Tag: Raiders

Derek Carr could get closer to a rare feat by beating his former team

Only four quarterbacks have beaten all 32 teams. Derek Carr is closer than you’d think, and could get even closer by getting revenge against the Raiders:

Don’t be surprised if the New Orleans Saints play the Las Vegas Raiders in the season opener. Neither team’s cachet is particularly high, so the NFL likely won’t push them as a marquee matchup. Derek Carr playing his former team is enough to schedule it as a season opener, even if it’s a 12 p.m. game. Carr certainly has that game circled.

Toppling his former team would get Carr closer to a rare feat. In his decade-long career, Carr has defeated 27 of the 32 teams in the NFL. He’s played against 31 of them, and this year he will face the Raiders for the first time.

Only four quarterbacks have ever defeated all 32 teams: Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. Carr is also winless against the Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. Out of that group, New Orleans plays every team other than the Vikings this season. Carr isn’t a future Hall of Famer, but he’s surprisingly sneaking up on a rare feat.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Hall of Famer Tim Brown recalls setting NFL record for punt return touchdown vs. Chiefs in 2001

Hall of Fame WR Tim Brown sat down with our @EdEastonJr to discuss his record-setting punt return against the #Chiefs in 2001.

The AFC West is again stacked this season, with the other three teams trying to end the Kansas City Chiefs’ dominant run. The Las Vegas Raiders officially hired Antonio Pierce as their head coach after an impressive interim run, highlighted by the Christmas Day victory in Kansas City.

Retired Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown will compete in the third annual Invited Celebrity Classic on April 19-21 at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. PGA TOUR Champions professionals will play 54 holes of stroke play for a purse of $2 million with the celebrities in a $500,000 competition.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. sat down with Brown to discuss this golf game, record-breaking punt return against the Chiefs, and the Raiders hiring Antonio Pierce.

“You would think I have many opportunities to play that course,” said Brown, a Texas native, of his experience playing at Las Colinas. “There is just something about it: when it becomes an official event, it seems like the course changes on you or something. There’s a couple of little places I know that maybe some of the guys won’t know, but I guess it doesn’t matter if you can hit the ball good.”

Brown was known for his versatility as a returner and receiver early in his NFL career but didn’t expect at 35 to be setting a record for his age returning a punt for a touchdown. The infamous play took place at the Chiefs’ expense in 2001.

“I remember not wanting to be back there; I think I started seventh on the depth chart that year. And I saw guys week after week falling, everybody’s going down, and finally (Jon) Gruden came to me and said, ‘Hey, man, I’m gonna need you to go back there and don’t worry about it, just try and catch I need somebody that I could trust to be back there to catch the ball. And I was like, okay; I got you, coach. No problem. So, that was my plan to just fair catch it, and i did fair catch it. Randy Jordan came back yelling and screaming at me, ‘You better return this ball!’ I say, Randy, if anybody touches me, me and you gonna be fighting. So I went 89 yards untouched; me and Randy Jordan are still friends today because of that play. I tell people at that stage of my career, becoming the oldest man in the league’s history to return a punt for a touchdown. I think it’s sort of put me in a different light than just being a receiver. I think that certainly helped. It didn’t help me be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but certainly, I think people had to consider that when they were looking at my Hall of Fame numbers.”

Brown last played for the Raiders over 20 years ago but has maintained his watch over the current team. He shared his thoughts on new head coach Antonio Pierce and his outspoken confidence in matchups against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I was saying during the year when he took over, if they like it, I love it, and it seems like the boys love it. They’re feeding off his energy to play hard and tough football; it doesn’t mean they gonna win every football game. There’s nothing like seeing the team compete right down to the last second. I think even in the games they lost, you saw that happen. You saw them compete like nobody’s business, and that’s what this thing is all about. You want to see the team is getting better. The team is working hard. They’re laying it on the line, so those things mean a lot to a fan base. Obviously, it meant a lot to Mark Davis for him to retain AP (Antonio Pierce). I think the future’s bright; I don’t have a problem with him at all. I think he probably thinks he has a secret that he did go to Kansas City and beat Kansas City on Christmas Day. So Talk That Talk, brother, just back it up. I’m all good with it.”

The Invited Celebrity Classic is free for the public and has raised $500,000 for charity these past two years. Top celebrity athletes committed are Tony Romo, Albert Pujols, John Smoltz, Adam Thielen, Pudge Rodriguez, Greg Maddux and more.

Fans can register for the event at www.invitedcelebrityclassic.com

Raiders legend Tim Brown on rivalry with Chiefs: ‘Bona fide, from-the-gut hatred’

#Raiders legend Tim Brown told @EdEastonJr about his “bona fide, from-the-gut hatred” for the #Chiefs in a recent interview.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Tim Brown is among the many athletes and celebrities competing in the third annual Invited Celebrity Classic on April 19-21 at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. PGA Champions Tour pros and celebrities will be paired together all three days of competition, creating a dynamic attraction for spectators and the Golf Channel audience.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. sat down with Brown to discuss this weekend’s golf tournament and the Hall of Famer’s hatred of playing against the Chiefs.

