ATTENTION DIE HARD SILVER-AND-BLACK LOYALISTS! The gridiron drought will officially end when “America’s Team” visits the Raider Nation on a summer Thursday night to kickoff the preseason.
Obviously, the game play will not be equivalent to the regular season hype, however it gives Raider fans the opportunity to view younger players such as WR D. Heyward-Bey, SS M. Mitchell, RB M. Bush, etc. to showcase their skills and either make a strong case to start or become a major contributor this upcoming season.
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
The Three-Headed-Running Back rotation : starter DMC will carry the ball a handful of times before the bulk of the carries will go to Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. The competition between these two will draw much more interest due to the long-term implication of either’s future with the club. Both Fargas (4M/yr) and Bush (540K/yr) contracts will expire after the 2011 season.
Battle of the Trenches: With limited action for the first units for both teams, expect an all out fight as Dallas’ vaunted defensive front seven will savor the opportunity to attack a makeshift Raider first unit offensive line. BATTLE TO WATCH: LT Mario Henderson (5 career starts) vs. OLB DaMarcus Ware (20 sacks in 08’)
Run D-E-F-E-N-S-E DTs Tommy Kelly and Gerrard Warren will need to use this game to master new defensive coordinator’s John Marshall newly instituted attacking defense. The mountainous DTs and LBs will face a formidable offensive line. Just like the Raiders-trio, The Cowboy run game will feature a three headed RB rotation consisting of bruising back Marion Barber, the fleet footed Felix Jones, and the versatile Tashard Choice. BATTLE TO WATCH: DE Greg Ellis vs. his old teammates. Expect Ellis to give an all-out-effort and prove Cowboy Owner/GM Jerry Jones wrong for cutting him loose.
Raider Wideouts vs. Cowboy DBs : JR should have a decent couple of series considering both starting cornerbacks for Dallas will not participate in the preseason opener. With WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey and Johnnie Higgins game time listed as probable, look for Chaz Schilens and Lance Murphy to get a hefty amount of looks.
CB N. Asomugha vs. WR R. Williams Pressure is on Williams to produce and what better opportunity against the league elite shutdown CB. Don’t expect a steady stream of Romo-to-Williams connection as Asomugha will continue to add fuel to the fire.
What to expect : The game will be a welcome back for “the Nation” to see the Silver and Black back on the field. The starters will see a couple of series and then give way to the second and third team units. Although the outcome of the game has no merit to the upcoming season, the position battles and game experience will help the team prepare for the next.
CAMP NOTES:
Who’s Snapping to JR? With 08 starter Jake Groves gone, the battle between third-year Samson Satele and 12 year veteran John Wade will pickup steam as coach Cable will have to decide which line will offer the best protection to JR.
Protecting the Blindside Newcomer Khalif Barnes was supposed make a push to start at LT but after breaking his ankle recently, Mario Henderson has made the most of his opportunity with the first unit.
Stay tuned for more Black Sunday preseason game previews exclusively at www.BlackSundayBrand.com
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