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OAKLAND Josh Oliver Jersey , Calif. (AP) — Jon Gruden’s return to the Oakland Raiders‘ sideline couldn’t have gotten off to a better start, with Marshawn Lynch powering his way into the end zone for a touchdown.The rest of the night turned out to be rather forgettable for the Raiders and showed that Oakland has a long way to go to get back to the level Gruden had the team playing at when his first stint as coach ended more than 16 years ago.All that positive energy generated when Gruden was hired back in January turned to a chorus of boos by the end of a 33-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.“It was great,” Gruden said of being back on the sideline at the Oakland Coliseum. “It’s not time for that anymore. It’s about getting this football team better. It wasn’t good enough tonight.”The Raiders (0-1) were good enough for one half as Derek Carr led the team to that opening-drive touchdown and two more field goals that gave Oakland a 13-10 lead at halftime.But the Rams (1-0) then scored all 23 points in the second half, with Marcus Peters returning Carr’s third interception of the game 50 yards for a game-sealing touchdown that sent the fans who pined for Gruden’s return for years heading to the exits.“We are a better team than what was put out there on the field,” tight end Jared Cook said. “This one game does not define us.”The Raiders took the opening kick and drove 75 yards for a touchdown on a 10-yard run by Lynch. The Rams had Lynch stood up at the 3, but he powered his way into the end zone with help from a push by his offensive linemen.Oakland managed just six points the rest of the way against a defense fortified by the offseason additions of former All-Pros Peters, Aqib Talib and Ndamukong Suh.Carr threw an interception in the end zone to John Johnson in the second quarter, another in the fourth when he tried to pull back a pass at the last minute only to have the ball slip out and float right to linebacker Cory Littleton, and then the third on a miscommunication with Cook.“He did some good things tonight and obviously there are some critical errors he has to eliminate http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-quincy-williams-ii-jersey ,” Gruden said. “He knows that. We all know that.”Here are some other takeaways from the game:FIND A RHYTHMThe Rams started slowly after resting their entire starting offense throughout the preseason, as well as several key defensive players. But things turned in the second half, starting with quarterback Jared Goff leading the team to a tying field goal on the opening drive. Then they took the lead for good on a 58-yard, four-play drive that featured two passes downfield to another offseason addition, Brandin Cooks, and an 8-yard TD to Cooper Kupp.“Any first game of the year, you’re dealing with some things,” Goff said. “You look at other teams around the league and it’s no different for us.”COOK’S NIGHTCook was one of the only Raiders to have a big night. He caught nine passes for 180 yards , breaking Todd Christensen’s franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end. Christensen had 173 vs. the Chargers on Nov. 20 Ryquell Armstead Jersey , 1986.OH, SNAPThe Raiders got thrown for a loop early when long snapper Andrew DePaola injured his knee on a punt in the first quarter and didn’t return. Tight end Lee Smith filled in and provided accurate snaps on two field goals. He had a high snap on a punt, but Johnny Townsend leaped and brought it down with no issues. It was a far cry from the 2012 season opener when Jon Condo got hurt for Oakland and Travis Goethel came in and botched three snaps in a loss to the Chargers.“It was stressful, I can’t even lie to you guys,” Smith said. “I’m just glad they all got back there.”FEED THE BEASTRams RB Todd Gurley had just five touches in the first half. He carried four times for 19 yards and took a short flip from Goff 19 yards for a score on his only reception. Gurley had 18 touches in the second half, carrying 16 times for 89 yards and catching two passes for 20 yards.“You just try to get in that rhythm, get the ball, get consecutive run plays in a row,” he said. “We were able to do that in the second half.” CHARLOTTE http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-gardner-minshew-ii-jersey , N.C. (AP) — The Panthers are beginning to feel like they have hit on something big with fourth-round draft pick Ian Thomas.The rookie tight end has carried over an outstanding performance in training camp to the preseason, where he showed an impressive burst of speed on a 27-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception from Cam Newton, and delivered a powerful seal block that helped spring Christian McCaffrey for a 71-yard touchdown in Friday night’s preseason win over the Miami Dolphins.And, he’s still just learning.“He doesn’t even know how good he’s capable of being,” Newton said of the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Thomas.The Panthers didn’t know exactly what they were getting with Thomas when they drafted him 101st overall because he hadn’t seen all that much action as a receiver at Indiana. He spent two seasons with the Hoosiers and caught 28 passes, 25 of those as a senior. He spent his first two seasons at Nassau Community College.But Carolina’s scouts became convinced Thomas has what it takes to be a playmaker, and general manager Marty Hurney was sold on him as he studied more film.“He’s kind of a little bit of an unknown because he only really played one year of major college football,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “We are fortunate that our college scouts pointed him out as somebody they thought could help us.”Newton said Thomas’ size and versatility as a receiver and a blocker will make him a “key asset” this season on offense.Thomas is making a strong case for being Carolina’s No. 2 tight end behind three-time Pro Bowl selection Greg Olsen. The Panthers lost Ed Dickson to free agency and Chris Manhertz hasn’t practiced since the start of training camp due to a leg injury.Rivera said Thomas’ growth has been noticeably accelerated because of the increased reps he’s received with Manhertz out.“I think as a young man Christian Wilkins Jersey , he could come in and be a very good second or third behind Greg,” Rivera said. “When Chris gets back, we’ll have a good combination of tight ends.”Playing alongside Olsen, an 11-year veteran, doesn’t hurt either.“I think just walking in (to the NFL) he could not have been in a better situation,” Newton said. “I kind of just glance over in practice from time to time and see Greg taking him up under his wing, showing him how to practice, how to finish, how to run certain routes. He couldn’t have been in a better situation http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-michael-deiter-jersey , learning from him every day.”All of that is good news for Thomas, who endured plenty of heartache as a child.When he turned 8, he lost his mother Martha to kidney failure. The next year his father Earl died of a heart attack, leaving the children’s future up in the air. That’s when his then-19-year-old brother Clif Farmer stepped up to gain custody of him. Farmer raised his younger brother from that point forward.“I want to make them happy and proud,” Thomas said, adding his goal is simply to get better and keep proving himself.Teammates are noticing.Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly said Thomas could be on his way to big things in Carolina.“He does everything the right way,” Kuechly said. “He blocks, he catches well and he runs well. I think he has picked things up really well.”NOTES: Panthers starting left tackle Matt Kalil was scheduled to meet with a physician Monday after missing his second straight practice with knee soreness. Kalil has been battling issues since the middle of training camp. The team had no immediate word on the extent of that injury. The Panthers can ill afford to lose a third starter on the offensive line after right tackle Daryl Williams and left guard Amini Silatolu went down with injuries.