Offense<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<\/td>\n 3WR 1TE Offense<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n<\/td>\n Starter<\/td>\n 2nd<\/td>\n 3rd<\/td>\n 4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nQB<\/td>\n Geno Smith<\/td>\n Kenny Pickett Q<\/td>\n Aidan O’Connell IR<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRB<\/td>\n Ashton Jeanty<\/td>\n Raheem Mostert<\/td>\n Zamir White<\/td>\n Dylan Laube<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWR<\/td>\n Jakobi Meyers<\/td>\n Dont’e Thornton<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWR<\/td>\n Amari Cooper<\/td>\n Jack Bech<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWR<\/td>\n Tre Tucker<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nTE<\/td>\n Brock Bowers<\/td>\n Michael Mayer<\/td>\n Ian Thomas<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLT<\/td>\n Kolton\u00a0Miller<\/td>\n Charles \u00a0Grant<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLG<\/td>\n Dylan\u00a0Parham<\/td>\n Caleb Rogers<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nC<\/td>\n Jordan \u00a0Meredith<\/td>\n Will Putnam<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRG<\/td>\n Jackson Powers-Johnson<\/td>\n Alex Cappa<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRT<\/td>\n DJ Glaze<\/td>\n Stone Forsythe<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a new era for the Las Vegas Raiders.\u00a0 They fired the GM, Head Coach and his staff and brought in former Patriots Head Coach, 73-year-old Pete Carroll, to revitalize the franchise.<\/p>\n
Carroll is an energetic and proven Head Coach.\u00a0 He took the Seahawks to an NFC Championship in 2013 and blew out Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the Super Bowl, and then followed it up with another Super Bowl appearance in 2014 but lost to the Patriots 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX.<\/p>\n
Carroll added a QB he’s familiar with in Geno Smith, who played multiple seasons under him in Seattle.\u00a0 For the last 4 seasons combined, Smith has had the highest completion percentage of all NFL QB\u2019s. \u00a0\u00a0In his last seasons he has started 49 of 51 games, completed 1138 passes of 1649 attempts for a 68.4 Completion %.\u00a0 In the last three seasons he passed for 71 TDs and had 35 INTs.<\/p>\n
This from Warren Sharpe \u201cLast season he had the highest completion % when under pressure.\u00a0 Last season Seattle\u2019s line was one of the worst in the league:<\/p>\n
#30 in pressure rate allowed<\/p>\n
#30 in no-blitz pressure rate allowed<\/p>\n
#31 in offensive false starts<\/p>\n
#28 in offensive holding<\/p>\n
It was a bad line that allowed a lot of pressure, but Geno was a top QB in accuracy.\u201d\u00a0 This is a huge upgrade over the QBs the Raiders had last year who had the 26th<\/sup> ranked completion %.<\/p>\nIn the Draft they selected RB Ashton Jeanty.\u00a0 He is very exciting player and gives the Raiders offense a big boost. \u00a0Jeanty is expected to rush for 1631 yards and 10 TDs in 2025.<\/p>\n
Raiders O-Line is ranked 17th<\/sup> in the league by PFF.\u00a0 They have two young linemen that took their lumps in 2024.\u00a0 RJ Glaze and Jackson Powers-Johnson were rookies and played pretty well at Center and Right Tackle.\u00a0 They replaced Alex Cappa at Right Guard and moved Powers-Johnson there.\u00a0 Kolton Miller is a solid Left tackle who ranked 13th<\/sup> amongst tackles last season.\u00a0 Dylan Parham at Left Guard was also ranked high at #17.<\/p>\n![\"Brock](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/USATSI_26940103_168390408_lowres-660x440.jpg\")
<\/p>\n(PHOTO: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\nBrock Bowers is the #1 TE in the league.\u00a0 He will be a matchup nightmare for the Patriots, who have not been able to cover a TE in two years.<\/p>\n
The cupboard is a little bare in the Wide Receiver room.\u00a0 Old friend Jakobi Meyers led the team in receptions with 87 and 1,027 yards and 4 TDs.\u00a0 Reliable and steady, last season he did not drop a pass that was catchable.\u00a0 He wants to be traded because the Raiders won\u2019t extend his contract.\u00a0 He did show up to practice this week and is expected to play this Sunday.\u00a0 If he decides to stay, he should have an even better season with Smith at QB.<\/p>\n
