On Saturday night, the Oakland Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals will meet for their 11^th pre-season meeting all time, as the Silver & Black hold a 7-3 advantage during the series.

The all important third pre-season game for both clubs will be highlighted by the presence of their respective starters on the field for an extensive amount of time in preparations for the start of the season, Neither club will risk playing key contributors longer than a quarter in their final game next week, so the Raiders and Cardinals will try to get one more dress rehearsal in before they make final decisions on players on the bubble as the pre-season winds down.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

One of the big concerns going into this game will be the play at wide receiver. Oakland is in dire need of a solid performance from Javon Walker, who has been inconsistent throughout camp and the pre-season and needs to show why Oakland showered him with a huge contract this off-season.

Walker was expected to be JaMarcus Russell’s ‘go to’ target at split end, thus enabling the likes of Ronald Curry to play in the slot, where they can be most effective. But Lane Kiffin this week hinted that he is not afraid to shake things up if need be to help a pass attack that is going into the season with many question marks. “If it becomes something where Javon is not playing as well as we need him to play, both of those guys have learned ‘X’ so they can go over there,” Kiffin stated a few days ago.

What to expect:

It’s time for Walker to produce in a game. And the Raiders will try to get him the ball early and often in hopes of getting his and the teams confidence up about their aerial attack. “I expect Javon to have a big (versus Arizona) game. I’m putting in a game plan, and he should see some balls early. Hopefully, he’ll make some plays.”

With a ground game that looks in mid-season form and a slew of rushers ready to take aim at the top ranking of the league, Oakland should let loose against the Cardinals and get Russell ready for his first opener as a pro.

On Defense:

DeAngelo Hall has torn ligaments in his right hand and will have to wear a cast to protect it from further damage.

In all, not crippling news for the Raiders, who will rely on Hall’s speed, athleticism and swagger to help boost a defense that went through a huge makeover during the off-season.

“It’s something where he still has to wear a cast because of a bruise,” Kiffin said. “We think by the time we get to the [season] opener, that it will be a non-issue.”

Of concern if it lingers will be his tackling, jostling at the line of scrimmage versus wide receivers and ability to make plays on the ball with his hands, but considering its not hindering his ability to run, the Raiders won’t fret over this set back.

What to expect:

Ricky Brown may be able to lock up his starting spot this weekend with another solid performance. And considering where he was a year ago in the eyes of his coach, Brown has been one of the Raiders that has made a name for himself since Kiffin took over.

“When we first got Ricky on the field, I went back into our meetings with our coaches and I couldn’t even understand why the guy was here, watching him,” Kiffin said last weekend. “But he’s completely different. Over the year and a half that I’ve been here, he’s completely changed. Now his confidence is growing, he’s more comfortable.”

On Special Teams:

The Johnnie Lee Higgins soap opera continued against the Titans, a week after he clearly defined himself as the lead candidate for return duties versus the 49ers.

Higgins fumbled a return, which led to a Tennessee touchdown and now must gain the confidence of the coaches once again if he wants to be looked at as the main guy on punt returns. Oakland will give him an opportunity to do so, but after that, they don’t have many feasible options. “I really don’t have anybody to look at, that’s the problem,” Kiffin said. There isn’t anybody there that’s very dynamic with the ball. So, we’re worried that if Johnnie can’t do it, we’re in a little trouble in the return game.”

ARIZONA CARDINALS

On Offense:

Matt Leinart has played well in the pre-season, but the ever looming presence of veteran Kurt Warner, and his good chemistry with the Cardinal wide-outs cast a shadow of impending doom if the former USC star struggles at any point of the season.

Of importance is the relationship between Anquan Boldin and the team, a few days after the 27-year old stated he would like to be moved to another club.

So far, head coach Ken Whisenhunt has stated there is no strain, answering those who have stated the communication lines have been cut off. “We’ve been communicating,” he said. “If communicating is talking, that’s what we have been doing at practice.”

On Defense:

The Cardinals are a lot healthier than they were a year ago today, which is one reason why there is so much optimism about the upcoming season.

“I’m just really excited to see how this year’s going to be, having everybody back healthy,” said cornerback Eric Green. “If we stay healthy and slow down on penalties, I think we’ll do well this year.”

Last year, injuries to Adrian Wilson as the season wound down and missed time from Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor damaged the defense. And now, with a healthy camp under their belt, linebacker Clark Haggans is setting is goals very high.

“We have a great chance to make a great run this year, not just the playoffs but the Super Bowl,” said the former Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh linebacker.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Oakland’s secondary vs. Arizona’s wide receivers

Two of the better units around the league will face. Oakland has a lot of talent in the secondary and the Cardinals line up top targets on offense.

Protecting JaMarcus

Arizona likes to attack on defense, and with the problems the Raiders have had during camp along the offensive line, this will be a good litmus test for Tom Cabe’s bunch, who we already know can run block. But can they pass protect?

GAME TID BITS

• Rookie Tim Hightower has scored in back-to-back games for the Cardinals.
• Adimchinobi Echemandu rushed 17 times for 75 yards in their last pre-season meeting.
• John Bowie (knee), linebacker Grant Irons (back), wide receiver Arman Shelds (knee) and kickers Shane Lechler (quad) and Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring) will not play.

GAME INFO

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (1-1) Home: 1-0 Road: 0-1

Road Team: Arizona Cardinals (1-1) Home: 0-1 Road: 0-1

When and Where: Saturday, August 23 2008, 6:00 pm PT | McAfee Coliseum – Oakland, CA

TV & Radio

Greg Papa and Tom Flores will 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. If not sold out 72 hours in advance per NFL blackout rules, this week’s game will be televised locally on tape-delay on KICU Action 36 Cable 6 on Saturday, August 23 at 10 p.m. There will be an encore showing of the game on Sunday, August 24 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. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information found at the official Raiders web site)