Oakland Raiders: Players with Most to Prove in 2nd Preseason Game
For the Oakland Raiders, the preseason opener was an opportunity for everyone to get their feet wet. The starters saw some time, but not much. After that, everyone one else in uniform had some opportunities to try to make a good impression. It was basically a trial run for the entire team.
But in the second game, the stakes are going to be much higher for everyone.
Now that the coaches have had an opportunity to see the players in action against an actual opponent, it's time to start making some tough decisions. The Raiders have to pare down the roster from 90 men to 75 in less than two weeks, so the time is now to start deciding who's staying and who's going.
While it's the coaches who'll make the decision, the players are the ones who'll actually determine who makes the final roster. Really, it's a simple process, as head coach Jack Del Rio summarized, via ESPN.com's Bill Williamson: "Guys that do well get more, guys that don’t do as well get less. It’s really pretty cut and dry. We’re going to want to look at more of guys that do well and do good things with the reps they get."
This was part of Del Rio's response when he was asked about wide receiver Brice Butler's impressive performance in the first preseason game, but it applies to every player on the roster. Guys who play well will make the team. Guys who don't play well won't.
It's up to the players to make the most of the opportunities that they're given. Here's a look at who has the most riding on their performance against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night.
Honorable Mentions
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Several players would greatly benefit from a strong showing against the Vikings. Unfortunately, they've missed practice time with injuries that are likely to keep them out of the second preseason game.
Roy Helu Jr.
What exactly is wrong with Roy Helu? No one seems to know, and the Raiders certainly aren't telling. Helu, a good third-down back with above-average receiving skills, was expected to take on a substantial role in the offense. But he hasn't practiced, and he missed the preseason opener against the St. Louis Rams.
As of now, it looks like he'll miss the second game as well. While Latavius Murray has looked good as the featured running back, he needs help. Helu was expected to provide that help. Instead, he continues to miss playing time, which is in turn costing him crucial live-action reps with the rest of the offense.
Sio Moore
When Sio Moore began training camp injured, it was viewed as just a temporary issue resulting from his offseason hip surgery. But after returning for a couple of practices, Moore was put back on the shelf. He's missed every practice since, and he wasn't available against the Rams.
What was originally seen as an inconvenience is now starting to become troubling. Moore needs to get on the field to compete for the starting weak-side linebacker job. Getting on the field against Minnesota would be a good start. But Moore is still not practicing, so it looks like he will remain a spectator. The longer he's out, the further behind he'll fall—and the more possible it'll be that this could be a long-term issue.
Clive Walford
After missing so much time in camp, it was a surprise to see Clive Walford on the field against St. Louis. He showed off some of his blocking ability as he held his own against NFL rushers in his first game as a professional. He also flashed some of his pass-catching ability when he caught a 22-yard reception in which he showed great concentration as he pulled in the pass in tight coverage after running a route up the middle of the field.
However, he's once again being held out of practice because of injury. The game against the Vikings would be a great opportunity for him to challenge for the starting tight end spot. But that can't happen if he's on the sideline. And as of now, that appears like it'll be case.
Andre Holmes
This is a tough one. Andre Holmes had already seen a big drop down the wide receiver depth chart. After spending 2014 as Oakland's No. 1 wide receiver, he found himself fighting to be the No. 4 receiver this season in a crowded position group. The second preseason game would've been a great opportunity for him to make his case for more playing time.
Instead, he now finds himself out with a broken hand, which ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t NFL.com's Mark Sessler) reports will keep the receiver out of action for three to four weeks. With several other receivers playing well, Holmes really needed this opportunity. Instead, he'll have to watch as other receivers move ahead of him on the depth chart while he recovers.
Trindon Holliday
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Wanted: a reliable return man willing and able to return both punts and kickoffs.
Throughout camp and against the Rams, the Raiders have looked at several options in both the kick and punt return game. But of all the possibilities, perhaps Trindon Holliday has the best chance at winning both jobs.
Holliday has a major advantage: He's shown in his career that he can excel in both areas. He showed he still has this ability against St. Louis when he took his one punt return back for 22 yards.
However, he also showed some of what concerns the coaches about him when he muffed a kickoff return. Eager to take off running, he had the ball bounce out of his hands. This forced him to take a knee in the end zone rather than return the kick.