I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the Patriots renew trade talks with Ls Vegas after the two teams have played.\u00a0 It would make no sense for the Raiders to trade him to their opening game opponent the week before the game.\u00a0 The Patriots lost Meyers to Las Vegas over a $1M difference in their offer.\u00a0 I also believe the Massachusetts Millionaires tax was a big part of his departure too.\u00a0 His take home pay would be about $2M less in Foxboro.\u00a0 He is making $10.5M this season, the last year of his 3-year contract and I would love to have him back.<\/p>\n
They just signed Amari Cooper and expect him in the lineup too. For the Bills last season, the 31-year-old Cooper had 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.\u00a0 \u00a0Tre Tucker was a 3rd<\/sup> Round pick by the Raiders in 2023.\u00a0 The 24-year-old had 19 receptions for 331 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and one start, as a rookie.\u00a0 Last season he chipped in with 37 receptions for 539 yards and 3 TDs in 17 games with 14 starts.<\/p>\nDefense <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/td>\n Base 4-3 Defense<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n<\/td>\n Starter<\/td>\n 2nd<\/td>\n 3rd<\/td>\n 4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLDE<\/td>\n Maxx Crosby<\/td>\n Tyree Wilson<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLDT<\/td>\n Jonah Laulu<\/td>\n JJ Pegues<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRDT<\/td>\n Adam Butler<\/td>\n Leki Fotu<\/td>\n Thomas Booker IV<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRDE<\/td>\n Malcolm Koonce<\/td>\n Charles Snowden<\/td>\n Tonka Hemingway<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWLB<\/td>\n Germaine\u00a0Pratt<\/td>\n Jamal\u00a0Adams<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nMLB<\/td>\n Elandon Roberts<\/td>\n Tommy Eichenberg<\/td>\n Cody Lindenberg<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSLB<\/td>\n Devin\u00a0White<\/td>\n Brennan\u00a0Jackson<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLCB<\/td>\n Darien Porter<\/td>\n Decamerion\u00a0Richardson<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSS<\/td>\n Jeremy Chinn<\/td>\n Tristin McCollum<\/td>\n Lonnie\u00a0Johnson\u00a0 IR<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFS<\/td>\n Isaiah Pola-Mao<\/td>\n Chris\u00a0Smith<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRCB<\/td>\n Eric Stokes<\/td>\n Jamal\u00a0Adams<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nNB<\/td>\n Darnay Holmes<\/td>\n Kyu Blu\u00a0Kelly Q<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n
The secondary was a glaring weakness.\u00a0 They signed Jeremy Chinn, a Strong Safety, in Free Agency.\u00a0 I have liked him since he came out in the 2020 draft as a 2nd<\/sup> Rd (#64) selection by Carolina out of Southern Illinois.\u00a0 \u00a0The 27-year-old is entering his 6th<\/sup> season in the league.\u00a0 PFF had him with a 69.0 rating which ranked him 50th<\/sup> of all safeties.\u00a0 \u00a0Rookie Darien Porter was drafted in this year\u2019s draft by the Raiders in the 3rd<\/sup> Rd #68.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 195-pound DB actually played WR for the 1st<\/sup> three years at Iowa State.\u00a0 Porter has great speed running a 4.3 40-yard dash at the Combine.\u00a0 In 2024, he had very few tackles, probably because other teams were not throwing in his direction.<\/p>\nIsaiah Pola-Mao was a highly decorated High School player.\u00a0 He attended USC and was signed by the Raiders in 2022 after going undrafted.\u00a0 The 6\u20193 \u00bd \u201c, 204-pound Safety ran a 4.51 40 at his Pro Day with a 6.87 3-cone drill. \u00a0\u00a0Eric Stokes plays the RCB position.\u00a0 The former 1st<\/sup> round pick (29) in the 2021 Draft by Green Bay has never lived up to his potential.\u00a0 The Georgia product stands 6\u20191\u201d, 195-pounds and ran a 4.29 40 at the Combine. \u00a0The Packers declined his 5th<\/sup> year rookie contract Option in 2023.\u00a0 He missed all of 2024 on the injured list.\u00a0 The Raiders are taking a chance on Stokes to see if he can bounce back and play like he did as a rookie, where he had 14 Pass Break Ups.<\/p>\nDarnay Holmes has had a checkered career since being drafted in the 2020 draft, 4th<\/sup> round, (110) by the New York Giants.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t performed to that level.\u00a0 The Giants released him at cutdown day in 2024, and he was claimed by Las Vegas.\u00a0 He played in 16 games and had 30 tackles.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/USATSI_21659304_168390408_lowres-660x440.jpg\")
