Bye May Help Andrew...

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Bye may help Walter step in at QB

By Bill Soliday

ALAMEDA — There is no denying the bye week arrives at an opportune time for the Oakland Raiders — and for Andrew Walter, who now assumes the provisional title of QB-1.

It's good for the team because of the glut of injuries that have struck the starting unit, including regular starter Aaron Brooks, who will be out from two to four weeks with a shoulder injury.

And it's good for Walter because he gets to practice with the first team for two weeks before taking the field.

"Coming out of camp, everybody got kind of even rep(etitions)," Walter said. "Aaron, of course, was with the ones, I was with the twos and Tui (Marques Tuiasosopo) the threes.

"But it dwindled down once the season came and turned into more scout-team reps (for Walter). This will obviously be a vast improvement — more reps."

Walter was thrust into the fray with precious little prompting Sunday in Baltimore. The results were not altogether surprising, especially considering the Raiders' struggles with protection.

While arguments rage in some areas for the Raiders to start grooming Walter for the permanent quarterback job, coach Art Shell claims that is not in the plans. Brooks will not lose his job via injury. However, Walter has a chance to win it with his play.

Publicly, Walter is not interested in chatting about golden opportunities.

"I just look at it as the game against Cleveland," he said of the team's next game on Oct. 1 — the one game he knows he will start. "I just roll with the punches. Whatever happens, I want to play good (football) and give our team a chance to win. The biggest thing is getting the offense going in the right direction.

"So, if it's me, it's me. If it's Aaron, it's Aaron. It really doesn't matter, just as long as someone is doing it and making plays to help us win."

Walter said the gravity of the situation and of his opportunity, has yet to reach to his nerve endings.

"I'm just trying to be myself ... I'm a pretty relaxed guy," he said. "I try to always take things in stride, not get too up or down ... like a roller coaster. I figure if you can do that, then you're going to be able to play a lot more consistent(ly)."

However, he concedes that by Sept. 30, the night before the game, he might find himself growing a bit anxious.

"It's still a couple of weeks (11 days) away," he said. "I've played the game. It will be different. When you're No.2, you think, 'I might play ... but I don't know.' So it's a different mind-set. Knowing I am going to play, you just know
the game plan a little bit more so you'll be more comfortable."

There is no denying, however, that Walter's regular season baptism went less than swimmingly. He was 10-for-27 with three interceptions, three fumbles (one lost) and six sacks. His quarterback rating was a minuscule 18.4 on a scale of 158.3.

About the only thing that was out of the ordinary in a positive sense was his average completion was more than 16 yards a pass. However, Walter didn't point to that when asked what he felt he did best in the loss.

"For the most part I was able to change protections — like flip a run play from one side to the other, maybe communicate to the guys on the sidelines, 'Let's try to do this,'" he said. "In the huddle, Randy (Moss) had an idea of a different route he wanted to run, and we called that. Things like that I think we were on top of for the most part.

"Now we just have to execute those things and not have those breakdowns. And that will start with me."

Walter said Brooks had been most helpful trying to ease him into his new role.

"He said he's behind me, and I really appreciated that," Walter said. "And I'm behind him, (if there's) anything I can do for him."

"I talked to him on the plane coming back and told him to keep doing what he's doing," Brooks said. "I'm proud of him. I (told him) stay positive. He's been preparing himself very well for that moment, and at times, I thought he played very well. It's just a process. He's still young. I'm going to try to continue to be behind him ... and help him through."

Brooks said he knew what Walter was about to go through.

"That's how I got on the field (in New Orleans)," he said. "Somebody got hurt, and I got out there and played well."

That somebody was Jeff Blake, and the team Brooks got his break against was none other than the Oakland Raiders. It happened at the Superdome in the 11th game of the 2000 season. Blake went down in the first quarter, Brooks took over, completed 14 of 22 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints lost, 31-22, but went on to win their division and had themselves a new quarterback.

Whether the Raiders find that or not is a scenario that will play out over the next month, barring a quick recovery by Brooks.
 
Good news?


Is the Walter era actually a good sign? With the Oakland Raiders losing the first two games by a combined 55-3, the second worst two-game stretch in franchise history, it may be wise for the Walter era not only to begin but to remain.

