Tag: Raiders preseason

Raiders 53-man roster prediction ahead of cutdown date

Preseason has wrapped up and the cutdown date is just days away. Before that happens, though, let’s get one final prediction out there.

Preseason has wrapped up and the cutdown date is just days away. Before that happens, though, let’s get one final prediction out there.

IN: Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell

OUT: Nathan Peterman, Carter Bradley

IN: Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, Dylan Laube, Ameer Abdullah

OUT: Sincere McCormick, Brittain Brown

IN: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, Kristian Wilkerson, Tyreik McAllister

OUT: Jalen Guyton, Alex Bachman, Terrell Bynum, Ramel Keyton, Tulu Griffin

IN: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Cole Fotheringham

OUT: Zach Gentry, John Samuel Schenker

IN: Kolton Miller, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Andre James, Dylan Parham, Thayer Munford, Andrus Peat, Cody Whitehair, DJ Glaze, Jordan Meredith

OUT: Jalen McKenzie, Andrew Coker, Ben Brown, Will Putnam, Clark Barrington, Dalton Wagner, Cotey Luciano

IN: Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Nesta Jade Silvera

OUT: Byron Young, Matthew Butler, Marquan McCall, Noah Shannon

IN: Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson, Janarius Robinson, Charles Snowden

OUT: Ron Stone Jr, TJ Franklin, David Agoha, Elerson Smith

IN: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Tommy Eichenberg, Amari Gainer

OUT: Kana’i Mauga, Amari Burney, Fred Thompkins

IN: Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Nate Hobbs, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson, MJ Devonshire

OUT: Woo Governor, Rayshad Williams, Cornell Armstrong, Ja’Quann Sheppard, Sam Webb

IN: Marcus Epps, Tre’von Moehrig, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Christopher Smith II, Trey Taylor

OUT: Jaydon Grant, Phalen Sanford, Tyreque Jones

Busters for Raiders Preseason Week 3 vs 49ers

Busters for Raiders Preseason Week 3 vs 49ers

There was plenty to make Antonio Pierce unhappy with the performance of his team Friday night. These guys are all trying to make this roster and none of these guys did themselves any favors.

LB Kana’i Mauga

It was the 15-yard catch Mauga gave up on the 49ers first drive that put them in scoring range. And it was the 19-yard catch and 12-yard run he gave up on the next drive that helped them march down the field for a touchdown. The 16-yard catch he gave up on the next possession again put the 49ers in scoring range.

DT Byron Young, DT Matthew Butler

That first touchdown drive shined a bright light on the interior defensive line issues facing the Raiders. Or maybe I should say a black light. Because it was more like a crime scene out there.

The first play Butler and Young gave up an 11-yard run. Butler then managed a sack, though it was set up by Jenarius Robinson’s pressure running Purdy right into him.

The 49ers had driven to the Vegas 38. Then Young gave up a seven-yard run. Next play he seemed to have a shot at stopping Purdy on a scramble, but somehow missed him. Probably because he was jogging on the play, allowing Purdy to run for 13 yards. Next play, Butler was blocked back to give up a six-yard run. Next play, Butler wasn’t in his gap on another six-yard run to put the 49ers in first and goal at the five. Two plays later Butler was again blocked back to give up a four-yard touchdown run.

If the Raiders ever had to rely on either of these guys, Lord help them.

RB Dylan Laube

After that long drive put the 49ers up 10-0, the Raiders tried to answer. They would get their first first down of the game on a couple Laube runs of eight and five yards. Two plays later, they went back to Laube, dumping it off to him. He made the catch and then fumbled it away.

So, maybe he’s not ready to be a factor in the run game. What about as a kick returner? He fielded a kick two yards inside the end zone and took it out, making it to the 22-yard line. Had he just downed it in the end zone, it would have been a touchback and would’ve been placed at the 30. So, his decision, or lack of field awareness, cost the team eight yards.

T Dalton Wagner

Two Raiders drives stalled because of Wagner. In the second quarter, Sincere McCormick looked like he might break off a nice run, but when Wagner went to block his guy, he just stopped right in McCormick’s path and the back hit him and went down for a two-yard gain.

