Jon Gruden didn't have a problem with IG Field's playing surface. The Raiders head coach made that clear after Thursday's 22-21 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers in Winnipeg, an exhibition played on an 80-yard field due to concerns over unstable turf in one end zone.
"The field, I don't know that was all about," Gruden said. "We thought the field was perfectly fine."
Playing on unusual dimensions simply could be a novelty if the Raiders still found value in game tape.
Gruden said that was the case, and it won't alter how they look at the game action taking place among backups, with starters and significant role players sitting this one out.
"It's not going to change the evaluation, other than we didn't get some kickoffs, or some opportunities in special teams," Gruden said. "I'm not going to make a big deal about the field. We like the field. We thought the field was perfectly ready to roll. You'd have to ask Green Bay about that.
"It didn't impact our play calling or our evaluations. We just adapted, as they did, to the new dimensions of the field."
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The Raiders gave a home preseason game to Winnipeg, making this the second of three straight exhibition games played away from Oakland. Gruden said the experience worked out just fine, and that the team doesn't consider the extra travel or field issues or things like that a distraction from their preparation for the regular season.
"It's weird playing a home game in Winnipeg, but it's exciting," Gruden said. "It's a great opportunity to spend some time together. We left some players at home. We had some players show up and not play. It was a good road trip. There are not as many distractions here as people think. Antonio Brown's doing fine. We have a good, young football team."
