RAIDERS WIN PRESEASON OPENER
OAKLAND — Derek Carr played only one series, and it almost featured an interception. He fluttered a pass over the middle after his arm was hit, but Jordy Nelson knocked the ball away from Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin to prevent an easy pick.
The Oakland Raiders’ starting quarterback completed two of four passes for 11 yards before ceding duties to Connor Cook in Oakland’s preseason opener Friday night, a 16-10 Raiders win.
Here are a few early takeaways from Jon Gruden’s return to the Coliseum and our first look at the 2018 Raiders in game action.
P.J. Hall began training camp on the physically unable to perform list, so he’s played catch-up the last week in Napa. Hall didn’t start on Friday, but he stood out early with a third-down sack and a batted pass. Hall brought down Lions starting quarterback Matt Cassel for a nine-yard loss on third-and-five to force a punt on Detroit’s first drive. Later in the first quarter, Hall deflected a Cassel pass at the line of scrimmage and celebrated accordingly.
“P.J. Hall had a big sack to get things started,” Gruden said at halftime on the TV broadcast.
The Raiders drafted Hall in the second round and defensive tackle Mau-
rice Hurst in the fifth to sure up a defensive line that was anything but sturdy a year ago. The Raiders needed help at defensive tackle, especially after Denico Autry signed with the Colts in free agency. Mario Edwards Jr. and Justin Ellis were the first two DTs on the field for Oakland, but don’t be surprised if the two rookies play sizable roles this season.
If Hall’s early exploits are any indication, the Raiders made a nifty little selection with the Sam Houston State product.
Cook looks sturdy as backup QB
points. The Raiders eventually ended the drive with a Johnny Townsend punt.
Miller’s second series came and went without any hiccups, and the rookie absorbed words of wisdom from Donald Penn on the sideline. Penn stayed next to Miller, squatting down in a stance and demonstrating footwork in his sweatsuit. The Raiders have asked Penn to take a paycut, and you can be sure his reps are watching Miller closely for any leverage they can get.
Penn, 35, is still rehabbing from December Lisfranc surgery and has yet to practice in training camp. Here’s what his contract looks like the next two seasons: