The Oakland Raiders played at the Seattle Seahawks in the final 2009 preseason game for the Silver and Black.
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Trying to erase the debacle that was the New Orleans thrashing, the Raiders faced a Seahawks team that was benching most of its starters except for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Running back Edgerrin James, who was supposed to be washed up, began by running for gains of 4 and 7 yards. The defense held after that, and in a game where starters on both sides were only supposed to play one series each on offense and defense, the Raiders took over inside their own 10.
JaMarcus Russell was sacked, McFadden gained the five yards back, and a pointless West Coast pass on 3rd and 10 was complete for a 4th down punt. The Seahawks took over near midfield.
Hasselbeck was done for the night. Backup quarterback Mike Teel quickly came in and fired a 23 yard completion. Nahmdi Asomugha was not playing in this game, but this is still sad. Tell fired a crossing route to Butler for an easy touchdown. Seattle led 7-0, and any compelling reason to watch this game went out the window.
I had nothing better to do, so I watched. Nick Miller returned the kickoff 52 yards, and Jeff Garcia came in at quarterback. Apparently JaMarcus accomplished everything in the three and out series. The Raiders even picked up a first down when Seattle jumped offsides. One bright spot of the Raiders is the running game. They are ridiculously deep. Louis Rankin burst up the middle for a 44 yard touchdown run to tie the game 7-7. Rankin can play, but Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, and Justin Fargas remain ahead of him. I hope the team keeps all four of them.
The rest of the opening quarter was forgettable, and the Raiders began the second quarter by finding a creative way to not make a first down. On 3rd and 1, Garcia threw a completed pass that lost a yard. Once again, I hate the West Coast offense. Enough Yards After Catch garbage. Throw past the bloody marker.
Most of the second quarter was forgettable as well, but the key play of the game came with 2:30 remaining in the half. Third string quarterback Bruce Gradkowski went back to pass on 3rd and 6 from the Oakland 45. He was hit and fumbled, and Seattle took over at the Oakalnd 38. On the first play after the turnover, Teel went deep for the touchdown pass to put the Sehawks up 14-7. On the next series Gradkowski went back tp pass and was hit as he threw. Although the call was questionable, it was ruled a fumble. Tom Brady must have been laughing somewhere. The turnover led to a field goal and a 17-7 Seahawks lead at halftime.
In the third quarter the Raiders had a chance to close the gap, but on 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 38, 4th string quarterback Charlie Frye had his pass batted down. Given that this was preseason, it was inexplicable that the Raiders punted rather than go for it or try a 55 yard field goal. Seattle took over on their own 8 yard line and moved 92 yards to go up 24-7. With 4 minutes left in the quarter, Teel went deep again. The receiver made a sliding catch, got up before being touched, and waltzed in for the 44 yard touchdown to put the game out of reach at 31-7.
The Raiders did manage to finally score again with under 5 minutes remaining, and even added a garbage touchdown in the final seconds to make the score look respectable.
The Raiders finished the preseason 1-3. I have deep concerns about this team, but I am throwing out this entire preseason and withholding judgment until Monday, September 14th. The Raiders host the Chargers on Monday Night Football.
For now, there is nothing to do but begin the countdown.
Seahawks 31, Raiders 21
eric