<\/p>\n(PHOTO: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\nMaxx Crosby, a standout defensive lineman and Oakland’s 2020 fourth-round pick (106th overall), is entering his seventh season. He has earned two First Team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl honors. He will play all over the Defensive line so rookie Will Campbell and Morgan Moses will both have to contend with this pass rushing monster. \u00a0\u00a0In his 6 years in the league, Crosby has 59.5 sacks.\u00a0 Jonah Laulu is the LDT.\u00a0 He was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him in the 7th<\/sup> Round in the 2024 draft (234). Last season he had 35 tackles and a sack, but the 6\u20195\u201d 289-pound lineman is a little light for a DT.<\/p>\nFormer Patriot\u2019s lineman Adam Butler is the RDT. \u00a0In 2024 he had 65 tackles and 5 sacks for the Raiders.\u00a0 Entering his 9th<\/sup> season in the league, the 6\u20195\u201d 301-pound Butler, played college ball at Vanderbilt and was a 2017 UDFA find of the Patriots. \u00a0Malcolm Koonce is the RDE.\u00a0 He enjoyed his beast season in 2023 with 8 sacks opposite of Crosby and under new coach Antonio Pierce.\u00a0 However, last season he was injured in Pre-Season Practice with a knee injury and was gone for the season.\u00a0 How is he after a year off rehabbing, Sunday should tell us a lot?\u00a0 Koonce can be run on at just 6\u20193\u201d 243-pounds.<\/p>\nThe Linebacker room is led by Germaine Pratt.\u00a0 Last season with the Bengals he had 143 tackles but after the season he asked for his release.\u00a0 Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo was let go by Cincinnati and that may be why Pratt asked for his release.\u00a0 Las Vegas signed him on a one-year contract.\u00a0 Former Patriot Elandon Roberts is now the Middle Linebacker.\u00a0 Always an undersized linebacker at 5\u201911\u201d 235-pounds, the University of Houston product enters his 10th season in the league after being selected by the Patriots in the 6th<\/sup> Round (214). \u00a0In 2024 he had 46 Tackles for Pittsburgh.<\/p>\nDevin White, the 6-year veteran and former 1st<\/sup> round selection (5) by Tampa Bay, signed with Las Vegas this season.\u00a0 The 6\u2019 252-pound linebacker was selected to 2nd<\/sup> team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl the same year.\u00a0 \u00a0Last season with Houston, he played in only 7 games with 1 start and made 19 tackles.\u00a0 He started the season on the Eagles roster but was out with an ankle injury.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what to expect from White!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/td>\n Special Teams<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n<\/td>\n Starter<\/td>\n 2nd<\/td>\n 3rd<\/td>\n 4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nPK<\/td>\n Daniel Carlson<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nP<\/td>\n AJ Cole<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nH<\/td>\n AJ Cole<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nPR<\/td>\n Tre Tucker<\/td>\n Ashton Jeanty<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nKR<\/td>\n Tre Tucker<\/td>\n Dylan Laube<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLS<\/td>\n Jacob Bobenmoyer<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n