“I can’t wait; I’ve been waiting all year for this,” Brown said, describing his excitement for the golf tournament. “I mean, for another year, I should say. … I didn’t get off to a good start last year and played a lot better on Sunday. I’m hoping to pick it up from there and play good all weekend.”

During Brown’s 16 years with the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders, he was right in the middle of his team’s rivalry with the Kansas City Chiefs. He explained the mindset and feelings that both teams had for one another on the field during his tenure with the Raiders.

“Oh, the hatred, brother, bona fide from-the-gut hatred for both teams,” Brown said. “I mean, there’re not many games that, after the game, I didn’t shake hands with people. Almost every time we play Kansas City, that never happened. You find a way to, like, ‘Yeah, I’ll see you. I’ll see him later on.’ But you didn’t feel like it, man.

“Because we didn’t have a very good record versus the Chiefs for a while, it certainly made it even harder to be all nice and all that stuff after a game, but yeah, man, it’s the hatred between both teams; I think it was a reason why those rivalries were so good.”

Luckily for Brown, his days of facing Kansas City are over, and he can focus on more important things like his follow-through on drives on the links.

The Invited Celebrity Classic is free to the public and has raised $500,000 for charity over the past two years.

Champions Tour players expected to participate in this event include John Daly, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Retief Goosen, Lee Janzen and Colin Montgomerie.

Fans can register for the event at www.invitedcelebrityclassic.com

Chargers sign LB Denzel Perryman

The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face.

The Chargers signed linebacker Denzel Perryman, the team announced on Monday.

Perryman, 31, spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Chargers. In 69 total games (51 starts), he amassed 349 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, five sacks, eight quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions.

During the 2021 offseason, Perryman was signed by the Panthers before being traded to the Raiders a few months later. He had the best season of his career, racking up 154 tackles, and was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

After two seasons with Las Vegas, Perryman was signed by the Texans last offseason. In 13 games, Perryman recorded 76 tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and three passes defensed.

Perryman has been hit with injuries throughout his lengthy NFL career. But when he is on the field, he provides the defense with a physical and hard-hitting presence when coming downhill.

Saints advisor Jon Gruden is a big supporter of backup QB Nathan Peterman

It’s still unclear what role Jon Gruden has with the Saints as an advisor, consultant, or unpaid observer. But he’s a big Nathan Peterman fan:

It’s still unclear what role ex-Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has with the New Orleans Saints. His connection to the organization has been characterized as, at different times, “an observer rather than any official consultant” per NewOrleans.Football’s Mike Triplett and as a possible “addition to the Saints offensive staff rather than a replacement for offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael” according to Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan.

Obviously Gruden has not joined the staff in any official capacity (yet), but it stands to reason that he’s still around the team. He had dinner with general manager Mickey Loomis and other team brass when the Saints visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late last December, and he’s someone they regard highly despite the off-field distractions his presence creates.

What we do know about Gruden is that he’s a big Nathan Peterman fan. Gruden kept Peterman around as a backup quarterback on the Raiders for years, and now Peterman is competing for the same job in New Orleans. Back before the 2017 draft, when Gruden was still working in broadcasting for ESPN, he said of the then-Pitt Panthers quarterback:

“Peterman is ready to walk in and be a contributor from day one. He just looks like a pro quarterback — coming out of the huddle, running an offense with different formations, shifting, motioning, different patterns that other colleges don’t run.

Peterman will recognize route combinations and associate formations. Most importantly, he will be able to get in a huddle from day one and look at 10 grown men and tell them where to go and what to do and handle a versatile snap count.”

Clearly things didn’t work as Gruden anticipated once Peterman got on the field. No quarterback has thrown more interceptions (13) on fewer attempts (160) since he entered the league. Still, Gruden stood by his evaluation and chose to bring Peterman into the fold when he was coaching the Raiders a few years later.

“This Nate Peterman is growing on me,” Gruden told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal. “He’s athletic. I know he’s got some nightmare performances in the NFL, but when you watch the film you can see why. It’s not all his fault, but he’s got some talent, he’s got some athleticism, he’s got some experience.”

Gruden added: “He was an opening day starter for the Buffalo Bills last year. I take that very serious. He’s smart. He’s done a good job. He’s been consistent, and I think he’s starting to get his confidence back. We all need that.”

Now, just because Gruden likes a quarterback doesn’t mean the player is any good. Just look at the horrible draft picks he and Mike Mayock put together with the Raiders. It became a meme during Gruden’s ESPN tenure on Monday Night Football that he’d claim to have loved every player he could name. From Tom Brady to Alex Smith and Mike Glennon, anyone would get an enthusiastic, “Man, I love this guy.” Peterman has probably gotten the same treatment.

