Pre-Season Game 1 Notes

• It was the first game of the pre-season, but any win is better than last year. The reclamation has begun.

• Don’t read too much into the pre-season though. Oakland was 4-1 last year before the games really counted and Edgerrin James, Anquan Boldin, and Matt Leinart saw limited action.

• Games balls to Adimchinobe Echemandu, Hiram Eugene, Mike Williams and the Raiders offensive line.

• When was the last time you heard “game ball” and “offensive line” mentioned in the same sentence?

• Props to Neil Rackers for hitting a 59-yard field goal from the dirt right as the 1st half ended.

• Speaking of Echemandu, the former Cal running back would make a nice Nigerian Nightmare II. His 75 yards on 17 carries was one of the bright spots on offense. Here’s hoping he sticks

• Johnnie Lee Higgins had 2 catches for 59 yards (including a big 50-yarder), but he also dropped a sure catch on a bullet from Dante Culpepper late in the game. Those are the plays the coaches are watching.

• After fumbling his first snap in Silver in Black, Culpepper showed flashes of why he’s a former Pro Bowler. The guy can still throw darts.

• Nice tackle by kicker Tyler Fredrickson on Steve Breston with 2 minutes to play.

• The defense looked solid, except for that Kurt Warner to Bryant Johnson 59-yard TD.

• Nice sell job by Tyler Brayton on his would be 80-yard interception return for a TD. Replay clearly showed the ball hit the ground before Brayton caught it, but give him an ! for effort.

• All three Raider quarterbacks who saw action were average. Walter’s TD pass to Mike Williams in the 2nd quarter had some nice touch. We all saw what Walter could do with some time to throw (8-for-11). Culpepper showed off his gun, but he has lots of work to do. Jury’s still out on McCown, who’s TD drive was penalty aided.

• Nice to see the TE getting mixed into the passing game again. John Madsen and Zach Miller combined for 4 catches.

• 2nd year linebacker Ricky Brown led the Raiders with 7 tackles. Rookie Jay Richardson had 3 tackles and a big sack.

• Welcome to the Black Hole Dominic Rhodes.

• Williams TD catch looked a looked a lot like that Randy Moss guy, only Williams came down with the ball in the end zone.