Silver & Black Sports Network

The Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast is your all-access pass to the Raiders.Hosted by Emmy-winning sports reporter Jesse Merrick, this show takes you behind the scenes with insider coverage straight from Raiders HQ, the locker room, and Allegiant Stadium. As a credentialed media outlet, we’re pulling back the curtain on the Silver and Black—bringing you training camp takeaways, game-day breakdowns, roster moves, and exclusive player insight.

Silver & Black Sports Network is a sports podcast hosted by Jesse Merrick, with 146 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jesse Merrick hosts Silver & Black Sports Network, a sports show with 146 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #149

  Raiders vs. Texans Reaction: Encouraging Signs... And Some Big Concerns

  Aug 20, 202643 min

  Sign up for PrizePicks with code HMA and get $150 in lineups if your first $5 lineup wins! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER The Las Vegas Raiders' second preseason game is in the books, and we're going LIVE immediately after Raiders vs. Texans to break down everything we saw. Jesse Merrick and former Raiders wide receiver Ryan Hoag react to what they saw from Las Vegas against Houston, including another important night for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza as he continues to adjust to the NFL. How did Mendoza look in his second professional game? What did he improve from his preseason debut against Arizona, and where does the rookie quarterback still have work to do? We're also breaking down another opportunity for fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr., who has been one of the more intriguing young players throughout Raiders Training Camp and the preseason. But there are questions on the other side of the football. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard opened up the playbook with more coverage disguises and exotic blitzes, but the Raiders' defense still struggled to get stops consistently. We'll break down what worked, what didn't, and how much concern there should be about the defensive depth behind the starters. JOIN US LIVE: What was YOUR biggest takeaway from the Raiders' second preseason game? Drop it in the chat and we'll get into your reactions throughout the show. Make sure you LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss our Raiders postgame shows, training camp coverage and analysis throughout the 2026 season. Silver & Black Sports Network FREE Raiders Newsletter https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com Follow SBSN: X: / jessesbsn Instagram: / silverandblacksportsnetwork TikTok: / silverandblacksportsnet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?.. . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #148

  Maxx Crosby Does It Again + Treydan Stukes Making His Move?

  Aug 16, 202629 min

  Sign up for PrizePicks with code HMA and get $150 in lineups if your first $5 lineup wins! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER Treydan Stukes is starting to make his move at Raiders Training Camp. The Raiders' second-round pick got what appeared to be his most extensive work with the first-team defense yet during Practice number 12 of training camp, and where Las Vegas used him could give us a major clue about the rookie's role in 2026. And then there's Maxx Crosby. After sitting out the preseason opener, Crosby returned to practice and immediately wreaked havoc. Jesse Merrick had Maxx down for three would-be sacks and a pass breakup, including a dominant rep against DJ Glaze and another where he blew up a play-action boot before Kirk Cousins had much of a chance to react. On today's Silver and Black Sports Network Podcast, we're breaking down all of the biggest developments from Practice 12 of Raiders Training Camp, including: Treydan Stukes getting extended work with the first-team defense Maxx Crosby's dominant day What the Raiders' pass rush looks like with — and without — Maxx Malik Benson making ANOTHER play of the day Kirk Cousins and Jalen Nailor building chemistry Fernando Mendoza dropping an absolute dime to Phillip Dorsett Hezekiah Masses making another play in the secondary The latest JPJ vs. Caleb Rogers battle at right guard What we're learning about the Raiders' offensive line depth Brock Bowers and Tonka Hemingway's absences Dont'e Thornton Jr. taking a step toward his return QUESTION OF THE DAY: What kind of role do you want to see Treydan Stukes have as a rookie? Make sure you LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for Raiders Training Camp coverage, analysis and podcasts throughout the 2026 season. Subscribe to the FREE Silver & Black Sports Network Raiders Newsletter at SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com. Silver & Black Sports Network FREE Raiders Newsletter https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com Follow SBSN: X: / jessesbsn Instagram: / silverandblacksportsnetwork TikTok: / silverandblacksportsnet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... #Raiders #RaiderNation #TreydanStukes #MaxxCrosby #RaidersTrainingCamp #LasVegasRaiders See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #147

