Oakland Raiders: A few guys who need to perform well in preseason finale

Connor Cook

It might not be fair to say that Connor Cook has had an up and down offseason. It would be fair – and accurate, though – to say that it’s been more down than up.

Las Vegas Raiders

After coming out with a solid, efficient performance against Detroit in the preseason opener, the backup job looked like it was Cook’s to lose.

Since that first game though, Cook has come out and thrown up back to back duds against the Rams and the Packers. In those two games, Cook has gone a combined 12/27 for 121 yards, and an interception.

Hardly a good look for your backup quarterback.

Cook’s inability to run the offense effectively or efficiently these last two weeks have thrown the backup job into a state of chaos and uncertainty as we head toward the regular season. To put it bluntly, the Raiders are going to have a real big problem if quarterback Derek Carr goes down.

It’s not as if E.J. Manuel has set the world on fire. Over the last two games, he’s gone a combined 18/28 for 176 yards and a touchdown – but, he’s also lost a fumble in three consecutive games.

Gruden was very high on Cook coming in, but his struggles have led him to admit that he doesn’t know if Oakland’s backup quarterback is currently on the roster – which is a massive problem, given that the opening kickoff is two weeks away.

Cook can help himself tremendously – and allay many of the fears and anxieties running rampant right now – if he can come out and have the sort of solid game he did against Detroit.

Having a reliable backup quarterback is critical in today’s NFL, and Gruden is going to give Cook as much leash as possible. It’s up to him to take advantage of the opportunity.