OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – After repeated viewings of the Oakland Raiders’ latest exhibition loss, coach Bill Callahan found only one thing he liked: punter Shane Lechler’s performance.

The rest of the Raiders did almost nothing to please Callahan or themselves in a 21-6 loss to Minnesota on Friday night. Oakland allowed 340 total yards, failed to reach the end zone and repeatedly made execution mistakes.

It’s nothing new for Callahan, who watched the Raiders stumble to an 0-4 preseason start last summer in his rookie season in charge. Of course, Oakland recovered in plenty of time for a run to the Super Bowl – so Callahan isn’t panicking, but he isn’t happy, either.

“It was a disappointing effort in my opinion,” Callahan said Saturday. “We’ve always prided ourselves in starting fast. We know what these guys are capable of. When we have a preseason performance like that, it doesn’t sit well with me, and I know it doesn’t sit well with them, either.”

The Raiders are 1-2 in the preseason, but they haven’t pleased Callahan yet. That’s sure to be a motivating factor in the final week of preseason workouts in Alameda for the exhibition finale at Dallas – Oakland’s first game outside the Bay area.

“It just wasn’t a real good showing on either side of the ball, or on special teams,” said cornerback Charles Woodson, who was beaten for two touchdown catches by Randy Moss. “We’ve got to get better, and we need to do it quick.”

The loss to the Vikings featured seven dropped passes, including three by superstar Tim Brown. League MVP Rich Gannon still hasn’t led the Raiders to a touchdown in the preseason, coming closest when rookie Teyo Johnson bobbled and dropped a 2-yard pass in the end zone early in the second quarter.

On the other side of the ball, the Vikings rushed 41 times for 195 yards. Though regular tailback Michael Bennett was injured, Minnesota’s backups had no problem gaining ground on Oakland’s 4-3 defensive front behind the Vikings’ powerful offensive line.

Callahan was moderately pleased with the Raiders’ ability to stop Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper from scrambling for big gains. It was good training for their regular-season opener against Steve McNair and the Tennessee Titans.

Callahan still hasn’t decided when he’ll name his starting center – the only position still open on the offense that was the NFL’s best last season. The three candidates – Adam Treu, All-Pro Barret Robbins and Matt Stinchcomb – all played well against the Vikings.

“Whoever it’s going to be, I think that it should be decided on for the team’s sake,” said Treu, Robbins’ longtime backup who stepped into the starting lineup in the Super Bowl after Robbins was suspended. “Rich and the other guys can start getting some rhythm together, so they can get the lingo and everything else.”

Robbins still isn’t back to full strength after offseason knee surgery, and Treu seems most likely to get the assignment. But Callahan insisted he hasn’t made a decision yet – and might not until after the Dallas game.

The Raiders lost tight end Doug Jolley to a sprained left ankle in the first quarter. He might not play against the Cowboys, but Callahan is fairly certain the injury isn’t serious.

Running back Charlie Garner, who missed the game with a knee injury, might return to practice this week. Pro Bowl tackle Lincoln Kennedy will be back, but linebacker Sam Williams might be out with a sprained ligament in his right knee.

AP-ES-08-23-03 2111EDT