The Las Vegas Raiders took the sphere for the primary time this preseason, developing simply quick to the Minnesota Vikings 24-23 because of a Will Reichard discipline purpose as time expired. Nevertheless, for the Raiders and head coach Antonio Pierce, a lot of the main focus will go towards the quarterback battle between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew.
Each performed 1 / 4 within the preseason opener, with O’Connell finishing 7-of-9 passes for 76 yards and main the Raiders to a discipline purpose in his lone drive. Minshew accomplished 6-of-12 passes for 117 yards and a landing and led three straight scoring drives within the second quarter with two touchdowns and a discipline purpose general.
Minshew and O’Connell every had their moments, and the competitors isn’t over but, although the plan is for the Raiders to call their starter quickly. Pierce spoke after the sport, saying he hopes to decide following the group’s second preseason sport this Saturday, through Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Assessment-Journal:
“The purpose will likely be to hopefully decide after the sport this Saturday,” Pierce mentioned. “We’ve to get able to play soccer. We’ve sufficient movie and we’ll have two video games to judge each quarterbacks to see how they’ll play.”
Pierce would proceed, providing reward to each O’Connell and Minshew and expressing confidence in both to offer the Raiders what they want from the quarterback place:
“Aidan had 9 makes an attempt and Gardner had 12,” Pierce mentioned. “You’d just like the numbers to be equal, however they weren’t. I believed each guys have been environment friendly. I believed there have been some alternatives down the sphere Minshew made that have been good. When it’s a clear pocket, you may see what this offense will be with each guys.”
Each O’Connell and Minshew have their positives and negatives, which have been on show all through coaching camp and within the preseason opener. Pierce and the Raiders workers must consider every part in deciding on the suitable man, and this second preseason sport in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys will likely be essential.
As Pierce mentioned, hopefully, issues will likely be equal when it comes to alternative for O’Connell and Minshew, however the Raiders may have seen sufficient to make their last determination and transfer ahead from there.
Raiders’ Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell constructing real camaraderie regardless of competitors
Although Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are battling to be the Raiders’ beginning quarterback, there isn’t any animosity between them. In truth, it’s fairly the alternative, as the 2 appear to be constructing a real connection regardless of this ongoing competitors.
Minshew and O’Connell even joked round a bit throughout a latest interview, with Minshew jokingly saying he hates his fellow quarterback, however O’Connell instantly squashed it as clearly an act. Minshew would go on to notice that the camaraderie all through the Raiders locker room is one thing he hasn’t seen usually across the league.
