Ten Things the Oakland Raiders Need to Do in Their Final Preseason Game

Sure, some would call him an attention whore and say his end zone antics have been unsportsmanlike. But who cares?

He's been quiet all preseason—no dancing, no flips, no punt return. You'd almost forget this guy was even around.

If he reaches the end zone, it gets the team pumped up while building fan and player confidence alike.

Something a lot of the Raiders defenders haven't been good at lately. If defenders can wrap up and bring the ball carrier down on first contact, the defense can be considered much improved.

Yes, catch the ball. No more of those drops.

This not only goes out to JaMarcus Russell, but also to everyone who touches the ball.

Receivers need to CATCH and hold on to the ball (Louis Murphy), running backs (Darren McFadden) need to keep the ball secure, and punt returners (Nick Miller) need to not give the ball right back to the other team.

The Raiders have been one of the worst teams at stopping the run over the last few years. This needs to change. So why not start Thursday?

The Raiders have been one of the top running teams over the last few years and have a very talented backfield. But they are yet to show it this preseason, as shown last week when Darren McFadden and Michael Bush combined for one yard and a fumble over four carries.

Plus it runs the clock and keeps the defense off the field. Last week the Raiders barely held the ball for 20 minutes while the Saints had it for 40.

I say Bush and McFadden need a minimum of five carries each.

The coaching and play calling has been horrible on both sides of the ball. On offense we are completely one-dimensional, and on defense I've seen Gerard Warren drop back into coverage twice. One play resulted in a TD, the other in a first down.

No more of that going into games without a game plan BS. I don't care if it is just preseason.

So far this preseason, even with some added blitzing, we are yet to really pressure the opposing QB. Last week Drew Brees had all day to throw. In three games we have a total of three sacks, two by DT Desmond Bryant.

QB pressure leads to mistakes, misreads, and INTs.

Sure, the game really doesn't matter. But you still have to play respectably and not embarrass yourself or the fans.

Some people say these games don't matter, but they are wrong. Victories, regardless of when or how they happen, build confidence and make players and fans happy.