The final drive, the Raiders were down 24-21 and driving, looking like they had a real chance to score a touchdown for the win. They made it into the red zone one a nice 20-yard leaping grab by Ramel Keyton. Bradley came up to the line and spiked it to stop the clock at 36 seconds. And the next play, Wagner gave up the sack. This meant Bradley had to spike the ball again just to keep the clock from running out. And it meant the Raiders had to decide whether to go for broke on 4th and 15 or tie it up with the field goal. They opted for the field goal.

Also See the Ballers

Former CFL star lights up Raiders preseason finale, ‘moved the needle’ in bid to make roster

‘He’s got some juice, right?’ Raiders head coach as this former CFL star lit up Raiders preseason finale.

There are a lot of decisions to be made over the next few days with the cutdown deadline looming. One player who gave the Raiders coaches a lot to think about was Tyreik McCallister.

The 5-11, 180-pounder spent the past two seasons on and off the Broncos’ offseason roster and practice squad.

In between, he spent a season in the CFL with the Hamilton Tigercats where he averaged 25.3 yards per kick return on 41 returns with 426 yards of offense and two touchdowns.

This past January he was signed to a reserve/future contract and coming into camp was seen as a longshot to make the roster. His shot got a lot shorter tonight.

First up, he took a punt in the second quarter and went took it 81 yards for a touchdown.

Then later in the game, he made an outstanding adjustment on a pass over the middle that was behind him to come back, pluck it out of the air and score with it. The defender had no idea what happened or how he did it.

 

“He’s got some juice, right?” said head coach Antonio Pierce after the game. “Came from the CFL and played running back, never played wide receiver, you can see that transition into the offseason program.”

“We’ve been seeing it in practice, but today he took it to another level. Took one to the crib and a hell of a catch and adjustment on the reception. And even just covering kicks. He moved the needle tonight.”

Even with his eye popping plays in this game, McAllister has some guys ahead of him who could make it difficult for him to sneak onto the roster. Namely Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, both of whom have already earned their spots and both of whom also return punts.

But you never know what can happen. At very least, the Raiders may see the value in keeping him around on the practice squad.

Raiders winners and losers in 24-24 preseason tie vs. 49ers

The Raiders closed the preseason with a tie, even though Las Vegas played its reserves against 49ers starters. Who stood out the most?

The Raiders preseason finally came to a close on Friday night in a 24-24 tie against the 49ers in Las Vegas, as coach Antonio Pierce sat his starters while the 49ers played many of their stars, including quarterback Brock Purdy. Still, the Raiders’ reserves held their own, especially on defense.

The Las Vegas offense was without its top two quarterbacks and struggled early, but the Raiders’ special teams had a big day. Tyreik McAllister took an 81-yard punt return to the house for the Raiders’ first score of the night, and he added a touchdown catch later in the game for good measure.

McAllister was easily the biggest winner of the night. Here are the rest of the players who stood out this week, for better or worse.

Winner: DE Janarius Robinson

Before we get to McAllister’s big day, defensive end Janarious Robinson deserves his due. He had a tackle for loss on the 49ers’ first drive, helping the Raiders hold the San Francisco starting offense to a field goal.

Robinson led a strong pass rush for Las Vegas and pressured Purdy into a second-quarter interception. He was a lock to make the roster coming into this game and his pass-rush ability provides key depth up front.

Winner: WR Tyreik McAllister

The Raiders have been looking for depth at wide receiver and McAllister made a statement on Friday night. A former star in the Canadian Football League, McAllister scored the Raiders first points of the night on an 81-yard punt return.

His touchdown catch was equally impressive, perhaps even more so. He made an athletic adjustment on a throw by QB Carter Bradley.

It’s hard to say whether McAllister will make the Raiders’ final cut. But his chances are certainly much higher after this performance.

