Category: NFL

Oakland Raiders Saturday game wrap: Titans spoil Raiders preseason home opener

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver in pre season game three against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND-With just one preseason game remaining on the schedule, the Oakland Raiders finally made their preseason debut at the Oakland Coliseum.

Derek Carr went 12-for-18 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, but it was enough and the Tennessee Titans defeated the Raiders 27-14 at the Coliseum.

Carr found Amari Cooper for a fantastic 29-yard touchdown pass that was reviewed by the officials, but stood to give the Raiders their only lead of the game.

That was not the only nice pass on the evening by Carr, as he found Michael Crabtree for a 41 yard pass play down to the Titans 10-yard live that setup a DeAndre Washington touchdown pass from Carr that tied up the game.

On their first drive of the game, Marcus Mariota drove the Titans all the way down the field and it ended on a DeMarco Murray one-yard touchdown run. Murray’s touchdown run was setup by a fantastic pass from Mariota to Tajae Sharpe that went right through the hands of Sean Smith for a 60-yard gain down to the Raiders four-yard line.

Following the Washington touchdown pass from Carr that tied up the game at seven apiece, the Titans drove down the field and Ryan Succop kicked a 34-yard field goal to give them a 10-7 lead.

After the Raiders went three and out on their next possession, Titans led behind a huge run from Murray added another Succop field goal, this one was from 30 yards to lengthen the lead.

Carr, Cooper and Washington handled the ensuing Raiders drive, as in the end, Cooper was on the receiving of a fantastic thrown pass by Carr for a 29-yard touchdown pass to give the Raiders their only lead of the game.

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Derek Henry showed the Raiders and a National TV audience why he was worthy of the most prestigious award in all of college football, as the former Alabama Crimson Tide running back ran rough shot through the Raiders defense and the end result was a three-yard touchdown run that gave the Titans the lead for good.

Henry led the Titans running game with 12 carries for 49 yards and that one touchdown, to help the Titans to their second victory of the preseason.

Jalen Richard made his first preseason appearance for the Raiders after the missing the first two games with an injury. Richard responded by carrying the ball seven times for 35 yards, and returned two kicks for 57 yards, including a 38-yard return after Murray’s touchdown run on the Titans first series of the game.

The Titans closed out the scoring in the third quarter, as Washington hit by Sean Spence and fumbled the ball, which was picked up by David Bass and returned 47 yards for a touchdown.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Kaepernick despite football will take a stand and sit during the national anthem

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AP photo:  San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick scrambles during the first half of Friday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Joe Lami, Colin Kaepernick’s statement about not standing at attention during the national anthem because he won’t stand for a flag that oppresses it’s own citizen’s who are black. Kaepernick while taking a lot of criticism of the stand or in this case non stand will stick with his commitment. Kaepernick who had a rough game on Friday at Levis Stadium throwing for only 14 yards and completing two passes.

Kaepernick has missed three off season practices due to three off season surgeries. Also Kaepernick has missed the first two games of the exhibition due to shoulder injuries but played Friday night in a game that the 49ers were defeated against the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers Blaine Gabbert had two series. With a completion to tight end Garret Celek on the second drive and a five series drive that scored wide receiver Quinton Patton.

Listen to Joe Lami’s 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kaepernick makes season debut, but does little on the field in 49ers’ loss to the Pack

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Kap scrambles

By Morris Phillips

SANTA CLARA–Colin Kaepernick’s big shot—and likely his only opportunity—to be named the 49ers’ starting quarterback came and went with a whimper.

The 28-year old who spent the off-season recuperating from thumb, knee and shoulder surgeries, then experienced arm fatigue in training camp, made his 2016 debut on Friday against the Packers, and he didn’t do much to impress in slightly less than a quarter of action.

After watching Kaepernick complete two of six passes, two of which were batted at the line of scrimmage, along with some nifty scrambling on broken plays, only one conclusion could be drawn: maybe Kaepernick’s ability to unseat Blaine Gabbert as the starter may have been too much to ask.

According to Kaepernick, the starting job remains up for grabs.  Afterwards, he was plotting his gameplan for the final exhibition.

“I think next game we have to be more productive, put points on the board,” Kaepernick said.  “Ultimately, that’s what you want to do as an offense and as a quarterback.”

The 49ers’ ran seven plays on Kaepernick’s first possession, then went three and out twice. The quick, fruitless possessions put pressure on the 49ers’ defense, who allowed Green Bay to score early in the second quarter. The Pack would go on to add two more touchdowns in the second half, and win 21-10, to improve to 3-0 in the pre-season.

The 49ers possessed the ball 20 minutes, 31 seconds, losing the time of possession battle nearly two-to-one, and threw for just 61 yards while falling to 1-2 with one final exhibition on Thursday at San Diego.

