Tag: NFL

Raiders fall short in 19-15 loss to Rams

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By Jeremy Kahn

In their first game back at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since the end of the 1994 season, the Oakland Raiders return was spoiled by the current tenants, the Los Angeles Rams, on Saturday.

John Kelly ran for 56 yards and a touchdown, helping the Rams to a 19-15 victory on a balmy Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

After trailing 16-0, the Raiders came all the back to get within one point, as Chris Warren ran for 110 yards and a touchdown in front of a partisan Raiders crowd at the stadium that they called home from 1982-1994.

Kelly got the Rams on the board in the second quarter, as he scored on a two-yard run to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

That Kelly touchdown would be the only one that the Raiders defense would allow, as it became a field goal for the Rams, who are coming off a NFC West Division a season ago.

Greg Zuerlein gave the Rams their next six points, as he nailed a 42-yard field goal with 2:05 remaining in the half and then kicked a 28-yard field goal to send the Rams to the locker room with a 13-0 lead.

Sam Ficken stretched the lead up to 16-0, as he nailed a 31-yard field goal straight thru the uprights for the Rams.

On their next possession, the Raiders finally got on the board, as Warren scored on a three-yard run; however, the Raiders attempt at a two-point conversion was not successful.

Mike Nugent, who is trying to make the team as the teams’ kicker behind rookie Johnny Townsend cut the Rams lead down to seven, as he kicked a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

James Cowser made the defensive play of the game, as he intercepted a Brandon Allen pass at the Rams’ 36-yard line and returned it to the 21-yard line for a 15-yard return.

Just four plays later, the Raiders pulled within one point, as E.J. Manuel found former Stanford standout Griff Whalen for a 10-yard touchdown pass; however, the Warren rush on the two-point conversion came up short and the Rams maintained their one point lead.

Following the Whalen touchdown, Allen drove the Rams all the way down to the Raiders’ 14-yard line and the Rams were held to a 32-yard Ficken field goal.

With a chance to win the game, the Raiders began their final drive of the game, but the offense stalled, as the Raiders could only get to the Rams 47-yard line and then Manuel was sacked for a 10-yard loss and that would be the last time that the Raiders would get the ball.

Following the Townsend punt, the Rams ran the ball and were able to run out the clock and give the preseason tilt to the Rams.

Without the services of David Carr, Marshawn Lynch, Amari Cooper and many other would be regulars, the Raiders were led by Manuel, who went 10-for-16 for 89 yards and a touchdown. Connor Cook started the game for the Raiders, and went 6-for-12 for 49 yards, as he competes with Cook for the backup quarterback position to Carr when the season begins on September 10 at the Oakland Coliseum.

Warren took advantage of Lynch not playing, as he carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Both rookie Paul Butler and Jalen Richard each caught three passes for 35 yards for the Raiders, who fall to 1-1 on the preseason.

NOTES: The Raiders and the Rams will see each other once again in just 23 days, as the two teams will face each other in the season opener on September 10 in Oakland in the second game of the Monday Night doubleheader.

UP NEXT: After the short trip to Los Angeles, the Raiders return home for their home preseason finale on Friday night, as they will face the Green Bay Packers at the Oakland Coliseum at 7:30 pm PDT.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Cook looks like a good backup quarterback; Who to look for among receiver and running backs

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On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon:

The Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook got some looks during preseason game against the Detroit Lions last Friday at the Oakland Coliseum. Cook threw 11-for-19, 141 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Marshawn Lynch took a hand off from starting quarterback Derek Carr and ran for 60 yards–only to have it called back due to a holding penalty.

Running back to look for the Raiders, Chris Warren III, who carried for 86 yards, 13 carries, averaging 6.6 yards and DeAndre Washington, who had six carries, 38 yards and a 6.3 average against the Lions last Friday. Will these be the rushers to look for this season?

On receivers, Johnny Holton caught one pass and had 41 yards receiving and Paul Butler, who had 24 yards for one reception. What will Raiders head coach Jon Gruden expect out of his receivers this Saturday in Los Angeles?

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: After a physical scrimmage, 49ers and Texans ready to rumble in second preseason game for jobs

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On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

This week, it got physical between the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans during their scrimmages. The players were literally fighting for jobs as the two teams face each other this Saturday in Houston. 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard worked hard in camp this year and in his first preseason game in his bid to make second string quarterback. He threw 10-for-20 for 181 yards and one pick last Friday at Levi’s Stadium in the 49ers’ first preseason game.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had his watchful eye on a host of young players. For example. running back Joe Williams who 11 carries and 27 yards and Raheem Mostent, who had eight carries and 57 yards. Wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr had three catches for 54 yards and Richie James four catchers for 46 yards and a touchdown.