Winner: DBs Sam Webb and Chris Smith II

The Raiders reserves had the last laugh against Purdy, who made his share of splash plays. On Purdy’s final snap of the game, pressure from Robinson forced a throw into tight coverage by Raiders cornerback Sam Webb. Webb tipped the ball in the air, and safety Chris Smith II was in perfect position to intercept the ball.

Winner: LB Amari Gainer

Linebacker Amari Gainer made his case to remain a Raider with his play on defense and special teams. He recorded an impressive special teams tackle early in the game and finished with more than 10 tackles on defense, including two tackles for loss. He had a late penalty for a hit to the head, but that hardly put a damper on his day.

Winner: WR Kristian Wilkerson

Though he didn’t have the day McAllister did, WR Kristian Wilkerson gave the Raiders brass more to think about on cut-down day with his touchdown grab from quarterback Nathan Peterman.

Loser: RB Dylan Laube

Rookie running back Dylan Laube got the starting nod on Friday and appeared primed for his breakout moment. For a minute, he did break out. But after several impressive plays, he was belted by a 49ers defender after a nice catch and run. He fumbled the football and didn’t see action at running back for the rest of the game.

Laube still got some touches on special teams, which probably helped sustain his confidence. He’ll need it if he wants to contribute to the Raiders offense this season.

Loser: WR Jalen Guyton

Wide receiver Jalen Guyton had to make an impact on Friday to make the roster, and while he had some key catches on the Raiders’ touchdown drive to close the first half, he was outdone by McAllister and Wilkerson.

This game was a reversal from the Raiders’ loss against the Cowboys last week when Las Vegas starters faced Dallas backups. The Raiders reserves responded, and now it’s time for coach Pierce and crew to shape their final roster. Soon enough, we’ll see what this Raiders team is really made of when they face the Chargers in Week 1.

Raiders complete winless preseason with 24-24 tie with 49ers

24-24 tie with 49ers means Raiders go winless preseason

We knew coming into this game that the Raiders wouldn’t be playing their starters. But the 49ers had a different plan. So, when the Raiders trotted out second teamers.

A 29-yard Deebo Samuel catch put the 49ers in field goal range. But a Janarius Robinson tackle for loss on a run helped stop it there. They settled for a 49-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

The next drive, the 49ers first teamers moved right through the Raiders defense to easily score a touchdown and take a 10-0 lead.

Meanwhile the Raiders offense wasn’t answering anything. They went three-and-out to start the game, and then after their first first down of the game, Dylan Laube fumbled the ball away.

The 49ers kept their first teamers on the field and the Raiders defense took the ball right back, with Christopher Smith intercepting it off a Sam Webb deflection.

Eventually the Raiders would get on the board, but it wouldn’t be on offense. It was after the Raiders defense forced their first punt – after the 49ers first teamers had left the game – and Tyreik McAllister took the punt back 81 yards for the touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, the 49ers answered with a long return of their own to the Las Vegas four-yard line. And punched it in on two plays to go up 17-7.

It was late in the second quarter before Nathan Peterman was able to get anything going for the Raiders on offense. He drove the team down the field and finished it off with a touchdown pass to Kristian Wilkerson to make it a 17-14 game at the half.

Carter Bradley entered the game at quarterback for the Raiders to start the second half. And he got a masterful catch by Tyreik McAllister, who came back to get the deep pass and finish it off with a touchdown to give the Raiders their first lead of the game at 21-17.

Once again, the 49ers would answer, this time with Josh Dobbs in at quarterback, going 55 yards on 11 plays with Dobbs throwing the touchdown to Jacob Cowing from ten yards out.

A forced fumble early in the fourth quarter gave the Raiders the ball back down 24-21. Bradley went back to McAllister for a long completion to put the Raiders instantly in goal to go at the eight. But they couldn’t punch it in. They would go for it on 4th and goal from the three and Bradley lofted the pass for Ramel Keyton and it was picked off in the end zone.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter…until the final seconds. After both teams went for it on fourth and goal and failed, the Raiders drove down and kicked a field goal to tie it up at 24-24 with a few seconds left. Because…I guess tying up a meaningless game is more important than trying to actually win it.

