenated Joe Burrow back on board, Higgins, and his fellow receivers — namely Tyler Boyd and No. 5 overall pick Ja’Marr Chase — are set to feast on secondaries.