FanPost

I sense good in you..somewhere.

Sure, it's "only Pre-Season". You'll hear it now, you'll hear it 100 years from now. That's how people see it, that's how people understand it and that's how people excuse this level of play.

Hell, stop being like everyone else. Look into your Team deeper, I implore you.


Greetings, Raider Nation. I am Darth Raider, Lord of the Sith, Master of all Evil. I've been writing about this team as far back as I can remember..

and I can't remember any off season in the past that grabbed as much hype and attention as much as this one.

After the new Free Agent Offensive Linemen signed, I wanted to write about great, positive energy coming our way. After MGD and Schaub signed- I had a greater ambition to write..

after changing practically EVERY Defensive position, I wrote..

then deleted a post after realizing I must wait until Pre-Season until I buy in. Lord, am I glad I waited..


All of that hype, all of talk of being a top 5 Defense, all of that money spent on big names..

only to be scored on by a Rookie (T.Bridgewater) in the 1st Quarter.

Tarell Brown- picked on a few times with ease..

Justin Tuck-Was he playing?!?!

LaMaar Woodley- not a factor

Carlos Rodgers-Non existent.

Khalil Mack- blocked on key runs

Tvvon Branch- gave up a Touchdown


..I could go on!!!

..but yeah, it's only an Exhibition. (So was the Apollo vs Drago match)


Sure, I realize I'm being a wee bit critical in this early stage of the season. But I guess that's my job as a Superfan. After waiting more than a decade for a positive impact on my team, I expect better things more recently than farther away.


On the bright side (finally) Chimdi Chekwa was all over the field. He played like lightning quick, thirsty Hawk, swooping in on his prey for its blood. I always liked this kid and can only hope he shows more improvement in the future.

Kaelin Lin showed progression by grabbing 5 tackles on Friday. I sure hope he can up his game to the level of where his Brother was in 2013. I still don't fully understand why we gave up on him.


Offense? It was nice to see the Running Back committee of Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones- Drew and Latavius Murray have great carries for positive yards. I feel if we are going to have any identity, it will start with these 3 men (not to mention Pro Bowler FB Marcel Reece) . Please stay healthy!!

Tight Ends and Receivers- I saw many key drops and failure to get the proper separation from the Defensive Backs. I hope you're all quicker in Oakland next week.

Matt McGloin (11/18- 90 yards) showed great heart, power and poise after witnessing uneventful drives by Matt Schaub and newcomer David Carr. Time will only tell if we have a solid Starter out of the bunch. It's still too early to tell.


Last but not least- PENALTIES!!! Can we EVER get this issue fixed???!! The Offensive Line seemed to gather the most yellow laundry when we didn't need any. Can we invest invest in Cow Prodders at practice? Whips? Lightsabers????? Make it so!!!



NFL.com Summary:

MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Cassel was crisp from the start, giving Teddy Bridgewater a model touchdown drive to watch.

Cassel went 5 for 6 for 62 yards, and the Vikings broke in their temporary new home stadium for the next two years by beating the Oakland Raiders10-6 in their preseason opener on Friday night.Bridgewater showed his age, aside from a few flashes of brilliance, and that's the early snapshot of the starting quarterback competition.

"Any time you can come down and score on your first drive, that's what you're trying to accomplish," Cassel said.

Bridgewater relieved Cassel at quarterback after one series, and the rookie's first name was rhythmically chanted during his first two snaps by a crowd eager to see the first-round draft pick in action. Playing into the third quarter, Bridgewater's debut was mixed at best: 6 for 13 for 49 yards, two sacks and one fumble theVikings recovered.

He said he didn't notice the fuss from the fans.

"I felt pretty good. There were some missed opportunities, but I'll be able to come back next week and play more aggressive," Bridgewater said.

Coach Mike Zimmer agreed.

"There were a couple times in the game where he just didn't act like a veteran," Zimmer said. "Things happened that he hadn't seen before. So those are all great experiences for him. But he made some great throws."


Schaub played three series, all three-and-outs.Matt Schaub's first time in silver and black wasn't exactly smooth, either. The latest attempt by the Raiders to stop the quarterback carousel from spinning, Schaub finished 3 for 7 for 21 yards.

"We were pretty sloppy," Schaub said.

Derek Carr, the second-round draft pick from Fresno State, took over in the second quarter and was only slightly more productive with and against the backups. Carr went 10 for 16 for 74 yards, but his high throw on the run toJamize Olawale slipped through the fullback's hands and was intercepted by Kurt Coleman.

"He's a young QB, and he'll learn to keep the ball low because if he drops it, it goes to the ground," Coleman said.

Third-string quarterback Matt McGloin had a late 10-yard touchdown scramble. Darren McFadden had a 23-yard run, the only real highlight by a Raiders starter, leaving coach Dennis Allen disappointed.

"I thought we'd come out sharper than that," Allen said.

The acquisition of Schaub from Houston was just one of many moves during a busy offseason for the Raiders, and he's coming off a rough year. With three seasons of at least 4,000 passing yards for the Texans, though, Schaub has the potential to stabilize this long-unsettled position.

Since Rich Gannon won the NFL MVP award and guided the Raiders to the Super Bowl after that career year in 2002, theRaiders have had 17 different quarterbacks start at least one regular season game. Schaub will be the 18th in September, barring injury for the 33-year-old.

Both teams escaped without significant injuries, which is always the primary goal of these preseason contests. Raiders backup defensive tackle Justin Ellis walked slowly off the field with a head injury. The Vikings also announced backup safety Mistral Raymond was being evaluated for a head injury.


Conclusion: We need more work on Defense! We need more at catching!! We need more work on 3rd down!! Finally, we need more discipline! Can we achieve this in future? You bet your Silver and Black ass we can!

Hey, I finally wrote something optimistic! I sense good in me...

Until next Week, Nation...

Go Raiders!

-DR