The Oakland Raiders begin the road portion of their preseason schedule when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints on Friday, August 16. Kickoff for the contest is set for 5:00 p.m. PT (KTVU FOX 2). These two teams faced each other during the 2012 regular season in Oakland, with the Saints winning, 38-17.
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Oakland is coming off a victory in their preseason opener last week over the Dallas Cowboys, 19-17. Oakland's defense limited the Cowboys' offense to 291 yards in the game and just 70 yards rushing. The Raiders received strong games from rookies LB Sio Moore (two tackles and one sack), WR Brice Butler (two receptions for 70 yards and one TD) and QB Matt McGloin (4-of-7 for 78 yards and one TD).
The Saints are also coming off a victory in their preseason opener, a 17-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. New Orleans produced a strong showing on offense, totaling 427 yards of offense, including 308 through the air. QB Luke McCown led the New Orleans attack, finishing 18-of-28 for 216 yards and two TDs.
The Saints finished the 2012 season at 7-9.
Following this week's game, the Raiders will return to Oakland to play Chicago, while the Saints will travel to Houston to take on the Texans.
"Obviously, you are always going to look at the game and think there are certain things you can improve on. When it's your first game of the year, we have a lot of improving to do. We have a lot of things that are positives, but we also have a lot of things we need to work on." - *Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen. *
Pro Connections
Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen was a member of the Saints' coaching staff for five seasons (2006-10). Allen was the assistant defensive line coach from 2006-07 and the defensive backs coach from 2008-10, helping New Orleans win Super Bowl XLIV.
Raiders special teams coordinator Bobby April served in the same capacity with the Saints from 1996-99.
Raiders CB Tracy Porter was originally selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with the team. Porter made one of the most memorable plays in franchise history, interecepting Colts QB Peyton Manning in the latter stages of Super Bowl XLIV and returning it for a touchdown to seal the victory.
Raiders S Usama Young was a third-round draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Saints. In four seasons in New Orleans, Young appeared in 52 games, totaling 64 tackles and three interceptions.
Raiders T Alex Barron was a member of the Saints during the 2011 season, spending most of it on Injured Reserve.
Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan served in the same capacity with the Raiders from 2004-08.
Saints CB Chris Carr originally signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and played three seasons in Oakland (2005-07).
College Connections
Raiders QB Matt Flynn went to LSU from 2003-07, leading the Tigers to the 2007 BCS National Championship as a starter.
Saints OLB Chase Thomas attended Stanford from 2008-12, appearing in 52 games for the Cardinal.
Saints From California
There are 11 Saints players from California: QB Ryan Griffin (Westlake Village), QB Seneca Wallace (Rancho Cordova), CB Dion Turner (Hanford), FB Jed Collins (Mission Viejo), OLB Eric Martin (Moreno Valley), Brian de la Puente (San Clemente), T Charles Brown (Chino Hills), DE Akiem Hicks (Fair Oaks), WR Kenny Stills (Carlsbad), OLB Victor Butler (Rialto), and DE Kenyon Coleman (Alta Loma).
Raiders From Louisiana
There are four Raiders from Louisiana: special teams coordinator Bobby April (New Orleans), CB Tracy Porter (Port Allen), RB Jeremy Stewart (Baton Rouge) and LB Eric Harper (Marrero).
