Former AFC foes go toe-to-toe.

Tomorrow the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks will meet in the final preseason game, renewing an old AFC West rivalry, reuniting a couple former coaches with their previous employers and giving 22 players their last chance to make the roster.

Once the game concludes, the business at had will be to drop the total of 75 players down to the opening day total of 53.

While the game is primarily about the players trying to avoid being dropped, the subplot revolves around John Marshall and Greg Knapp. Marshall’s defense will be pitted against Knapp’s offense in a battle between two coordinators who swapped places in the off-season.

Knapp was relieved of his play calling duties a year ago in Oakland when Tom Cable inherited the title of interim head coach and eventually took over the offense. Marshall coordinated a disappointing Seahawk defense in 2008 and was let go at season’s end to make way for a new coaching regime.

While there is little at stake between the two men – aside from pride – the marginal players are the ones who know this could be their last chance to make an NFL roster in 2009.

Here is a look at a few players who have a roster spot on the line Thursday evening.

Gary Russell – He seems a safe bet to get a spot in the crowded Oakland backfield. Russell has been explosive at times in the preseason and has plenty of NFL experience as a member of the 2008 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. His size and speed make him ideal for the power running game Coach Cable employs. About the only thing standing in Russell’s way is a horrendous showing or the numbers games. Otherwise, expect him to be part of the final 53.

Could this be the end of Miller's time in Oakland?

Nick Miller – The speedy UFA wide receiver from Southern Utah has the look of a guy who could find himself played by Mark Whalberg on the big screen one day. He’s had his ups and downs but has impressed along the way. Jonathan Holland is his main rival to getting a coveted spot in the Raider receiving core. However, it would appear that the practice squad is calling for Miller.

Jerome Boyd – Jerome has been an experiment. The former Oregon Duck was a pass rushing linebacker in college but has been spending his time as a safety during the preseason.  Due to injuries, he has seen extended game time with the second team defense. There is a real dog fight in the Oakland secondary and Boyd is in the trenches with former number one pick Michael Huff.  With Rashad Baker recently brought back into the fold, there is reason to suspect both Huff and Boyd could be on the outs. Of course, Boyd still might get an invite to the practice squad.

Charlie Frye – Unless the Raiders decide to carry four quarterbacks into the regular season, it would seem that Frye is all but guaranteed to be on the waiver wire after Thursday. Bruce Gradkowski has looked sharp when he’s taken control of the offense in the preseason. Frye has had his moments, but overall just hasn’t been as crisp.

End of the road for Terdell.

Terdell Sands – Sands wasn’t even listed on the team’s depth chart. He saw no playing time in the 38-point loss to the Saints last week. Desmond Bryant, a UFA from Harvard, has taken advantage of every opportunity he’s had on the field and is a virtual lock to make the roster. Tom Cable has downplayed Sands’ lack of playing time but the facts scream out that his disappointing tenure in Oakland is all but over. If Sands makes the roster it will be only because he has blackmailed Al Davis.

The most important aspect to look for is the overall effort of the Raiders after the demoralizing loss to the Saints over the weekend. Not many of the starters will play but there is still a chance to show some heart and get a little momentum for the Monday Night opener against the Chargers.

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What would Romanowski do?

According to a report, Cable punched defensive assistant Randy Hanson during an argument on August 5^th at the team hotel in Napa.

While the full details of the damage inflicted by Cable’s Romanowski handshake are not known, the Napa Police are calling the matter closed unless Hanson opts to press charges.

The Raiders have an afternoon practice scheduled today and Cable is sure to be grilled by the media afterwards.

There is no word yet on how Cable’s punch ranks in the Raider record book. Certainly it is nowhere near close enough to challenge what Bill Romanowski did to Marcus Williams. One can assume that Cable’s effort landed flush and inflicted more damage than the punch that Terdell Sands dropped on Shane Lechler during the flight back from Denver last year. The only thing that this incident has exposed is yet another good reason to cut Terdell Sands. Cable’s punch sent Hanson to the hospital for X-rays and Sands wasn’t even able to deter the punter from finishing his in-flight meal after getting cold cocked.

No wonder Cable punched Hanson in front of defensive coordinator John Marshall. If the head coach is more physical than the defensive line then there is little guess work involved in solving the Raiders deficiencies against the run.

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From 1992 to 2004, the Raiders and Cowboys faced off during the preseason. Since the Cowboys would train in Oxnard, California, it was also common for the two teams to scrimmage as well.

Tempers would run hot as the scrimmage games always would have a few brawls and the preseason games themselves tended to be entertaining as well.

For Tom Cable and his staff, this is not just another game. The coaches will be keeping an eye on the performance of the team as cuts are sure to follow. Since these two meet again in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, this will also be a chance to scout the competition.

Here are a few things to keep an eye on tonight.

Darren McFadden and Felix Jones – McFadden and Jones share much in common. Both were teammates in college at Arkansas. Both became first round draft picks in 2008. Both have blazing speed and are terrific all-around weapons. Of course, both showed flashes of brilliance as rookies but saw their seasons take a turn for the worse due to injury. How their respective teams utilize their talents tonight will be a good indicator as to what the NFL offenses of the future may look like and how opposing defenses deal with these new hybrid running backs.

The Battles in the Trenches – With Mario Henderson as the only lock as a starter and Robert Gallery still working back into shape after his appendectomy, it will be an all out war along the offensive line. Once Khalif Barnes went down with that broken ankle, the battle to take over at right tackle got intense. Cornell Green, by some miracle, still has his job but Erik Pears is sure to give him a run for his money. As far as the defensive line goes, there are plenty of questions we may get some answers to tonight. Is Greg Ellis capable of playing every down? Will Trevor Scott emerge as a lock at defensive end? Is Terdell Sands on his way out? Can Tommy Kelly stay on side?

A quarterback controversy that does not involve JaMarcus Russell – Jeff Garcia is out with a calf injury so the Crypt Keeper is going to have to hold off on his report on the QB battle in Oakland. However, Charlie Frye and Bruce Gradkowski have a real feud going with the right to be third string signal caller on the line. Chances are that the loser could be out of a job so field time is precious at this stage. When Garcia is healthy, he’s going to get his work in meaning less reps for the two QBs behind him. Frye has the inside edge due to his camp performances but everything can change with one poor showing in a game.

The Secondary – Aside from Nnamdi Asomugha, no job in the secondary is safe. Stanford Routt has been getting his share of work with the first team defense ahead of Chris Johnson at cornerback. Perhaps the most disappointing news is that Michael Mitchell is out tonight with a hamstring injury. Raider Nation was just as excited, and nervous, as he was about seeing the second round pick in his first NFL action. Hiram Eugene and Tyvon Branch will get the start, but Michael Huff knows this is his last chance. If Huff can’t win a starting job, chances are his days in Oakland are numbered. 

Tom Cable’s play calling – The biggest question is how will Cable utilize Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush? Cable’s got a roster filled with Raider Speed and he’s got his work cut out for him to find ways to utilize all his weapons.  The running back rotation will get the most attention with Justin Fargas sitting atop the depth chart. McFadden will get his touches in a multitude of ways leaving Bush to split carries with Fargas. As far as Fargas and his status: this is his job to lose as he’s the only proven commodity at running back. Run-DMC and Bush had great moments last year but neither has carried the load for a full 16-game season in the NFL yet.

Get your popcorn ready! Tonight is just a tasty morsel of the feast to come in November. 

The 2009 season starts in a matter of hours!

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