LAS VEGAS — Raiders coach Antonio Pierce stated the staff’s decision-makers will “sleep on it and decide within the subsequent couple of days” on whom Las Vegas’ beginning quarterback can be for the season opener — Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell.
Each quarterbacks performed 5 sequence apiece in a 27-12 preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys, who performed solely two starters Saturday evening at Allegiant Stadium.
Minshew began for the Raiders and was scattershot in finishing simply 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards, although he did have a fairly 48-yard deep ball to receiver Tre Tucker.
And whereas O’Connell was extra environment friendly, going 14-of-20 for 96 yards with a 5-yard landing move to tight finish Harrison Bryant, he additionally threw an unpleasant 69-yard pick-six to Cowboys cornerback Kemon Corridor on his ultimate snap of the sport, the primary play of the fourth quarter.
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“It sucks,” O’Connell stated. “It sucks to throw interceptions basically, however to be the final play is certainly powerful. That one will linger, nevertheless it’s soccer. You are going to study from it, transfer on, and I am not going to make that mistake once more.”
O’Connell had been cruising till the interception. And Pierce, who will seek the advice of with basic supervisor Tom Telesco and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, stated “the whole lot” can be evaluated, including that you just “cannot take the nice with out the dangerous” in rendering a choice.
“I will go all the best way again to OTAs, minicamp, coaching camp, two preseason video games,” Pierce stated. “And there is going to be numerous elements, clearly, proper? Command of the offense, the operational half, effectivity. The turnovers is big — that exhibits up — caring for the soccer’s going to be essential for our staff.
“After which … sitting there with Telesco and Luke over the subsequent couple of days and simply actually pinpointing who’s going to get us off to a quick begin to get to the place we wish to be in that first quarter of the season.”
Minshew stated each he and O’Connell had sufficient positives to make it a “exhausting choice” for Pierce.
“It was a brilliant aggressive camp,” Minshew stated. “Sort of neck and neck the entire approach.”
Raiders Professional Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby stated he was preserving a detailed eye on the competitors.
“The perfect man’s going to win, and I do know that call’s coming right here quickly,” Crosby stated. “I simply need the perfect man main us, and that is going to work itself out.”
Stated Pierce: “Clearly, you noticed what our plan was tonight — throw the ball round, let these guys showcase what they will do and, increase, we’ll discuss it.”
There was not a lot to speak about, although, as a result of Pierce lamented neither quarterback operating away with the job, a said hope for the reason that begin of coaching camp.
“I believe everyone desires to see a participant simply take it and say, ‘Hey, I am your man,'” Pierce stated. “Clearly, in all probability not the case, so we’ll need to decide and we’ll reside with it and we’ll help whoever that quarterback is for the Raiders going ahead.”
Each Raiders starter on each side of the ball performed in opposition to the Cowboys aside from receiver Davante Adams and rookie tight finish Brock Bowers.
And whereas Pierce stated Bowers was coping with a sore foot, Adams, Pierce stated, “had an ungainly motion the place he simply obtained sore. He missed observe on Thursday. And, like I stated, if a man’s not 100% wholesome, I wasn’t going to threat it. It is not price it. He’ll be again to observe come Tuesday.”
Adams, who missed time in camp to be current for the start of his son, stated earlier within the week, “If I am selecting, I am not enjoying” within the preseason.
Pierce added that no Las Vegas starters will play within the Raiders’ preseason finale Friday in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers.
