Raiders vs 49ers: Darrius Heyward-Bey Plays Well In Preseason Game

While the Oakland Raiders lost a thriller to the San Francisco 49ers 24 to 28, one player emerged to become a key ingredient in his squad's early-game success: Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Allegedly called a "turd" over the radio airwaves by Former San Francisco 49ers and now KNBR Color Analyst Gary Plummer, Heyward-Bey played as if he didn't hear the radio called. Indeed, its possible Heyward-Bey never heard Plummer on the radio.

DHB

Heyward-Bey's play Saturday was not the work of a turd. He caught 3 passes for 46 yards, was thrown to a total of 4 times, and if it wasn't a preseason game, would have played longer and arguably contributed even more to the offense.

Two of his catches came in the first drive that resulted in a Michael Bush touchdown run: he caught one for 7 yards, and the drive difference-maker, a 22-yard pass over the middle.

Best Games Head Of Him

In an interview last Thursday that was recorded by The Oakland Tribune, Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson was excited about the 2010 for the man they call DHB:

I think the sky’s the limit for the young man. I just think he needs to go play and I think he will this week. Obviously we’ve been in one game with him, he didn’t play very much the first game, didn’t make it to last week’s game. I’m looking forward to watching him play. Again, that’s what I’m saying. I’m excited about watching a lot of our pieces finally come out and play together for an extended period of time and see where we are.

Indeed, under Jackson, Darrius Heyward-Bey's going to be a key factor in the Oakland Raiders Offense. In fact, he already is.