Special teams coordinator Brad Seely is aware of Holliday's strengths and possible weaknesses, according to CSNBayArea.com's Scott Bair:
"He [Holliday] has incredible talent. He’s always got to work on ball security; that’s always been a situation where he has to improve on, and he knows that and he’s working on that. You saw that exhibited in the game. He muffed the first kickoff, which obviously he didn’t want to do, he wanted to bring that ball out, and then he had the nice return which his talent leads to.
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The Raiders have to find a reliable return man soon, and in their second preseason game, they need to at least narrow down the list of candidates.
Against the Vikings, Holliday can either play himself into a featured role on special teams or off the roster completely. He'll get another crack at the job, and a strong showing is especially important because this is his one shot at making the team.
J'Marcus Webb
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Throughout training camp, J'Marcus Webb has been firmly entrenched as Oakland's starting right guard. That remained the case against St. Louis. But there was one thing that did change: Rookie Jon Feliciano suddenly re-entered the discussion at starting right guard.
Webb's competition for the starting job had been Feliciano and Khalif Barnes, but Feliciano was relegated to working as a backup at both center and right guard—two positions at which he initially had no chance of starting. As for Barnes, he's been moved to the role the team prefers for him, which is that of a utility, jack-of-trades offensive lineman who won't start but is capable of filling in at any position.
Barnes remained in this role after the first preseason game. Feliciano, on the other hand, made a big impression. When he got his chance to play, he made a noticeable impact. He looked like the big, aggressive blocker the Raiders were hoping for when they drafted him. Now, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com notes Feliciano has been once again taking snaps at right guard.
It's up to Webb to show that there isn't any battle at the position. He had a good game against St. Louis both in run blocking and pass protection. He needs to play at the same level against Minnesota to erase any doubts about who Oakland's starting right guard should be.
If Webb plays well, Oakland will be happy to leave him the starting lineup. But if he struggles and Feliciano stands out again, Webb's seemingly secure grasp on the starting job could quickly come into question.
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Shelby Harris
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The Raiders look solid at defensive end. On one end the team has veteran Justin Tuck, who at 32 years old isn't as spry as he used to be but is still effective. On the other end you'll find a defensive monster-in-the-making by the name of Khalil Mack.
But that's in the starting lineup. After these two, things are much less clear at the position. The lack of clear backup options is an issue the team has to address.
The game against St. Louis was a great opportunity for rookie Mario Edwards Jr. to show he can step in at defensive end as a secondary option, but he didn't stand out.
Instead, it was 2014 seventh-round pick Shelby Harris who made his presence felt.
While Harris struggled against the run, he flashed great potential as a pass-rusher. He showed quickness and power as he frequently generated pressure off the edge and picked up one of Oakland's three sacks.
The coaches have begun to take notice of Harris' improvement, as evidenced by Harris getting some run with the first-team defense against St. Louis.
According to ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, Harris has noticed a difference as well: "Harris said Tuesday that he is much more comfortable as a football player, both physically and mentally, this training camp than he was last year. ... Harris said he’s better in every aspect of the game this year."
The fact is that after Tuck and Mack, the Raiders don't have any reliable options at defensive end. While Harris might only be an option on passing downs at this time, he can still provide another option for the defense. Against Minnesota, he'll have the opportunity to prove that he can be depended on and secure a key reserve role.
Ras-I Dowling, Neiko Thorpe and Dexter McDonald
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For all the positives that came out of Oakland's first preseason game, one glaring problem that stood out: Neither DJ Hayden nor Keith McGill looked particularly strong. Heading into the second preseason game, both will continue to battle it out for a starting cornerback spot.
But their underwhelming play has opened up the door for other cornerbacks to compete for playing time. Additionally, CSNBayArea.com's Scott Bair reports that McGill has missed practice time because of injury, which makes the situation at the position even more unstable.
This is where Ras-I Dowling, Neiko Thorpe and Dexter McDonald enter the picture.
All three have had their moments throughout camp. Dowling was solid against the Rams as he displayed good coverage skills and tackling. He's still working his way up the depth chart, but another decent showing will force the coaches to give him more opportunities.
McGill's injury has opened up the door for Thorpe. Bair notes that in McGill's absence, "Neiko Thorpe continues to get reps as the nickel cornerback." Thorpe has shown flashes in the past, and he's doing so again this year. If he can exhibit some consistency, his role as the nickel cornerback could become more permanent.
As for rookie McDonald, Bair reports that he "is seeing more second-team reps than ever before and looks to be a physical corner the Raiders’ coaching staff prefers." The jump from being a depth option to seeing significant playing time is within reach for McDonald, especially with the players ahead of him struggling.
