New Game Preview: Raiders vs Buccaneers - Week 7

Game Preview: Raiders vs Buccaneers – Week 7

www.FranchiseSportsMedia.com

Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)

 

The Las Vegas Raiders battle COVID-19 cautions as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Raiders prepare to match up against a top tier defense, except they will be doing it without their entire first string of offensive linemen.

 

 

The offensive line position never gets the recognition they deserve. However, those who truly know the game of football understand that these men upfront control the game.

Guards and tackles have had to revolutionize their game over time to suit their quarterback. We no longer live in the strictly pocket passer era. In no way does this mean quarterbacks have lost this aspect; as a matter of fact, it’s a necessity to learn it. We now see quarterbacks who are capable of scrambling and taking off for runs.

The offensive line position had to adapt to run block, pass protect, and now cover a lot more ground when players like Deshaun Watson or Lamar Jackson move and takeoff from the backfield.

In a game like this, the Raiders needed their best possible lineup on the offensive line because they are going up against a dangerous Tampa Bay front seven. The Bucs feature many notable defenders like Shaquil Barrett, Levonte David, Devin White, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Ndamukong Suh, who are elite pass rushers and can stuff the run.

The Buccaneers’ secondary ranks sixth in the NFL in passing yards per game. You can credit the pressure from their crew upfront, but Derek Carr is up for a big challenge against the defensive backs nonetheless. Carr is going to have to utilize every skill guy possible in his artillery. He will need to get everyone involved from his backs, tight ends, to the receivers. The offense has to distribute the pigskin effectively to avoid becoming predictable and spread out on the field.

 

Raiders have major COVID19 issues after Trent Brown and other test positive.

 

 

Raiders sent all five starting offensive linemen and Jonathan Abram home on Wednesday as part of coronavirus contact tracing. On Thursday, the team placed all of them on the reserve/COVID-19 reserve list, and reportedly the Raiders are now under review for violating conditions of the league’s pandemic protocols.

The positive test that resulted in Brown’s placement on the COVID-19 reserve list this week with video evidence revealed violations of “intensive protocol” measures during practices that included several players not wearing masks or face shields adhering to social distancing on the sidelines. Reportedly, Brown removed the electronic contact tracing device that players and staff members are required to wear as a tool for mitigating spread.

On Wednesday, the team practiced without their starting five as they prepared for Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay. Safety Johnathan Abram was also held out because of contract tracing. On Friday morning, the news that Abram will not be cleared to play for Sunday’s game since he was with Brown on Tuesday.

 

As for Brown’s fellow offensive linemen Kolton Miller, Denzelle Good, Rodney Hudson, and Gabe Jackson, they last had contact with Brown on Monday, so they could possibly be cleared in time for Sunday’s game providing that they continue to test negative for COVID.

“I’m concerned,” Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said about being without his linemen. “I’m really more concerned about Trent’s health than anything. This is COVID. I’m concerned about anybody who has it or is near it.” Gruden revealed after the team’s first home game at Allegiant Stadium that he had contracted COVID-19 in July before training camp.

The Raiders have now placed seven players on the COVID list this week after cornerback Damon Arnette went on it on Monday. Arnette was already on injured reserve with a broken thumb.

 

This incident is the latest COVID case attached to the Raiders.

 

 Gruden was among five NFL coaches fined $100,000 after Week 2 for not wearing masks properly. The Raiders were also fined $250,000. The Raiders were then fined $50,000 for allowing a non-credentialed team employee into the locker room at Allegiant Stadium following the Week 2 victory against the New Orleans Saints. Next, Raiders tight end Darren Waller was fined $30,000, and nine teammates, including quarterback Derek Carr and tight end Jason Witten, were fined $15,000 each for not wearing masks during a charity event in Henderson, Nevada, that benefited Waller’s foundation.

The Raiders have not had any other positive tests, so that game is still on schedule to be played. It was moved from Sunday night to Sunday afternoon to ensure there’s a game on Sunday night even if the Buccaneers and Raiders have to postpone.

 

You can watch the Raiders and Buccaneers on Fox with a 1:05 pm kickoff time.

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Justin Brooks – Franchise Sports Media

Twitter: @Ayyeju5tin

Instagram: @Ayyeju5tin

 

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