09-04-2019, 09:17 PM
MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Cassel was crisp from the start, giving Teddy Bridgewater a model touchdown drive to watch. Byron Scott Lakers Jersey . Bridgewater showed his age, aside from a few flashes of brilliance, and thats the early snapshot of the starting quarterback competition. Cassel went 5 for 6 for 62 yards, and the Vikings broke in their temporary new home stadium for the next two years by beating the Oakland Raiders 10-6 in the exhibition opener on Friday night. "Any time you can come down and score on your first drive, thats what youre trying to accomplish," Cassel said. Bridgewater relieved Cassel at quarterback after one series, and the rookies first name was rhythmically chanted during his first two snaps by a crowd eager to see the first-round draft pick in action. Playing into the third quarter, Bridgewaters debut was mixed at best: 6 for 13 for 49 yards, two sacks and one fumble the Vikings recovered. He said he didnt notice the fuss from the fans. "I felt pretty good. There were some missed opportunities, but Ill be able to come back next week and play more aggressive," Bridgewater said. Coach Mike Zimmer agreed. "There were a couple times in the game where he just didnt act like a veteran," Zimmer said. "Things happened that he hadnt seen before. So those are all great experiences for him. But he made some great throws." Matt Schaubs first time in silver and black wasnt exactly smooth, either. The latest attempt by the Raiders to stop the quarterback carousel from spinning, Schaub finished 3 for 7 for 21 yards. Schaub played three series, all three-and-outs. "We were pretty sloppy," Schaub said. Derek Carr, the second-round draft pick from Fresno State, took over in the second quarter and was only slightly more productive with and against the backups. Carr went 10 for 16 for 74 yards, but his high throw on the run to Jamize Olawale slipped through the fullbacks hands and was intercepted by Kurt Coleman. "Hes a young QB, and hell learn to keep the ball low because if he drops it, it goes to the ground," Coleman said. Third-string quarterback Matt McGloin had a late 10-yard touchdown scramble. Darren McFadden had a 23-yard run, the only real highlight by a Raiders starter, leaving coach Dennis Allen disappointed. "I thought wed come out sharper than that," Allen said. The acquisition of Schaub from Houston was just one of many moves during a busy off-season for the Raiders, and hes coming off a rough year. With three seasons of at least 4,000 passing yards for the Texans, though, Schaub has the potential to stabilize this long-unsettled position. Since Rich Gannon won the NFL MVP award and guided the Raiders to the Super Bowl after that career year in 2002, the Raiders have had 17 different quarterbacks start at least one regular season game. Schaub will be the 18th in September, barring injury for the 33-year-old. Both teams escaped without significant injuries, which is always the primary goal of these preseason contests. Raiders backup defensive tackle Justin Ellis walked slowly off the field with a head injury. The Vikings also announced backup safety Mistral Raymond was being evaluated for a head injury. Not only was this game in purple for Zimmer, but it marked the start of a two-year stay at TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota for the Vikings while their new fixed-roof facility is being built to replace the Metrodome downtown. The Vikings played here once before, on Dec. 20, 2010, eight days after the Metrodomes roof was ripped open and toppled by a snowstorm. That game against Chicago was moved into the winter weather. The cold could wait for another day, though, on this picturesque summer night with a kickoff temperature of 81 degrees and a hazy sunset distracting from the penalties, punts and dropped passes once the second and third stringers took over for good. The Raiders were penalized 13 times for 94 yards. With Adrian Peterson resting, Matt Asiata capped the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Bridgewater took the Vikings another 10 plays on his first turn, setting up a 30-yard field goal by Blair Walsh. The Vikings were concerned enough about the safety spot next to Harrison Smith that they signed veteran Chris Crocker this week. With Jamarca Sanford, Robert Blanton and Andrew Sendejo all sitting out with injuries, Coleman got a chance for extended action at that position, another entry in that crowded field. Jerry West Lakers Jersey . Fielder ended 4-for-5 with a solo homer, while Avila was 4-for-4 with two runs scored for the Tigers, who put the brakes on a three-game skid and rebounded from a loss in Mondays opener. Victor Martinez and Austin Jackson both contributed two hits, an RBI and a run scored as Detroit maintained its healthy lead atop the AL Central. JaVale McGee Lakers Jersey .com) - Jeff Teague finished with a game-high 26 points and eight assists as the Atlanta Hawks held off the Utah Jazz, 98-92, on Friday. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/JaVa...ee-Jersey/ . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. SUN CITY, South Africa -- The birdie celebrations were muted and the crowd a little quiet all though Friday. Gary Player cried on the tee before an early-morning round under grey skies and Ernie Els remembered the photo he has of himself and Nelson Mandela on his desk back at home in Florida. "It is a very sad day," Els said. "A very sad day for South Africa and the world." A sombre mood hung over the Nedbank Golf Challenge, South Africas first major sporting event since former president and anti-apartheid leader Mandela died late Thursday aged 95. Jamie Donaldson, wearing a black ribbon like all the players, emerged from the emotional day to go to 11 under and hold a three-shot lead over Ryan Moore and Henrik Stenson. The 30-man field spent around nine hours out on the course to make up for lost time when the first round was halted for lightning a day earlier. Donaldson had seven birdies and a bogey in a second-round 66 to go with his opening 67, with the Welshman saying he played "aggressive but not daft." Moore had a round-leading 65 having finished up a 71 in the first round in the morning for a share of second at 8 under with Stenson. The Swede moved back into contention with a 67 at the end of the second day. Thomas Bjorn and defending champion Martin Kaymer were tied for fourth another shot back on 7 under. Sergio Garcia had led after the first round before slipping down to a share of ninth with a 73. Perhaps struggling with the emotions, Els and the rest of the Soouth Africans failed to shine, with Charl Schwartzel the leading home player on 6 under, five off the lead. Magic Johnson Lakers Jersey. Els has gone 75, 71 in the first two rounds. In the early morning, the players had stood with their caddies, some with caps removed, for a moments silence for Mandela before the first round restarted. Flags drooped at half-mast around the Gary Player Country Club. A hooter sounded to start the brief moment of reflection on the life of the beloved anti-apartheid leader. One of South Africas first sporting heroes under Mandelas presidency, four-time major winner Els had walked out of the players lounge a little after 6:30 a.m. to talk to reporters and share some of his precious memories of the time he spent with Mandela. Els said that since about 1996 and well into his old age, Mandela used to call the golfer every time he won a tournament. "They were special times and the little time we had together was very special. He was just the most amazing person I have ever met," Els said. Player, South Africas most successful golfer and whose career so often clashed with South Africas dark years of apartheid, said he and three friends had prayed and then cried together over Mandelas passing before playing a casual round first thing in the morning before the field went out. "We all had a tear in our eyes, but its also a day of celebration because hed want us to celebrate," Player said. "And weve got to celebrate for what he actually gave this country." ' ' '