Raiders’ backups can’t get to the starting line
SEATTLE — Twenty one of the Raiders’ 22 starters grabbed some popcorn (no, not really) and watched Thursday’s preseason finale from the sideline.
Only cornerback DJ Hayden was awarded the pleasure of breaking a sweat and giving the paying customers one player they had heard of to root against.
Del Rio and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave are assuming their offense is going to be good, even though quarterback Derek Carr didn’t throw a touchdown pass in the preseason and the running game was stopped cold last week.
The backup-quarterback situation appears in solid shape, as third-stringer Matt McGloin completed 16 of 24 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns Thursday night.
Ponder started Thursday, watched McGloin play for almost three quarters and then led a touchdown drive in the final five minutes.
McGloin had four touchdown passes this preseason to Ponder’s one and Del Rio reiterated that no decision has been made on the backup or if the Raiders are keeping three quarterbacks.
Roberts had one touchdown called back but two plays later, did a toe-tap in the corner of the end zone on a 6-yard pass.
Roberts, on the practice squad a year ago, seems to have passed Brice Butler and is pushing Streater on the depth chart.
Cornerback Keith McGill, who actually started Day 1 of training camp ahead of Hayden, got roasted on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett.
Tackle Matt McCants gave up a sack that resulted in a McGloin fumble and Jordan Hill touchdown, and was called for two false starts.