Snap count: EJ Manuel cements Raiders' backup QB job

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OAKLAND – Thursday’s exhibition finale offered Raiders coaches one last look at their 90-man roster before final cuts. Let’s be honest, most of the 53-man roster was already set.

So was the Raiders depth chart.

That includes the quarterbacks. EJ Manuel and Connor Cook duked it out for the right to be Derek Carr’s backup, but it was Mayweather-McGregor. There may have been some flurried exchanges, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Manuel started training camp as the No. 2 signal caller. Cook did nothing to disrupt the pecking order. The passers split reps in Thursday’s exhibition finale against Seattle and, once again, Manuel proved the better option.

That was clear on a 95-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, which Manuel capped with a 18-yard strike to Keon Hatcher.

“I think EJ has been ahead. I think he was ahead most of the summer and I thought he played better tonight,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “We like both these young men. They worked hard for us. It’s been a really good room. It’s a very positive room. I think there’s chemistry in the room. They get along well. They challenge each other and work well. But right now I’d say, yeah, EJ is ahead.”

Fans should cross fingers Derek Carr stays healthy, because both players struggled in games. Manuel would like the second and third exhibitions back, and Cook was erratic and inconsistent in practice and play.

The Raiders have kept just two quarterbacks in the Del Rio era, but are expected to employ three this time. Manuel offers a veteran’s experience as a backup who wouldn’t be fazed if thrust into action.

He also knows the Raiders would prefer he not take another snap this year, but wants to contribute in any way possible.

“This is just the beginning,” Manuel said. “My job is about being there for Derek and this offense. When my number’s called, and I need to be able to respond.”

Manuel and Cook weren’t throwing to regulars. There weren’t many playing in this game at any position. Del Rio sat 42 players against Seattle in attempt to retain or improve health heading into the regular season.

Reserves battled for a few roster spots. Coaches took a long look at bubble players and practice-squad candidates, including linebackers Nicholas Morrow and LaTroy Lewis, safeties Marcus McWilson and Anthony Cioffi, offensive linemen Ian Silberman and Oni Omoile, and receivers Keon Hatcher and K.J. Brent, among others.

The Raiders clearly tried to stash seventh-round rusher Elijah Hood so he could clear waivers and land on the practice squad. He barely carried the ball this preseason, and only played special teams Thursday night.

Most second-string players sat out the last exhibition. Shilique Calhoun, however, did not. Last year’s third-round pick rarely flashed this summer, and got 45 snaps to reverse that trend. The Raiders also took a prolonged look at Darius Latham in this final game.

OFFENSE
Quarterback – EJ Manuel 36, Connor Cook 34
Running back – John Crockett 46, George Atkinson III 24
Wide receiver – Keon Hatcher 63, K.J. Brent 58, Johnny Holton 29, Ishmael Zamora 43
Tight end – Pharaoh Brown 27, Gabe Holmes 25, Ryan O’Malley 24, Cooper Helfet 10, Clive Walford 1
Offensive line – Ian Silberman 70, Oni Omoile 70, Jordan Simmons 59, Jylan Ware 57, David Sharpe 53, Chauncey Briggs 30, Kareem Are 11

DEFENSE
Defensive line – Darius Latham 37, Jihad Ward 33, Branden Jackson 25, Fadol Brown 22, Paul Boyette 19, Denico Autry 15
Linebacker – Nicholas Morrow 64, Xavier Woodson-Luster 62, LaTroy Lewis 48, Shilique Calhoun 45, IK Enemkpali 30, Rufus Johnson 18, Najee Harris 9, Brady Sheldon 7
Cornerback – Breon Borders 64, Dexter McDonald 54, Kenneth Durden 46, Chris Humes 19, Antonio Hamilton 15
Safety – Anthony Cioffi 52, Marcus McWilson 45, Rickey Jefferson 30, Shalom Luani 15

SPECIAL TEAMS
Cooper Helfet 13, Shalom Luani 13, Nicholas Morrow 12, LaTroy Lewis 12, Rickey Jefferson 11, Elijah Hood 10, Darius Latham 8, Clive Walford 8, Xavier Woodson-Luster 8, Anthony Cioffi 8, John Crockett 8, Giorgio Tavecchio 8, Marquette King 8, K.J. Brent 7, Johnny Holton 7, Dexter McDonald 7, Antonio Hamilton 7, Najee Harris 7, Brady Sheldon 7, Ian Silberman 4, Oni Omoile 4, Keon Hatcher 4, Jordan Simmons 4, David Sharpe, Pharaoh Brown 4, Ryan O’Malley, Kareem Are, Shilique Calhoun, Marcus McWilson, IK Enemkpali 4, Jihad Ward, Branden Jackson, Paul Boyette 4, Jon Condo 4, Andrew East 4, Chris Humes 4, Jylan Ware 3, Gabe Holmes 3, George Atkinson III 3, Chauncey Briggs 1

DID NOT PLAY (42)

OFFENSE (21)
QB Derek Carr, WR Isaac Whitney, WR Seth Roberts, WR Michael Crabtree, WR Jaydon Mickens, RB Marshawn Lynch, RB Jalen Richard, RB DeAndre Washington, FB Jamize Olawale, C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson, LG Kelechi Osemele, LT Donald Penn, RT Marshall Newhouse, RT Vadal Alexander, G/C Jon Feliciano, G/T Denver Kirkland, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, TE Lee Smith, TE Jared Cook, WR Amari Cooper

DEFENSE (20)
S Obi Melifonwu, CB Sean Smith, CB Gareon Conley, S Reggie Nelson, CB David Amerson, CB TJ Carrie, DB Keith McGill, S Karl Joseph, DE James Cowser, LB Ben Heeney, LB Bruce Irvin, DE Khalil Mack, LB Jelani Jenkins, LB Marquel Lee, LB Cory James, LB Tyrell Adams, NT Justin Elis, DT Treyvon Hester, DT Eddie Vanderdoes, DE Mario Edwards Jr.

SPECIALIST (1)
K Sebastian Janikowski

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