Matthew Butler – Syndication Server

Busters for Raiders Week 6 loss vs Steelers

The poor performances that led to the Raiders collapse against the Steelers.

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. The Raiders did it time and time again in this game. So, as you can imagine, there were a lot of Busters for this one. Let’s get to it.

Busters

HC Antonio Pierce

Just like last week in Denver, one mistake and this team lost its way and went off the rails. Everything just fell apart. And kept falling apart. One thing after another. First it was randomly giving a rookie a carry and then that rookie fumbling the ball away. That seemed to be the mistake that sent the team into their spiral.

From there it was a roughing penalty that wiped away an interception (leading to a touchdown), a holding penalty that wiped away a long completion (leading to a punt), a blocked punt (leading to a field goal), another roughing the passer penalty that kept a drive alive (leading to a touchdown).

Those mistakes put the Steelers up 22-7. The Raiders would mount a drive that looked to have ended with a touchdown. Twice. The first time, a Mattison TD catch was wiped away by a highly questionable ineligible man downfield penalty on Jackson Powers-Johnson. That sucks, sure, but on the next play Ameer Abdullah ran toward the endzone, diving for the goal line and looked like he may have scored. He was ruled down at the one, but after further review, it looked like he may have gotten in. But rather than challenge it, Pierce rushed the offense to the line for another play. Abdullah got the ball again and fumbled it away.

That was as close as the Raiders would get to making a game of it. An interception on the next possession gave the Steelers first and goal and they put the game away with over eight minutes left. What a discombobulated mess this team is right now. It started in week three and has only gotten worse since then. The blame starts with the head coach.

QB Aidan O’Connell

Everything looked great on the opening drive! But once things went off script, all that ended. Two consecutive three-and-out possessions in which he went three of five for seven yards.

O’Connell was overthrowing his receivers a lot in this game. Either too high or too long. Four of the first five drives from the end of the second quarter to fourth quarter ended with passes that were too high. The final one led to the game sealing interception.

RB Dylan Laube

His fumble started the implosion. His first career carry was a fumble. That’s gotta hurt.

DT Matthew Butler

That fumble would have been largely forgotten had Deablo’s interception stood. It didn’t because Butler was flagged for roughing the passer. It was an iffy call, but Butler made it easy when, after he landed on top of Justin Fields, he stayed in his face for a few seconds taunting him.

S Chris Smith II

It was still a one score game to begin the third quarter. Then AJ Cole’s punt was blocked. And it was Smith who missed his block that caused it. The Steelers got the ball inside the ten and added a field goal to make it an eight point game.

DE K’Lavon Chaisson

Chaisson got his first sack as a Raider. But before we could congratulate him on it, the very next play he was flagged for roughing the passer on a play the Raiders had stopped to force a punt. Instead the drive was kept alive and led to a touchdown.

LB Robert Spillane

That touchdown after the Chaisson roughing penalty came on a 36-yard run by Najee Harris who took the handoff out left and Spillane missed the tackle, allowing Harris to be gone for the score. The next Steelers touchdown after the interception came on a play action fake in which Justin Fields kept it on a naked boot. But Spillane bit hard on the play fake and Fields was already streaking for the end zone by the time he realized what was happening.

His eight tackles in this game were is fewest of the season and the first time he failed to hit double digits. That’s gotta sting against his former team.

RB Ameer Abdullah

From what could have been a touchdown to a fumble. Hero to goat. In one play. The Raiders defense held up to get the ball back. But Abdullah muffed the punt which had their drive starting at their own 13. That wasn’t his first mistake on punt return duties either. In the second quarter, he fielded a punt and ran backward, losing a yard to be stopped at the 16.

See the Ballers

Raiders meltdowns are now piling up and they’re getting worse

From the Collapse vs Carolina to the Debacle in Denver to that masterstroke of a meltdown vs the Steelers. The Raiders are spiraling out of control.

Each week it seems the Raiders have a ‘hold my beer’ game to outdo their last one. As if they are talking to their past selves and saying ‘that’s nothin! Watch this!’ and setting a new bar for flailing and implosion.

Let’s start with Week three against the Panthers.

The Raiders were coming off a miraculous fourth quarter comeback win in Baltimore and in turn were feeling pretty good about themselves as they prepped for their home opener.

The Raiders managed to score on their opening drive and it was tied up 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. From that point on, Andy Dalton and the Panthers boat raced them. The Raiders run game went nowhere, averaging 2.9 yards per carry while the defense was gouged by big plays time and time again. It was 33-7 before the Raiders offense even converted another third down!

After the game came the infamous remarks from Antonio Pierce accusing more than one of his players of making ‘business decisions’ in the game.

