Moss

[Angry Pope]

With Moss on right, who's left?
Unclear which WR will replace banished Gabriel; converted TE Madsen success story of camp

By Bill Soliday

Saturday the focus was on who was no longer on the Oakland Raiders roster. Now the focus shifts to who still is, why and what lies in store a week from today when the team opens the season against San Diego.

The question most likely to endure right up to kickoff may be which receiver starts on the left side opposite Randy Moss now that Doug Gabriel has been whipped off to Boston.

There was no hint of the direction the Raiders were headed in the aftermath of the trade, which the Boston Globe reported was for a fifth-round draft choice. The Raiders drafted Gabriel in the fifth round in 2005.

Besides Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry two other receivers could make an impact — Alvis Whitted and Johnnie Morant. However, a third candidate for playing time is rookie John Madsen.

Although a college wide receiver, Madsen was moved to tight end this summer. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he is a project at tight end — blessed with receiver skills but lacking bulk and technique as a tight end. He may play a little at both positions.

"He is a tweener, trying to get bigger," coach Art Shell explained. "But he has the speed to still get down the field as a receiver."

In multiple receiver formations, Madsen — along with Morant — pose nice matchup options against smaller defenders. The swift Whitted is a great resource against defensive backs with dubious speed.

Madsen may not be a factor against San Diego. He injured an ankle at Seattle and probably won't play until Week 2 at Baltimore.

On defense, the surprise release of Danny Clark left Oakland without their backup middle linebacker. Robert Thomas, injured for part of training camp, fills that spot for now. It is also possible the Raiders may try to re-sign Clark to a more cap-friendly figure.

The trade of Gabriel left a vacant spot alongside Chris Carr on kickoff returns. Shell said ReShard Lee, who impressed at running back this summer with 118 yards on 39 carries, might get the call.

Two rookies are part of the 10-man offensive line. Paul McQuistan starts at right guard, and Kevin Boothe will be a backup at guard. He won out over veteran Kelvin Garmon, who started the final two exhibition games in place of injured Barry Sims.

Garmon's release is an indicator Shell has confidence Sims' elbow won't keep him out of the San Diego game.

"I think he will be ready," Shell said. "We just have to make sure he doesn't have any setbacks. Garmon did an excellent job for us. If something happens,
he will be one of the guys we will consider calling back."

Another factor in the guard situation involves Corey Hulsey, who started the last two games at center for Jake Grove. There is now a chance Grove might be able to play against San Diego, which would elevate Hulsey to the No.1 guard backup.

Grove, who has a shoulder injury, has begun to work out individually and may join team drills starting today.

"It's 100 times better than it was when it happened," Grove said. "It has been good news every day. It started out with (out for the) season, then it was a month, then ... I don't know.

"I don't think I am going to become magically healed in the next week, but I feel good now, and if I can get out there in the next few days and feel good about what I am doing, I think I will be ready to go."

On defense, it was a mild surprise that linebacker Isaiah Ekeijuiba ousted Ryan Riddle. Both excel on special teams, but the club apparently believed Ekeijuiba had more potential as a linebacker.

The success story of this camp, though, was Madsen. He came in as a roster longshot, an undrafted free agent receiver making a position switch. Retaining Madsen gave the Raiders four tight ends, a position Shell has insisted will be a key one in his offense.

Madsen said his opportunity came when James Adkisson and Randal Williams were hurt and he got increased field time in Napa.

"When I got my opportunity, I made some big plays, and they saw I had some receiving skills," Madsen said. "I think they are looking for that type of tight end in this league. But I still have a long way to go ... a lot to learn, especially in the blocking game."

When Madsen dropped an easy flair pass in Seattle onThursday, it put a lump in his throat.

"When you are in my situation, every time something like that happens, you have to try to put it out of your mind so you don't get the snowball effect and keep making mistakes," Madsen said.

But Madsen also made a key early block on Carr's 72-yard punt return for a touchdown.

"In the short period of time we've had him, he has done pretty good on special teams," Shell said. "So he is a very valuable player for us for the future."

 

[Angry Pope]

I'm sorry Bones, I screwed up the title

 

[Angry Pope]

Rookie says relaxing isn't in his plans

By Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Monday, September 4, 2006


ALAMEDA -- John Madsen walked into the Raiders' locker room with a boot on his sprained right ankle and thought his NFL dream was over.

He found the temporary locker with his belongings cleaned out and thought he had been cut.


It's a good thing Madsen didn't burst into tears, because just to the left of his temporary locker was a permanent locker with his name and belongings.
Madsen was the only undrafted rookie to make the 53-man roster. The tight end wasn't sure he would made the team following Thursday night's preseason finale in Seattle.

Though Madsen had made a key block on Chris Carr's 72-yard punt return for a touchdown, he also had dropped an easy pass and sprained his ankle on special teams.

Madsen admitted the dropped pass bothered him.

"When you're in my situation, anytime something like that happens, you've got to try to put it out of your mind... so you don't have the snowball effect," Madsen said.

But he had done enough before the Seattle game to earn his spot. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Madsen was a wide receiver at Utah, but the Raiders wanted him to learn to play tight end.

When James Adkisson went down early in camp with a knee injury, Madsen got on the field, made plays and used his wide receiver skills to get open and make catches in practice.

Although Madsen's ankle injury could keep him out of next Monday's season opener against the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders liked the versatility of a player with his size and hands.

