Angry Pope
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Gallery out 2-3 weeks
September 14th, 2006
By Jerry McDonald
Thiings keep getting worse for left tackle Robert Gallery.
An MRI revealed a torn calf muscle which will keep Gallery out of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens and possibly beyond.
Chad Slaughter, who has started once in a 28-game career that has encompassed parts of six seasons with the New York Jets (2000-01) and Raiders (2002-present) will start at left tackle.
Slaughter, who spent time on Oakland’s practice squad upon his arrival and fluctuated from being inactive and active on game day for his first two seasons in Oakland, had his best game in last year’s season finale against the New York Giants.
After Gallery left the game with a broken tibia, Slaughter entered and battled Giants perennial Pro bowl defensive end Michael Strahan on relatively even terms, even stonewalling Strahan on a handful of attempts at rushing the passer.
In discussing Slaughter’s strengths Thursday evening, Shell touched on one of the few weaknesses that surfaced in Gallery’s scouting report when he was the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft out of Iowa.
“Chad is a battler,'’ Shell said. “He has long arms which gives him an advantage. Robert’s arms are not as long as Chad’s Chad is taller, too. He is a real big guy with long arms. He can get to guys before they can get to him. He can punch pretty good.'’
Whether it was short arms or the ability of his opponent, Gallery had rough opening night against San Diego outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had three sacks in a 27-0 over the Raiders.
Slaughter’s primary responsibility will be Baltimore right end Terrell Suggs, a speed rusher with 30.5 sacks since being a first-round draft pick in 2003.
Shell said he toyed with the idea of moving Barry Sims back from left guard to left tackle, but instead decided “to go the way we’re going right now and see what happens.'’
It’s conceivable Gallery could be available on Oct. 1, when the Raiders return from a Week 3 bye to face the Cleveland Browns at McAfee Coliseum.
The news wasn’t much better regarding Oakland’s other injured players.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot sprain) and strongside linebacker Sam Williams (ankle) were both termed “questionable'’ by Shell and did not practice, although Williams was listed as “probable'’ on the official report.
“They are still wearing those boots so that doesn’t bode too well,'’ Shell said.
Tyrone Poole is next in line to start at cornerback, while Shell said either Robert Thomas or Grant Irons would move in at strong side linebacker if Williams can’t play.
Both Williams and return specialist Chris Carr (calf) said in the locker room Thursday afternoon he expected to play. Carr said he had an MRI Wednesday which was negative and that was “about 90 percent.'’
Carr was listed as questionable.
September 14th, 2006
By Jerry McDonald
Thiings keep getting worse for left tackle Robert Gallery.
An MRI revealed a torn calf muscle which will keep Gallery out of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens and possibly beyond.
Chad Slaughter, who has started once in a 28-game career that has encompassed parts of six seasons with the New York Jets (2000-01) and Raiders (2002-present) will start at left tackle.
Slaughter, who spent time on Oakland’s practice squad upon his arrival and fluctuated from being inactive and active on game day for his first two seasons in Oakland, had his best game in last year’s season finale against the New York Giants.
After Gallery left the game with a broken tibia, Slaughter entered and battled Giants perennial Pro bowl defensive end Michael Strahan on relatively even terms, even stonewalling Strahan on a handful of attempts at rushing the passer.
In discussing Slaughter’s strengths Thursday evening, Shell touched on one of the few weaknesses that surfaced in Gallery’s scouting report when he was the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft out of Iowa.
“Chad is a battler,'’ Shell said. “He has long arms which gives him an advantage. Robert’s arms are not as long as Chad’s Chad is taller, too. He is a real big guy with long arms. He can get to guys before they can get to him. He can punch pretty good.'’
Whether it was short arms or the ability of his opponent, Gallery had rough opening night against San Diego outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had three sacks in a 27-0 over the Raiders.
Slaughter’s primary responsibility will be Baltimore right end Terrell Suggs, a speed rusher with 30.5 sacks since being a first-round draft pick in 2003.
Shell said he toyed with the idea of moving Barry Sims back from left guard to left tackle, but instead decided “to go the way we’re going right now and see what happens.'’
It’s conceivable Gallery could be available on Oct. 1, when the Raiders return from a Week 3 bye to face the Cleveland Browns at McAfee Coliseum.
The news wasn’t much better regarding Oakland’s other injured players.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot sprain) and strongside linebacker Sam Williams (ankle) were both termed “questionable'’ by Shell and did not practice, although Williams was listed as “probable'’ on the official report.
“They are still wearing those boots so that doesn’t bode too well,'’ Shell said.
Tyrone Poole is next in line to start at cornerback, while Shell said either Robert Thomas or Grant Irons would move in at strong side linebacker if Williams can’t play.
Both Williams and return specialist Chris Carr (calf) said in the locker room Thursday afternoon he expected to play. Carr said he had an MRI Wednesday which was negative and that was “about 90 percent.'’
Carr was listed as questionable.
