Oakland Raiders: 5 Things To Look For In Preseason Game #3

Aug 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Charles Johnson (12) catches a pass in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders defensive back D.J. Hayden (25) at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

How Will The Cornerbacks Fare?

Nobody had a more miserable day against the Vikings than D.J. Hayden. Burned and abused repeatedly, Hayden looked like anything but a former first round pick. Though Oakland’s other young corners – upon whom, the fate of the secondary rests – Travis Carrie, Keith McGill, and Neiko Thorpe haven’t been spectacular, they’ve been relatively solid. Or it could just be that they seem that way stacked up against the spectacularly awful exhibition season Hayden is putting together.

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The game against the Cardinals figures to be a good test for the Raiders’ secondary. Arizona doesn’t have much of a ground game to speak of. In 2014, their running attack wasn’t much more potent than Oakland’s – the Raiders amassed a grand total of 1,240 rushing yards, which was bottom in the league, and Arizona had a total of 1,308 rushing yards, which was 31st.

But what their offense did have was a highly potent air attack led by Carson Palmer – until he got hurt – and wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. Though pretty one dimensional, Arizona’s offense was still pretty strong, checking in with the league’s 14th ranked offense in 2014.

The Cardinals will pass early and pass often, attacking the weak spot in Oakland’s defensive armor. This will be a good test to see where they’re at and how far they still have to go. There is a lot riding on Oakland’s young corners, and the team is hoping they can finally answer the bell.

Next: Improvement Up Front?