3 storylines to watch for Raiders-49ers joint practice
There are three storylines everyone should watch for this week with the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers joint practice. Every year teams hold joint practices with another team during training camp. The Raiders, well, their former Bay neighbors, are coming into town just before they play one another on Sunday afternoon.The Raiders played […]
There are three storylines everyone should watch for this week with the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers joint practice. Every year teams hold joint practices with another team during training camp. The Raiders, well, their former Bay neighbors, are coming into town just before they play one another on Sunday afternoon.
The Raiders played the 49ers last year, and even though the silver and black walked out of Allegiant Stadium with a loss, it was one of the best games they played all year. They went head to head with the best defense in the league, and one of the best teams in the league, with their backup quarterback.
Now we will see two teams who have made some changes compared to what each looked like last season. There are plenty of storylines to watch for this week, but here are the three biggest:
3 storylines between Raiders and 49ers in practice
Jimmy Garoppolo playing/practicing against his former team
This one was the obvious and by far the most important. Not only is Garoppolo playing against his former team, but he is playing, or practicing, against the team that pretty much gave up on him and said they would trade him last season. Garoppolo has a bone to pick with the 49ers, as he wants to show them they were wrong and that he is better off now.
Now Garoppolo also has to prove that he is worth the money the Raiders were willing to spend on him. Brian Hoyer, the Raiders' backup quarterback, also used to play for San Francisco.
How is the running game without Jacobs against an elite D-Line
Backup running back Zamir White has been making some noise since Jacobs has yet to report to camp, even though he doesn't have to because he has yet to sign the franchise tag. White is one player it seems every reporter and writer is raving over. His size and strength are very intriguing thus far.
However, it will be interesting to see how well the running game does against a defensive line that is probably the best in the league. Jacobs is one of the best running backs in the league, and last season you could make the case, he was the best. White is no slouch, but this will help see if he is truly ready to take on that starting role.
Is the secondary better than last year as they face SF skill players?
The 49ers have some of the best skill players in the league when it comes to catching passes. Of course, the infamous wide-back position in Deebo Samuel, who can run any route and is one of the hardest guys to bring down. Then there is George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and even running back Christian McCaffrey, who is the best pass-catching running back in the league.
The Raiders added some pieces in their defensive backfield with Marcus Peters, Marcus Epps, Jakorian Bennett, and Duke Shelley. Let's see if they are improved from last season as they face one of their first biggest test of the season, outside of matching up against Davante Adams every week.
Raiders Marcus Peters just dropped a line that will instantly have fans on his side
He really is the best.
Featured Image Via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
