Pregame Titans Raiders thoughts
Here are some pregame Titans Raiders thoughts for the upcoming week three NFL preseason game.
Starters generally sit during week four games, so this week is the last “dress rehearsal” for the starters. They are expected to play a half.
NFL rosters need to be trimmed from nearly 100 players to 75 soon. This is far less significant than the cut to 53 players. This is 20-25 players that certainly won’t make the team and doesn’t include anyone close to making it.
The intrigue about this cut date usually creates an interesting issue during the week three games. We will see several non-starters play more than usual and the announcers will point out that some coach stated he wanted to get a good look at the player.
Coach Mike Mularkey has stated that the defense will sub some to get some looks at different players with the ones. One reporter suggested Lebeau will get creative with the safeties. Four safeties have done very well in camp and only two will start.
Mike Mularkey deemed Quenton Spain’s week two game as average-some good, some bad. Brian Schwenke did truly come in to play with the ones, but he was in for a kneel-down to close the half. As such, I don’t consider it playing with the ones. Sebastian Tretola reportedly has done well in practice recently as a backup right guard. Both Schwenke and Tretola are expected to get some time with the ones.
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The most curious aspect of this goes back to Josue Matias getting injured. He was their backup tackle and guard. Dennis Kelly was traded for and played right tackle last week. Although Mularkey termed his performance “impressive,” Kelly whiffed twice getting the quarterback hit and the runningback hit so hard that he fumbled. During that same time, Spain filled in well as a backup left tackle. I’m leery that a foolish move is coming. The Titans history of bad moves makes me almost scared of this. Spain has run with the ones at left guard all offseason and since about mid-way through last season. A backup tackle is NOT more important than a starting left guard. Before Kelly’s week two performance, Mularkey said Spain has done nothing to lose his spot at least a dozen times. It’s been a common sentiment this offseason. Please please please (did I say please?) Do not decide to start the season with a lesser player at left guard in order to have a better backup tackle….please!
Ben Roberts has been a wide receiver I wrote a bunch about this offseason. I expect he’ll play a bunch this week. Last week, he played the entire second half or almost the entire second half. He did not get a target. Both Tre McBride and Justin Hunter subbed opposite Roberts or they both came in to partake in three wide receiver sets. Roberts blocked very very well-possibly the best blocking of any Titans wideout this summer. Roberts is higher up the food chain than some may think. A few catches this week could really make things interesting when the cuts to 53 come.
Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan pulled Tyrod Taylor after two series because he took some nasty hits. He planned to play Taylor a half, but didn’t want to risk his starting quarterback getting injured. Both the Raiders and Titans could absolutely do this too. Each team is quite guarded about their young franchise quarterback.
I expect Bishop Sankey and/or David Cobb to get a “look at me” game where they will hopefully drum up some trade interest from other teams. Justin Hunter could be “in the same boat” here as well.
Matt Cassel needs a good game. Many writers have stated he’s the veteran quarterback and his roster spot is locked up. If Alex Tanney plays great and Cassel struggles, I’m not so sure that is the case. I understand the sentiment of not rolling with Tanney in the regular season as he may not be ready. My issue is that Cassel hasn’t done well and this follows a 2015 season where he didn’t do well. In fact, Tony Romo just broke a bone in his back and there isn’t one Cowboys article written wishing Cassel was still there. A bad game from Cassel could drum up some intrigue in signing another veteran quarterback to replace him.
The Raiders have some excellent young talent. The Titans need to take notes and be aware of their looming cuts. On the field, playing right in front of them, could very well be a player that can be added to the Titans roster.
This past week was the first time coach Mularkey showed any inkling that Derrick Henry could play more than DeMarco Murray during the regular season. It was a crack in the “franchise back” armor and not a full fledged statement of support or runningback controversy. I’m curious to see what happens if Henry has a nice game this week.
Amari Cooper was a fantastic rookie wide receiver last season. Tajae Sharpe has been fantastic during this offseason and has yet to play in an NFL game. It’ll be interesting to look at the two in contrast this week.
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