Punter AJ Cole finished 9th<\/sup> in Net Yards with 42.5 average.\u00a0 Of his 65 punts 41.5% were inside the 20-yard line.\u00a0 Placekicker Daniel Carlson made 85% of his FGs, ranking 19th<\/sup> in the league. \u00a0That was 34 of 40 FGs made.\u00a0 Tre Tucker will be doing the Kick Return and Punt Return duties.\u00a0\u00a0 Last season RB Dylan Laube (UNH) did Kick Returns.<\/p>\n![\"Pete](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/USATSI_26937701_168390408_lowres-450x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n(PHOTO: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\nLas Vegas Raiders and Patriots are very Familiar<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe coaching staffs on each team include connections such as Pete Carroll, Patrick Graham, Tyrone McKenzie, Bob Bicknell for the Raiders.\u00a0 Josh McDaniels, Terrell Williams, Todd Downing, and Doug Marrone for the Patriots. There is also a retired quarterback (soon to be Hall of Famer) with a statue at Gillette and an ownership stake in the Raiders.<\/p>\n
LAS VEGAS<\/strong><\/h4>\nElandon Roberts ILB<\/p>\n
Atonio Mafi OG<\/p>\n
Jakobi Meyers WR<\/p>\n
Adam Butler DT<\/p>\n
NEW ENGLAND<\/strong><\/h4>\nRobert Spillane, ILB<\/p>\n
Austin Hooper TE<\/p>\n
Ben Brown, OC<\/p>\n
K\u2019Lavon Chaisson EDGE<\/p>\n
Mack Hollins WR<\/p>\n
Thayer Munford Jr. OL<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/USATSI_19073796_168390408_lowres-450x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n(PHOTO: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\nLast Word on Jabrill Peppers<\/strong><\/h4>\nJabrill Peppers posted this on X \u201cGoing on 9 years in this league. I\u2019ve had 7 HCs & 6 DCs lol There is no scheme you can place me in where I won\u2019t find a way to be effective\u201d.<\/p>\n
When questioned about Peppers HC Mie Vrabel alluded the decision was a lot of things but scheme fit wasn\u2019t one of them.\u00a0 Curious what it was then?\u00a0 If it wasn\u2019t any off field issue, then what was it?\u00a0 Andrew Callahabn and Mike Giradi both reported that it wasn\u2019t any type of off field issue.\u00a0 Was Peppers unhappy that he wasn\u2019t starting?\u00a0 Did he refuse to play Special Teams?\u00a0\u00a0 Did he get asked to take a pay cut?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also very curious that Peppers, as a Free Agent who could be signed for the vet minimum since he is owed $4.2M from the Patriots, has not found a new team yet!<\/p>\n
Coming and Going: New O-lineman on Practice Squad<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Patriots announced that they have signed OL Brenden Jaimes to the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Jaimes was 2021 5th<\/sup> Round draft pick by Las Vegas Raiders out of Nebraska. He has played in 43 games in the NFL.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d G\/C has three starts, all at OC.\u00a0 The Titans signed him as a Free Agent this spring, but he was waived on cut-down day.\u00a0 Subsequently the Patriots released former BC Center Alec Lindstrom.<\/p>\nOn Tuesday the Patriots snuck in the release of DT Jahvaree Ritzie which opened a spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n
Today, the Patriots signed Darius Harris a 6th<\/sup> year Linebacker to the Practice Squad. \u00a0The 6\u20192\u201d 238-pound linebacker played 4 years with Kansas City and last season with Dallas.\u00a0 In 2022 he had 43 tackles with 4 starts.\u00a0 However, the last two seasons he only had 1 tackle.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d 238-pound linebacker played at Middle Tennessee State.\u00a0 For his career he has played in 37 games with just 6 starts.<\/p>\nPatriots Captains Announced<\/strong><\/h3>\nDrake Maye<\/strong><\/p>\nHunter Henry<\/strong><\/p>\nRobert Spillane<\/strong><\/p>\nMarcus Jones<\/strong><\/p>\nHarold Landry<\/strong><\/p>\nBrenden Schooler<\/strong><\/p>\nK\u2019Lavon Chaisson (named as a Game Day Captain by Vrabel)<\/strong><\/p>\nHenry is the only player that has been a Captain for the team before this season.\u00a0 He was named a Captain when Jabrill Peppers was stripped of the Captaincy last year, when he was suspended.\u00a0 Robert Spillane was Captain for Las Vegas last year.\u00a0 Brenden Schooler is not a surprise as he was the leader on Special Teams once Matthew Slater retired.\u00a0 Very surprised by Marcus Jones being named a Captain.\u00a0 Harold Landry had a very good Training Camp and has filled in naturally in this position.<\/p>\n
