In a cruel twist if fate, I happen to be in the Bay Area when the Raiders play the 49ers at Candlestick Park, or whatever they call it nowadays. Sadly enough I have a political function in San Jose when the game starts.
This will not happen during the regular season. As I thank my almighty lord for creating Tivo, this column will be updated in a time frame that is unacceptable for those who demand information in a timely manner. How unreasonable.
Until then, go to Just Blog Baby. http://www.justblogbaby.com
Yes, I know it is only preseason, but I have always detested the 49ers. Their fans are insufferable, although 15 years of not winning is ever so mildly humbling them. I know the score does not matter, but it still ticks me off.
While the scoreboard says the Raiders lost, that is a bit misleading. The game was scoreless after the first quarter, and the Raiders led 7-3 at half. The Raiders led 14-3 after three quarters. So while one could describe a fourth quarter collapse, at that point the scrubs were playing.
Of bigger concern is that the Raiders had four turnovers, were outgained 389-245, and trailed in time of possession by a staggering 39 minutes to 21 minutes.
On a down note, three Raiders quarterbacks threw an interception. Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski, and Jeff Garcia all got picked off.
On a much bigger up note, none of that matters if JaMarcus Russell plays well. He was 7 for 11 for 76 yards, and did not turn the ball over. He also threw a touchdown pass.
In terms of the starters, the Raiders won the game, and the defense was solid. However, the offense was fairly inept. This has been a problem with the Raiders for the last several years. The defense fights hard, but gets exhausted late in games because they get no help from the offense.
The Raiders did nothing on offense in the first half. 49ers quarterback Alex Smith had a pass intercepted and returned 54 yards, setting the Raiders up with first and goal at the seven. The Raiders did not score on the drive.
Yest even this is misleading, since in the regular season, the Raiders would kick a field goal on 4th and goal at the three rather than gamble. Yet even a field goal in that situation is a disgrace.
Later in the second quarter, Russell went deep for Johnny Lee Higgins, and the Raiders benefited from a defensive pass interference penalty. These are the Raiders, so naturally a drive from the 13 soon turned into a holding penalty, and 3rd and 21 from the 24. Yet give Russell credit. He then Murphy for the 24 yard touchdown. Usually that situation would be a field goal attempt on 4th down.
The 49ers mounted a 13 play, 7 minute drive at the end of the half. Yet from the Oakland one, running back Coffee was blasted backwards three yards. The 49ers settled for a field goal.
The 49ers began the third quarter with a 6 minute drive, but Joe Nedney missed a 51 yard field goal. Bruce Gradkowski threw a 36 yard pass to Myers, and then hit Myers for the 2 yard touchdown.
The Raiders collapsed under a flurry of interceptions, but again, these were backups. Also, in a regular season game, they would be running the ball up 14-3 after three quarters. The 49ers went up 21-14, and Charlie Frye then led the Raiders on a drive late. On 3rd and goal from the 14, Frye scrambled and scored the touchdown. The 2 point conversion failed, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, in the regular season the extra point would have been kicked.
Down notes late in the game included the Raiders stuffing the 49ers, forcing a punt on 4th and 1. A penalty on San Francisco had the Raiders wanting a rekick on 4th and 6. It was the right call, but the Raiders fumbled the punt. Then, needing to stop the 49ers on 3rd and 10 to get one last chance, the third string defense yielded 11 yards.
One could argue that the Raiders played well enough to win. From a preseason standpoint, the offense needs improvement, but has improved. The defense could be very good. I would be more pleased than upset about this game.
Yes, the 49ers will brag, but the Raiders did enough with their starters. Again, this team is not a 12-4 team, but they do not look 4-12 either. They could be 8-8, which is an upgrade.
49ers 21, Raiders 20.
eric
Love the pre season raider termoil with the assiatant coach punching the defense coach.