By. Joe Hawkes-Beamon
OAKLAND — Let’s face it, the NFL preseason is nothing more than a tease, a dress rehearsal if you will.
It’s nothing more than a four-game appetizer that prepares you for the buffet that is the NFL regular season.
But the preseason is vital for all teams, particularly the opener. The first preseason game gives the coaching staff a chance to see if their team in live game action, instead of the seeing them in t-shirts and shorts during practice.
“We’ll put the first team out there for a few plays and see how things go. I really want to get the ones [starters] some work, but I really want to have the opportunity in this first preseason game to see a lot of these young players go out of and play,” said Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen Wednesday after Oakland’s final practice in preparation for Friday’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis.
One of the young players that Coach Allen will definitely have a close eye on will be the Raiders No. 1 draft pick (5th overall), linebacker Khalil Mack from Buffalo. The 6’3″, 252 lbs., Mack is expected to be the linchpin to Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver’s revamped Oakland defense that finished 22nd in total defense in 2013.
Mack has been receiving rave reviews from players and coaches in during training camp, and could have his hands full with another fellow rookie in Vikings quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater.
“He’s a great player. I’m looking forward to playing against great competition,” said Mack Wednesday. “That’s what it’s about – being a competitor. He’s a great competitor. He’s mobile. He has great arms and what not. I look forward to going out against him and whoever else.
Oakland has won four of their last six preseason openers.
Kickoff for Friday’s tilt at TCF Bank Stadium is at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game can be heard locally live on KFOX 98.5/102.1 or tune into KTVU FOX 2.
Transactions prior to Wednesday’s practice:
The Raiders signed two players in BYU linebacker Spencer Hadley (rookie), and Nebraska safety Larry Asante (2nd year). In a corresponding move, Oakland waived/injured LB Marshall McFadden and S Shelton Johnson.
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