The 49ers play in South Texas this Saturday. Expect hot weather for this second preseason game as both teams are coming off physical scrimmages and trying to win a job.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders get set for LA trip, take on Rams at Memorial Coliseum Saturday

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Photo credit: therams.com

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — For the first time in 24 years, the Raiders will play a game in Los Angeles when they face the Rams at the Memorial Coliseum Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT.

This is the second-straight season that the Rams and the Raiders link up in the preseason.

Los Angeles won 24-21 at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum last August. Oakland will host the Rams in Week 1 as part of a double-header on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, but don’t expect both teams to reveal any true game plans Saturday.

It was December 24, 1994 that the then-Los Angeles Raiders lost a 19-9 game to the Kansas City Chiefs that would end the Raiders’ 12-year run in Southern California. Depending on who you talk to, the Raiders still hold a major footprint in the country’s second-largest media market next to New York.

Even with the Rams back in town after relocating from St. Louis, where they won the franchise’s only Super Bowl trophy, following a 20-year stint from 1995-2015, it’s as if the Raiders have never left as you can still see people wearing Raiders’ gear.

The Raiders did win a Super Bowl in Los Angeles following the 1983 season, the third trophy in franchise history.

That’s why I’m very interested to see how much of the 93,607-seat Memorial Coliseum will be Silver and Black Saturday afternoon as both teams will play their second preseason game.

The Raiders defeated the visiting Detroit Lions, 16-10, last Friday night at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Quarterback Derek Carr and the first-team offense started the game, playing just one drive before heading to the sideline. Carr completed just 2-of-4 passes for 11 yards in his night of work, but the first-team offense did show some potential of being a big-play offense this season, after seeing running back Marshawn Lynch dart down the Oakland sideline for a 60-yard touchdown run before the play was called back following a holding call on rookie left tackle Kolton Miller.

Expect Carr and the first-team offense to play more than one series, after Raiders head coach Jon Gruden broke training camp Thursday giving the players the day off.

Connor Cook, who took over for Carr, completed 11-of-19 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown while playing the remainder of the first half. Cook would lead the Raiders to a 13-7 halftime lead, looked good engineering the Raiders’ second-team offense.

Undrafted rookie running back Chris Warren III played extensively, recording 13 carries for 86 yards. Its just one preseason game, but Warren III is making a strong case to make the team with impressive showings in recent training camp practices according to reports from Napa.

Defensively, Oakland was without star defensive end/outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who has been a training camp holdout as he seeks a new contract. Missing that game cost Mack $814,000. Mack won’t play Saturday, which will cost him another $814,000.

Oakland’s defense won’t nearly be as formidable without Mack, who has made three trips to the Pro Bowl, named All-Pro twice, and won Defensive Player of the Year in his first four seasons in the NFL.

Rookie defensive tackle P.J. Hall showed great activity when he stepped on the field, recording a sack and a batted pass on his first two plays in the NFL. Other rookies like defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and cornerback Nick Nelson will get more playing time Saturday.

New kicker Eddy Pineiro made a case to be Oakland’s permanent kicker, nailing all three of his field goals. The rookie made field goals from 21, 48, and 45 yards.

Fellow rookie in defensive end Arden Key is expected to play Saturday after missing the previous game with a “tweaked” ankle per reports. As a sophomore at LSU, Key would set a school-record by registering 12 sacks in 2016.

As a matter of fact, Oakland could have their entire rookie class available this Saturday for the first time since their rookie class of 2016, per Marcus Allen Krause of Silver and Black Pride.

Second-year cornerback Gareon Conley, who has been nursing a shin injury, is expected to make is preseason debut against the Rams.  It was revealed early in training camp that Conley had suffered vitamin D deficiency, which became a major talking point on the Raiders.

Last week, the Rams traveled to Baltimore to open up their preseason slate, before being toppled by the Ravens 33-7.

Backup quarterback Sean Mannion started for the Rams in place of starter Jared Goff, completed just 3-of-13 passes for 16 yards and one interception, as Los Angeles held out the majority of their starting offense. Third-year quarterback Brandon Allen fared better, connecting on 10-of-15 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Star running back Todd Gurley didn’t suit up for the Rams, but was on the sideline.