The Raiders got good news on quarterback Aaron Brooks Monday, but at the same time will move forward in the immediate future with Andrew Walter at quarterback. Brooks, who was announced as having a strained rotator cuff injury following Sunday's 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, actually suffered a strained pectoral muscle.

While not as potentially serious as a rotator cuff injury, coach Art Shell said Brooks will miss at least one game -- meaning Walter will draw the start when the Raiders resume play following the bye week against the Cleveland Browns on October 1.

So what happens if Walter leads the Raiders to victory? Shell seemed to be leaning toward reinstating Brooks.

"You don't lose a job (because of injury) unless something really goes out of whack," Shell said. "We've just got to go with what we have and see what happens down the road."

Walter absorbed six sacks, including a one in the end zone that resulted in safety. He refused to use that as an excuse for throwing three interceptions and fumbling three times, losing one.

"It was tough. I've got to play better," Walter said. "It doesn't really matter about the pass rush. I can get hit every play but I still have to complete the football."

"You look at the tape and you learn," Walter said. "That's all you can do."

In his brief appearance against San Diego and again against the Ravens, Walter had a few series where he moved the Raiders. But he failed to get into the end zone, on one play missing an open Randy Moss in the end zone.

"It's better than stalling out and not getting anything going, but at the end of the drive to miss Randy in the end zone, or have an interception or a fumble, those things kill you," Walter said.

Shell stood behind offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, a controversial choice for offensive coordinator back in February being that he had been out of the NFL since 1994.

"I felt comfortable with him. He knows the kind of system I try to run. He's familiar with what we do," Shell said. "Were there other guys? Sure. If Tom didn't want to do it, I'd consider other people."

Shell said any changes in the offense with Walter as the starter instead of as the backup will be subtle.

"With each quarterback you try to come up with a package that's good for them," Shell said. "When Andrew had to go into the game today we had to do the things that he does well. All the quarterbacks write down plays they like during the course of the week and give it to (offensive coordinator Tom Walsh). We try to utilize what they like."

What Walter would like is a little time to throw, although he is far too tactful to say it. He said he sees no lack of confidence among players on the offensive line.

"If they do, they should just try to look at the tape and learn," Walter said. "I mean, that's what I am going to do. That's all you can do. We have a bye week and 14 in a row. I don't see anybody losing confidence after two games."
 
September 20, 2006

Walter has chance to validate Raiders' confidence in him

By JOSH DUBOW


ALAMEDA, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders thought so highly of Andrew Walter even before he threw his first pass in a regular-season game that they decided against drafting quarterbacks Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler with their first-round pick in April.

With Aaron Brooks sidelined for two to four weeks with a strained pectoral muscle, they will get an early sign whether their decision was correct.

"I'm excited, of course, but I try to take everything in stride," Walter said. "I just know that I have to perform well enough to give our team a chance to win. That's what it's about. That means protecting the football and managing the game. I need to do that. It'll be good just to get those extra reps in practice, sure."

Walter gets a break in the schedule because the Raiders have a bye this week. That will give him a few extra practices with the first team before he takes the field at home against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1.

Walter takes over the league's worst offense through two games. The Raiders have scored just two field goals in losses to Baltimore and San Diego, have given up a league-high 15 sacks, turned the ball over seven times, and are last in the NFL in total yards.

"The biggest thing is getting the offense going in the right direction," Walter said. "So if it's me, it's me. If it's Aaron, it's Aaron. It really doesn't matter, just as long as someone's doing it and making plays to help us win."

Walter was picked in the third round of the 2005 draft after a prolific career at Arizona State. He threw a then-Pac-10 record 85 career touchdown passes and had 10,617 yards passing in his career. He set almost every school record during his time with the Sun Devils.

Walter will become the fifth quarterback from that draft to start an NFL game, following San Francisco's Alex Smith, Cleveland's Charlie Frye, Chicago's Kyle Orton and St. Louis' Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"He's a tough kid," coach Art Shell said. "He's played in major football, playing at Arizona State. That's big football. It's not like he's coming from a small school like Maryland-Eastern Shore. He's played in some big games in some big stadiums, but this, of course, is the biggest stage there is and he'll have to adjust. He had a good start the other day."

Walter had mixed results in his first extensive action in the NFL when he replaced Brooks on Oakland's third drive against Baltimore. Walter put together a few effective drives against the tough Ravens defense, leading the Raiders to a pair of field goals for their only points of the season. But he also lost one of his three fumbles, threw three interceptions and was sacked six times.