The following week Davante Adams was out with a sudden hamstring injury, Maxx Crosby missed his first career game, and Jack Jones was benched for the first half. The Raiders somehow held on for the win merely by virtue of Deshaun Watson being utterly terrible.

And the next day Adams requested a trade and hasn’t played since.

Week five was a trip to Denver against a Broncos team that on paper seemed to be a fairly similar team — good defense but a struggling defense.

The Raiders scored a touchdown on their opening drive and jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. They were well on their way to scoring a third time to take what would have been a 17-3 lead. But Gardner Minshew overshot Brock Bowers at point blank range and Patrick Surtain Jr picked it off and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown.

Despite consecutive three-and-out by the Raider, it was still tied at 10-10 with two minutes left in the first half and the Raiders got the ball back with just under two minutes with a chance to right the ship and take the lead back. Their attempt consisted of two penalties, three runs, and a punt. So, the Broncos got the ball back and scored instead.

In the third quarter, Minshew threw another interception, was benched for Aidan O’Connell who then also threw an interception. Meanwhile the Broncos rattled off 34 straight points, putting the game away with more than eight minutes left in the game.

That brings us to last Sunday which took the meltdown to new levels.

O’Connell got the start and led the Raiders on a touchdown drive to start things off. That was the scripted drive. And that was where the success ended, soon devolving in a tragicomedy.

The next two drives ended in three-and-outs. Then on the fourth play of the next drive, rookie running back Dylan Laube got his first career carry. Before he even got to the line of scrimmage, the ball was punched out and recovered at the Vegas 30-yard line.

On the second play of the Steelers possession, the Raiders took it back…for an instant. Divine Deablo intercepted a Justin Fields pass over the middle and the Raiders got the ball right back. But wait, a flag. It was roughing the passer on Matthew Butler, who landed on Fields and then stayed in his face while on the turf. The interception was wiped away and the Steelers kept the ball, moving 12 yards closer. A few plays later they were in the end zone.

To begin the third quarter, they had an 18-yard Brock Bowers catch called back by an Andre James holding penalty. That led to a punt. And the punt was blocked, with the Steelers getting the ball at the Vegas nine-yard line and they added a field goal to take a 15-7 lead.

The next Steelers drive looked to end with a punt, but K’Lavon Chaisson was flagged for roughing the passer. Two plays later, Najee Harris got the left edge and went 36 yards for the touchdown.

Now down 22-7, the Raiders needed to put something together to have a chance. They drove to first and goal at the eight. Alexander Mattison took a short pass and scored the touchdown. But, wait, there was a flag. Jackson Powers-Johnson was illegally downfield.

The next play, Ameer Abdullah ran for the end zone, diving toward the goal line and appeared as if he may have gotten in. He was ruled down at the one and on the next play, he fumbled the ball away.

Next Raiders possession started with O’Connell getting sacked, then on third and 19 from his own four-yard-line, he was intercepted. Justin Fields took the naked boot for a touchdown in one play and that put the game on ice.

This game had it all! Fumbles, penalties nullifying takeaways, penalties keeping drives alive, penalties nullifying scores, fumbles at the goal line, interceptions at your own goal line, and so much more!

It was so bad it made the Collapse vs Carolina and the Debacle in Denver look like child’s play.

This team is a shell of the inspired team that finished last season strong. They are just plain lost. They can cobble things together for a few minutes early in games, but it falls apart quickly and at the first crack in the wall, the whole house comes down. This is three times now we’ve seen it happen in just six games and it is just getting worse with each occurrence.

How do the Raiders possibly outdo themselves now? Tune in next week when they visit the LA Rams.

Who steps up for Raiders with Christian Wilkins on injured reserve

The Raiders have a tough task trying to replace Christian Wilkins Sunday against the Steelers and for the next four weeks at least.

Some players are fairly irreplaceable. At least in terms of expecting the next guy on the roster to be able to offer anything comparable in terms of talent and production. Christian Wilkins is one such player. But the Raiders have no choice but to play who they’ve got and hope for the best.

The start DT was placed on injured reserve this week, which means he will be out at least four weeks srarting with Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

Four of the team’s five games this season it’s been Adam Butler who has aptly started alongside Wilkins and that will continue. The two were linemates in Miami in 2021. Filling in for Wilkins will take a village.

It means it will be a rotation which would be led out by John Jenkins, but include second year DT Nesta Jade Silvera, rookie Jonah Laulu and third year former fifth round pick Matthew Butler who was signed to the active roster off the practice squad this week.