Turnover of the Roster\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nEvery year there is turnover on the roster, usually about 30%.\u00a0 This year it\u2019s out with the old and in with the new.\u00a0 They have 27 new players that were not on the roster at the end of last year.\u00a0 Yes, that is greater than 50%.\u00a0 They will be starting six rookies (Campbell, Wilson, Henderson [KR], Woodson, Borregales and Ashby).\u00a0 On the Offensive line it\u2019s 4 of the 5 starting linemen are new to the Team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s a new era for the Las Vegas Raiders.\u00a0 They fired the GM, Head Coach and his staff and brought in former Patriots Head Coach, 73-year-old Pete Carroll, to revitalize the franchise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":62481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[23865,1438,44,23201],"class_list":["post-62477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-2025-patriots-season","tag-las-vegas-raiders","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-patriots-vs-raiders"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a new era for the Las Vegas Raiders.\u00a0 They fired the GM, Head Coach and his staff and brought in former Patriots Head Coach, 73-year-old Pete Carroll, to revitalize the franchise.<\/p>\n
Carroll is an energetic and proven Head Coach.\u00a0 He took the Seahawks to an NFC Championship in 2013 and blew out Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the Super Bowl, and then followed it up with another Super Bowl appearance in 2014 but lost to the Patriots 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX.<\/p>\n
Carroll added a QB he’s familiar with in Geno Smith, who played multiple seasons under him in Seattle.\u00a0 For the last 4 seasons combined, Smith has had the highest completion percentage of all NFL QB\u2019s. \u00a0\u00a0In his last seasons he has started 49 of 51 games, completed 1138 passes of 1649 attempts for a 68.4 Completion %.\u00a0 In the last three seasons he passed for 71 TDs and had 35 INTs.<\/p>\n
This from Warren Sharpe \u201cLast season he had the highest completion % when under pressure.\u00a0 Last season Seattle\u2019s line was one of the worst in the league:<\/p>\n
#30 in pressure rate allowed<\/p>\n
#30 in no-blitz pressure rate allowed<\/p>\n
#31 in offensive false starts<\/p>\n
#28 in offensive holding<\/p>\n
It was a bad line that allowed a lot of pressure, but Geno was a top QB in accuracy.\u201d\u00a0 This is a huge upgrade over the QBs the Raiders had last year who had the 26th<\/sup> ranked completion %.<\/p>\n In the Draft they selected RB Ashton Jeanty.\u00a0 He is very exciting player and gives the Raiders offense a big boost. \u00a0Jeanty is expected to rush for 1631 yards and 10 TDs in 2025.<\/p>\n Raiders O-Line is ranked 17th<\/sup> in the league by PFF.\u00a0 They have two young linemen that took their lumps in 2024.\u00a0 RJ Glaze and Jackson Powers-Johnson were rookies and played pretty well at Center and Right Tackle.\u00a0 They replaced Alex Cappa at Right Guard and moved Powers-Johnson there.\u00a0 Kolton Miller is a solid Left tackle who ranked 13th<\/sup> amongst tackles last season.\u00a0 Dylan Parham at Left Guard was also ranked high at #17.<\/p>\n Brock Bowers is the #1 TE in the league.\u00a0 He will be a matchup nightmare for the Patriots, who have not been able to cover a TE in two years.<\/p>\n The cupboard is a little bare in the Wide Receiver room.\u00a0 Old friend Jakobi Meyers led the team in receptions with 87 and 1,027 yards and 4 TDs.\u00a0 Reliable and steady, last season he did not drop a pass that was catchable.\u00a0 He wants to be traded because the Raiders won\u2019t extend his contract.\u00a0 He did show up to practice this week and is expected to play this Sunday.\u00a0 If he decides to stay, he should have an even better season with Smith at QB.<\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the Patriots renew trade talks with Ls Vegas after the two teams have played.\u00a0 It would make no sense for the Raiders to trade him to their opening game opponent the week before the game.\u00a0 The Patriots lost Meyers to Las Vegas over a $1M difference in their offer.\u00a0 I also believe the Massachusetts Millionaires tax was a big part of his departure too.\u00a0 His take home pay would be about $2M less in Foxboro.