He finished 10-for-27 for 162 yards and has an anemic quarterback rating of 19.0 through two weeks.

"It's hard when you're getting banged around, hit and sacked," offensive lineman Barry Sims said. "That's a tough environment to come in and still try to make your reads and your calls and everything that a quarterback is responsible for. He did a good job with that. We need to do a better job of giving him and Aaron an opportunity of getting time to get open receivers."

Walter battled injuries last season and did not play at all as a rookie. But the Raiders passed on Leinart and Cutler, believing they already had the quarterback of their future.

Despite his inexperience, Walter has to quickly become the leader of an offense that has veterans such as receiver Randy Moss and running back LaMont Jordan who want the ball. Moss pulled Walter aside before he came into the game for a pep talk and even made some suggestions to change plays in the huddle - something Shell would prefer happen on the sideline instead.

But Walter said he welcomes the input from Moss.

"The guy's one of the best ever," Walter said. "What can you say? Just try to give him the ball and let him go do his thing. That will be key to helping this offense get cranked up."
 
Walter facing big challenge
Second-year quarterback takes over for now as Brooks nurses injury

PHIL BARBER

ALAMEDA - Everybody, it seems, has a message for Andrew Walter.

When the second-year quarterback entered the game at Baltimore in the first quarter last Sunday, in place of injured starter Aaron Brooks, star wide receiver Randy Moss approached him and said, basically: "Your job is to get us in and out of good plays."

Walter not only absorbed that nugget of wisdom, he listened later when Moss suggested a particular route that the receiver thought could get him open. "The guy's one of the best ever," Walter said Tuesday. "What can you say? Just try to give him the ball and let him go do his thing."

On the flight back home to Oakland - no doubt a somber journey after the Raiders' 28-6 loss - it was Brooks' turn to bend the kid's ear.

"I told him to keep doing what he's doing, just hang in there," Brooks said. "I'm proud of him. ... That's how I got on the field. Somebody got hurt and I got out there and I performed and played well. ... He's been preparing himself very well for that moment. And at times I thought he played very well."

Raiders fans might remember Brooks' first meaningful action as a backup. It came against Oakland in November 2000, when Saints starter Jeff Blake got hurt in the first quarter. Brooks completed 14-of-22 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, though the Raiders prevailed, 31-22. In his first start the next week, he engineered a 31-24 win at St. Louis.

Walter's debut start will come in a less-than-ideal context. On the positive side, he gets an extra week to prepare because of the bye week. And the Raiders get a relatively weak opponent, Cleveland, at home. The negatives are obvious to anyone who has seen Oakland play the last two weeks. The team is 0-2, the offense has yet to score a touchdown and the line has surrendered 15 sacks.

Walter has been the victim of eight of those sacks. But if he was nervous against the Chargers or Ravens, or anxious about his upcoming assignment, he isn't showing it. He remains the same laid-back dude we've seen since the Raiders drafted him in 2005.

"He's a tough kid," coach Art Shell said. "He's played in major football, playing at Arizona State. That's big football. It's not like he's coming from a small school like Maryland-Eastern Shore. ... But this, of course, is the biggest stage there is, and he'll have to adjust."

"I have a strong faith," Walter said. "I think that plays a big part of it - you know, higher authorities. So that's my deal. As far as anything else, that's kind of me, try not to get too up or down like a rollercoaster."

Walter did lead the Raiders on a couple decent drives Sunday. He threw downfield into coverage too often, but he and Shell both were happy with the way he managed the game, changing plays at the line.

Though every backup realizes he's one play away from starting at any given moment, the mentality changes when he knows he's the No. 1 guy heading into a game. More important for Walter, he'll be getting the bulk of the first-team practice repetitions next week.

As for Brooks, he has a strained pectoral muscle and was clearly in discomfort in the Raiders' locker room Tuesday. He also didn't try to hide his frustration with the offense.

"Like I told the guys today, I didn't come here for this," he said. "I didn't come here to be stagnant, unproductive, disorganized."

If and when the Raiders do break out of their doldrums, it isn't entirely clear who will be at the helm - Brooks, Walter or someone else (Jeff George or otherwise). As of Tuesday, the Raiders had not yet brought in another quarterback to evaluate. But that could change at any time.

