Manuel makes closing statement
SEATTLE » We made it. The preseason is finally over. It’s time to look toward real football, and the Raiders’ Monday night date against the Los Angeles Rams is less than 11 days away.
To bide the time, here are your final five takeaways fromthe Raiders’ exhibition slate after their 30-19 win over the Seahawks on Thursday night at CenturyLink Field.
DID MANUEL JUST WIN THE BACKUP QBJOB? » EJ Manuel needed a herculean performance (relative to the preseason, of course) to state any case for the Raiders’ backup quarterback job.
He did just that on Thursday, completing 18-for-22 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns while playing almost three full quarters.
Manuel played before Connor Cook for the first time this preseason, and didn’t lose a fumble for the fourth game in a row. That right there might be themost important stat for Manuel, who left Jon Gruden incensed with a lost fumble in each of the Raiders’ three exhibitions prior.
Now we’re left to wait and see if the Raiders take two or three quarterbacks, and if Manuel’s third straight superior performance to Cook vaults him onto the 53-man roster. BROWN MIGHT BE FIRMLY ON THE 53-MAN ROSTER » Fadol Brown might be the Raiders’ preseason MVP, and that was before he had another standout game in the ex-
hibition finale.
Brown drew an offsides call early in the game, then batted down a fourth-down pass to earn the Raiders possession. His most impressive play of the night came toward the end of the first half, when he dropped 15 yards into coverage and made a fully extended diving deflection of a pass to showcase a skill he’s never showed in a game.
Thursday’s strong showing follows up a game against the Packers on Aug. 23 in which Brown tallied a sack and a half, a forced fumble, three quarterback hits and seven total tackles. His latest outing might just be enough to solidify his spot on the 53-man squad.
WORLEY FACING A FOURGAME SUSPENSION? » During the third quarter, the Raiders’ broadcast team hinted at a future suspension for Daryl Worley, Oakland’s cornerback who was arrested in April.
Color commentator Rich Gannon said, “You’re going to lose Worley for the first four games,” before playby-play voice Beth Mowins said, “Yup, suspension.” They scaled back on their statements minutes later, saying a suspension is a possibility and that nothing has been made official. An email sent to an NFL spokesman hasn’t yet been returned, and a Raiders spokesman couldn’t confirm or deny the report during the game.
Online records from the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania reveal Worley entered a guilty plea on June 18 to driving under the influence, resisting arrest and carrying firearms in public. Worley was sentenced to three days in jail, according to the records, but was credited with time already served. He was sentenced to two years probation on the resisting arrest and carrying firearms in public charges, and had three other charges dropped.
Worley is one of the Raiders’ top three cornerbacks, and might be their No. 2 since Rashaan Melvin played in Thursday’s preseason finale while Worley didn’t dress. HOW ABOUT HATCHER? » Keon Hatcher isn’t making the Raiders’ 53-man roster, and he wouldn’t have even if he caught six touchdowns against Seattle.
But the reserve wideout put some impressive film on tape for other teams with two touchdowns on Thursday, one coming from 45 yards out and the next from 19. On his first score, Hatcher was tackled but rolled over on the defender’s right leg without touching turf. He got up and darted into the end zone to give the Raiders a 6- 0 lead in the first quarter. On his next he corralled a Manuel bullet over the middle for a 16-7 Oakland lead.
Hatcher had six catches for 98 yards and those two scores into the fourth quarter.
ROBERTS LOOKS SAFE FOR THE 53-MAN ROSTER » He’s hardly a fan favorite, but it seems Seth Roberts is in great shape to make the Raiders’ initial 53-man roster when cuts are due Saturday at 1 p.m. PST. Either that, or the Raiders want to keep him healthy for a potential trade, because Roberts didn’t suit up Thursday night while fringe receivers Johnny Holton and Marcell Ateman did.
Roberts only scored one touchdown last season, in the season opener against the Titans, and might be known best for his runblocking prowess. Not great when you’re a wide receiver.
Roberts suffered from a mild case of the drops last season, but Gruden has been pleased with his route- running this preseason. Roberts returned from a camp injury at just the right time, and has seemingly done just enough to earn his spot with a DNP against the Seahawks.