Los Angeles rewarded Gurley with a four-year $57 million extension with $45 million guaranteed in the offseason following a career-year in 2017 in which he rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Gurley also finished with career-highs in receptions (64), receiving yards (788) and touchdowns (5) last season in route to being named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Los Angeles traded for former Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who is coming off his third-straight of a least 60 catches, 1,000 yards and six touchdowns, and gave the aforementioned Goff another weapon to throw to.

Los Angeles led the NFL in scoring, averaging 29.9 points per game in 2017, and were a top-10 offense orchestrated by the second-year Goff (who threw for a career-high 3,804 yards with 28 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 100.5 passer rating), designed by first-year head coach Sean McVay.

McVay, the NFL’s youngest head coach at age 31, is a Gruden disciple, cutting his teeth as a coaching assistant on Gruden’s staff with the Buccaneers in 2008. The former wide receiver at Miami of Ohio from 2004 to 2007 eventually would work his way to being the offensive coordinator at Washington under head coach Jay Gruden, the brother of Jon.

After leading the Rams to an 11-5 season, the NFC West title and the team’s first playoff appearance in 13 years, expectations are running high for McVay and Co. in Year 2.

Whenever the Rams come to terms with star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year (and former Defensive Rookie of the Year) on a new contract, Los Angeles will have one of the best defenses in the league heading into the season. The Rams added defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib via trades to bolster the defense around Donald.

Just like Mack, Donald is holding out of training camp looking for new long term deal. Donald didn’t make the trip to Baltimore last week, and he too was fined a game check.

Donald missed out on a $405,000 payday for skipping the game.

The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro is adamant that he’s not playing a game without a new deal after outplaying his rookie deal after the Rams selected him 13th overall in 2014.

So the similarities are there between the Rams and the Raiders:

  1. Head coaches that are offensively innovative and detailed, but don’t expect Gruden or McVay to reveal their hands prior to Week 1.
  2. Star defensive players that should get massive deals, but when will Mack and Donald sign?

Following Saturday’s game, the Raiders will host the Green Bay Packers at home next Friday, while Los Angeles will host the Houston Texas next Saturday.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Gruden just thrilled to be back after game one of preseason; Raiders pile on offensive 345 yards last Friday

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On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

Football returned to the Oakland Coliseum last Friday and with the return of head coach Jon Gruden and Tony takes a look at what that means to the players and the organization. Gruden–after nine years in the broadcast booth–said his return was awesome. He got to see some recognizable faces and some old friends.

Gruden pointed out after last Friday’s game against the Detroit Lions that the job is a big responsibility and was happy to help coach the Raiders to a 345-yard offensive evening against the Detroit Lions. Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch took a hand off from quarterback Derek Carr for a 60-yard carry. Though, it was called back for holding by Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller.

Raiders back up quarterback Connor Cook got some looks as he’s expected to step in for Carr if needed. Cook threw for 11-for-19, 141 yards against Detroit in his first preseason outing.

Tony does the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers and Texans to square off Saturday

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By Jeremy Harness

In the preseason, it is commonplace in the NFL for teams to hold joint practices in the days prior to linking up on the field for an actual game.

And oftentimes, those practices end up being more interesting that the game itself.

Wednesday’s proceedings were no exception to that, and the shenanigans started from the very first rep of practice. That’s when Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught a short pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson, with 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward defending.

Following the reception, Ward threw an open-handed jab at Hopkins, to which the wideout, who had his helmet knocked off even prior to the reception, responded with a shove of his own. Then Hopkins, in his infinite wisdom, decided it would be a great idea to throw a left hook at Ward, who still had his helmet on.

At that point, the only things he could have hurt were Ward’s feelings or his own hand, which a receiver sort of needs to make a living. In the process, Hopkins shamed both Houston coach Bill O’Brien and Floyd Mayweather.

Immediately following the feeble attempt of a knockout blow, Ward took the helmetless Hopkins to the turf and landed at least two more shots before the two were separated. As a result, Hopkins was sent to the locker rooms while Ward spent the rest of practice on the sideline.

As for the real game, the teams will meet in Houston on Saturday, and the 49ers are already hurting, particularly at the running back position. Matt Breida suffered a shoulder injury in last Thursday’s 24-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys, and Jerick McKinnon went down with an injury of his own during Monday’s practice.