“You can’t replace Christian Wilkins,” said Antonio Pierce. “But you can do yourself and be the best version of yourself and that’s what we’re going to ask them to do. Just do your job. When I asked them this week, just do right. Just do right. Don’t go outside the box, don’t be somebody else, don’t try to make that game-winning play or that game-winning tackle, just keep them linemen off our linebackers, get some knockback, and use your hands.”

Last week Laulu got 19 snaps, which was his most of the season. It was also the next most snaps after Adam Butler, Jenkins, and Wilkins. He figures to be the next man up this week as well. While Matthew Butler and Jade Silvera will rotate in as well.

“Matthew Butler has done an outstanding job,” Antonio Pierce said on Friday. He’s been on the practice squad, he’s been active throughout his career here and this is a great opportunity for him going forward to step up.

Chiefs release former Raiders mid-round draft pick days before season opener

The Chiefs hit the practice field today to start game week preparations for their Thursday Night Football opener. And they do so without Neil Farrell Jr and Matt Dickerson. As the two were both released from the team’s practice squad.

Farrell was a round four pick by the Raiders in the 2022 draft as part of Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler’s first draft class. He played nine games as a rookie in Las Vegas, but after showing up out of shape to begin 2023 camp, he was ultimately traded to the Chiefs before the start of his second season.

The former LSU Tiger appeared in three games last season and was among the players the team waived on cutdown day, after which he was re-signed to the practice squad. That lasted a few days before the team simply cut him altogether.

Farrell was one of four defensive tackles the Raiders selected in McDaniels and Ziegler’s two drafts with the Raiders. Only one still remains on the team — 2023 seventh round pick Nesta Jade Silvera. The two highest drafted ones were Farrell and 2023 third round pick Byron Young. Young was waived last week and claimed by the Eagles.

As it happens Dickerson once spent time with the Raiders on their offseason roster in 2021.

10 veterans and returning Raiders firmly on roster bubble

There are a lot of new faces in Raiders camp this year. And with new faces comes new competition to beat out familiar faces. Likewise there are a few veteran players on this team who could see their jobs taken by new blood. These are the ten …

These are the ten returning Raiders and veterans most in danger of being on the outside looking in come roster cutdown day.

This eight-year veteran backup is only here because he’s familiar with Luke Getsy’s system. That only goes so far though. The team could very decide to keep only two quarterbacks on the active roster. And it wouldn’t take much for a more intriguing option to come available on the waiver wire.

Along with being injured through most of camp, this sixth year veteran just hasn’t looked special in his time on the field. Other than Tom Telesco knowing him from their time with the Chargers, Guyton doesn’t really offer anything invaluable to the team. They could be better off taking a chance on Tyreik McAllister or snagging a talented receiver on the waiver wire.

This sixth-year veteran appeared in one game for the Raiders last season. The Raiders would have to, first of all, keep four tight ends for him to stick. And second of all, he’d have to prove he is the best choice. And quite frankly Cole Fotheringham has looked better.

Meredith has been with the Raiders the past two seasons and appeared in 17 games last season. There is eight offensive lineman ahead of him, all of whom have a very good chance of making this roster. He is the one who will be sweating it out on Tuesday and probably Wednesday as well.

He appeared in just six games as a rookie, with no starts. Not exactly what you hope to get from a third round pick. He has admitted he had an attitude problem, which is commendable. But his level of play has not offered any indication that he has made a second year leap. He was on the field a lot in the finale, after which head coach Antonio Pierce was not at all pleased with the play of the interior line.

Nesta Jade Silvera was also in that 2023 class. He was selected in the seventh round. He was also on that line that was getting gashed on the ground against the 49ers. There has been an opening for someone to step up and be the fourth interior defensive lineman. Has he shown he can be that guy? I’m not sure he has.

Is it possible the Raiders could cut all three of these former drafted defensive tackles? Sure it is. Antonio Pierce made it clear that he will be looking to the waiver to try and improve the depth along the interior defensive line. There is a chance one of these three sticks on the initial 53, but it’s just as likely that will be a short stay in favor of a waiver claim.

This 2023 sixth round pick looked good at times this preseason. But he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Meanwhile undrated rookie Amari Gainer has looked great. If Burney doesn’t head for injured reserve, he may just lose out to Gainer.

Speaking of guys who can’t stay healthy. Facyson missed almost the entire 2023 season and now he’s been missing since early in camp. If the best ability is availability, the Raiders can’t hang onto him in the hopes that he can get healthy and stay that way. Either he heads to IR, or they give up on him and move on.

Smith has a fairly good chance of sticking around. But he’s down the depth chart far enough that he is in some danger here. The Raiders selected the Jim Thorpe Award winner Trey Taylor in this past draft, so you’d figure they’d like to hold onto him, making Smith potentially the fifth safety, providing they keep that many safeties on the initial 53.