"You have to be concerned, and you have to take a look and see what's out there," Shell said. "We've started doing that and see who's available. But right now, whether we make a decision to go with another guy, we haven't done that yet."

LIKE SIMS WAS NEVER GONE

Left guard Barry Sims unexpectedly joined the offensive line for practice Tuesday. Sims was experiencing pain when crossing over laterally, and the Raiders feared a serious hip injury. Apparently, it is just a nasty bruise, and Shell was clearly relieved.

"Like I said to Barry many times, 'You're the leader. You're the veteran in this group, so it's important that you lead us within that group,' " the coach noted. "So having him out there stabilizes what we are trying to do with our group up front. You look up and see another young guy standing next to you, makes you a little uneasy."
 
QBs hold Bay's future in their hands


RON AGOSTINI


Can't watch NFL football in the Bay Area without reaching for aspirin? Can't believe the bleakness of the Raiders? Can't understand why one win seems like Valhalla for the 49ers?
Join the crowd. These are dark days, friend.

Between 2003 and 2005, the 49ers and Raiders both compiled records of 13-35, joint worst in the NFL. The 49ers used to win Super Bowls. The Raiders' record used to match their attitude.

Today, they're punch lines, and the TV networks cover their games with announcers who just passed their audition. The 49ers (1-1) nearly put playoff tickets on sale, such was their giddiness after beating the Rams. The Raiders (0-2), outscored 55-6, hear the question that further cuts into Al Davis' sleep: Can they go 0-16?

Ouch.

Now that our former heroes have sunk to the NFL basement, what is our mission for 2006? Root for draft picks in 2007? Reminisce about 2002, the last time you could watch these teams without wincing? Prepare for their matchup Oct. 8, already billed the Irrelevant Bowl?

We have a plan and, no, Custer is not involved. Here is advice to at least survive the autumn with sanity intact: Follow the quarterbacks.

Forget wins and losses, injury lists, point spreads and the fact the Raiders pulled their offensive coordinator (Tom Walsh) out of the bed-and-breakfast business. Fact is, there is chance for long-term success for Alex Smith of the 49ers and Andrew Walter of the Raiders. Both are young, talented and not yet embedded in the culture of losing.

The 49ers appear to be receiving a payback, in fact, for throwing Smith under the NFL bus last season. Much like the New York Giants endured rough days with rookie Eli Manning — look at him now — the 49ers see the same learning curve for Smith. He's more confident, stronger-armed and, by the way, is helped by Frank Gore, Antonio Bryant and other weapons painfully absent in 2005.

Smith's laser to Bryant for a touchdown Sunday signaled major progress. So did keeping his team close against Arizona until the final Hail Mary pass.

His learning curve still will include some head-scratching blunders. Balance those, however, against his maturation in dealing with Bryant — aka, T.O. Lite — and breaking the young and talented tight end Vernon Davis into the system.

Another thing: Two years ago, the 49ers were quarterbacked by Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett, three seventh-round draft picks, the residue of the Terry Donahue Era. That the 49ers are better off with a maturing Smith, along with Trent Dilfer as a backup, slams the door to a miserable period.

Sadly for the Raiders, that period is ongoing. But amid their angst, they've been gifted with two timely breaks: 1) A bye, which means they won't be 0-3 at least for another weekend, and 2) The shoulder injury to starting quarterback Aaron Brooks.

Coach Art Shell won't yet admit it, but that won't stop us: Walter is the best quarterback on the Oakland roster. If the Raiders are smart, they'll keep him on the field long after his scheduled first start Oct. 1 vs. Cleveland and let him grow.

Brooks, 30, signed to a two-year contract, was a designated fill-in. Walter, 24, possesses the kind of deep-strike arm Davis covets.

And we've already noticed his toughness. He's been sacked eight times but, at 6 feet 6 inches and 230 pounds, can absorb a blow not unlike Ben Roethlisberger. Thrown last week into a nightmare scenario against Baltimore, he mixed in the predictable errors with promising throws.

I liked his response late in the game after he overthrew a wide-open Randy Moss. He tossed his helmet in disgust and probably cursed himself during the entire plane trip home. Though the Raiders were elated he didn't dissolve into tapioca against Ray Lewis, Walter kicked himself for not making the play. With nothing to lose in a season that politely is billed a transitional phase, the Raiders need to see what they have in Walter.