\u00a0 He is making $10.5M this season, the last year of his 3-year contract and I would love to have him back.<\/p>\n They just signed Amari Cooper and expect him in the lineup too. For the Bills last season, the 31-year-old Cooper had 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.\u00a0 \u00a0Tre Tucker was a 3rd<\/sup> Round pick by the Raiders in 2023.\u00a0 The 24-year-old had 19 receptions for 331 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and one start, as a rookie.\u00a0 Last season he chipped in with 37 receptions for 539 yards and 3 TDs in 17 games with 14 starts.<\/p>\n Defense <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The secondary was a glaring weakness.\u00a0 They signed Jeremy Chinn, a Strong Safety, in Free Agency.\u00a0 I have liked him since he came out in the 2020 draft as a 2nd<\/sup> Rd (#64) selection by Carolina out of Southern Illinois.\u00a0 \u00a0The 27-year-old is entering his 6th<\/sup> season in the league.\u00a0 PFF had him with a 69.0 rating which ranked him 50th<\/sup> of all safeties.\u00a0 \u00a0Rookie Darien Porter was drafted in this year\u2019s draft by the Raiders in the 3rd<\/sup> Rd #68.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 195-pound DB actually played WR for the 1st<\/sup> three years at Iowa State.\u00a0 Porter has great speed running a 4.3 40-yard dash at the Combine.\u00a0 In 2024, he had very few tackles, probably because other teams were not throwing in his direction.<\/p>\n Isaiah Pola-Mao was a highly decorated High School player.\u00a0 He attended USC and was signed by the Raiders in 2022 after going undrafted.\u00a0 The 6\u20193 \u00bd \u201c, 204-pound Safety ran a 4.51 40 at his Pro Day with a 6.87 3-cone drill. \u00a0\u00a0Eric Stokes plays the RCB position.\u00a0 The former 1st<\/sup> round pick (29) in the 2021 Draft by Green Bay has never lived up to his potential.\u00a0 The Georgia product stands 6\u20191\u201d, 195-pounds and ran a 4.29 40 at the Combine. \u00a0The Packers declined his 5th<\/sup> year rookie contract Option in 2023.\u00a0 He missed all of 2024 on the injured list.\u00a0 The Raiders are taking a chance on Stokes to see if he can bounce back and play like he did as a rookie, where he had 14 Pass Break Ups.<\/p>\n Darnay Holmes has had a checkered career since being drafted in the 2020 draft, 4th<\/sup> round, (110) by the New York Giants.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t performed to that level.\u00a0 The Giants released him at cutdown day in 2024, and he was claimed by Las Vegas.\u00a0 He played in 16 games and had 30 tackles.<\/p>\n Maxx Crosby, a standout defensive lineman and Oakland’s 2020 fourth-round pick (106th overall), is entering his seventh season. He has earned two First Team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl honors. He will play all over the Defensive line so rookie Will Campbell and Morgan Moses will both have to contend with this pass rushing monster. \u00a0\u00a0In his 6 years in the league, Crosby has 59.5 sacks.\u00a0 Jonah Laulu is the LDT.\u00a0 He was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him in the 7th<\/sup> Round in the 2024 draft (234). Last season he had 35 tackles and a sack, but the 6\u20195\u201d 289-pound lineman is a little light for a DT.<\/p>\n Former Patriot\u2019s lineman Adam Butler is the RDT. \u00a0In 2024 he had 65 tackles and 5 sacks for the Raiders.\u00a0 Entering his 9th<\/sup> season in the league, the 6\u20195\u201d 301-pound Butler, played college ball at Vanderbilt and was a 2017 UDFA find of the Patriots. \u00a0Malcolm Koonce is the RDE.\u00a0 He enjoyed his beast season in 2023 with 8 sacks opposite of Crosby and under new coach Antonio Pierce.\u00a0 However, last season he was injured in Pre-Season Practice with a knee injury and was gone for the season.\u00a0 How is he after a year off rehabbing, Sunday should tell us a lot?\u00a0 Koonce can be run on at just 6\u20193\u201d 243-pounds.<\/p>\n The Linebacker room is led by Germaine Pratt.\u00a0 Last season with the Bengals he had 143 tackles but after the season he asked for his release.\u00a0 Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo was let go by Cincinnati and that may be why Pratt asked for his release.\u00a0 Las Vegas signed him on a one-year contract.