Raiders notes: 1st, 2nd team defenses step up

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Aug. 11, 2011

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Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.com

OAKLAND -- Hue Jackson admitted Wednesday morning he was not sure how he would divvy up playing time for the Raiders' exhibition opener. Especially to his starters.Well, it essentially went like this -- the first-string defense, which returns 10 of 11 starters, played one series, giving up one first down and 19 yards, 15 of which came on one Kevin Kolb scramble on 3rd and 10.The defensive starters: DE Lamarr Houston, DT Tommy Kelly, DT Richard Seymour, DE Matt Schaughnessy, WLB Quentin Groves, MLB Rolando McClain, SLB Kamerion Wimbley, CB Chris Johnson, CB Stanford Routt, FS Michael Huff, SS Tyvon Branch.Meanwhile, the first-string offense was on the field for two series, going 48 yards and getting a 39-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal to start the scoring, before moving the ball from its own 1-yard line to the Arizona 34 before stalling and punting.

The offensive starters: LT Jared Veldheer, LG Daniel Loper, C Samson Satele, RG Cooper Carlisle, RT Khalif Barnes, TE Kevin Boss, QB Jason Campbell, FB Marcel Reece, RB Michael Bush, WR Chaz Schilens, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey.Barnes had a rough go of it. The seventh-year veteran was called for three -- count 'em -- three false starts. After his final call, he was in deep conversation with new offensive line coach Bob Wylie and rookie Joseph Barksdale.Good show for the second-team defense, stopping the Cardinals on 4th-and-goal from the one.Not such a good show for second-year cornerback Walter McFadden, who was flagged for two pass interference penalties and burned on a couple of notable occasions. Rookie DeMarcus Van Dyke was also used a few times by Larry Fitzgerald, as well as being beat on John Skelton's 18-yard TD pass to Stephen Williams.Safety Hiram Eugene, who was signed to a four-year, 10.25-million contract this offseason, was injured and carted off the field in the opening minutes of the second half. Trainers appeared to be working on his left knee, though late in the third quarter there had been no update on his injury.You think Janikowski likes kickoffs moving up five yards to the 35-yard line? His opening kickoff appeared to split the uprights. Yeah, that would have been a 65-yard field goal.Coincidence? The Raiders first two players introduced in pregame ceremonies were Routt and Johnson, perhaps sending a message to the departed Nnamdi Asomugha?

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