The Raiders take the field Sunday in Napa for a practice session scheduled to last almost three hours. Early indications suggest that they could use four or five.

And that quarterback Carson Palmer and most of his receivers would benefit from spending six or seven hours on the grass behind the Napa Valley Marriott.

It's much too early to worry about Palmer, slogging through his first training camp as a Raider -- as well as the first full camp run by Dennis Allen as head coach of the Raiders or any other team.

It is not, however, too early to wonder about Palmer. Not after his performance Friday night in a 31-27 loss at Arizona.

Few things are more important for a new coaching staff to establish in training camp than full faith in the quarterback. The Raiders can't possibly have that.

Through two preseason games, Palmer has played about 21/2 quarters without getting the Raiders into the end zone. Though some of this lack of production can be attributed to learning the offense being installed by new coordinator Greg Knapp, it is troubling that Palmer has thrown two interceptions, both on downfield passes, the latter of which was equal parts bad decision and poor throw.

What is even more disturbing is the absence of chemistry between Palmer and receivers not named Rod Streater.

Honestly, backup quarterback Matt Leinart has played appreciably better than Palmer. Though Leinart hasn't done much with

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his first few seasons in the NFL, he was signed by the Raiders largely because of his familiarity with Knapp's schemes. It shows. He has looked patient and comfortable. He has been at least modestly productive.

But the Raiders are going no further than Palmer will take them. Allen knows that. Knapp knows that. The players also know.

Through two preseason games, it's reasonable to expect a semblance of execution, especially behind a veteran like Palmer. It's not there. That's why it is justifiable to wonder, even if too soon to worry.

If only that were the only visible challenge facing Oakland. There is so much more for Allen to address if the Raiders intend to compete when Detroit comes to the Coliseum next Saturday:

  • Injuries. Already a problem, they lengthen the odds of developing offensive chemistry. It's a huge blow if wide receiver Denarius Moore, with whom Palmer does have chemistry, can't return soon -- especially after wide receiver Jacoby Ford limped off Friday because of a foot sprain. Running back Mike Goodson, who will be needed, left the game with a tender shoulder. If he can't bounce back quickly, it's time to shop the market.

  • Short-yardage offense. The Raiders look ill-equipped. They already miss Michael Bush, the big back who became a free agent and signed with Chicago.

  • Special teams. A problem in the exhibition opener against Dallas, they regressed against the Cardinals. Awful. Coordinator Steve Hoffman suddenly sits on a seat hotter than that occupying Knapp's backside.

  • Clock management. Could anyone figure out how the Raiders wanted to close out the first half? They took the ball deep into Arizona territory and lollygagged, wasting precious seconds before settling for a field-goal attempt.

  • DeMarcus Van Dyke. The second-year cornerback looks more and more like former Raider Phillip Buchanon -- only without the occasional big play. DVD was dreadful again, and now here comes Calvin Johnson.

    To be fair, the first-team defense, giving multiple looks, does appear to be onto something. That, along with a pass rush that promises to be ferocious, shows potential.

    Allen has been vocal about his desire to use the preseason not just to evaluate talent but also to create a habit of winning. Suddenly, the next game truly is significant. It comes two days before the first substantial cuts. And it is against a quality team that dealt the Raiders a devastating loss last season before their fans in Oakland.

    Above all, the next game is an opportunity to gauge coach-player progress, to see if all the teaching and talking through three-plus weeks of training camp is becoming apparent on the field.

    Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie believes having coaches and players "on the same page" is essential to winning. He thought he sensed it before training camp.

    It is not present thus far. Allen is saying most, if not all, starters will play into the second half next Saturday. There is enough time for fixes, but there is a lot to fix. And when quarterback-receiver bonding is one of the problems, it's massive.

    It might not be time to worry about Palmer and the Raiders, but anybody who has watched them through two games can see there is good reason to wonder.

    Contact Monte Poole at mpoole@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/1montepoole.