Canton Calling: Raiders Smother Jaguars In Preseason Opener

The Las Vegas Raiders kick off their 2022 preseason with a 27-11 victory over the Jaguars. While the outcome did not matter, how players perform does.

In winning their 2022 preseason debut, the Las Vegas Raiders kicked off on a positive note. Granted, no one will remember the score next week. Yet, watching players in actual game situations supersedes any camp footage of padless play. Jarrett Stidham fared well. Plus, the players probably felt great to actually hit an opponent for once. With that said, a few takeaways from last night’s game.

Economical Stidham

While no one expects Jarrett Stidham to play significant snaps during the regular season, seeing him play last night opened eyes. First, as Derek Carr’s backup, all he needs to do is stay ready. Meanwhile, he showed a strong grasp of the offense and did not seem lost or out of place. Plus, if you add in that twelve-yard scamper for a touchdown, and flashes of decent athleticism, Stidham throws a solid, catchable ball. If for any unforeseen reason that Carr goes down, Stidham could provide a temporary fix.

Depth Problem

Despite surviving numerous administrations, Brandon Parker still calls Las Vegas home. Last night, he settled in at left tackle. To the surprise of no one, he struggled. Rookie Travon Walker managed to put the veteran lineman on proverbial skates pressuring the pocket on numerous occasions. Conceivably, Parker could still make the roster as a swing tackle. However, after years of available film, is versatility enough to make a final roster?

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Zeus Gets Loose

Zamir White runs with violence in his heart and malice in his feet. To put it differently, the eleven-carry sample displayed why the Raiders drafted the former Georgia running back, White attacked the defense, choosing to dish out punishment first, instead of waiting for contact. Where White will flourish is the ability to convert on short yardage and provide the Raiders with another thumper in the backfield. With the coaching staff intent on a busy running back group, the ability to grind out the tough yards will be coveted.

Overview

The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Canton, Ohio, in a meaningless game. However, the film will help shape the middle and back end of the rosters. The players that took the lion’s share of snaps hope to impress coaches enough to claim a roster spot. However, even if they don’t, other NFL teams will now see them as well. The march for a hopeful playoff spot began in Ohio. Now, where can the Raiders go from here?