It was just one game (a preseason game no less), but here are a few takeaways from the Raiders’ third week of preseason…
Khalil Mack is the real deal. Considered by some to be more of a power rusher, Mack put on muscle in the offseason and hasn’t lost any quickness. He added two sacks last night and left Cris Collinsworth wondering why the Cardinals didn’t pull Carson Palmer from the game sooner. “If I were Bruce Arians, I would not have my quarterback in the game,” Collinsworth said during the NBC broadcast. “They cannot block Khalil Mack.”
Wonder if this Minnesota radio host is convinced yet?
I love Raiders DE/LB Khalil Mack, but he is not very explosive. Sturdy, sound, reliable, smart … but not quick-twitch explosive.
— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) August 23, 2015
@AliGuitron My opinion is shared by some w/in Raiders organization. You’ll see.
— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) August 23, 2015
Derek Carr and Amari Cooper still don’t have their timing down. A miscommunication in the first preseason game led to an interception and they got their signals crossed a few times last night, too.
The Raiders gave Nate Allen a 4 year, $23 million contract in March. No one called it a bargain at the time, but after two interceptions last night, no one’s complaining today. Allen seems to have a nose for the ball and looked solid in run support.
Sio Moore is either hurt or in Jack Del Rio’s dog house. Maybe both. Either way, the result is the same. It looks like Del Rio was serious when he suggested Moore is only a “role player” at this point. Injury or not, Moore’s latest obstacle is Malcolm Smith. Last night, the former Super Bowl MVP recorded 9 tackles in just over two quarters of play.
On the other side of the ball, the Raiders no. 2 running back doesn’t appear to be on the roster. If Latavius Murray misses any time, Trent Richardson and Michael Dyer don’t look like the answer. Roy Helu and Taiwan Jones will have roles, but can’t be asked to carry the load.
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