Raiders mess a work in progress
Monte Poole
THE ICY DIVIDE continues between Art Shell, the new head coach, and Jerry Porter, who last season led the Raiders in receiving.
The most obvious solution to the Porter situation, Doug Gabriel, a 2003 fifth-round draft pick groomed to the brink of starting, was traded last week. For a future fifth-round pick.
Which is why Alvis Whitted, a fleet and earnest journeyman with a fraction of Porter's ability, was named Week 1 starter opposite Randy Moss, the fleet and luminescent game-breaker.
Maybe this is a message from the owner and the reorganized coaching staff, a joystick attempt to establish authority and install discipline.
Or maybe it's a pulling of the strings that can lead to an unraveling.
We have Moss going on radio the other day, being his candid self, expressing displeasure about the Gabriel deal and remarking about the "fishy" vibe around the team.
The Jeff George signing was a joke, the kind of silly idea hatched when the wacky weed meets the wee hours.
It's not unusual for things to become bizarre, even ugly, when the losses pile up around the Raiders. But the 2006 team has yet to play a down.
The Porter matter remains, for now, the horse in the corner. Shell has been reluctant to address it, perhaps expecting it to resolve itself while gambling it won't hurt the chemistry or potential of the team.
When I asked the coach if he plans to meet with the unhappy player and, you know, communicate, Art's response was distinct.
"Why? A lot of people are probably unhappy," he said Friday afternoon. "But I can't be concerned. I have a whole football team to be concerned about. We're trying to move forward with that team and win football games.
"I don't think I have to talk to him. About what?"
Well, how about taking action to extinguish a potential threat to the team-building process?
How about trying to remedy a situation becoming increasingly reminiscent of the Marcus Allen saga? While Porter lacks Allen's credentials and exalted stature among teammates, the result — a weaker team — is precisely the same.
Consider, for example, the evening of Nov.28, 2004, a 25-24 win at Denver, the last time Oakland won within the AFC West. Porter was the catalyst, catching six passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns. He destroyed Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, allegedly the best there is.
And now, because grown men have no need for diplomacy, Porter becomes the team's No.4 receiver?
The Raiders were better off when JP was the No.5 receiver, because Gabriel was on the roster. Both are big, physical types. Gabriel spent most of the preseason opposite Moss, and the two appeared to complement each other, both excellent going deep, both willing to cross the field.
With Gabriel coming into his own and Porter receiving conditional permission to seek the trade he wants, the Raiders dealt ... Gabriel. To perennial AFC contender New England.
Which left Porter and many of his teammates, including quarterback Aaron Brooks and Moss, shaking their heads.
Fishy, as Moss might surmise.
Surely the decision to move Gabriel came from above Shell. As long as Al Davis remains the boss, Art is only partially responsible for managing the players on the roster.
It's conceivable Al and Art used the preseason to reinforce their authority and will now allow Porter to rejoin the team. They certainly know his value.
"Jerry Porter, being able to work the middle the field and get those tough yards, has to be an important cog," former Raider Tim Brown said. "Somebody is going to have to do the dirty work, and that falls on JP — especially now that Doug Gabriel is gone."
Maybe the plan for Monday night is to start Whitted, then summon Porter. Alvis, after all, is not built for the underneath routes necessary to sustain drives and keep safeties honest.
That, however, might make too much sense.
What some see as dysfunction, others see as a unique and complex dynamic. It could be that these Raiders, light on recent success, are trying to recapture the rebellious, triumphant essence of Raiders past.
That seems to be Shell's dream. Asked about Moss' comments, Big Art passed it off as the Raiders being the Raiders.
"One thing about this organization: Everybody has a chance, an opportunity, to speak their mind. Every individual. Every player," he said. "What he's talking about, I don't have any idea."
Moss was talking about an organization with questionable motives, a team with reason for skepticism. What only a few months ago seemed to be the framework of renewal now has the makings of a mess.