All three are works in progress. But as long as Hayden and McGill continue to struggle and these three cornerbacks continue to play well, there will be an increased opportunity for one of them to steal valuable playing time.
The matchup against Minnesota provides an opportunity for these cornerbacks to show the coaches that they deserve consideration for a bigger role in the defense.
DJ Hayden and Keith McGill
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The second preseason game could turn into a breakout opportunity for Ras-I Dowling, Neiko Thorpe or Dexter McDonald, but that's only if D.J. Hayden and Keith McGill allow them the opportunity.
So far, T.J. Carrie, Hayden and McGill have made up the top of the cornerback depth chart, but only Carrie has played like a starter in practice and in Week 1. Hayden and McGill, on the other hand, weren't able to translate their strong camp performances to the game against St. Louis.
The second preseason game is crucial for both Hayden and McGill, which makes McGill's missed practice even more important. While he's been seen as a contender for a starting job, his spot on the depth chart is by no means secure. He needs this game to re-establish his place in the cornerback hierarchy.
As for Hayden, while he wasn't particularly impressive against St. Louis, he has accomplished two things so far this year: He's stayed healthy, and he's at least looked strong in practices. According to CSNBayArea.com's Scott Bair, "The Raiders' secondary controlled 11-on-11 sessions during Thursday’s practice. D.J. Hayden was particularly impactful."
Now, all he has to do is translate that level of play to an actual game.
Hayden and McGill have competition right at their heels. Against the Vikings, they have to reaffirm their places as two of the team's top three cornerbacks.
Wide Receivers Not Named Cooper or Crabtree
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The battle for playing time at wide receiver was already intense. Heading into the first preseason game, only the top two spots were determined. Amari Cooper is the No. 1 wide receiver, and Michael Crabtree joins him in the starting lineup. But so far, those are the only two spots that have been determined. Every spot after that is still up for grabs.
This makes the battle for the No. 3 wide receiver spot especially intriguing. Andre Holmes is going to be out for at least three to four weeks, but that still leaves several players vying for this coveted spot. As many as four wide receivers are in contention to be the third option.
Rod Streater
The favorite heading into training camp, Streater has only recently been allowed to participate in practices after missing the game against St. Louis. It's yet to be revealed exactly why he's missed time, but he's back now and immediately stepped right into the middle of this position battle. He's looked good in practice, and this game will give him his first shot to prove he is in fact back to 100 percent and to reclaim his spot as the No. 3 wide receiver.
Brice Butler
Assuming everyone is healthy, Streater is the favorite to win the job. But if I had to pick one receiver to surpass him, it would be Butler.
He consistently showed the ability to get open and a nose for the end zone in last year's preseason, but that didn't translate into significantly more playing time. He showed more of the same potential against St. Louis, and this time, someone took notice. When asked about Butler's performance, head coach Jack Del Rio had this to say, via ESPN.com's Bill Williamson:
"I thought Brice was good the other night. How will that shape what we do? Guys that do well get more, guys that don’t do as well get less. It’s really pretty cut and dry. We’re going to want to look at more of guys that do well and do good things with the reps they get. I thought he had a nice showing.
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In other words, Butler now has the coaching staff's attention. Another strong showing will make him one of the favorites to be the No. 3 wide receiver.
Kenbrell Thompkins
With Streater out, Thompkins played his way up from a depth wide receiver to the No. 3 option thanks to a solid performance throughout camp. However, he was underwhelming against the Rams, which has caused him to fall back in the competition. A good game against Minnesota could get him back into contention for the No. 3 spot, but another unimpressive showing could permanently take him out of the running.
Seth Roberts
The dark horse in this competition, Roberts made a great impression against St. Louis. He's a big target at 6'2" and 198 pounds, and he's a smooth route-runner. His size makes him an intriguing prospect.
Given his lack of in-game experience, he's a long shot to leapfrog ahead of the other contenders and jump all the way up to the No. 3 spot. However, a solid performance could get him off the roster bubble and into much more playing time, especially now that the absence of Holmes has freed up important playing time and possibly a roster spot.
All four of these wide receivers have a lot on the line against Minnesota, and it's an even race heading into the game. They've all shown potential, but no one has been consistently better than the others.
The coaches will be looking for someone to step up against Minnesota, and all four receivers will get an opportunity to separate from the crowd.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats taken from Pro-Football-Reference.com and NFL.com.
Who do you think has the most riding on their performance in Oakland's second preseason game? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below and on Twitter @BrianJ_Flores.
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