\u00a0 Former Patriot Elandon Roberts is now the Middle Linebacker.\u00a0 Always an undersized linebacker at 5\u201911\u201d 235-pounds, the University of Houston product enters his 10th season in the league after being selected by the Patriots in the 6th<\/sup> Round (214). \u00a0In 2024 he had 46 Tackles for Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n Devin White, the 6-year veteran and former 1st<\/sup> round selection (5) by Tampa Bay, signed with Las Vegas this season.\u00a0 The 6\u2019 252-pound linebacker was selected to 2nd<\/sup> team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl the same year.\u00a0 \u00a0Last season with Houston, he played in only 7 games with 1 start and made 19 tackles.\u00a0 He started the season on the Eagles roster but was out with an ankle injury.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what to expect from White!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Punter AJ Cole finished 9th<\/sup> in Net Yards with 42.5 average.\u00a0 Of his 65 punts 41.5% were inside the 20-yard line.\u00a0 Placekicker Daniel Carlson made 85% of his FGs, ranking 19th<\/sup> in the league. \u00a0That was 34 of 40 FGs made.\u00a0 Tre Tucker will be doing the Kick Return and Punt Return duties.\u00a0\u00a0 Last season RB Dylan Laube (UNH) did Kick Returns.<\/p>\n The coaching staffs on each team include connections such as Pete Carroll, Patrick Graham, Tyrone McKenzie, Bob Bicknell for the Raiders.\u00a0 Josh McDaniels, Terrell Williams, Todd Downing, and Doug Marrone for the Patriots. There is also a retired quarterback (soon to be Hall of Famer) with a statue at Gillette and an ownership stake in the Raiders.<\/p>\n Elandon Roberts ILB<\/p>\n Atonio Mafi OG<\/p>\n Jakobi Meyers WR<\/p>\n Adam Butler DT<\/p>\n Robert Spillane, ILB<\/p>\n Austin Hooper TE<\/p>\n Ben Brown, OC<\/p>\n K\u2019Lavon Chaisson EDGE<\/p>\n Mack Hollins WR<\/p>\n Thayer Munford Jr. OL<\/p>\n Jabrill Peppers posted this on X \u201cGoing on 9 years in this league. I\u2019ve had 7 HCs & 6 DCs lol There is no scheme you can place me in where I won\u2019t find a way to be effective\u201d.<\/p>\n When questioned about Peppers HC Mie Vrabel alluded the decision was a lot of things but scheme fit wasn\u2019t one of them.\u00a0 Curious what it was then?\u00a0 If it wasn\u2019t any off field issue, then what was it?\u00a0 Andrew Callahabn and Mike Giradi both reported that it wasn\u2019t any type of off field issue.\u00a0 Was Peppers unhappy that he wasn\u2019t starting?\u00a0 Did he refuse to play Special Teams?\u00a0\u00a0 Did he get asked to take a pay cut?<\/p>\n It\u2019s also very curious that Peppers, as a Free Agent who could be signed for the vet minimum since he is owed $4.2M from the Patriots, has not found a new team yet!<\/p>\n The Patriots announced that they have signed OL Brenden Jaimes to the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Jaimes was 2021 5th<\/sup> Round draft pick by Las Vegas Raiders out of Nebraska. He has played in 43 games in the NFL.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d G\/C has three starts, all at OC.\u00a0 The Titans signed him as a Free Agent this spring, but he was waived on cut-down day.\u00a0 Subsequently the Patriots released former BC Center Alec Lindstrom.<\/p>\n On Tuesday the Patriots snuck in the release of DT Jahvaree Ritzie which opened a spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n Today, the Patriots signed Darius Harris a 6th<\/sup> year Linebacker to the Practice Squad. \u00a0The 6\u20192\u201d 238-pound linebacker played 4 years with Kansas City and last season with Dallas.\u00a0 In 2022 he had 43 tackles with 4 starts.\u00a0 However, the last two seasons he only had 1 tackle.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d 238-pound linebacker played at Middle Tennessee State.\u00a0 For his career he has played in 37 games with just 6 starts.<\/p>\n Drake Maye<\/strong><\/p>\n Hunter Henry<\/strong><\/p>\n Robert Spillane<\/strong><\/p>\n Marcus Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n Harold Landry<\/strong><\/p>\n Brenden Schooler<\/strong><\/p>\n K\u2019Lavon Chaisson (named as a Game Day Captain by Vrabel)<\/strong><\/p>\n Henry is the only player that has been a Captain for the team before this season.