Post Game Wrap: Raiders 17, Cowboys 9

News and notes from the Raiders 10-point victory Thursday night in Dallas:

Football season has arrived, officially, with the first game preseason game.

It doesn't count and the score doesn't matter, but the new season started and the fans were looking for hope in a new team lead by a new quarterback.

While the offense appeared calm, controlled and more organized under Campbell, the production wasn't there. Campbell went 7 of 15 for 49 yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey didn't have a catch. Zach Miller had three catches for just 15 yards.

Campbell only converted one third down out of six and didn't lead the offense to a score.

Kyle Boller played the remainder of the game after Campbell took a seat in the second quarter. After a rocky start Boller settled in and ended the night 12 of 21 for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Observations:

- Johnnie Lee Higgins appears to be playing with the swagger he had in 2008. He had a few catches, even if he did tip a ball into the air that should have been intercepted.

- Yamon Figurs has a few nice catches, but was uneven (good/bad) as a return man.

- Nick Miller continues to impress and I'd be surprised if he is cut at this point.

- Michael Bennett is clearly the superior running back, but Rock Cartwright is much more versatile. The competition is now a dead heat.

- Michael Bush is a load to bring down when the defenders can't square him up, but he is clearly the type of back that gets better as the game goes on.

- The starting offensive line allowed one sack and it was ugly. Three defenders blew by Samson Satele and Cooper Carlisle. Langston Walker also had a false-start penalty.

- Kyle Boller's success was directly proportional to the blocking of the second and third string offensive line.Shaky early; solid later.

- Jared Veldheer does a good job run blocking for the center position. Can he put heat on Satele?

- Chris Johnson can't cover the opposing team's top wide receiver. It is important for Nnamdi Asomugha to shadow the opposition's top receiver in 2010.

- Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware aren't going to put the pressure on Stanford Routt and Johnson anytime soon. That said, both seemed to grow as they received more playing time.

- Travis Goethel and Stevie Brown are among the lower round draft picks that could have an unexpected impact.

- Lamarr Houston benefited from good coverage and recorded two sacks. This will be a confidence boost for the rookie, who played off and on into the fourth quarter.

- Matt Shaughnessy was the most impressive defensive lineman Thursday night. He brought the pressure in the pass game and was getting plenty of penetration stopping the run.

- Rolando McClain didn't see a ton of action, more wait than see for this year's top draft pick.

- Trevor Scott is going to be moved around a lot, specifically as a nickel rush end with his hand in the dirt.

- Ricky Brown continues to be a preseason star. If only he could stay healthy.

Looking Forward: Raiders 2012 Free Agents

Khalif Barnes - Weakest link on the offensive line with youth behind him. Raiders will look for for other options. It's not as if there aren't a dozen Khalif's on the street each year. Darryl Blackstock - Was a Chuck Bresnahan guy, but found a home on special teams. Would have to make the team as a reserve LB and special teams guy next training camp. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back as a camp body or gone entirely. Kyle Boller - Hue didn't have enough confidence to turn to Boller. Expect the Raiders to look elsewhere for a backup to Carson Palmer. Jerome Boyd - Was nothing more than a reserve and special teams player. Some good moments and some very bad ones. Camp body again and fate will depend on the defensive coordinator. Tyvon Branch - About the only consistent producer in the secondary. Raiders will want to bring him back. Desmond Bryant - He's been great in limited action and can play inside and out. Key reserve. Michael Bush - He'll find a home a...

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