ALAMEDA — The scene shifted from the Napa Valley Marriott to the team facility Monday, and with it came a difference in approach as the Raiders prepare for their third preseason game.
The Raiders host the Green Bay Packers at the Coliseum Friday at 7:30 p.m., and unlike their Week 2 19-15 loss to the St. Louis Rams, some first-team players can expect their heaviest game-action of the exhibition season.
“We’re going to look at Green Bay and try and put our team on a Wednesday schedule during the regular season,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “This is not going to be exactly how it’s going to be because we still have 90 men on the roster, but we did show them some Packer film this morning.”
The Raiders also had a walk-through session with Green Bay in mind and a practice schedule that more resembles preparing for a game rather than just looking at personnel.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr spent time talking with new video operator Joe Harrington to determine the way in which he would like to receive information, and said there’s a noticeable shift from the training camp vibe.
“To be with the wife and kids is always better than being stuck in a hotel,” Carr said. “But I think you just get more into the game mode, whereas training camp is groundhog day. I don’t care who you are, you’re just trying to make the team.”
— The Raiders’ game against the Rams last Saturday provided a chance for Gruden and his staff to see players getting extensive playing time with many projected starters and key role players being held out against the Week 1 opponent on Monday night, Sept. 10.
“Some guys played themselves into contention, some guys didn’t,” Gruden said.
Two on the roster bubble, James Cowser, and Shilique Calhoun, have given themselves a shot at the 53.
“He’s just showcased his versatility, really,” Gruden said of Cowser. “He’s been playing inside linebacker. Been rushing the passer as a defensive end. Contributing on special teams. He’s been playing through some nicks with a beat-up body. I give him a lot of credit. He’s our kind of guy.”
Calhoun, a third-year player from Michigan State, had two penalties but also a sack and has applied pressure at a far greater rate than he has in his first three seasons.
According to ProFootballFocus, Calhoun had four quarterback pressures in 15 pass rush snaps.
— While many starters sat out against the Rams, the Raiders let players in their defensive secondary get some work, including potential starters Rashaan Melvin and Gareon Conley at cornerback and Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph at safety.
“We had a lot of young guys playing, so we wanted Reggie back there calling the shots,” Gruden. “We held Leon Hall because we wanted to see some other guys play the nickel position.”
Marcus Gilchrist, a free agent signing at safety who missed the first two games, returned to practice Monday.
The Raiders may not be done adding players on the back end. Safety George Iloka, a surprise cut by the Cincinnati Bengals, will talk to the Raiders, according to multiple reports. Iloka has experience with Raiders defensive coordiantor Paul Guenther, who held the same position in Cincinnati.
It remains to be seen how much Iloka (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) will get on the open market — he had a cap number of $6.2 million this season.
— Seth Roberts, the Raiders third wide receiver for the past two seasons, was back at practice and in a competitive situation given the position is fairly muddled after starters Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson.
Roberts has missed multiple practices with injuries, and Martavis Bryant has had issues with headaches that caused him to miss three seasons. Ryan Switzer and Griff Whalen have had their moments as slot receivers.
— Place kicker Eddy Pineiro was not on the field for practice after missing the Rams trip with a groin injury. There is no word on the severity of the injury.
Also missing was safety Obi Melifonwu, whose condition to a lower body injury is not known.
“He’s still being evaluated,” Gruden said.
— Don’t look for running backs Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin much against the Packers, if at all. The Raiders saw all they needed to see in Napa.
“We don’t really want to see those guys a whole lot,” Gruden said. “We’ve seen a lot of them.”