Air Raid

The Seahawks got off to a big start with starting QB Russell Wilson throwing a strike to Lockett against the Raiders second string unit. The Seahawks then proceeded to build on that lead while the supposed second string QB – Ponder – for the Raiders struggled.

The Raiders did come to life once Matt McGloin was inserted into the starting roll. McGloin threw three touchdowns on the night, one of which was overturned after review. He clearly – at least for this fan – showed he was the best choice to backup Carr (and possibly the only choice that the team needs).

In other battles, we saw Seth Roberts secure a roster spot with seven catches for one hundred and ten yards and a touchdown (he was also caught the overturned touchdown).  Brice Butler maintained his hold on the number three spot with a four for sixty-two yards performance while Rod Streater continued to work his way back into game form with a three for thirty-seven and a touchdown performance.

At running back, no one stood out. Dyer had an extended outing and did nothing to secure a spot on (twelve carries for seventeen yards and a touchdown). Helu had seven carries for zero yards, George Atkinson was two yards on three carries.  Basically the ones rested can feel certain they are going to make the final roster (Murray, Reece and T.Jones). I would say it’s possible we’ll be looking for a talent upgrade the cuts from other teams for this position (as we likely will for the offensive line).

Wylie and Atkinson battled for return duties, each with three returns. Wylie has th edge there I think with a twenty seven yards per return average versus Atkinson’s twenty three point three.

Sio Moore does not show up in the stats and didn’t stand out on the field last night. It will be interesting to see what the team does with him. Cut, keep or trade are all possible.

The Raiders have officially announced the cuts they made to get down to 75, these are:

Waived:

Released:

Waived/Injured:

Reserve/Injured:

WR Kenbrell Thompkins never showed up in games and so according to Pro Football Talk he was cut on Monday.

RB Trent Richardson as was said before, had to channel the version of himself that played for the Crimson Tide. He didn’t and he’s gone (and that probably means it’s the end of the road for his football career too).

S Jonathan Dowling was let go over the weekend and him not being a good fit for the team was sited as the reason.

OL Quinterrius Eatmon was let go las Friday.

QB Cody Fajardo didn’t play against the Cardinals and ESPN reported that he was let go Monday.

WR Josh Harper was Derek Carr’s teammate at Fresno State and thought was their chemistry would follow to the NFL. It didn’t and Harper was waived Monday according to ESPN.

CB James Dockery indicated he was cut via his Instgram account.

Pro Football Talk has reported that the Raiders will be releasing wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins.

The Raiders did what the Colts and Browns did before them and moved on from Trent Richardson.

Jack Del Rio when asked had said of Richardson, “He’s got to earn it. He’s got to be good enough as a backup. We’ve got to see some of the explosiveness that he had when he was a young man playing for the Crimson Tide there. He’s got to have a role on special teams, and he’s got to be able to help us win on Sundays. That’s the challenge for him right now.”

In the end, one good play in the final game wasn’t good enough to stake a claim to a roster spot. It likely marks the end of his NFL career because the only good footage of him is from before he was drafted.

Denarius Moore once had what looked to be a promising career with the Oakland Raiders but that promise never was realized. Last year he lost his starting role and this year he failed to even make the final roster for the Bengals being cut Monday.

Basically, he didn’t want it badly enough.

The scoreboard once the final whistle blew showed that the Oakland Raiders lost their third preseason game 30-23 against the Arizona Cardinals. But the score at half time was a better reflection on how the starters did and the Raiders where winning then – 15 to 3.

The starters on the Raider defense terrorized the Cardinals all night long. Former Raiders Palmer and Veldheer will be having nightmares for weeks following the abuse they took from Khalil Mack.  It was enough to reduce Palmer to just eight completions on twenty two attempts and garnered Nate Allen two interceptions in the process.

Mario Edwards Jr walked away from the game with two sacks in  a vastly improved performance from his first outing as a Raider. Malcolm Smith performed at a level that gives Sio Moore a serious challenge if he is to recover his starting role. Ben Heeney – after being the star of the last two games – looked more like the rookie he is last night. Taylor Mays should not feel say with Dowling having been cut if his performance last night is the only thing he is to be judged on, his thumping hit on TE Momah was great but Momah absorbed it and then charged downfield.

On offense the picture was a little different, Carr looked good at times but couldn’t seal the deal on any drive with a touchdown. Forcing the Raiders to settle for five field goals from Seabass (who – as the announcers pointed out – will be setting a record come opening day by having worked for ten different head coaches for his career).

The really bad, Menelik Watson is likely lost for the season with a ruptured a Achilles tendon. Watson had clearly won his position during camp but now will have to wait until the 2016 season to show if his promise was finally showing up on the field consistently.

Trent Richardson continued to show why two teams have so far given up on him. One rush he seemed to sidestep the gap and run right into the back of his offensive line man (need to rewatch the tape to ensure that was what I really saw) but did have one nice nineteen yard gain. Not nearly enough to earn a roster spot. He certainly is the player he used to be.

On a final note, Matt McGloin for my money looks to have won the backup quarterback role to date. Will be interesting to see the final depth chart to see if I’m right.

The Raiders parted ways with a player that looked to be on the rise this preseason – especially following the Vikings game where he had an interception. According to league sources however it was not his play that ended his tenure with the Raiders but his maturity level.  Supposedly it wasn’t a single issue but a series of smaller ones that ended with the Raiders deciding to move on.

Dowling was drafted by the Raiders in the 7th round (247th overall) using the pick obtained via the trade of Terrelle Pryor to the Seattle Seahawks.

The third preseason game sees the Raiders face off against the Arizona Cardinals – a team that made the playoffs a year ago, only to depart in the first game to the Panthers.

What I want to see from this game:

• Fix the mistakes. After the first game it looked like the Del Rio era might bring to an end the Raiders being the perennial leader in penalties but come the second game they went right back to their old ways. Hopefully the Vikings game was an aberration and the Rams game was the norm. The Cardinals game should give us an indication if that is right.
• Sightings of Helu Jr, Rod Streator and Sio Moore. A positive sign of them being ready for week one action.
• Decent performances from our starters in what will probably be their longest outing this preseason.
• Everyone leaving the game healthy.

A win would be nice but some solid performances from the bubble players and signs that the starters are ready for week one is more important at this point.

For me there is a real feeling that this Raiders team is the one that will be turning the corner. That this Raiders team will be the one to restore the Pride and Poise of the Raiders.

From a defense that you feel moves with greater hussle and speed. One that is aware of what it needs to do and confident that it will achieve it. Or from an offense that suddenly looks to be loaded with weapons. Carr, Cooper, Crabtree, Murray and the pieces around them.

Orchestrating all this and bringing the team into a single focus of executing plays and holding the team accountable for their performances (or lack of in the case of the injured players) is Jack Del Rio.  He – along with Ken Norton Jr – have continued to push the Raiders in the direction we only glimpsed in moments at the end of last season thanks to Tony Sparano.

I really feel this team is the start of something great for the Raiders. Hopefully a decade of winning to erase the painful memories of our last Superbowl appearance until now.

Go RAIDERS!