The first pre-season game is finally here, and after months of starving for football, fans of the Oakland Raiders will finally get their initial glimpse of the Silver & Black on Friday evening against their bay area rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.

Both teams scrimmaged earlier in the week, setting the stage for some heated battles at kickoff. But for the most part, both Lane Kiffin and Mike Nolan will love to see their teams come away from the contest healthy and with a better feel for the players that are on the bubble. Many starters won’t stick around for more than a quarter. So expect a lot of players you never heard of that are striving to become household names looking to make an impression in their first game action.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

After being dinged up earlier in the week, it seems that all signs point to JaMarcus Russell getting on the field for a few drives on Friday night. Last year’s first round draft pick is one player many are eager to see to gauge how far a long he has come since his first football action at the end of the 2007 season.

This year’s first round draft selection – Darren McFadden – will be the focal point for many others. He has shown explosiveness throughout training camp and has all the multidimensional attributes that were raved about prior and during the draft. Will Kiffin utilize him in a diverse way? Will he be in the backfield? Will he be split out at wide receiver? Will he be a decoy in order to get favorable match-ups elsewhere? The answers are yes, yes, yes and yes…

Obviously, not much of the playbook will be exposed in this first game, but the foundation will be built this week so McFadden can start getting in game looks of coverages and what he may encounter in the many looks he’ll be a part of. As the pre-season progresses, the coaches will expand the playbook for McFadden, as they are confident at this point at his ability to digest the varying packages they will utilize in the regular season.

What to expect:

Run baby run. The Oakland offensive line is more adept in their run blocking, so expect the coaches to call a lot of rushes early and often to gain some confidence and showcase the quality of depth in their backfield. It’s imperative this group starts gaining confidence and that they re-establish success on the ground, as they did in 2007. And with Russell now at the helm and very little behind him in terms of experience, giving him as much support and a productive rushing attack will go a long way in his development.

On Defense:

One of the Raiders big acquisitions this off-season may not see a lot of action, if any against the 49ers.

A sore knee has bothered Gibril Wilson, and even though he has delivered big hits on the practice field, Kiffin stated that he does not anticipate seeing the former New York Giant on the field much.

Former Raider and collision master Jack Tatum was on hand during the week, and he was fired up regarding the Silver & Black’s new secondary and how they will try to lay opponents out more often this season. “Good, that’s what we need,” stated the legendary safety.

The realigned and upgraded defensive backfield’s debut has been anticipated since all the major changes during the off-season.

Nnamdi Asomugha has received IV treatment per Kiffin and it is not known how much time he will have on the field. His corner mate DeAngelo Hall on the other hand is primed to make his debut in front of the ‘Black Hole.’

As for others in the secondary; former Kansas City Chiefs Greg Wesley, who has been behind the eight ball in camp may not get much action and cornerback John Bowie will definitely be will be out on Friday.

What to expect:

Linebacker Grant Irons will not play on Friday, but his cohorts Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard will. Both are looking to have huge seasons and continue evolving as well rounded defenders. Both are known for their coverage skills, but it seems like this year, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will have them attacking the line of scrimmage more and getting after opposing passers.

Morrison stated to the Silver & Black report, “One thing we want to do is get more sacks. We only had like one sack apiece last year. And that is just not enough. We want to be good all around linebackers. And that is something we strive for every day.”

On Special Teams:

If you are going to make a squad while in camp, this is the unit where you can make a strong case for your spot.

The Raiders are looking to improve their punt coverage team, as it took a dip dramatically last season as the year wound down.

Ricky Brown, who is making a an impression and may be the leading candidate for the string side linebacker spot, will lead a group that also features Isaiah Ekejiuba, Stanford Routt, Tyvon Branch among many others. Jarrod Cooper’s health will dictate much of what can occur on this unit. So his come back from rehab and leadership will be key. He was also treated this week via IV, missed practice and it is unknown how much time he will see.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

On Offense:

Ok, is it the marquee draft selection, the camp standout or the player that had late momentum going back to last season?

Alex Smith, J.T. O’Sullivan and Shaun Hill are in a three-way battle at quarterback that will not be settled after one pre-season game. Head coach Mike Nolan has given the ever popular, “we’ll go with the guy that gives us the best chance to win” line. And after compiling a 16-32 record in his stay in San Francisco, this decision could be a defining moment in his career.

What to expect:

All three quarterbacks will have two targets new to the system; Isaac Bruce (Formerly of the Rams) and Bryant Johnson (Formerly of the Cardinals), along with passing guru Mike Martz, who will try to bring his pass happy, deep route attack by the bay.

If they are serious in finding the best person for the job, Nolan and Martz should open up the playbook and let the passers take aim at the Raiders newly configured, but highly talented secondary.

On Defense:

The 49ers have a few newcomers on defense that are expected to make immediate contributions. Defensive end Justin Smith (Bengals), linebacker Dontarrious Thomas (Vikings), and rookie defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (1^st Round out of North Carolina) will add athleticism, speed and a nice work ethic to a unit that mixes up its fronts, but will be primarily in a 3-4 alignment.

What to expect:

If Dashon Goldson’s ball hawking ways in camp translate to on the field success on Friday, the second year pro may start seeing more action in the San Francisco defensive backfield.

The Niner defense experiments with different looks, one of them in which safety Michael Lewis is at linebacker in a 4-2-5 package to take advantage of his tackling ability and Gholdson’s ability to roam.

“He’s going to get better and better,” commented Nolan this week.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Oakland’s first team Offensive line vs. San Francisco’s first team front-seven

As long as Russell is in, Tom Cable will keep his first unit front out there. The Raiders want to establish a presence on the ground, and more importantly, protect their franchise passer. False starts have been minimized since the start of camp, and at home, you don’t expect the crowd to effect the offense, but it will important to see how they respond to lining up against a defense that can show a lot of looks.

WR vs. WR

The Raiders have an abundance of competition at wide receiver. Todd Watkins seems like a lock to make the team. But with Drew Carter going through a ‘tired’ period and the likes of Chaz Schilens, Johnathan Holland and Arman Shields just to name a few looking for a few spots, whoever makes an impression during live action could have the upper hand as cut time approaches.

GAME TID BITS

• Oakland holds an 18-17 edge in the all-time series. The Niners won last season’s contest, 26-21, at San Francisco.
• Current San Franciscoo G/T Barry Sims played for the Raiders from 1999-2007.
• Raiders John Madsen (TE) and Jesse Boone (C) played with 49ers QB Alex Smith while at Utah.

GAME INFO

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (0-0) Home: 0-0 Road: 0-0

Road Team: San Francisco 49ers (0-0) Home: 0-0 Road: 0-0

When and Where: Friday, August 8, 2008, 7:00 pm PT | McAfee Coliseum, Oakland CA

TV and Radio: Greg Papa and Tom Flores simulcast the game both on the Raiders Radio Network and on the TV broadcast. Raider Legend George Atkinson will serve as analyst and popular radio personality JT the Brick will serve as TV broadcast host. This week’s game will be televised locally on tape-delay on KICU Action 36 Cable 6 on Friday, August 8 at 10 p.m. There will be an encore showing of the game on Saturday, August 9 at 7 p.m. on KICU Action 36 Cable 6. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11th straight year. (Broadcast information found on the official Raiders web site)