\u00a0 He was named a Captain when Jabrill Peppers was stripped of the Captaincy last year, when he was suspended.\u00a0 Robert Spillane was Captain for Las Vegas last year.\u00a0 Brenden Schooler is not a surprise as he was the leader on Special Teams once Matthew Slater retired.\u00a0 Very surprised by Marcus Jones being named a Captain.\u00a0 Harold Landry had a very good Training Camp and has filled in naturally in this position.<\/p>\n Every year there is turnover on the roster, usually about 30%.\u00a0 This year it\u2019s out with the old and in with the new.\u00a0 They have 27 new players that were not on the roster at the end of last year.\u00a0 Yes, that is greater than 50%.\u00a0 They will be starting six rookies (Campbell, Wilson, Henderson [KR], Woodson, Borregales and Ashby).\u00a0 On the Offensive line it\u2019s 4 of the 5 starting linemen are new to the Team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s a new era for the Las Vegas Raiders.\u00a0 They fired the GM, Head Coach and his staff and brought in former Patriots Head Coach, 73-year-old Pete Carroll, to revitalize the franchise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":62481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[23865,1438,44,23201],"class_list":["post-62477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-2025-patriots-season","tag-las-vegas-raiders","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-patriots-vs-raiders"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n <\/td>\n Base 4-3 Defense<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Starter<\/td>\n 2nd<\/td>\n 3rd<\/td>\n 4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LDE<\/td>\n Maxx Crosby<\/td>\n Tyree Wilson<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LDT<\/td>\n Jonah Laulu<\/td>\n JJ Pegues<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n RDT<\/td>\n Adam Butler<\/td>\n Leki Fotu<\/td>\n Thomas Booker IV<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n RDE<\/td>\n Malcolm Koonce<\/td>\n Charles Snowden<\/td>\n Tonka Hemingway<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n WLB<\/td>\n Germaine\u00a0Pratt<\/td>\n Jamal\u00a0Adams<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n MLB<\/td>\n Elandon Roberts<\/td>\n Tommy Eichenberg<\/td>\n Cody Lindenberg<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n SLB<\/td>\n Devin\u00a0White<\/td>\n Brennan\u00a0Jackson<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LCB<\/td>\n Darien Porter<\/td>\n Decamerion\u00a0Richardson<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n SS<\/td>\n Jeremy Chinn<\/td>\n Tristin McCollum<\/td>\n Lonnie\u00a0Johnson\u00a0 IR<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n FS<\/td>\n Isaiah Pola-Mao<\/td>\n Chris\u00a0Smith<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n RCB<\/td>\n Eric Stokes<\/td>\n Jamal\u00a0Adams<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n NB<\/td>\n Darnay Holmes<\/td>\n Kyu Blu\u00a0Kelly Q<\/td>\n <\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n\n\n
\n <\/td>\n Special Teams<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Starter<\/td>\n 2nd<\/td>\n 3rd<\/td>\n 4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n PK<\/td>\n Daniel Carlson<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n P<\/td>\n AJ Cole<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n H<\/td>\n AJ Cole<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n PR<\/td>\n Tre Tucker<\/td>\n Ashton Jeanty<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n KR<\/td>\n Tre Tucker<\/td>\n Dylan Laube<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n LS<\/td>\n Jacob Bobenmoyer<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nLas Vegas Raiders and Patriots are very Familiar<\/strong><\/h3>\n
LAS VEGAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n
NEW ENGLAND<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\nLast Word on Jabrill Peppers<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Coming and Going: New O-lineman on Practice Squad<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Patriots Captains Announced<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Turnover of the Roster\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n