  What Fernando Mendoza Showed Us in His Raiders Debut

  Aug 14, 202642 min

  Sign up for PrizePicks with code HMA and get $150 in lineups if your first $5 lineup wins! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut Thursday night as the Las Vegas Raiders opened the preseason against the Arizona Cardinals, and we finally got an extended look at the No. 1 overall pick in live game action. Former Raiders wide receiver Ryan Hoag joins Jesse Merrick to break down what Mendoza showed in his first professional game, from his adjustment to NFL speed and handling pressure to some of the throws that flashed exactly why Las Vegas made him the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. We also break down Kirk Cousins and the Raiders' starting offense, including an efficient opening drive that featured plenty of motion and multiple personnel groupings. Plus, what did the first-team defense show, and which players helped — or hurt — themselves in the first preseason game? On this episode: Fernando Mendoza's first extended NFL action What Mendoza did well — and where he still needs to improve Kirk Cousins and the starting offense Jack Bech making the most of his opportunities Mike Washington Jr.'s explosive night The Raiders' cornerback competition Darien Porter and Jermod McCoy's performances Greedy Vance emerging in the secondary Concerns about the Raiders' defensive line and pass rush Keyron Crawford, Cian Slone and other young defenders Our biggest takeaways from Raiders vs. Cardinals QUESTION OF THE DAY: What was YOUR biggest takeaway from Fernando Mendoza's debut? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to the FREE Silver & Black Sports Network Raiders Newsletter at SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com. Silver & Black Sports Network FREE Raiders Newsletter https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com Follow SBSN: X: / jessesbsn Instagram: / silverandblacksportsnetwork TikTok: / silverandblacksportsnet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... #Raiders #RaiderNation #FernandoMendoza #LasVegasRaiders #NFL See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #146

  Ashton Jeanty Just Gave Raiders Fans a Glimpse of What's Coming

  Aug 11, 202625 min

  Sign up for PrizePicks with code HMA and get $150 in lineups if your first $5 lineup wins! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER The Raiders took over Allegiant Stadium for Day 11 of training camp, and Jeanty delivered one of the biggest plays of the night—bursting through the defense for an untouched 30+ yard touchdown run. But the explosive run is only part of the story. Throughout training camp, we're continuing to see signs of just how heavily the Raiders could lean on Jeanty in 2026, not only on the ground but also as a weapon in the passing game. We also dive into all of the biggest takeaways from the Raiders' practice at Allegiant Stadium, including: Kirk Cousins continuing to efficiently operate the Raiders offense Fernando Mendoza flashing some impressive NFL throws, and still showing some rookie growing pains Aidan O'Connell pushing the ball downfield Malik Benson continuing to make his case at wide receiver Tonka Hemingway making more noise along the defensive line The Raiders' pass rush creating problems The latest developments in the kicking competition What we're learning about this Raiders offense after 11 training camp practices Then we turn our attention toward Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals and lay out what matters most when the Raiders finally take the field against another team. Who plays? How much should Fernando Mendoza get? Which young players have the most to gain? And which roster battles could begin to take shape once the lights come on? QUESTION OF THE DAY: What's the ONE thing you're most excited to watch when the Raiders take on the Cardinals in the preseason opener? Drop your answer in the comments. Make sure you LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for Raiders coverage throughout training camp and the 2026 season. Subscribe to the FREE Silver & Black Sports Network Raiders Newsletter at SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com. Silver & Black Sports Network FREE Raiders Newsletter https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com Follow SBSN: X: / jessesbsn Instagram: / silverandblacksportsnetwork TikTok: / silverandblacksportsnet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... #Raiders #RaiderNation #AshtonJeanty #FernandoMendoza #KirkCousins #RaidersTrainingCamp #LasVegasRaiders See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #145

  Kirk Cousins Came Back FIRING at Raiders Practice

  Aug 10, 202628 min

  Sign up for PrizePicks with code HMA and get $150 in lineups if your first $5 lineup wins! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/SILVER Kirk Cousins returned to full participation at Raiders Training Camp, and he came back firing. After Cousins and Maxx Crosby were held out of team drills Saturday following their practice altercation, both veterans were back in the mix for Day 10, and Cousins delivered one of his best practices of camp. Jesse Merrick breaks down what he saw from Cousins, who started fast in the red zone, connected with Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, and even brought out the famous “You like that?!” while jawing back and forth with the Raiders defense. It wasn't as smooth of a day for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The rookie battled some inconsistency, including a rough finish to the two-minute drill, after getting extended work with the first-team offense Saturday. We break down what went wrong and why the way Mendoza responds at the Raiders' upcoming Allegiant Stadium practice will be worth watching. Plus, the Raiders' young cornerback competition continues to get more interesting. Hezekiah Masses got his first work in the slot with the first-team defense, Darien Porter continues to battle, and Jermod McCoy says he's getting closer to his old self as he works his way back into football shape. We also dive into Malik Benson making another impressive play, Tonka Hemingway's strong camp, Malcolm Koonce making his presence felt, Trey Zuhn moving back to center, and several players to watch as the Raiders prepare for their preseason opener. QUESTION OF THE DAY: Who do you think wins the starting cornerback job opposite Eric Stokes—and why? Subscribe to the FREE Silver & Black Sports Network Raiders Newsletter at SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com. Silver & Black Sports Network FREE Raiders Newsletter https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com Follow SBSN: X: / jessesbsn Instagram: / silverandblacksportsnetwork TikTok: / silverandblacksportsnet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... #Raiders #RaiderNation #KirkCousins #FernandoMendoza #MaxxCrosby #RaidersTrainingCamp #LasVegasRaiders See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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