Raiders Take On Cowboys in First Preseason Game
August 13, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (6) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Baraka Atkins (59) in the fourth quarter at O.Co Coliseum. The Cowboys defeated the Raiders 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders are ready to make a new name of their themselves.
After a dreadful 4-12 record last season, they will finally have their first taste of the 2013-2014 season with their first preseason game Friday night at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
A big question mark surrounding the Raiders’ offseason has been the uncertainty of their starting quarterback. The team has four legitimate quarterbacks on the depth chart, but it just seems like one of them will be more fitting for the role. That guy is Matt Flynn.
Flynn, who was acquired earlier in the offseason from the Seattle Seahawks, looks to be the most logical option. He is the most experienced on the team and has played under legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the past. And many will agree that he is just more talented than the other three options, which include Terrelle Pryor, Tyler Wilson, and Matt McGloin.
But Friday’s game should provide a solid opportunity for every quarterback to show off their skills, as Raiders writer Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that all four young guys will play against the Cowboys.
Allen said all four quarterbacks on the roster will play against Dallas, with Terrelle Pryor likely playing the second and third quarter.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 8, 2013
Smart of head coach Dennis Allen to announce that, as it should give fans more reason to watch the game. It will be interesting to see how each young quarterback shows up and proves what they are made of.
Another Raiders player that will be exciting to watch will be second-year wideout Rod Streater.
Streater, who was one of the league leaders in percentage of drops last season, is poised for a bigger and better breakout season. Reports broke out that Streater is looking like the go-to-guy that the Raiders so desperately need, and that he has thoroughly impressed the coaching staff.
Regarding injuries, the Raiders are definitely still hurting. However, according to Kate Longsworth of CSN Bay Area, the only Raiders that have been officially ruled out of Friday’s game so far are defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, cornerback D.J. Hayden, linebacker Billy Boyko, and defensive lineman Brandon Bair.
Heading to #Raiders gm Fri-you should see all 'healthy players' in game action; However Houston, Hayden,Boyko &Bair are officially ruled out
— Kate Longworth (@KateLongworth) August 8, 2013
One of the other significant things to look for in Friday’s game will be the plays that the Raiders run for mobile quarterback Terrelle Pryor. It was reported earlier that the Raiders are working on packages for the speedy signal caller to run the pistol offense and fully utilize his elite speed and versatility. It is unknown if the Raiders will bring out some of these packages in Friday’s contest, but it will be something to look forward to.
There will be a lot to look forward to in Friday’s game between the Raiders and the Cowboys, but fans should expect to see a lot of different things throughout the contest. It will be a great first look at a Raiders team that is surprisingly looking better and better.