While many teams use the third pre-season game as their regular season dress rehearsal, Coach Chip Kelly elected to sit several of his defensive stars, while limiting the time for both Gabbert and Kaepernick.

The Packers held 13 players out, most notably receiver Jordy Nelson, safety Morgan Burnett, and backup quarterback Brett Hundley. Aaron Rodgers played two series in the first half, his pre-season debut and likely his conclusion as well. Rodgers finished six of nine for 60 yards, leading the Pack on a 14-play drive that tied the score at 7 in the second quarter.

Gabbert started for the 49ers and led the team to a touchdown given a short field on their second possession. But Gabbert wasn’t much on the wow meter either, finishing two of three for 14 yards passing.

“Had some good drives, had some bad drives,” Gabbert said. “Shot ourselves in the foot a couple times and when you’re inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball, you don’t execute at a high level. It shows when you don’t move the ball, you don’t score points, drives stall. We put our defense in some tough positions and ultimately you lose the game.”

If any San Francisco unit bore watching on Friday, it was the offensive line where both guard spots appear to be still up for grabs with the September 12th season opener looming. Andrew Tiller had held the starting spot at right guard through camp, but was replaced in the starting lineup on Friday by Anthony Davis. Center Daniel Kilgore and right tackle Trent Brown flanked Davis, opposite left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Zane Beedles. Rookie first round pick Joshua Garnett played extensively, but may not be far enough along to unseat Beedles for the opener against the Rams.

Carlos Hyde saw his most extensive pre-season action but was removed when he exhibited concussion symptoms in the second quarter. Hyde finished with 30 yards rushing on four carries, including a 27-yard jaunt in the first quarter.

Bruce Ellington started in the slot receiver spot but was felled by a hamstring injury while fielding a punt, leaving his availability for the opener up in the air. If Ellington can’t go, DeAndrew White could be the starter at that critical spot.

“I don’t know what the medical diagnosis is nor am I going to talk about one of my friend’s injuries, who knows how severe it is. But I know DeAndrew and Bruce have been working their tails off all throughout the summer and training camp learning that position in the slot,” Gabbert said.

Veteran defensive starters NaVorro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks and Antoine Bethea watched the game in street clothes, as did lineman Arik Armstead and Glenn Dorsey. First round pick DeForrest Buckner got the start at defensive tackle, but has yet to be teamed with former college teammate Armstead along the defensive front.

No timetable was given by Kelly, but the 49ers appear set in the secondary with Eric Reid and Bethea at the safeties, along with corners Tramaine Brock and first-time starter Jimmy Ward.

 

 

San Francisco 49ers-Green Bay Packers preview–Make or Break Moment for Kaepernick versus Green Bay

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By: Joe Lami

AP photo: Seen here against the Houston Texans San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly with his assistant coaches behind him are preparing at Levis Stadium for Saturday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers

The all-important third pre-season game of the 2016 season is upon us for the San Francisco 49ers. The most important game so far for Chip Kelly has San Francisco hosting the Green Bay Packers. It will be the first real test to see how good the somewhat impressive defensive will be against Aaron Rogers.

However, even with the real test on the field, all eyes will be on the quarterback battle, as Colin Kaepernick is expected to see his first action of the fall. Friday night is starting to feel like a make or break moment in the career of Kaepernick as he is getting yet another chance with a new coach after GM Trent Balke was unsuccessful in trading him away in the offseason.

Kaepernick now joins the ranks of Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder in the quarterback battle. Yet, Kaepernick isn’t too far behind either one of them, as Gabbert has really failed to impress anyone, especially on opening drives. Ponder impressed us with his great fourth quarter against Denver’s third-string defense with only a few days of studying the playbook, but isn’t expected to get a spot on the team.

Nobody has locked up the job quite yet, which makes Friday so important. Earlier in the week, Kaepernick returned to practice to pretty good reviews from his teammates saying they have to get used to his arm again.

Kelly’s two biggest characteristics in a quarterback that he’s looking for are decision making and accuracy, something that Kaepernick has always struggled with. The quarterback competition is just getting started in San Francisco.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Derek Carr and Raiders prepared to host first home exhibition game Friday with Tennessee

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AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr scrambles under pressure in last week’s game in Green Bay’s Lambeau Field on Thursday August 18th

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes B, the Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has been getting good looks in exhibition games through the first two games in Arizona and Green Bay. Carr and the Raiders are prepared to face the Tennessee Titans for their match up on Saturday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders who played in Green Bay last week and lost got to see some of their younger players on the roster.