In the meantime, the team signed former All-Pro Alfred Morris to its roster to add some depth, even if it is temporary. Tight end George Kittle and linebacker Eli Harold are also out with assorted injuries suffered in last Thursday’s game, but they are minor and are expected to miss only preseason games.

Solomon Thomas, the team’s young prized defensive lineman, suffered a head injury in the first quarter of Thursday’s game and has been ruled out for Saturday.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Jimmy G expected to get a few more snaps next Saturday

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On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

For the San Francisco 49ers’ first preseason game last Thursday, the 49ers got a win 24-21 over the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed three passes in six attempts for 36 yards. What the 49ers were looking at was quarterbacks Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard. For Beathard threw for 10-for-20 for 181 yards one interception and for Mullens 11-for-13, 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

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

Cook leads Raiders to 16-10 preseason victory over Lions

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By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND, Calif. — It may be just the preseason, but it was the first game back on the sidelines for Jon Gruden, who coached for the Oakland Raiders from 1998-2001 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Connor Cook threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter, helping the Raiders to a 16-10 over the Detroit Lions at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Friday night.

“It was awesome,” Gruden said. “I saw some recognizable faces that had gotten a little bit older. I saw some old friends who mean a lot to me. Like I said all along, this is a great responsibility. The nostalgia has worn off. We have to do something with the opportunity. But it was sure great to see the Raiders fans.”

The last time Gruden was on the Raiders’ sidelines was in January of 2002, when the Raiders defeated the New York Jets, but then lost to the New England Patriots the following week in “The Tuck Rule” game.

After being dismissed by the Buccaneers after the 2008 season, Gruden was an analyst for ESPN’S Monday Night Football until this past season.

When the Raiders did not return to the playoffs after making it in 2016, Raiders’ owner Mark Davis dismissed Jack Del Rio and gave Gruden a 10-year, reported $100 million contract to come back to the Raiders.

Marshawn Lynch gave the fans an early treat, as he raced down the sidelines for what looked like a 60-yard touchdown run, but it was called by after a holding penalty on rookie tackle Kolton Miller, out of UCLA.

“I was really ticked off after watching that get called back,” Gruden said. “Chucky came out for a brief moment tonight.”

The Raiders were forced to settle with a punt on the only series with Derek Carr on the field, but Cook led the Raiders to the 16-10 victory over the Lions.

Cook ended up going 11-for-19 for 141 yards and a seven-yard touchdown pass to newcomer Ryan Switzer. The Raiders also got two field goals from rookie Eddy Piniero.

In his first preseason game as Lions head coach, Matt Patricia decided to rest Matthew Stafford and inserted Matt Cassel into the starting lineup and Cassel went 10-for-18 with 81 yards passing.

Cassel led the Lions on three drives, and Ameer Abdullah scored the only touchdown for the Lions, as he scored on a one-yard run.

Jake Ruddock, who is competing with Cassel for the backup spot at quarterback for the Lions went 12-for-19 with 84 yards passing.

It looked like the Raiders were going to score on their first series of the third quarter, as they got down to the Lions six-yard line, but E.J. Manuel fumbled the ball and the Lions recovered the ball.

The Lions eventually kicked a field goal after an 18 play 88-yard drive that took 8:10 off the clock to get the Lions within three.

Piniero gave the Raiders a six-point lead, as he nailed a 45-yard field goal that came off the infield dirt with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

“I remember when we drafted (Sebastian) Janikowski, it was like being on a foreign planet for him when he got here and started kicking off the dirt,” Gruden said of Oakland’s first-round pick in 2000. “We did manage to get him a couple of looks.”

Cassel replaced Rudock for the Lions final series of the game, and the Lions got all the way down to the Raiders 35-yard line, but James Cowser sacked Cassel, who fumbled the ball and Frostee Rucker recovered the fumble to clinch the game for the Raiders.

NOTES: After returning for the final three days of training camp in Napa, the Raiders will head to Los Angeles to face the Rams on August 17.

UP NEXT: The Raiders head to the Southland to take on the Rams on Saturday, August 18 at 1 pm PDT.

5 Takeaways From Raiders vs. Lions Preseason Game

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Photo credit: @nflnetwork

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND, Calif. — Football was back at the Coliseum Friday night as the Oakland Raiders began the second stint of the Jon Gruden era against the visiting Detroit Lions in the 2018 preseason opener for both teams.

