RAIDERS 101

The Oakland Raiders dropped their preseason finale to the Seattle Seahawks 21-3 Friday night. On a night where all three phases were off, the Raiders finish the preseason with a 1-3 record.

Offensively the Raiders were very conservative, not trying to show their hand with the regular season approaching. The team only ran 42 plays for an embarrassing 101 total yards. Quarterback Carson Palmer and the first team offense only played one series, which consisted of six running plays and zero passes. Matt Leinart replaced Palmer, but struggled with accuracy. He finished 3-11 for 14 yards and an interception on an overthrow. Terrelle Pryor played the entire second half and continues to show improvement. He completed 6-9 passes for 55 yards, while showing his strength keeping several plays alive after contact.

The second team offensive line struggled throughout their time on the field, allowing pressure on Pryor. With running back Darren McFadden out of action for the fourth preseason game, Taiwan Jones had one nice run of 15 yards. Mike Goodson carried 8 times for 26 yards. The Raiders did not have a drive over six plays all night and the most yards they picked up on a drive was 26.

Throughout the preseason, the Raiders have stopped the run well. Against the Seahawks, Oakland was shredded on the ground for 161 yards. Because the offense stalled out, the Raiders second and third team defenses were on the field for an extended period. Showing fatigue, the units allowed an 11 play, 78 yard touchdown drive and a nine play, 90 yard touchdown drive. The Raiders started defensively showing more zone coverage. Throughout the game, Oakland was burned by play action passes and passes to the flats.

Few players who were on the roster bubble proved themselves worthy on a final 53 spot. Cornerback Bryan McCann was the only competent returner the Raiders played. His punt return late in the fourth quarter led to the team's only points of the night. He added a nice pass break-up. Outside linebacker and rookie seventh round draft selection Nate Stupar hustled and showed effort making a sack and a tackle for loss. Rookie Miles Burris continues to develop, consistently making tackles while always being around the football.

The Raiders special teams continue to cause serious problems. Newly acquired Roscoe Parrish and Coye Francies, both brought in for return purposes, fumbled when they had the opportunity. Parrish fumbled during a return that Seattle recover and muffled another punt that went out of bounds. On the second fumble, Parrish could not buckle his chin strap, losing concentration as the ball was in the air. Both will have a hard time making the final roster.

Friday at 6 p.m., the Raiders will have to cut their roster down to the final 53 men. With so many players not rising to the occasion when they got a chance to solidify their roster spot, the Raiders might have to look to other released players to fill out their spots.

Tags: Bryan McCann, Carson Palmer, Coye Francies, final roster, Football, Matt Leinart, Mike Goodson, Nate Stupar, NFL, Oakland, Oakland Raiders, preseason, Roscoe parrish, Seattle Seahawks, Taiwan Jones, Terrelle Pryor

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