Here is the most pressing question for Tom “The Anvil” Cable (Hammer status will return in time I am sure). Should he play starters for at least a quarter to see if there is any life left in this team before they play San Diego? I am not sure what I would do, but I would lean on the side of starting them to get some confidence back. Also, I would have Darrius Heyward-Bey play until he catches 5 balls or drops 10. If Oakland really plans on using him as the starter this season, he needs to show more than he has in the preseason. There are many reasons why teams can do well or poorly in the preseason, but when they show the same issues that they have in past regular seasons. It truly is a cause for concern. Not being able to stop the run and a lack of a strong passing game are two major areas that have haunted Oakland in the past.

Ever since Tom “The Hammer” Cable had his alleged incident with the other coach on staff the Raiders have not had the “punch” that they displayed in their first preseason game against Dallas. Granted they have only played one game since, but hey I had to use the “punch” line before someone else beat me to it… Ok enough puns. Cable really man, I am in your corner.

Tom “The Hammer” Cable is really showing he is a good coach. His team seems ready to play. The Raiders have been competitive in each game and have scored the second most points of teams that have played 2 games. JaMarcus Russell almost looks like an NFL QB and the running game is doing well. The defense on the other hand is still struggling against the run. Granted I don’t put a whole lot into the whole preseason is a predictor of the regular season. However, when Oakland has been last in the league in run defense and is last in the league in the preseason, I see an alarming trend. One that would lead me to believe that Oakland has been putting their draft picks in the wrong bucket. I hope Hayward-Bey takes off. He has the speed, but has yet to catch a pass. I think that maybe if Oakland altered his routes a little bit, maybe they could give him some confidence going into the regular season. But hey, I would not want to show my hand either.

Oakland has several roster spots to shake out starting with who will start at QB. Will it be the number one draft pick Russell or one of several other veteran options on the roster.