Angry Pope
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Same old, same old for Tuiasosopo
Raiders QB returns to his native Seattle miles away from a starting job
By Steve Corkran
SEATTLE - The Raiders drafted quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo in April 2001. Seven months later, he returned to his native state for the first time in an NFL uniform.
Everything seemed so surreal to Tuiasosopo at the time, he said. He got drafted in the second round, by a team on the rise, one led by dynamic coach Jon Gruden and starting quarterback Rich Gannon near the end of his NFL career.
In another strange twist, his first game in Seattle as a Raider was played at the University of Washington, on the very field where he made a name for himself as the versatile leader of the Huskies.
He had no illusions about seeing the field from anything but the sideline that day. Gannon was in the midst of a third straight Pro Bowl season and hell-bent upon playing every single snap. Tuiasosopo knew his time would come.
Well, here it is almost five years later, Tuiasosopo is back for his second game in the city where he was born, but he isn't any closer to being Oakland's starting quarterback. If anything, he is further away from taking the reins now than he was his rookie season.
The Raiders conclude their exhibition season with a game against the Seattle Seahawks tonight at Qwest Field. Tuiasosopo, 27, is expected to see extensive action.
"I feel like I'm ready to go, ready for that opportunity to get a chance to get in the game and play my way into jump-starting this team," Tuiasosopo said. "For whatever reason, that hasn't happened."
Time and again, Tuiasosopo has been leap-frogged either by someone with less NFL experience or a veteran who arrived after he did.
First, it was Kerry Collins. Then came Aaron Brooks. New coach Art Shell then elevated second-year player Andrew Walter from No. 3 to No. 2 during the offseason, even though Walter didn't attempt a pass last season and has had shoulder and groin surgery since he finished college. Who knows what to make of the Raiders' signing 38-year-old quarterback Jeff George on Monday?
"I just wanted to give Andrew an opportunity to show what he's capable of doing," is how Shell explained his rationale for demoting Tuiasosopo. "We took (Walter) with the third-(round) pick in the draft last year, and feel he is very capable, so I want to give him an opportunity, that's all."
That makes perfect sense until you realize that the Raiders spent a higher draft pick on Tuiasosopo, yet given him only two opportunities to start a game in five seasons.
Tuiasosopo said he has given up trying to make sense of how things have played out. He just does what he is asked to do and waits for the day when he is a full-time starter.
"It's been kind of hard that way," he said. "I came in under Gannon, he was the guy. Then, things change, new coaches come in, they want certain guys. The guy that drafted me left, but I'm still here. Mr. (Al) Davis still wants me to be here. I love being a Raider. I just wished it had worked out better."
That isn't to say that Tuiasosopo is bitter. He said he is open to re-signing with the Raiders once his contract expires at the end of this season. That is, if he's still around here that long.
Several teams have expressed interest in trading for Tuiasosopo. The Raiders are listening to offers and willing to part ways with the player they once viewed as the quarterback of their future, once Gannon retired.
Through it all, Tuiasosopo has remained positive. He is the consummate team player, one who performs every task with a smile on his face. Perhaps, then, it isn't surprising that he manages to put a positive spin on something that would turn others negative.
"Ultimately, it's out of my control," he said. "I'm a competitor. I want to play. I want to start. So, that's my focus. It's counterproductive to mope around."
Shell has taken notice of Tuiasosopo's demeanor.
"I'm very pleased with the way Tui has handled it," Shell said.
Raiders QB returns to his native Seattle miles away from a starting job
By Steve Corkran
SEATTLE - The Raiders drafted quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo in April 2001. Seven months later, he returned to his native state for the first time in an NFL uniform.
Everything seemed so surreal to Tuiasosopo at the time, he said. He got drafted in the second round, by a team on the rise, one led by dynamic coach Jon Gruden and starting quarterback Rich Gannon near the end of his NFL career.
In another strange twist, his first game in Seattle as a Raider was played at the University of Washington, on the very field where he made a name for himself as the versatile leader of the Huskies.
He had no illusions about seeing the field from anything but the sideline that day. Gannon was in the midst of a third straight Pro Bowl season and hell-bent upon playing every single snap. Tuiasosopo knew his time would come.
Well, here it is almost five years later, Tuiasosopo is back for his second game in the city where he was born, but he isn't any closer to being Oakland's starting quarterback. If anything, he is further away from taking the reins now than he was his rookie season.
The Raiders conclude their exhibition season with a game against the Seattle Seahawks tonight at Qwest Field. Tuiasosopo, 27, is expected to see extensive action.
"I feel like I'm ready to go, ready for that opportunity to get a chance to get in the game and play my way into jump-starting this team," Tuiasosopo said. "For whatever reason, that hasn't happened."
Time and again, Tuiasosopo has been leap-frogged either by someone with less NFL experience or a veteran who arrived after he did.
First, it was Kerry Collins. Then came Aaron Brooks. New coach Art Shell then elevated second-year player Andrew Walter from No. 3 to No. 2 during the offseason, even though Walter didn't attempt a pass last season and has had shoulder and groin surgery since he finished college. Who knows what to make of the Raiders' signing 38-year-old quarterback Jeff George on Monday?
"I just wanted to give Andrew an opportunity to show what he's capable of doing," is how Shell explained his rationale for demoting Tuiasosopo. "We took (Walter) with the third-(round) pick in the draft last year, and feel he is very capable, so I want to give him an opportunity, that's all."
That makes perfect sense until you realize that the Raiders spent a higher draft pick on Tuiasosopo, yet given him only two opportunities to start a game in five seasons.
Tuiasosopo said he has given up trying to make sense of how things have played out. He just does what he is asked to do and waits for the day when he is a full-time starter.
"It's been kind of hard that way," he said. "I came in under Gannon, he was the guy. Then, things change, new coaches come in, they want certain guys. The guy that drafted me left, but I'm still here. Mr. (Al) Davis still wants me to be here. I love being a Raider. I just wished it had worked out better."
That isn't to say that Tuiasosopo is bitter. He said he is open to re-signing with the Raiders once his contract expires at the end of this season. That is, if he's still around here that long.
Several teams have expressed interest in trading for Tuiasosopo. The Raiders are listening to offers and willing to part ways with the player they once viewed as the quarterback of their future, once Gannon retired.
Through it all, Tuiasosopo has remained positive. He is the consummate team player, one who performs every task with a smile on his face. Perhaps, then, it isn't surprising that he manages to put a positive spin on something that would turn others negative.
"Ultimately, it's out of my control," he said. "I'm a competitor. I want to play. I want to start. So, that's my focus. It's counterproductive to mope around."
Shell has taken notice of Tuiasosopo's demeanor.
"I'm very pleased with the way Tui has handled it," Shell said.