Twenty-four days after the first Raiders touched down at the team's Napa Valley Training Complex, the team is going going, back back, to Alameda.
The Silver and Black were originally scheduled to hold their final on-field session of training camp Thursday morning, but Head Coach Jon Gruden ultimately cancelled it prior to the team getting to work.
Since the team arrived in the North Bay a little over three weeks ago, the work has been feverish for Coach Gruden, Derek Carr, and the rest of the Raiders.
With a completely rebuilt and retooled roster, there were not a lack of questions surrounding Gruden's squad as they descended upon Napa, and although there are some questions that still remain, we have a much better sense for this team than we did a month ago, particularly as far as effort and preparation are concerned.
"I'd just like to say that I was really happy with today's practice," said Coach Gruden following Wednesday's practice. "Normally the last real practice at training camp, a lot of people get a little bit distracted. What we did is we went out and really challenged our guys with short yardage, goal-line backed up, two minute, no huddle. Desperation field goals. Covered a lot of ground. Our guys did a nice job. We got our team rejuvenated physically a little bit after two, long, padded practices for the upcoming game."
Speaking of that game, following Thursday's "off day," the Silver and Black will regroup Friday for a morning walk thru before flying to Los Angeles in advance of Saturday afternoon's preseason game, a game that will be an interesting matchup for myriad reasons, including the fact that the two teams open the regular season against one another on the night of September 10.
Coach Gruden said he had never seen a scheduling wrinkle like playing a team in the preseason before opening the regular season against that very team, but nevertheless, the 60-minute showcase at the Los Angeles Coliseum would still be critical in roster evaluation.
"It's a preseason game and we have a lot of really tough evaluations to get through before we start thinking about what play we're going to call," Coach Gruden explained. "We're going to really continue to use this as an evaluation, period. You're going to see a lot of players playing a long period of time that are going to get a chance to show us they belong here. That's how we're looking at this game."
Kickoff against the Rams is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Take a look through the top images from the Raiders' 16-10 win over the Lions in Preseason Week 1 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks down the tunnel before The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
The Oakland Raiders huddle up before their game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California.
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) before the Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks upfield during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51), defensive tackle PJ Hall (92), and defensive end Fadol Brown (95) celebrate after sacking the Detroit Lions quarterback during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Griff Whalen (13) runs upfield during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Jon Feliciano (76) protects quarterback Connor Cook (18) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton (16) runs upfield during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) fights through the Detroit Lions offense during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) at the line of scrimmage during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (36) and safety Reggie Nelson (27) make a tackle during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) and defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78) watch as safety Reggie Nelson (27) and linebacker Marquel Lee (55) tackle the Detroit Lions ball carrier during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) at the line of scrimmage during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) makes a catch during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) runs upfield during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook (18) throws to running back DeAndre Washington (33) during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ryan Switzer (15), offensive guard Jon Feliciano (76), wide receiver Johnny Holton (16), and offensive tackle David Sharpe (71) celebrate with The Black Hole after scoring a touchdown during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Head Coach Jon Gruden during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (54) and defensive tackle Treyvon Hester (90) at the line of scrimmage during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) holds for kicker Eddy Pi–eiro (9) during a field goal attempt during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) hurdles over a defender during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) holds for kicker Eddy Piñeiro (9) during a field goal attempt during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
An Oakland Raiders helmet at The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders running back Chris Warren (34) runs upfield during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (46) after a play during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Fadol Brown (95) pressures the Lion quarterback during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Azeem Victor (57) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
The Oakland Raiders defensive line at the line of scrimmage during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders center James Stone (62) blocks for quarterback EJ Manuel (3) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Raysean Pringle (43) at the line of scrimmage during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (98) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (45) reads the Detroit Lions offense during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders running back James Butler (40) finds a hole in the Detroit Lions defense during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) runs against a Detroit Lions cornerback during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (38) during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (38) defends a pass during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (38) defends a pass during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive end James Cowser (47) sacks the Detroit Lions quarterback during The Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Fadol Brown (95) celebrates with the home crowd during The Oakland Raiders game against the Detroit Lions at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Friday, August 10, 2018, in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders won 16-10.
