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Shell's Raiders enjoying some tasty turnovers
Oakland has five interceptions, four fumble recoveries in preseason
By Bill Soliday
NAPA — Those turnover drills seem to be working for Art Shell's Raiders.
With two more in Sunday night's game 23-7 win over San Francisco, through three games the Raiders now have collected nine turnovers — five interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
The five interceptions match in three games the total the team had all of last season in 16 contests. Meanwhile, the Raiders have five turnovers (four of them interceptions) for a plus four in the takeaway-giveaway department.
So all the practice sessions where the Raiders practiced causing the other team to play botch-the-ball has paid off.
"I'd like to think so," Shell said Monday. "The focus is there on trying to get them. Based on what I saw from last year, they were in a position to make the plays but didn't make them.
"You have to put yourself in position, then you have to make the play by catching the ball. It's a positive for us."
Rookie safety Michael Huff had one of the team's two interceptions Sunday night, the first pick of his NFL career. He returned it 44 yards, nearly scoring had it not been for a shoestring tackle by the man who threw the pick, SanFrancisco's Alex Smith.
"Any time you can get an interception it is a big confidence booster for a young guy," Shell said.
The Raiders' second interception came on the final play of the first half, and the man who made it, cornerback Tyrone Poole, hardly needed a confidence booster. The 12-year veteran already has 17 NFL interceptions.
The other three interceptions by the Raiders went to cornerback Fabian Washington and a pair of rookies — safety Hiram Eugene and cornerback Dennis Davis.
The four fumble recoveries were by linebacker Ryan Riddle (two), cornerback Chris Carr and defensive tackle Michael Quarshie.
HUFF MAY SIT: After his interception and return, Huff sprained an ankle against the 49ers. Shell said it was doubtful Huff would play Friday night against Detroit.
"Hopefully he will be ready for the next week (at Seattle), if not by the opening game," Shell said. "We are going to be careful with that."
Huff said he probably could have returned and played against the 49ers.
"It's nothing serious," he said. "I just need to make sure. If we played San Diego (instead of Detroit) I would be there."
Derrick Gibson will start in his place at strong safety.
PRAISES: Shell was impressed with the work of Corey Hulsey, who started at left guard in place of injured Barry Sims.
"He really did well," Shell said. "He filled in admirably, did a good job in the passing game and a good job in the running game. He was very active in there."
Also drawing praise from the coach was rookie tight end John Madsen, a former wide receiver who had receptions of 35 and 17 yards.
"He has great hands, has a nice body and has the ability to run down the field because he has some decent speed," Shell said. "We feel there is an opportunity for him, so we have given him a good look at the tight end position."
The 6-5, 220-pound rookie played at Utah with the 49ers' Smith, but came into his own after Smith went pro. In his senior year, he had 55 catches for 672 yards and six touchdowns.
Though skeptical about the shift to tight end, he said he now is grateful to have been given a chance there.
"We have so many good receivers on this team," he said.
He has exhibited a knack for finding open spots in zone defenses, a skill some tight ends struggle with. Shell said it was to be expected since his training was as a wide receiver.
"Half the time I am split out there like a wide receiver anyway and that's where I feel comfortable," Madsen said.
EXTRA POINTS: Shell also reserved praise for the improved play of left tackle Robert Gallery and right guard Paul McQuistan ... Shell also praised No. 2 quarterback Andrew Walter (8-for-10 for 99 yards), saying he showed good presence in the pocket, good command in the huddle, good accuracy and touch ... Shell said the fumbled handoff from Aaron Brooks to LaMont Jordan occurred when Brooks and fullback Zack Crockett bumped. "We've practiced that play many times and that is the first time that has happened," Shell said.
Oakland has five interceptions, four fumble recoveries in preseason
By Bill Soliday
NAPA — Those turnover drills seem to be working for Art Shell's Raiders.
With two more in Sunday night's game 23-7 win over San Francisco, through three games the Raiders now have collected nine turnovers — five interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
The five interceptions match in three games the total the team had all of last season in 16 contests. Meanwhile, the Raiders have five turnovers (four of them interceptions) for a plus four in the takeaway-giveaway department.
So all the practice sessions where the Raiders practiced causing the other team to play botch-the-ball has paid off.
"I'd like to think so," Shell said Monday. "The focus is there on trying to get them. Based on what I saw from last year, they were in a position to make the plays but didn't make them.
"You have to put yourself in position, then you have to make the play by catching the ball. It's a positive for us."
Rookie safety Michael Huff had one of the team's two interceptions Sunday night, the first pick of his NFL career. He returned it 44 yards, nearly scoring had it not been for a shoestring tackle by the man who threw the pick, SanFrancisco's Alex Smith.
"Any time you can get an interception it is a big confidence booster for a young guy," Shell said.
The Raiders' second interception came on the final play of the first half, and the man who made it, cornerback Tyrone Poole, hardly needed a confidence booster. The 12-year veteran already has 17 NFL interceptions.
The other three interceptions by the Raiders went to cornerback Fabian Washington and a pair of rookies — safety Hiram Eugene and cornerback Dennis Davis.
The four fumble recoveries were by linebacker Ryan Riddle (two), cornerback Chris Carr and defensive tackle Michael Quarshie.
HUFF MAY SIT: After his interception and return, Huff sprained an ankle against the 49ers. Shell said it was doubtful Huff would play Friday night against Detroit.
"Hopefully he will be ready for the next week (at Seattle), if not by the opening game," Shell said. "We are going to be careful with that."
Huff said he probably could have returned and played against the 49ers.
"It's nothing serious," he said. "I just need to make sure. If we played San Diego (instead of Detroit) I would be there."
Derrick Gibson will start in his place at strong safety.
PRAISES: Shell was impressed with the work of Corey Hulsey, who started at left guard in place of injured Barry Sims.
"He really did well," Shell said. "He filled in admirably, did a good job in the passing game and a good job in the running game. He was very active in there."
Also drawing praise from the coach was rookie tight end John Madsen, a former wide receiver who had receptions of 35 and 17 yards.
"He has great hands, has a nice body and has the ability to run down the field because he has some decent speed," Shell said. "We feel there is an opportunity for him, so we have given him a good look at the tight end position."
The 6-5, 220-pound rookie played at Utah with the 49ers' Smith, but came into his own after Smith went pro. In his senior year, he had 55 catches for 672 yards and six touchdowns.
Though skeptical about the shift to tight end, he said he now is grateful to have been given a chance there.
"We have so many good receivers on this team," he said.
He has exhibited a knack for finding open spots in zone defenses, a skill some tight ends struggle with. Shell said it was to be expected since his training was as a wide receiver.
"Half the time I am split out there like a wide receiver anyway and that's where I feel comfortable," Madsen said.
EXTRA POINTS: Shell also reserved praise for the improved play of left tackle Robert Gallery and right guard Paul McQuistan ... Shell also praised No. 2 quarterback Andrew Walter (8-for-10 for 99 yards), saying he showed good presence in the pocket, good command in the huddle, good accuracy and touch ... Shell said the fumbled handoff from Aaron Brooks to LaMont Jordan occurred when Brooks and fullback Zack Crockett bumped. "We've practiced that play many times and that is the first time that has happened," Shell said.