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Raiders takeaways: What we learned in 17-15 preseason loss to Seahawks

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SEATTLE – The Raiders preseason is finally over.

Thursday night’s 17-15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field was the final of four games that don’t count in the standings. They help evaluate talent that will be condensed when roster drop to 53 on Saturday afternoon.

Decisions were essentially made before this exhibition finale, something made clear when head coach Jon Gruden left 40 Raiders back in the Bay Area.

The 46 players that suited up against the Seahawks sputtered across the finish, but the Raiders made it to the regular season largely intact.

Health preservation was a major reason why starters, including rookies, barely played this preseason and haven’t seen the field since the Arizona Cardinals game a fortnight past.

Those largely unlikely to make the roster populated this final exhibition, but there were still things to take away from one last row before the regular season kicks off.

Gruden provides clues on certain roster spots

Gruden didn’t even bring most guys set for the 53-man roster to Seattle with him, leaving a giant contingent at home. That included obvious frontline players like Derek Carr, Vontaze Burfict, Clelin Ferrell and Josh Jacobs.

It also included undrafted rookie Keisean Nixon. By doing so, it seems virtually certain he’ll make the roster. The same goes for veterans like Brandon Marshall, who has played a ton this preseason, including last week’s game in Winnipeg.

There were several on the field Thursday night still battling for positions. Receiver Keelan Doss also played – and didn’t perform particularly well though he’s in the mix for a roster spot. Ryan Grant did not play and could either make the roster or get traded in the next few days.

Josh Mauro got tons of playing time after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Converted center Andre James, guard Lester Cotton and tackles Brandon Parker and David Sharpe are all battling for reserve positions on the offensive line, and all of them had good and bad moments in this one.

The Raiders roster is mostly set already, especially with the 40 guys who didn’t even travel to this game and a few who did. There shouldn’t be many surprises come Saturday, when the Raiders announce their original 53-man roster.

Evaluating the backup QBs

Nathan Peterman gets a lot of airtime on “Hard Knocks.” Gruden’s infamous reclamation project has made real progress since working with the quarterback whisperer, putting together a string of solid performances. While the HBO show frequently says the backup quarterbacks are in a position battle, that really isn’t true.

Mike Glennon’s the No. 2 guy. He essentially always has been, with solid work of his own this preseason.

The only quarterback drama is whether Gruden saves a spot for Peterman on the 53-man roster. That’s certainly possible, even with other position groups needing reinforcements.

Glennon finished the preseason completing 41 of 61 passes for 491 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Peterman ran a different game plan, one that involved a lot more read option and movement. He finished with 49-of-70 passing for 472 yards, three touchdowns, and ran eight times for 78 yards in the exhibition season.

Defensive tackle the biggest mystery

Defensive tackles Johnathan Hankins, Maurice Hurst and recent signing Corey Liuget are virtual locks to make the 53-man roster. There’s great uncertainty after that, with several qualified, largely even candidates battling for one or two spots, max.

It’s by far the most intriguing position group heading toward the final cuts. Justin Ellis is sidelined with a knee injury. He’s been around forever, but his roster spot is more precarious than ever.

Ethan Westbrooks, and Anthony Rush all played in this game, and could be battling each other for a spot. P.J. Hall’s another interesting case. Last year’s second-round pick has upside but hasn’t flashed much this summer. Would the Raiders give up on him so soon? Or will they keep him, and Rush, Ellis or Westbrooks and five tackles on the roster despite some ends capable of sliding inside? That seems tough, but time will tell on that front.

Time will tell on that (interior) front.

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