A lot of good has come from the Raiders hosting the San Francisco 49ers this week.
The two former cross-bay rivals competed at a high level Thursday and Friday for one sole purpose: to get better. It's hard to argue there's a better opponent for the Silver and Black to practice against, considering the 49ers had the No. 1 ranked defense in 2022, plus weapons in all three phases of the ball.
"I compliment the 49ers organization, their coaching staff, their guys," Head Coach Josh McDaniels stated Friday morning. "[I]t's hard to simulate that kind of work. You can't simulate it on your own, so to be able to work together and get as much fundamental technique work, one-on-ones, competitive and situational work, and do it the way we did it.
"These are always spirited, but clean. I think everybody did the right thing, and I think both teams had an opportunity to improve. I give Kyle [Shanahan] and John [Lynch] and their group a ton of credit for this, and we would do it again with them."
Even with a few high intensity moments between the two teams, cooler heads prevailed in both practices. The common goal of improving was not lost on either sideline.
"I think there [were] a lot of repetitions by both sides where both teams did some things very well and the other team's going to learn from them," said McDaniels. "That's kind of how I look at these practices. I don't really try to worry about who's got the advantage in terms of winning the practice or the period. I just really focus on each individual play or period and what the focus is."
"We saw a lot of things last night in the film that we needed to do better as a football team," he added. "I think our guys had great intentionality today in terms of like, let me try to fix something that I can control. We'll see what the tape shows, but there's always going to be things to fix."
While these practices provides the chance for stars like Jimmy Garoppolo and Fred Warner to compete against each other, it's also a huge opportunity for younger players to try and stake their claim for the 53-man roster. Jakobi Meyers remembers being in the same boat as an undrafted rookie in New England.
"Nobody's going out there sticking their toe in the water. Everybody's diving in trying to be the best, competing with them, competing with ourselves," Meyers said after joint practices concluded. "A lot of people are just showing us how talented they are, so I appreciate them for working hard."
After a week of two joint practices, the Raiders and 49ers will close things out with the first preseason game of the year in Allegiant Stadium. Despite the game not being counting towards the Raiders' regular season record, it will be vital in the beginning evaluations for both teams' 2023 rosters.
"Soak it in," Meyers tells teammates battling for their spot.
"My only advice would be just enjoy it and just let the moment come to you. There's a lot of things you can't control that we try to control, and that usually ends up in a bad situation. So, go out there, be free."
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The Raiders hit the practice field at Intermountain Health Performance Center with the San Francisco 49ers one last time before their preseason matchup.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaquan Johnson (26) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) and strength and conditioning intern Daniel Jameson on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (82) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Matthew Butler (94) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cam Sims (81) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Signage on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (76) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole Sr. (84) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Chase Garbers (14) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (47) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (42) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Vitaliy Gurman (73) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Netane Muti (54) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard McClendon Curtis (63) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeAndre Carter (3) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (82) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Ike Brown (46) and Head Coach Josh McDaniels on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Greg Van Roten (70) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaydon Grant (40) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end George Tarlas (79) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard McClendon Curtis (63) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) leads a huddle on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Darien Butler (58) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Isaac Rochell (96) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jordan Willis (99) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (42) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end George Tarlas (79) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Bryce Cosby (44) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaydon Grant (40) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett and wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Adam Plant (52) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (97) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman David Agoha (62) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (82) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (82) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jacob Hollister (88) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters (24) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Damien Williams (32) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaquan Johnson (26) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Azizi Hearn (48) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (11) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery (90) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Duke Shelley (23) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Greg Van Roten (70) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels and defensive line coach Rob Leonard on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera (97) on the field for a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
