Every year each NFL team plays four preseason games. Moreover, every year the players, pundits, and coaches remind us that the preseason is simply a time to evaluate players, shake off the rust and build the fans’ excitement. In spite of these reminders, many fans cannot help but use the preseason as a crystal ball for the upcoming regular season.
Let’s start off by saying this is still the preseason. However, this will not be acceptable to most Raiders fans. Why? Because they heard this same excuse last year and it took seven weeks into the regular season before the defense started playing at an acceptable level. Some fans refuse to believe even that.
Oakland’s first preseason game of 2017 produced much drama and perhaps raised more questions than answers. Questions like: Is Ken Norton Jr. the right man for the job? How will the Raiders use a struggling Sean Smith? How do the Raider’s shuffle the offensive line around to most effectively protect the quarterback? Is Reggie Nelson over the hill?
Sean Smith’s on-field struggles may pale in comparison to what he is facing off the field.
What’s been a tumultuous 2017 campaign for the veteran Oakland Raiders cornerback can potentially turn into an absolute nightmare after he was arrested on Thursday. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced it was charging Smith with felony assault of a Pasadena man — who happens to be his sister’s boyfriend.
Ready for tease No. 2?
That is what we will get when the Oakland Raiders host to the Los Angeles Rams this Saturday night. It is preseason game number two and another sneak-peek into both squads.
Based off of what occurred in the Raiders preseason opener, here’s a trio that needs to step up during Saturday’s tilt.