See my full Raiders 53-man roster prediction

Will Raiders DT Matthew Butler make the 53-man roster?

The Raiders will need to cut down their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4:00 PM ET and they will have some very difficult choices to make. One spot that could give them some problems is on the defensive line, specifically at defensive tackle.

One player who is on the roster is Matthew Butler, who was a fifth-round pick by the team in the 2022 NFL Draft. Butler appeared in six games last season but played only 56 total snaps on defense. Going into Year 2, it appears he could be on the outside looking in for a roster spot.

In a recent article by ESPN, they projected the final 53-man roster for the Raiders. Their list left out Butler as they opted to keep only nine defensive linemen. Here is their reasoning behind his absence:

A change from the pre-camp projection now has nine D-linemen, rather than 10, to give the defense an additional safety on the back end. That makes it tougher for the likes of veterans Jordan Willis and Isaac Rochell, second-year DT Matthew Butler and UNLV product Adam Plant to squeeze in as edge rushers — especially with Wilson off the NFI list and practicing.

Butler hasn’t done enough in training camp or the preseason to warrant a roster spot despite being a second-year player. At this point, it would be a minor shock if he did make the 53-man roster.

Look for the Raiders to explore waivers, trades, and free agency as they try to upgrade the interior defensive line before the season. And if Butler is waived, he seems like a prime candidate to make the practice squad for Las Vegas, assuming he clears waivers.

[lawrence-related id=103340,103342,103337,103335,103333]

[lawrence-newsletter]

How former Vols performed as rookies in 2022 NFL season

A look at how former Vols performed as rookies in the 2022 NFL season.

The 2022 NFL season concluded Sunday with Super Bowl LVII.

Kansas City defeated Philadelphia, 38-35, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Former Vol Trey Smith won the Super Bowl championship as an offensive lineman with the Chiefs.

Five former Vols were selected in the 2022 NFL draft and completed their rookie seasons.

The five selections were the most for Tennessee since the 2017 NFL draft.

Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Vols Wire looks at how former Tennessee players performed in their rookie NFL campaign.

Rookie statistics for Matthew Butler, Theo Jackson, Velus Jones Jr., Cade Mays and Alontae Taylor are listed below.

Secret Superstars for Week 3 of the 2022 NFL preseason: The defense

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar lets you in on the most prominent under-the-radar defensive performances in the final week of the 2022 NFL preseason.

With final cuts just around the corner (all teams must reduce their rosters to 53 by Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. EST), and the 2022 regular season starting Thursday, September 8, anybody who doesn’t have a lock on a starting job tends to see the final week of the preseason as a sort of Hunger Games. At this point, you’re not just trying to impress your coaches and your teammates — you’re just trying to hang onto the roster spot you have, or give enough of an effort to make other teams aware. Perhaps one of those teams will pick you up if you do get cut.

Our Secret Superstars list for that final week of the preseason has a lot of guys who may have either evaded the Turk (the guy who comes to your room, knocks on your door, and quietly asks you to bring your playbook to the head coach’s office to let you know you’re off the team), or have done enough to eliminate any doubt as to their veracity as starters in the league.

The clock is ticking, oxygen is getting thin, and it’s all about to be for real. Here are the under-the-radar players who did the most to advance their cases for themselves in Week 3 of the 2022 preseason. Since there were so many of them this week, we’re splitting the list into two parts. The Secret Superstars All-Offense team is right here.

Secret Superstars for Week 3 of the 2022 NFL preseason: The offense

Matthew Butler drafted by Las Vegas

Former Vol Matthew Butler selected in the 2022 NFL draft.

The 2022 NFL draft is taking place April 28-30 in Paradise, Nevada.

Former Vol defensive lineman Matthew Butler has been drafted. He was selected 175th overall in the fifth round by Las Vegas.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive lineman recorded 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during the 2021 season at Tennessee as a super senior.

Butler appeared in 53 games, starting 26 contests, for the Vols from 2017-21. He totaled 152 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, three pass deflections and forced two fumbles during his Tennessee career.

He came to Tennessee from Garner Magnet High School in Garner, North Carolina.

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

[vertical-gallery id=36044]

One final 7-round NFL mock draft for the Denver Broncos

Our final seven-round NFL mock draft for the Broncos has arrived!

Draft day has finally arrived, which means it’s time for one final seven-round NFL mock draft for the Denver Broncos. This mock features a lot of changes from our previous version — be sure to check that one out as well!

Would you be happy with this draft class for the Broncos?