Storyline: I’ll take the Raiders 31-10 win on the road over a playoff team. But, in the end, it matters little. What matters is that football–even in preseason form–is back.
Courtesy: nypost.com
On the Oakland Raiders’ first offensive series of the game, Amari Cooper blew right by the Cardinals cornerback charged with covering him. Cooper had two steps on the defense and clear sailing to the end zone. Unfortunately, Derek Carr’s pass was slightly off target and it carried the Raiders’ receiver just out of bounds.
Marquette King came on to punt. On the Raiders first defensive series, Ben Heeney perfectly timed his blitz and drilled Arizona QB Carson Palmer right in the chest as he let the ball go. The ball fluttered right into the arms of Raiders CB, Sean Smith, but a possible pick-six turned into a simple incompletion when Smith dropped the ball.
The Cards then competed a third and long and moved down the field for the first points of the game. The Raiders starters looked a bit rusty and had several opportunities for early points, but missed on each of them. No worries, Raider Nation, because knocking off the rust is what preseason games are for.
Each and every year I have to reiterate to myself that none of this really matters. The excitement of football returning has to be tempered with the fact that preseason games mean almost nothing in terms of regular season results. Nothing we witness on the field actually translates into something meaningful come September. Football is a 60 minute up-and-down battle where physicality, consistency over the course of the game, and clutch plays matter.
Preseason games are flashes of potential that almost any player on these bloated rosters can produce at times. Still, though, it’s hard not to be sucked in by what we see. The Raiders are back on the field playing actual football.
The Nation rejoices!
Game Observations. The bad can always outweigh the good in preseason. A 31-10 preseason W means zilch if Mario Edwards Jr. loses time with a hip injury. Once I saw Mario writhing on the ground in pain, the rest of the game became a moot point. Staying healthy priority is #1. Hopefully Mario’s injury isn’t as bad as it looked. Nobody wants that damn cart making an August cameo.
George Atkinson III (photo, ESPN.com
It was the second half of the first preseason game, but those George Atkinson III TD runs were spectacular. The vision, power, and speed were all on display for the Raiders’ legacy.
Like I said, any of these guys have the talent to make a temporary flash, but you had to be impressed by his skill set. The Raiders are in play for a second RB who can make an impact and produce on special teams. GAIII just gave himself a shot.
Another RB with a nice night was the debut of DeAndre Washington. He’s compact and has a nice burst with quick moves. He’s the physical opposite of starter Latavius Murray and could be everything Roy Helu was not for this team last year–a factor in the passing game with speed to break off big plays. Washington had a 25-yard run and 32-yard pass play Friday night.
Backup QB Matt McGloin seems to be a Raider Nation favorite, but I don’t get it. He had two nice TD tosses in the 2nd Quarter with short drives off Arizona turnovers, but was pretty mediocre otherwise. I’m no McGloin hater and admire his fire, effort, and work ethic, but some Raiders fans are straight-up enamored with him. When I see arguments on message boards … about what type of draft pick the Raiders could get in a McGloin trade … I have to laugh. No team is trading for McGloin. So stop it!
Conner Cook (photo, MLive.com)
That’s why I was impressed by the debut of QB Conner Cook. He hasn’t gotten rave reviews in camp, but he looked poised and made decisive decisions in his first game. He simply looked like he belonged and passed the eye test.
If anything were to happen to Carr (no, please no!) I like the idea of a prospect like Cook coming off the bench over McGloin for the long term. Sure, McGloin might be a better short-term option, but Cook is an investment. Impressive play by Cook could result in a future draft pick.
Sorry to be such a dick, McGloin fans, but I try to be a realist. Other young guys flashed–James Cowser, Cory James, Dexter McDonald. While others were non-factors or inept, Shilique Calhoun, Karl Joseph, and Dewey McDonald will all get plenty of more chances to shine.
I’ll take the 31-10 win on the road over a playoff team but, in the end, it matters little. What matters is that football–even in preseason form–is back.