Check out five things that stood out to me from Oakland’s 16-10 win over Detroit.

Welcome back Gruden!
Is it 1998 because I sworn that was Jon Gruden on a Raider sideline?

Gruden, sporting his traditional Raiders visor, returned to the Raiders after spending the last nine years in the booth as a color analyst on Monday Night Football, reintegrated himself to Raider Nation by visiting the “Black Hole” prior to kickoff.

“It was awesome. I saw recognizable faces…saw some old friends,” said Gruden after the game.

Like I said all along, this is a great responsibility and the nostalgia has worn off and we got to do something with the opportunity, but great to see to the Raider fans and they stayed with us to the end I appreciate it.”

Clearly, the game didn’t look like it passed Gruden by on Friday night as the Raiders racked up 345 yards offensively against the Lions, but penalties were an issue for the Silver and Black who accumulated nine for 75 yards on the night.

“Beast Mode” is ready for the season.
As expected, Oakland’s first-team offense played one series but Raider Nation got a glimpse of running back Marshawn Lynch who looked in midseason form. On his first carry of the game, Lynch took the hand-off from quarterback Derek Carr and ran down the Raiders’ sideline for a 60-yard touchdown before it was called back by a holding call by rookie left tackle Kolton Miller.

Connor Cook should be Derek Carr’s primary backup.
Cook took over for Carr after Oakland’s first-team offense was forced to punt on their opening drive of the game and led the Raiders to a 13-7 lead at halftime. The third-year quarterback out of Michigan State finished the game completing 11-of-19 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.

Cook’s touchdown went to backup wide receiver Ryan Switzer for seven yards that pushed Oakland’s lead to 10-0 in the first quarter.

“He did some good things,” said Gruden of Cook. “There’s still a couple of things decision-wise I think he needs to correct, but he moved the football, he put points on the board, and I like the two-minute drill at the end of the half.”

Veteran quarterback EJ Manuel played in the second half but didn’t look good, driving the Raiders to the Lions’ six-yard line before fumbling the snap allowing Detroit to recover the football at their own seven-yard line.

Detroit drove down the field and added a 24-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Santoso to pull closer to Oakland, 13-10 early in the fourth quarter.

Manuel finished the game 4-of-6 for 46 yards, is listed third on the team’s depth chart behind Cook in training camp and heading into next Saturday’s game against the Rams in Los Angeles, that shouldn’t change.

P.J. Hall was impressive, Kolton Miller was not.
OK, it was just one preseason game, but rookie nose tackle P.J. Hall had an impressive showing Friday night, recording one sack and a batted pass on his first two NFL Series. The Sam Houston State product had 14 blocked kicks in his career for the Bearkats.

Unlike Hall, Miller didn’t fair well in his first NFL start.

Miller started at left tackle in place of Donald Penn, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list (PUP),  appeared to be shell-shocked at the speed of the game in the NFL. His holding penalty on the team’s opening drive negated a 60-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch.

Oakland’s first-round  draft choice this past April from UCLA was replaced by second-year tackle Jylan Ware on Oakland’s third offensive possession.

Raiders stay healthy, sort of.
Cornerbacks Antonio Hamilton (ankle) and Dexter McDonald (hand) were the only players appeared injured in the game.

Hamilton limped off the field twice in the second half, while McDonald was seen shaking his left hand in the second quarter while attempting to make a tackle.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Stiff competition for jobs as it showed during a very physical scrimmage between Lions and Raiders

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On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

The competition for a job on either team–the Detroit Lions or the Oakland Raiders–is stiff even if it means if they have to fight for it literally such as it was on Tuesday during scrimmage when both teams were practicing. There were a couple of small scuffles on the sidelines, but it got ugly later when it blew up into a full scale brawl with both benches emptying as frustrations were mounting in the scrimmage.

The Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matt Stafford was able to hit his receivers in practice. He showed his accuracy with his receivers. With both teams practicing together long and hard and watching their frustrations, this could very well carry over into Friday night’s game at the Coliseum as they will be fighting for jobs all night long.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr might end up hating head coach Jon Gruden as he will be in everyone’s grill and pushing hard. Knowing Gruden, will he get the best out of Carr and the Raiders this preseason?

This is the first of the last two seasons for the Raiders in Oakland. J Hawkes talks about the kind of reception the Silver and Black will receive as this is their first game since announcing they will be moving to Vegas.

Join Joe each week for the Raiders preview at http://www.sportsradioservice.com