The Pack handled the Raiders but head coach Jack Del Rio got to see some of his younger players and will test them out in Saturday’s game versus the Titans. The Raiders Sean Smith cornerback is getting recognition for his knowledge of reading both sides of the football. Smith who is a defensive cornerback and sits in the offense meetings. Smith said he wanted to learn as many aspects of what the offense does as the defense and wants to keep informed of all the plays.

Joe Hawkes Beamon covers Raiders football and podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders-Tennessee Titans preview: Carr, Raiders needs offense to click against Titans Saturday

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr slings it back to air it out against the Green Bay Packers in week two of the exhibition season at Lambeau Field Thu Aug 18th in Green Bay

OAKLAND, Calif — Derek Carr looked rather pedestrian, completing 9 of 13 for just 38 yards, during Oakland’s 20-12 loss to Green Bay last Thursday night.

Carr and the Raiders’ first-team offense have produced zero touchdowns during the team’s first two preseason games.

In fact, Oakland’s first-team offense have produced just six points in the three quarters that Carr has played so far this preseason. If you’re Raider Nation, you’re not too concerned, but you do want to see Carr engineer the Raiders into the end zone before the end of the preseason.

What’s troubling for me with Oakland’s offense is not the lack of touchdowns, but the chemistry issues in the passing game, particularly with training camp roommates in Carr and Cooper on deep routes.

In Oakland’s first preseason game against the Cardinals in Arizona, Carr and Cooper were disconnected on a deep throw down the Cardinals’ sideline that Cooper caught, but couldn’t keep his feet in bounds.

Then against the Packers, Carr threw an underthrown pass to Cooper that was intercepted by Packers cornerback Damarious Randall in the first quarter.

“I tried to throw it up and give Amari a chance,” Carr said after the game. “This is the time to do it. I am risky, but at this time, a bit more risky.”

I do expect Carr to play comfortable in front of the Raider Nation Saturday, when Oakland (1-1) host Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans in both team’s third preseason game, where generally the starters play the majority of the game.

Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PDT at the Oakland Coliseum, with the game seen nationally on CBS.

Carr led four fourth quarter/overtime game-winning drives, one including a 24-21 victory over the Titans in Week 12 last season after trailing 17-21 late in the fourth quarter.

Carr orchestrated a 9-play, 90-yard drive in 3:20 that ended with a 12-yard touchdown to wide receiver Seth Roberts with 1:21 left in the game.

It was  Roberts’s first career 100-yard receiving game (six catches, 113 yards, and two touchdowns), and the second time in 2015 that Carr and Roberts connected on a game-winning score in the final two minutes.

Coincidentally, Carr found Roberts for a 12-yard touchdown in Oakland’s 37-33 home win over Baltimore in Week 2.

Oakland’s first-team defense can improve, especially against the running game. The Raiders were battered by the strong running game of Packers running back Eddie Lacy, who carried the ball nine times for 45 yards.

Lacy closed out a 14-play, 74-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter. Lacy had a 20-yard run on 2nd and 10 that was key on the Packers’ opening drive, which saw a litany of Raiders missing tackles.

Tennessee (1-1) is coming off a 26-16 loss at home against the NFC Champions, Carolina Panthers, has the promise of being one of the surprising teams this year, especially with Mariota at the helm.

The second-year quarterback completed 9 of 10 passes for 104 yards passing with one interception. Mariota did hook up with wide receiver Harry Douglas for a 23-yard touchdown on his final throw after engineering Tennessee’s first three drives.

Tennessee also has the potential of having one of the league’s better rushing attacks with running backs DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry.

Murray, who was acquired by the Titans in the offseason after spending a disastrous 2015 season in Philadelphia, looked like he is ready for a bounce back season as evident of his 71-yard touchdown run against the Chargers in San Diego in the team’s first preseason game.

The six-year pro out of Oklahoma has 11 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown through two games this preseason.

Henry, the bruiser out of Alabama who Tennessee drafted in the second round this past May, has 15 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown through two games this preseason.

One player that I’m very interested in watching for the Titans is rookie receiver Tajae Sharpe, who Mariota recently told Around the NFL’s Marc Sessler “he makes it easy,” when catching the ball.

The UMass product leads Tennessee with eight catches for 103 yards this preseason.

 

 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Competitive camp for quarterbacks Ponder still has a ways to go

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AP photo file: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder’s chances are a long shot for the starting job as he tries to make the team while holding the tablet during their game in Denver on Sat Aug 20th

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor, 49ers quarterback  Christian Ponder came into the league on the older side he kind of flamed out in Minnesota until he really found his place and Ponder has bounced around since then. Ponder might wind up being the third quarterback but Colin Kaepernick is likely to become the starter. Rookie quarterback from Louisiana Tech Jeff Driskel is in camp for a tryout and it’s possible that they could go forego Driskel and go with Ponder instead for third string.

