Angry Pope
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Huff has backer in Ravens coach
Billick says he hoped the strong safety would drop to his team in draft
ALAMEDA -- Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, for one, is in the Raiders' corner for selecting strong safety Michael Huff at No. 7 in the NFL draft in April, even though quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler were available.
"When Michael Huff goes to his third, fourth and fifth Pro Bowls, all those people criticizing that pick are going to forget that they ever said that," Billick said in a conference call with Bay Area media Wednesday. "It's real easy to make those kinds of criticisms."
Those critical of the Raiders for taking a strong safety over a quarterback need only look at what Ed Reed has done for the Ravens since he was drafted late in the first round in 2002.
He has developed into one of the game's premier defenders, a player capable of delivering a big hit, creating a key turnover and changing the complexion of a game. Those are things that Billick says he sees in Huff.
"Michael Huff is an outstanding athlete," Billick said. "We were hoping that (he) would drop to us (at No. 12) because we think he's an outstanding player. And you're seeing it on film, that nothing has changed my opinion of Michael Huff. We had a very high opinion of him, and he brings a quality of competitor. The fact that he can play safety and corner, that was an excellent pick on the Raiders' part."
Gallery goes down
Starting left offensive tackle Robert Gallery injured a calf muscle in a prepractice exercise and missed practice. His status is uncertain for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Raiders coach Art Shell said.
Chad Slaughter worked in Gallery's stead and would play against the Ravens if Gallery can't go. Slaughter started one game last season and fared well.
Also, starting right cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot) and defensive end Kevin Huntley (foot) are questionable for Sunday's game. Tyrone Poole would replace Asomugha if needed, Shell said. Punt and kick returner Chris Carr (calf) also got hurt Wednesday and missed practice time.
Lewis living large
Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis already is off to a flying start this season. He earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor for his performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in a 27-0 victory.
Lewis posted a team-high 10 tackles, including a sack. He also broke up two passes. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Extra points
The Raiders piped in artificial crowd noise during practice in anticipation of playing in front a sellout crowd for the Ravens home opener Sunday. It's worth a try. The Raiders have lost 20 of their 24 road games the past three seasons, including six of eight last season. ... The Raiders released receiver Burl Toler and signed receiver Leo Bookman as his replacement on the practice squad.
-- Steve Corkran
Billick says he hoped the strong safety would drop to his team in draft
ALAMEDA -- Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, for one, is in the Raiders' corner for selecting strong safety Michael Huff at No. 7 in the NFL draft in April, even though quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler were available.
"When Michael Huff goes to his third, fourth and fifth Pro Bowls, all those people criticizing that pick are going to forget that they ever said that," Billick said in a conference call with Bay Area media Wednesday. "It's real easy to make those kinds of criticisms."
Those critical of the Raiders for taking a strong safety over a quarterback need only look at what Ed Reed has done for the Ravens since he was drafted late in the first round in 2002.
He has developed into one of the game's premier defenders, a player capable of delivering a big hit, creating a key turnover and changing the complexion of a game. Those are things that Billick says he sees in Huff.
"Michael Huff is an outstanding athlete," Billick said. "We were hoping that (he) would drop to us (at No. 12) because we think he's an outstanding player. And you're seeing it on film, that nothing has changed my opinion of Michael Huff. We had a very high opinion of him, and he brings a quality of competitor. The fact that he can play safety and corner, that was an excellent pick on the Raiders' part."
Gallery goes down
Starting left offensive tackle Robert Gallery injured a calf muscle in a prepractice exercise and missed practice. His status is uncertain for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Raiders coach Art Shell said.
Chad Slaughter worked in Gallery's stead and would play against the Ravens if Gallery can't go. Slaughter started one game last season and fared well.
Also, starting right cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot) and defensive end Kevin Huntley (foot) are questionable for Sunday's game. Tyrone Poole would replace Asomugha if needed, Shell said. Punt and kick returner Chris Carr (calf) also got hurt Wednesday and missed practice time.
Lewis living large
Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis already is off to a flying start this season. He earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor for his performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in a 27-0 victory.
Lewis posted a team-high 10 tackles, including a sack. He also broke up two passes. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Extra points
The Raiders piped in artificial crowd noise during practice in anticipation of playing in front a sellout crowd for the Ravens home opener Sunday. It's worth a try. The Raiders have lost 20 of their 24 road games the past three seasons, including six of eight last season. ... The Raiders released receiver Burl Toler and signed receiver Leo Bookman as his replacement on the practice squad.
-- Steve Corkran