Besides, the Raiders' first two opponents were playoff contenders. The next two, however, are winnable. Let's inspect Walter behind that work-in-progress offensive line (more polite words). Both could grow together, which would attach some meaning to an otherwise forgettable September.

The Raiders passed on rookies Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last spring partly because they think they own a rough-cut diamond in Walter. Now is an ideal time to check the shine on that rock.

Because in Smith and Walter, our battered boys from the bay possess more than a fancy law firm. Their quarterbacks are packed with an almost desperately sought commodity.

Hope.
 
Walter ahead of his time
In a Raiders rarity, the second-year quarterback will get a chance to start.

Jason Jones


ALAMEDA -- History tells us that the Raiders don't develop young quarterbacks. Instead, they find a veteran to lead the way.

Rich Gannon, Jeff Hostetler and Jim Plunkett are among the successes.

The Raiders signed seven-year veteran quarterback Aaron Brooks in the offseason because they were confident they could win with him right away.

Instead, the Raiders are 0-2, and Brooks is sidelined for two to four weeks because of a strained pectoral muscle.

Andrew Walter, here's your chance.

A second-year pro from Arizona State, Walter knows veterans hope it won't take long for him to become productive in his new starting role.

"There's a lot of football left," said Walter, one of two 2005 third-round draft choices for the Raiders. "This is totally about managing the game well, playing well and giving our team a chance to win."

With Oakland in its bye week, Walter will start at least one game -- against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1 -- and Raiders veterans know he'll need help.

"The older guys understand that they've got to pick up the pace a little bit in order to surround him with a better performance," coach Art Shell said. "As young kids, as we all do, they make mistakes. They'll probably make more positive things happen than mistakes. So, they'll rally around him; they'll be supportive of him -- they've always been supportive of him."

The Raiders like Walter's size (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) and arm strength. Considered the Raiders' quarterback of the future, Walter is getting a chance rarely afforded other young quarterbacks by the Raiders.

Since selecting Todd Marinovich out of USC in the first round in 1991, the Raiders have drafted only three quarterbacks.

Billy Joe Hobert (third round, 1993) was the first after the unsuccessful Marinovich experiment and didn't play his first two of four seasons with the team.

Ronald Curry (seventh round, 2002) is now the third wide receiver and emergency quarterback. Marques Tuiasosopo was the highest pick (second round, 2001) but remains an unknown commodity. Rather than let Tuiasosopo play, the Raiders turned to Kerry Collins, Brooks and now Walter.

One reason the Raiders have relied on veterans is the belief a Super Bowl is always within reach, a goal that could be hindered by allowing a young quarterback to play. Now the Raiders are just trying to win a game and hope Walter can lead their stagnant offense, which has yet to score a touchdown.

Walter, who played in the fourth quarter of the season opener against San Diego, got his first extensive regular-season playing time last Sunday at Baltimore when Brooks left in the first quarter.

His performance was predictable for a quarterback who hadn't played much since the 2004 college season. He completed 10 of 27 passes for 162 yards with three interceptions. He also lost a fumble.

"He's been preparing himself very well for that moment," Brooks said. "And at times I thought he played very well. It's just a process. He's still young. I'm going to continue to be behind him, back him and try to help him through whenever he's in the game."

Instead of being called upon in emergency this time, Walter will have two weeks to prepare for the Cleveland game, which should improve his play.

"Knowing I'm going to start, obviously it's going to be a different mind-set," Walter said. "It'll be good to have a different perspective, learning experience. The bottom line, I want to play well enough to give this team a chance to win."

Giving the Raiders a chance to win would give Walter confidence. And it also likely would guarantee a few years before the Raiders draft another quarterback.
 
Oakland players to savor bye week

By Jason Jones
September 22, 2006


ALAMEDA -- Having the weekend off is supposed to be an exciting thing, unless you're Warren Sapp and your cable service hasn't worked all week.

"I'm too old to get worried about a bye week," Sapp said.

While the Raiders might not have wanted a bye this early when the schedule was released in the spring, it couldn't come at a better time.

The Raiders are 0-2 and have been outscored 55-6.

The players were released after Thursday's practice and will return to work Monday to prepare for the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1.

The coaches will work today before taking their break.

Coach Art Shell said he wants players to relax and enjoy their families and expects the season won't be too far from their minds.

"And while they're away I know some of them will be thinking about what they're supposed to do, how they can get better, how can they help the team get better," Shell said. "And I know that's going to happen because that's the nature of an athlete."