Still, it’s easy to connect the dots here. Gruden has been around the Saints as an organization for most of the last year. He’s a big fan of Peterman as a backup quarterback. And when the Saints needed someone cheap who wouldn’t threaten Derek Carr’s job security, Gruden may have put in a good word for the third-stringer. It would almost be more surprising if he hadn’t.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to rumors that he will join the Raiders in free agency

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones responded to rumors that he will join the Las Vegas #Raiders in free agency.

The free agency frenzy is underway with the official start less than a week away. The many scenarios regarding some top players, including Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, continue to be discussed.

The star defensive lineman responded to an article suggesting he would consider signing with AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders with a cryptic handshake emoji. Jones seemingly responded to an idea from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo during a roundtable discussion about the upcoming free agency period.

“Multiple teams in the AFC West need help on the defensive line; I’m just saying, the place where he played his last game as a Chief may be his first game as somebody,” said Garafolo, hinting at Allegiant Stadium’s NFL tenants. “I don’t know, I’m just saying. I dunno. Who knows. I’m just trying to find a way to not allude to the fact that it’s the (Las Vegas) Raiders I’m talking about.”

Jones has historically had fun with the media regarding his decision-making, so this can be a joke. Chiefs fans wouldn’t laugh if this became a reality and had to see a franchise favorite wearing silver and black next season.

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce explains novel approach to defending Patrick Mahomes

#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce explained Las Vegas’ new approach to defending Patrick Mahomes.

Every team in the AFC West aims to find a way to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs and dethrone their dominance over the division. The six consecutive AFC West champions have had their way with the rest of the division, with the other three teams consistently retooling in the offseason.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce experienced some success against the Chiefs in 2023 with his shocking victory at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day. The outspoken former linebacker spoke with Maxx Crosby on his podcast “The Rush” about his special rules for facing Patrick Mahomes.

“We’ve got the Jordan rules and what I’m calling, from now on as long as I’m here, the Patrick Mahomes rules,” Pierce said. “You remember when Jordan was going through it with the Pistons? All those guys in the ’80s; before he became Michael Jordan, Air Jordan, the Pistons used to whip his [expletive].

“Any time he came to the hole? Elbows, feeling him, love taps. We touched him. We’re in the head, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually; I’m touching you. So, I showed those guys Jordan getting his ass whooped.”

The Jordan Rules were created by the infamous 1980s Detroit Pistons in the NBA to slow down Michael Jordan’s effectiveness on offense. Pierce comparing Mahomes to Jordan is highly praised and shows an interesting mindset to be extra physical in their matchups.

Crosby has already demonstrated his willingness to get chippy with Mahomes, so it appears the plan is well underway.

1 pending free agent Chargers should target: AFC West Edition

Listing one free agent from each of the Chargers’ division rivals who could be a fit for them.

The Chargers won’t be aggressive when it comes to signing free agents, as they’re currently $35 million over the projected salary cap.

While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Joe Hortiz will make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

First up is the AFC West.

Chargers named potential landing spot for 3 free agent offensive linemen

With Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers’ head coach, he is going to prioritize fixing the running game, which means bolstering the offensive line.

With Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers’ head coach, he is going to prioritize fixing the running game, which means bolstering the offensive line.

Los Angeles’ search begins in free agency. Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger believes they could be an ideal destination for three pending free-agent offensive linemen, two being centers and the other a guard.

The two centers are Raiders’ Andre James and Cowboys’ Tyler Biadasz.

James is coming off a career year, earning the highest PFF grades as a run blocker and in pass protection. He would fit well in offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s power/gap scheme.

Biadasz, a former fourth-round pick, has played at a high level since being drafted in 2020. He started nearly every game from 2021 to 2023 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022.

The Chargers will most likely need to find a starting center, with Corey Linsley’s future in doubt due to a medical issue.

The guard that was listed was Packers’ Jon Runyan.

There is some familiarity as Runyan played for Harbaugh at Michigan from 2015 to 2019. He has experience at both guard spots, and with a new system being implemented, there is no guarantee that Zion Johnson or Jamaree Salyer will be starters next season.

Report: Raiders expected to release former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo

After being suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances policy, the former 49ers passer is reportedly set to be released by the Raiders.

After leaving the San Francisco 49ers for the Las Vegas Raiders, Jimmy Garoppolo will be looking for another new team in the 2024 offseason. However, before he suits up with a new squad, Garoppolo will have to serve a suspension.

On Friday, the veteran passer was suspended for two-games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances policy. After his suspension, the Raiders are reportedly set to release Garoppolo.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

After signing with the Raiders last season, Garoppolo was benched for rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell after head coach Josh McDaniels was fired in Las Vegas.

In seven games, Garoppolo passed for 1205 yards, with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]