SANTA CLARA Bo Jackson Jersey White , Calif. (AP) — When Kyle Shanahan was looking to get into the NFL as an assistant coach more than a decade ago, his father, Mike, called Jon Gruden and asked him to hire his son for an entry-level job in Tampa.Shanahan joined the Buccaneers as a quality control coach in 2004 on Gruden’s staff and got his introduction to pro football on a staff that featured five assistants who have gone on to get head coaching jobs in the NFL.“It was such a good place for me to go to because Jon was doing everything,” Shanahan said. “It wasn’t just his stuff. He was always on top of it with the film, which everyone is now because of the computers and everything, but he was one of the first guys doing that stuff, probably being a little bit younger than most guys at that time and just introduced me to pretty much every play known to man.”Now 14 years later, Shanahan gets his first chance to coach against his old boss when the San Francisco 49ers (1-7) host Gruden and the Oakland Raiders (1-6) on Thursday night.Gruden said he took great pride in that staff that featured Mike Tomlin, Rod Marinelli https://www.raiderslockerroom.com/authentic-derek-carr-jersey , Jay Gruden and Raheem Morris during Shanahan’s two seasons there in 2004-05. The Bucs won just five games the first season before winning the NFC South with an 11-5 record in 2005.“We had a lot of fun back in those days. The woodshed, I called it,” Gruden said. “People are going to take me to the woodshed here pretty soon, if we don’t get this thing going.”Both the Raiders and 49ers are struggling heading into this matchup, with Oakland losing three straight and San Francisco on a six-game skid.Shanahan has struggled without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, while Gruden’s return to the NFL has been rocky after nine seasons as a broadcaster at ESPN.But Shanahan believes Gruden will turn the Raiders around if given time and sees no signs that the game has passed him by.“Jon lives and dies football,” Shanahan said. “He never got away from it. He probably had even more time to sit and look at everything, and not get so caught up in his own team. The whole league’s evolved since then. It evolves year to year. But, you watch his system, he has a foundation of what he used to do and things like that Derek Carr Jersey White , but he’s kept up with everything.”Here are some other things to watch:BEATHARD’S HEALTHThe 49ers could be forced to go with their third-string quarterback this week. Garoppolo went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 and backup C.J. Beathard is questionable this week with an injured right wrist. The next man up is Nick Mullens, who has never taken a snap in the NFL. Mullens spent last season on the practice squad and was promoted after Garoppolo’s injury this year. He has impressed his teammates with strong play in the preseason and practice.“He’s a baller,” running back Matt Breida said. “He doesn’t let the game get too big for him. I think he’ll do a great job if he has to play this week.”DRIVE THE CARRRaiders quarterback Derek Carr is coming off perhaps his best game of the season, throwing for three touchdowns and running for a fourth score in last week’s loss to the Colts. Carr completed 17 straight passes at one point and thrived in his first game after leading rusher Marshawn Lynch went down with a groin injury and No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper was traded to Dallas. Receiver Brandon LaFell, who wasn’t targeted at all in his previous two games for Oakland, had three catches for 39 yards and a TD after getting the start in place of Cooper.“He’s friendly to the quarterback,” Carr said. “He always runs friendly routes. He can play with anybody. I’m glad that we had some time to work and all those things, but he’s the kind of guy that you can just throw him in and just play.”SAFETY DANCEThe Niners go into this game thin at safety. Starting free safety Adrian Colbert is on injured reserve with an ankle injury and San Francisco could be without its top two strong safeties as well. Starter Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) and backup Antone Exum (concussion) are out this week. Jimmie Ward fared well last week at free safety after moving over from cornerback. San Francisco is thinner at strong safety with Tyvis Powell, who has never started a game, and rookie Marcell Harris Antonio Brown Raiders Jersey , who could be activated from IR to make his debut, the main options.DYING RIVALRYThis will be the final scheduled meeting between these Bay Area rivals before the Raiders move to Las Vegas in 2020. The teams have rarely been successful in their 36 seasons as NFL neighbors here with both making the playoffs in the same year only four times in that span (1970, ’72, 2001, ’02). The teams have combined for a winning record just once in 2003 and are on pace for the worst record for a two-team market since the 1970 merger. News surrounding the Raiders and rest of the NFL." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteSilver And Black Pridean Oakland Raiders communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsRaidersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Raiders StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Raiders NewsYahoo Raiders Team PageYahoo Raiders ReportYahoo Raiders Depth ChartYahoo Raiders TransactionsYahoo Raiders PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Silver Mining 3/15: Antonio Brown pleads guilty to driving at unsafe speed New,68commentsNews surrounding the Raiders and rest of the NFL. PDTShareTweetShareShareSilver Mining 3/15: Antonio Brown pleads guilty to driving at unsafe speed Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsRaiders NewsAntonio Brown pleads guilty to driving at unsafe speedBrown reached a plea deal to settle his reckless driving case from last November. Raiders will have two rookies at the NFLPA Rookie premier but not 4th overall pick Clelin FerrellThe Raiders rookies who will be attending are 24th overall pick Josh Jacobs and 5th round pick Hunter Renfrow.Should the Raiders consider signing free agent DT Ndamukong Suh?Suh’s production has dropped as of late, but he would still make an impact on the Raiders defensive line. Josh Jacobs’ story: From the ‘concrete rose’ of North Tulsa to a Raiders’ first-round selection impressive stories from the 2019 NFL Draft. Could the Raiders trade for Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph? After letting Jared Cook walk in free agency, will Jon Gruden be tempted to trade for the Minnesota’s veteran tight end? ESPN listed Clelin Ferrell as one of the few players drafted to the perfect teamFerrell is a perfect fit for the Silver & Black both on and off the field. Derek Carr ranked most accurate deep passer by PFFThat should improve in 2019 with a heavily revamped receiving core. AFC West Wide receiver Mecole Hardman to represent Chiefs at NFLPA Rookie PremiereHardman is the sole Kansas City player headed to this year’s event. Chiefs reportedly sign safety Juan ThorhillTheir second round pick is officially a member of the team. Report: Chris Harris’ camp not happy with Denver’s initial offerThings seem to be trending towards a trade unless the Broncos increase their offer. Von Miller feels Chris Harris deserves an extensionHe is right, and trading Harris would tick off the best player on Denver’s defense. Could Chargers S Nasir Adderley win Defensive Rookie of the Year? Adderley racked up 11 interceptions over the last three years for Delaware. Chargers re-sign Damion Square to one year dealSquare looks to add depth rotating at defensive tackle. Around The NFLDion Jordan suspended 10 games for violating PED policy Cowboys DT Tyrone Crawford charged with a misdemeanor after bar incident