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NEXT GAME
7:00 PM
San Francisco Whiners vs Oakland Raiders
McAfee Coliseum Oakland, California
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QUARTERBACK |
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RUNNING BACKS |
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RECEIVERS |
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OFFENSIVE LINE |
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DEFENSIVE LINE |
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LINEBACKERS |
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SECONDARY |
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PASS RUSHERS |
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SPECIAL TEAMS |
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DEPTH |
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COACHING |
| THE GAME A pair of former No. 1 overall Draft picks will be on display at McAfee Coliseum Friday night, when the Raiders play host to the local rival San Francisco 49ers in the preseason opener for both teams. Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who will enter 2008 as the starting signal-caller for the Silver and Black, is looking to build off what was by all accounts a solid offseason. The LSU product, who started just one game as a rookie last year and completed 36-of-66 passes for 373 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in limited action, is attempting to stop a revolving door at the position that has existed for the Raiders since Rich Gannon was injured early in 2004. 2007 starters Josh McCown (now with the Dolphins) and Daunte Culpepper (still a free-agent), the focus is squarely on Russell atop the depth chart. Entering his fourth year by the Bay, 49ers starter Alex Smith doesn't have it quite so lucky. Smith, who has alternately struggled and dealt with injuries throughout his pro career to date, is locked in a three-way battle for starting duties along with holdover Shaun Hill and newcomer J.T. O'Sullivan. Hill fared well in a trio of starts last season, while the journeyman O'Sullivan comes to San Francisco from the Lions along with first-year Niners coordinator Mike Martz. In addition to the quarterback slot, Martz will be trying to tailor other parts of the attack to fit his scheme, most notably the wide receiver position. Free agent pickups Isaac Bruce (ex-Rams) and Bryant Johnson (ex- Cardinals) are among those trying to win primary jobs in the new system. Defensively, newcomers expected to make their debut in 49er uniforms on Friday include end Justin Smith (ex-Bengals), linebacker Dontarrious Thomas (ex- Vikings), and rookie defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (1st Round, North Carolina). The Raiders will also feature their share of fresh faces, with rookie running back Darren McFadden (1st Round, Arkansas), cornerback DeAngelo Hall (from Falcons), and safety Gibril Wilson (from Giants) all suiting up for Lane Kiffin's team for the first time. Oakland wideout Javon Walker, an expensive free agent pickup from the Broncos in the offseason, has been slow to recover from knee surgery and is unlikely to play against San Francisco. Similar geography has made the Raiders/49ers matchup one of the most played preseason rivalries in NFL history, with Oakland holding a 18-17 edge in the all-time series. The Niners won last season's installment, 26-21, at home. |
| TELEVISION The game will not be shown in the Bay Area, but will be on KTLA 5 in the Los Angeles area |
| RADIO KSFO 560 AM is the flagship radio station for the Silver and Black. The Oakland Raiders broadcasts on KSFO include extensive pre- and post-game shows featuring Raiders players and legends, as well as Raiders-specific programming during the season. KSFO Radio has enjoyed a very successful relationship with The Oakland Raiders for the past four seasons and look forward to the upcoming excitement of the 2008 season. |
| TO WIN |
| TO WIN |
| INJURY REPORT |
| INJURY REPORT |
| WHAT TO EXPECT As JaMarcus Russell gets to open the season as the starting QB he will have 2 young amazing running backs to help alleviate some pressure, Darren McFadden, the top draft choice this year and Michael Bush, picked in the 2007 draft. Add last years breakout Justin Fargas and that should translate to a powerful backfield. As with youth it will take them a little time to gel so give them some room to grow and keep the expectations in check. With the demise of the Donkey's and the disaster in KC, I expect the Raiders to be the only challenge to San Diego in the AFC West this year. Player to watch: Michael Bush. He didn’t play last year, and talk about someone with something to prove. With Fargas and D-Mac ahead of him on the depth chart he will be looking to impress the coaching staff and gain more playing time. That type of motavation should bring out a big game from him since he will need to take advantage of every opportunity het gets. A year ago, the 49ers were a trendy pick. Athlon Sports magazine's cover blared "Playoff Run in San Fran." Pro Football Weekly called the 49ers "a very interesting dark horse." The Mercury News said "a division title is within reach." But when the bell rang for the 2007 season, everybody's favorite sleeper kept right on sleeping. The 49ers snoozed to a 5-11 record, embarrassed themselves offensively and nearly cost Coach Mike Nolan his job. |
DARTH'S PREDICTION
RAIDERS 24 |
WHINERS 17 |