At least with the new preseason rules, there is no overtime, which means the game ended in a tie. And thank God for that.

The tie means the Raiders went 0-2-1 this preseason with previous losses to the Vikings and Cowboys. Good thing these games don’t actually count.

Raiders roster hopefuls get great work vs 49ers starters in preseason finale

Raiders roster hopefuls get great work vs 49ers starters in final preseason

Sometimes it can be hard to judge preseason performances because it’s usually first teamers vs first teamers, second teamers vs second teamers. But the 49ers did the Raiders a solid in the final preseaon game. They played their starters, even while the Raiders sat all their starters.

Now, the Raiders were unable to keep the 49ers from scoring. In fact, on all but the first drive, they ran through the Raiders’ backups like a hot knife through butter. But that’s to be expected. What the Raiders are looking for are small victories. Individual performances.

With these individual performances, you are actually seeing how these guys would hold up against the caliber of player they would face in games that count. And for that, the Raiders coaches should be thanking the 49ers for giving them a good look at their roster hopefuls and depth players.

Those depth players bent but didn’t break on the first drive of the day; making the stop to force the 49ers to settle for a 49-yard field goal.

That stop was brought to you by Janarius Robinson who blew past the tackle to make a tackle for a five-yard loss that the 49ers couldn’t recover from.

Though they looked out of their depth on the next drive, the third drive, they took the ball away. Making that the final play for Brock Purdy and the 49ers first team offense.

That takeaway was again led by Janarius Robinson whose pressure helped lead to a pass breakup by Sam Webb that was intercepted by Christopher Smith off the deflection.

As for the Raiders offense versus the 49ers first team defense, that was just plain bad from start to finish. Nathan Peterman led the Raiders offense to just 36 yards of offense with one first down in the first three drives. Dylan Laube looked for a moment on the second drive like he might make something happen — picking up the only first down in the first three drives — but then he fumbled the ball away.

It wasn’t until an 81-yard punt return by Tyreik McAllister that that Raiders got on the board in the first half.

Raiders vs 49ers: How to watch, listen, stream Week 3 of Preseason

How to watch the Raiders vs 49ers preseason finale

Preseason football is almost coming to ta close. The Raiders take on their old Bay Area rival 49ers on Friday in what will be the final attempt for many players to make an impression on their coaches and fans.

For those who are interested in watching, here’s how to go about doing that:

Who: San Francisco at Las Vegas Raiders

What: Preseason Week 3

Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas NV

Date: Friday, August 23

Time: 7pm Pacific (10pm ET)

Watch: NFL Network, FOX 5 Las Vegas, KPIX 5 Bay Area (watch free with Fubo)

Stream: Raiders.com, FuboTV (try it free)

Raiders TV broadcast team: Jason Horowitz, Matt Millen, Rich Gannon

Radio: Click here for full list of stations

Radio broadcast team: JT The Brick, Lincoln Kennedy, Eric Allen

Cowboys coverage: Niners Wire

Coverage:

4 key Raiders who won’t play in preseason finale vs 49ers

Raiders updated unofficial depth chart

5 Raiders players to watch on both sides of the ball vs 49ers

Will any starters play in final preseason game?

Gardner Minshew named Raiders starting QB

5 Raiders Defensive Players to watch in Preseason finale vs 49ers

There are still some roster spots to be won, impressions to be made, and playing time to be earned. Each of these players will be out to make their presence felt on defense Friday night.

There are still some roster spots to be won, impressions to be made, and playing time to be earned. Each of these players will be out to make their presence felt on defense Friday night.

Jade Silvera has been behind Byron Young on the depth chart through the past two weeks. But when given the chance, Jade Silvera has looked better than Young. If he outshines Young again, it’s possible he could start taking snaps from Young, and possibly overtake him on the depth chart come the season.

Speaking of players passing up higher drafted players…The former fourth round defensive end has looked considerably better than Raiders second year former number four overall pick Tyree Wilson. At this point, Wilson only has his top pick potential getting him reps. But that only goes so far when a team has to think about which player gives them the best chance of getting to the quarterback when called upon.