Shell noted that after five preseason games and two regular season games, now isn't necessarily a bad time for some rest.

"It's been a long road, they've worked very hard," Shell said. "You'd be surprised what two or three days can do for you, for your mind as well as your body."

No quarterback news -- Shell said the Raiders would probably play Cleveland with only two quarterbacks.

With Aaron Brooks sidelined with a strained pectoral muscle, Andrew Walter will start and Marques Tuiasosopo will be the backup.

Wide receiver Ronald Curry, drafted as a quarterback out of North Carolina in 2002, would be the emergency quarterback.

Curry hasn't thrown a pass in a game since 2004, when his attempt on a reverse fell incomplete.

Looking ahead -- Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (sprained left foot) was able to work out Thursday and should be ready to play against Cleveland.

Left tackle Robert Gallery (calf) and left guard Barry Sims (hip) also practiced.

Rookie Paul McQuistan, a tackle in college, will continue to play guard but will also work at tackle now that rookie Kevin Boothe has replaced him as the starting right guard.

"When we start putting the squad together for (the Browns), then we've got to make sure we're covered in all areas," Shell said. "So, he has the ability to play guard, and we know he has the ability to play tackle. So, he'll work at other positions, too."
 
For once, Raiders go young at QB with Walter

September 21, 2006


History tells us that the Oakland Raiders don't develop young quarterbacks. Instead, they find a veteran to lead the way.
Rich Gannon, Jeff Hostetler and Jim Plunkett are among the successes.

The Raiders signed seven-year veteran quarterback Aaron Brooks in the offseason because they were confident they could win with him right away.

Instead, the Raiders are 0-2, and Brooks is sidelined for two to four weeks because of a strained pectoral muscle.

Andrew Walter, here's your chance.

A second-year pro from Arizona State, Walter knows veterans hope it won't take long for him to become productive in his new starting role.

"There's a lot of football left," said Walter, one of two 2005 third-round draft choices for the Raiders. "This is totally about managing the game well, playing well and giving our team a chance to win."

With Oakland in its bye week, Walter will start at least one game - against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1 - and Raiders veterans know he'll need help.

"The older guys understand that they've got to pick up the pace a little bit in order to surround him with a better performance," coach Art Shell said. "As young kids, as we all do, they make mistakes. They'll probably make more positive things happen than mistakes. So, they'll rally around him; they'll be supportive of him - they've always been supportive of him."

The Raiders like Walter's size (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) and arm strength. Considered the Raiders' quarterback of the future, Walter is getting a chance rarely afforded other young quarterbacks by the Raiders.

Since selecting Todd Marinovich out of USC in the first round in 1991, the Raiders have drafted only three quarterbacks.

Billy Joe Hobert (third round, 1993) was the first after the unsuccessful Marinovich experiment and didn't play his first two of four seasons with the team.

Ronald Curry (seventh round, 2002) is now the third wide receiver and emergency quarterback. Marques Tuiasosopo was the highest pick (second round, 2001) but remains an unknown commodity. Rather than let Tuiasosopo play, the Raiders turned to Kerry Collins, Brooks and now Walter.

One reason the Raiders have relied on veterans is the belief a Super Bowl is always within reach, a goal that could be hindered by allowing a young quarterback to play. Now the Raiders are just trying to win a game and hope Walter can lead their stagnant offense, which has yet to score a touchdown.

Walter, who played in the fourth quarter of the season opener against San Diego, got his first extensive regular-season playing time Sept. 17 at Baltimore when Brooks left in the first quarter.

His performance was predictable for a quarterback who hadn't played much since the 2004 college season. He completed 10 of 27 passes for 162 yards with three interceptions. He also lost a fumble.

"He's been preparing himself very well for that moment," Brooks said. "And at times I thought he played very well. It's just a process. He's still young. I'm going to continue to be behind him, back him and try to help him through whenever he's in the game."

Instead of being called upon in emergency this time, Walter will have two weeks to prepare for the Cleveland game, which should improve his play.

"Knowing I'm going to start, obviously it's going to be a different mind-set," Walter said. "It'll be good to have a different perspective, learning experience. The bottom line, I want to play well enough to give this team a chance to win."

Giving the Raiders a chance to win would give Walter confidence. And it also likely would guarantee a few years before the Raiders draft another quarterback.
 
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