The 49ers are hoping to figure out the quarterback situation and for Ponder right now the way it stands the 49ers are looking for a quarterback who has any sliver of hope to make the club on opening night. Maybe Ponder looked good against the Denver Broncos last week but that was against their second and third tiers. At this point you know what your getting with Ponder. This isn’t a guy with a tremendous amount of potential.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders Thursday post game wrap: Lacy leads Packers to win 20-12

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) tries to break the goal line but is stopped by the Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) and defensive end Jihad Ward (95) on Thursday night in the first half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay

It may just be the preseason, but Eddie Lacy looks to be in regular season form after just two games.

Lacy carried the ball nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown, as the Green Bay Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 20-12 at Lambeau Field.

The Packers, playing without starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers were led by second-year quarterback Brett Hundley, who was forced to leave the game after reinjuring his left ankle.

Playing in their second game of the preseason, the Packers were led by their running game, as they gained 145 yards on the ground that also included a 10-yard touchdown run by John Crockett.

One week after leading the Raiders to a convincing win over the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night that included two rushing touchdowns by George Atkinson III, the Raiders offense was ineffective against the Packers.

Derek Carr went 9-for-13 for 38 yards and an interception, as he played the entire first half for the Raiders.

Rookie Connor Cook went 6-for-9 for 101 yards passing and an interception, while Matt McGloin went 2-for-5 for just two yards and an interception.

Latavius Murray carried the ball six times for just 19 yards against the Packers, who were missing Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers.

The Raiders were without the services of Mario Edwards, Jr., and Gabe Holmes, who are out indefinitely with injuries. Edwards, Jr., with a hip injury and Holmes is out with a ankle injury.

San Francisco 49ers preview: Questions Remain for Gloomy 49ers

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By: Joe Lami

AP file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Christian Ponder gets tuned at camp in Engelwood Colo on Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s game in Denver

The quarterback controversy for the San Francisco has gotten even stranger this week after a report came out on Monday that 3rd string quarterback, Thad Lewis had torn his ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans. With Colin Kaepernick struggling to come back from shoulder stiffness, San Francisco has brought in free agent, Christian Ponder. Ponder, who played limited minutes last season in Oakland and Denver.

It’s this week in Denver where he is expected to play some time for the 49ers after studying the playbook for an extensive part of the week. The quarterback battle right now seems like a giant game of hot potato with not one single player stepping up to take a solid lead.

Blaine Gabbert, who is technically in first place, did not impress on Sunday against the Texans in the three drive he saw, going just four of ten passing for 63 yards and a touchdown. It should be even tougher this Sunday against the Broncos, who have the league’s top defense. He really needs to step up against the competition if he wants to create distance between himself and Kaepernick for the starting spot.

While things loom gloomy at the quarterback position, at least the running back position is something to take pride in for Chip Kelly and the 49ers, rushing for over 236 yards. However, Kelly needs to see more out of expected starter Carlos Hyde who finished with only 27 yards on five carries. It was Mike Davis that impressed the most, rushing for 72 yards.

San Francisco’s first-team defense did a great job last week against Houston. Another good outing could give confidence to the Niners only hope at having a redeeming season. Especially after it was announced earlier this week that San Francisco has the worst Las Vegas playoff odds, as well as ranking dead last in ESPN’s initial power rankings.

Denver is looking at a quarterback competition of their own, after losing Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to free agency. Trevor Siemian will start against the Niners, after backing up Mark Sanchez in last week’s win over Chicago. Rookie, Paxton Lynch is expected to get third-team reps for Gary Kubiak.

It’s expected that the defending Super Bowl Champions blow out the 49ers, but the score won’t be the biggest story on Saturday for San Francisco as many questions need to be answered.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Dead arm term being thrown around like a football regarding Kaepernick

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AP photo: San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) stretches at camp in Englewood Colo on Wednesday in preparation of the game in Denver

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor,  don’t use the term dead arm when referring to 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick that’s a medical definition. Dead arm means if your a doctor and you tell someone they have a dead arm that means their literally losing some sensation in their arm. That they can’t feel as much like a nerve issue. You hear it more often in pitchers guys whose thrown more often and a lot.

The term dead arm has been thrown around because people have heard that term before but as the 49ers are stressing Kaepernick has a tired arm not a dead arm. A tired arm the implication is that the arm is okay he’s just been over worked keep in mind that Kaepernick did not work out a lot this off season because he’s had a couple of surgeries. Surgery on his non throwing shoulder and another procedure done on his left knee.

David Zizmor does the SF 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com