Gainer is trying to get on this roster and has had an uphill battle to do it. He had a great preseason opener and didn’t do much in last week’s home opener against the Cowboys. Best two out of three?

With Brandon Facyson once again struggling to get healthy, this fourth round rookie could be the next man up after the three starters. They like his length, but is he ready to go should one of the starters go down? Or to be a dime back?

5 Raiders Offensive Players to watch in Preseason finale vs 49ers

The final preseason game will be the battle of those trying to fight their way up the depth chart and fight their way onto the roster. In that spirit, keep an eye on these five players on the offensive side of the ball.

The final preseason game will be the battle of those trying to fight their way up the depth chart and fight their way onto the roster. In that spirit, keep an eye on these five players on the offensive side of the ball.

A few years ago, Peterman was that player on the Raiders who they just couldn’t quit. He spent nearly four years with the team as the most non-threatening backup ever. Just the way Derek Carr needed him to be. Hence why he joined Carr with the Saints this past offseason. But even they ended up releasing him.

Now he’s back, reuniting with Luke Getsy who was his OC in Chicago for two seasons. Could be see Peterman take the field to start this game? It’s possible. If Getsy thinks Peterman has acclimated to the team enough over the past couple weeks since he arrived. And, more importantly, has Peterman improved at all since the last we saw him suit up for the Raiders?

The rookie back has yet to live up to the training camp hype with his preseason play. Often times players step up in the games after not showing much in practice. Antonio Pierce has said that won’t impress him much. But you’d have to figure the other must be true as well. He needs to show up in the preseason too. Not just against his teammates when they’re no allowed to tackle him to the ground.

Turner has been turning heads in both practice and in games. Every play he makes, he earns more and more confidence that he can be a serious weapon in this offense as well as on special teams.

The former Chargers speedster came over because he played under Tom Telesco for four seasons. But he hasn’t shown much. First he was injured through much of camp and now he just hasn’t stood out. He needs to do something in this game if he wants to get off the roster bubble.

This could be the longest look we have gotten so far of Glaze at right tackle. Despite looking good in camp, it has continued to be Thayer Munford who has taken the field as the team’s starter through the first two preseason games.

4 key Raiders who won’t play in final preseason game vs 49ers and who steps up for them

4 key Raiders who won’t play in final preseason game vs 49ers and who steps up for them

We already know Antonio Pierce said the team’s established starters won’t play in the final preseason game. But that doesn’t mean literally everyone else will be a go. Wednesday, he noted several other Raiders players who also will also not be suiting up when the 49ers come to Las Vegas in the preseason finale.

First and foremost, despite the fact that Aidan O’Connell will not be the team’s starting quarterback, he will not play.

That means the Raiders will have two quarterbacks who will play in the game — rookie Carter Bradley and journeyman veteran Nathan Peterman. Bradley has been ahead on the depth chart due to his time with the team throughout the offseason and training camp. We’ll see if that continues in this one.

Three rookies will not be playing the game either. That’s TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson Powers-Johnson, and LB Tommy Eichenberg.

Bowers was the team’s top pick at 13 overall in the draft. He is expected to start, but that alone wouldn’t automatically mean he wouldn’t play. He isn’t playing due to a minor foot injury.

I wouldn’t expect Michael Mayer to play either as he is a second-year starter. Instead look for Harrison Bryant to get the start at tight end.

Powers-Johnson is the team’s second round pick. He just returned last week from injury and is not going to be the starter right away. But due to his short time since returing, he won’t play either.

Cody Whitehair will be the starter at left guard in the season opener, so don’t expect him to play in the final preseason game. Look for Jordan Meredith to start at left guard in this game.

And finally, Eichenberg is dealing with a leg injury and won’t play. He hasn’t played at all this preseason, so once again it would be Kama’i Mauga who would get those reps at middle linebacker Eichenberg may have gotten has he been healthy.