Category: Oakland Raiders

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington gets a gain of 25 in the second quarter of last Friday’s pre season game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix in Glendale AZ

On the Raiders podcast with David, quarterback Derek Carr needs to tighten things up a bit but this is a team that’s not going to miss much on the offensive side of the football. The Raiders go into this season knowing that Derek Carr is their quarterback, they know that Amari Cooper is a stud. They know Michael Crabtree is reliable and a great complimentary receiver. The Raiders know that in the backfield that the Raiders will find a spot for Latavius Murray he’ll behind that revamped offensive line.

DeAndre Washington had that great run against Arizona last week in the first pre season game. For a fifth round draft pick he’s a real steal he looks like someone who could definitely step in for Murray when he needs a breather. The more the Raiders see of Washington on the first and second teams and see how he responds the more they more impressed they will be.

David Zizmor was filling in for Joe Hawkes Beamon who has the week off on the Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsadioservice.com

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Oakland Raiders running back George Atkinson III (34) breaks a tackle by the Arizona Cardinals Cariel Brooks (35) late in the third quarter as the Raiders take a 24-10 lead at the University of Phoenix in Glendale AZ

Nearly four decades after his father George wore the Silver and Black of the Oakland Raiders, George Atkinson III is trying to make a name for himself.

Atkinson III carried the ball seven times and gained 97 yards with two touchdowns, as the Raiders won their preseason opener in a convincing fashion defeating the Arizona Cardinals 31-10 at The University of Phoenix Stadium.

The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout scored on a 53-yard run in the third quarter to lengthen the Raiders up to 24-10, and then closed out the scoring with a 35-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Derek Carr went 3-for-7 for 44 yards in limited action for the Raiders before giving way to backup Matt McGloin.

The Cardinals got on the board first, as Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 25-yard field goal with 7:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Sebastian Janikowski, who is entering his 17th season with the Raiders tied up the game on the Raiders next possession, as he nailed a 53-yard field goal.

McGloin used his arm on the next two possessions, as he found Clive Walford from 19 yards out with 1:13 remaining and then after getting the ball back after a Cardinals turnover, McGloin found Andre Holmes from 10 yards to give the Raiders a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington cut the Raiders lead down to 17-10 in the second quarter, as he scored from five yards out.

That would be as close as the Cardinals would get, as Atkinson III scored twice to seal the exhibition opening victory for the Raiders.

McGloin went 5-for-11 for 41 yards and two touchdowns, while rookie Connor Cook went 7-for-11 for 71 yards in his exhibition debut.

DeAndre Washington carried the ball eight times for 43 yards, while Latavius Murray carried the four times for 21 yards in limited action. Jamize Olawale gained seven yards on three carries, while Marcel Reese, who will miss the first four games of the regular season due to a league mandated suspension, carried the ball one time for negative two yards.

Marvin Hall led the Raiders in receptions with three catches and 17 yards, while Holmes, Nathan Palmer and Michael Crabtree each caught two passes on the evening.

The Raiders defense was led by Korey Toomer, who had nine tackles, while James Cowser, Cory James and Leon Orr each picked up five tackles for the Raiders.

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

AP photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr appearing in photo at the 2016 Pro Bowl in February at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu throwing for Team Rice is prepared for Friday night’s game in Arizona the first pre season game for the Raiders

OAKLAND — The Raiders will finally be able to see a different color jersey in training camp, as they travel to the Valley of the Sun to open the 2016 NFL preseason schedule against the Arizona Cardinals Friday night.

Typically in the preseason, the starters play an a series or two to get their feet wet, so don’t expect key Raiders players like quarterback Derek Carr, wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper to be on the field for too long.

And why would you want those guys on the field in a preseason game that is, in all honesty, a meaningless game?

Or defensive linchpin Khalil Mack, who is primed to have a monster of a season, why should he even step on the field?

I expect those guys to be ready for the season and if they don’t play against the Cardinals, I wouldn’t be upset.

What I do expect is to see a lot of the draft picks that general manager Reggie McKenzie has stock-piled for Oakland that will serve as it’s depth this to get the bulk of the work. Rookies like quarterback Connor Cook, running back DeAndre Washington, safety Karl Joseph, and defensive tackle Jihad Ward should see significant time against Arizona.

Washington, Joseph, and Ward have all taken snaps with both the offensive and defensive first teams during training camp and have wowed coaches and teammates.

Arizona, who are one of the preeminent favorites to win the Super Bowl this year after falling short last year to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship game, still features former Raiders players in quarterback Carson Palmer and offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, to go along  with the ageless Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd at wide receiver.

Kickoff is set for 7:05 PDT at University of Phoenix Stadium.

AP file photo: Oakland Raiders left offensive tackle Matt McCants (73) in the stance during the December 21, 2014 game against the Buffalo Bills

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon your left offensive tackle is crucial in protecting the quarterback and that’s what quarterback Derek Carr will expect from his left offensive tackles Donald Penn and Matt McCants. Penn is one of the more solid tackles in the game in the last two years. Look for the Raiders right offensive tackle Austin Howard and Meneilk Watson are the ones to watch for and the Raiders have the potential to have one of the best offensive lines in all of football along with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Raiders headed into Arizona are going to be one of the more watched lines and that offensive line. The Raiders have one of the more premier offensive lines in all of football matter of fact Pro Football Focus had all the starting offensive linemen at 80 percent which goes to show you that they really believe in them.

Joe Hawkes Beamon does the Raiders podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

AP photo file photo: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr tuning up in Raiders camp on July 30th workout

On the Raiders podcast with Joe, the Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has been nothing but great in camp he and Amari Cooper are roommates their a little more on the same page which your suppose to do in camp. Carr is up for a big season it depends on him taking care of the ball particularly in the fourth quarter. He had seven league leading interceptions in the fourth quarter.

That just can’t happen from a career franchise quarterback, it’s one more year under assistant quarterback coach Bill Musgrave under the same offense. The Raiders have added some playmakers like in former Texas Tech running back DeAndre Washington. The Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio’s goal is to be a team that finishes out better, a team that hangs on the ball  little bit more.

Catch Joe Hawkes Beamon each week right here for the Oakland Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com