In the Raiders' third preseason game, against the 49ers, Madsen caught two passes for 52 yards, including a 35-yarder.

"He is a talent as a receiver," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "He can play receiver, he can play tight end. And in the short period of time we've had him, he has done pretty good on special teams. So he is a very valuable player for us for the future."

Madsen knows he still has work to do.

"I've got a ways to go, especially in the blocking game," Madsen said. "I've got to get bigger and stronger and learn some of the different techniques."

Et cetera -- Center Jake Grove (shoulder) is doing individual drills in practice. Grove hopes to play against San Diego.

• Rookie linebacker Darnell Bing, placed on injured reserve with a neck injury, is scheduled to see a specialist Tuesday in North Carolina.

• Adkisson has returned to practice.

 

[Angry Pope]

If Adkisson turns out to be the real deal as been described in the articles and Madsen adds the bulk in the offseason to help his blocking, we are going to have mismatches all over the field both in speed and size of our WRs and TEs.

 

[Angry Pope]

WR opposite Moss still undecided


ALAMEDA -- Now that the shock has worn off from the news that wide receiver Doug Gabriel is gone, it's time to find out who is going to start opposite Randy Moss in the regular-season opener against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.

Not just yet, coach Art Shell said Monday. There's plenty of time to make that decision. For now, the primary goal is getting Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Alvis Whitted up to speed.

Porter sustained a calf injury at the start of training camp and still is rounding his way into shape. Curry just returned to action after spending the past 11 months or so recovering from a ruptured left Achilles tendon. Whitted is battling a groin injury he sustained last week.

Curry and Porter worked with the starting offense in practice Monday, Shell said. Curry was out there first but that doesn't mean he is going to start against the Chargers.

The Raiders traded Gabriel to the New England Patriots on Saturday for the rights to a 2005 fifth-round draft selection. The news hit the players hard and without warning.

"There was like a moment of silence," quarterback Aaron Brooks said.

Fortunately for the Raiders, Brooks said, they have guys who can take Gabriel's place. That doesn't mean he won't be missed, both on and off the field.

"We're going to miss Doug," Brooks said. "Doug was a very reliable receiver."

Porter started 15 games at receiver last season, but he landed in Shell's doghouse after an offseason meeting ended with his getting booted from Shell's office. He caught only one pass during the exhibition season and didn't play with the first-team offense at all.

Gabriel started all five exhibition games, and it appeared as if he had earned the starting nod for the regular season until the Raiders traded him away.

Practice makes perfect

The Raiders re-signed receivers Burl Toler and Will Buchanon, tight end Derek Miller, center Chris Morris, defensive end Bryant McNeal and linebacker Ricky Brown and assigned them to their practice squad.

All six were with the Raiders in training camp but got cut as part of Oakland's reaching the 53-man limit for the regular season.

Morris was one of Oakland's two seventh-round draft selections in April. The Raiders still have room to add two more players to their practice squad, if they so choose.

Practice squad players aren't eligible to play unless they get signed to the 53-man roster. Also, they remain the property of the Raiders unless another team signs them to their 53-man roster.

Extra points

Center Jake Grove (shoulder) and left guard Barry Sims (elbow) practiced Monday. Shell said, "Sims looks like he's going to be OK," in reference to Sims' status for Monday night's game. Shell said he isn't as certain about Grove. ... Tight end John Madsen changed his number from 10 to 85. Tight end James Adkisson switched from No. 47 to No. 88. Linebacker Robert Thomas ditched No. 58 in favor of No. 55. ... Fullback Zach Tuiasosopo got signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, two days after he got cut by the Raiders. His brother, Marques, is a backup quarterback for the Raiders.

-- Steve Corkran

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders searching for a No. 2 receiver

By Jason Jones


ALAMEDA -- Doug Gabriel is a New England Patriot, and many of the Raiders still can't believe it.

But with the season opener Monday night against the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders are moving forward while Gabriel is absorbing the Patriots' playbook, preparing to catch passes from Tom Brady.


The Raiders must settle on a new starting wide receiver to go with Randy Moss, though they're not in a hurry to name a No. 2 pass catcher.
Coach Art Shell said Ronald Curry began Monday's practice with the first team but wouldn't declare Curry the starter.

"Still a work in progress," Shell said. "I like that phrase. Someone will line up on Monday night."

Meanwhile, the Raiders are still stunned by the trade of a starter.

"He's going to be missed," quarterback Aaron Brooks said. "I wish he was here. You can't do nothing about it, no control over that."

Brooks expressed faith in Curry, who was having a breakout season in 2004 before tearing his left Achilles' tendon. He did it again in 2005, missing all but two games.

"I believe deeply in Ron C.," Brooks said. "I've seen what he can do, even as a youngster in high school."

Brooks said the rest of the receivers are smart and talented enough to adjust.

"We've just got to find ways to make them feel a lot more comfortable in their roles and maybe their new roles so we can take a little pressure off Randy," Brooks said. "(Moss shouldn't) think that he has to make every big catch, make every catch and do the unbelievable every game out, because that's unreasonable."

Practice-squad additions -- The Raiders signed tight end Derek Miller, wide receivers Burl Toler and Will Buchanon, linebacker Ricky Brown, defensive end Bryant McNeal and offensive lineman Chris Morris to their practice squad.

All the players were with the Raiders this offseason. Morris was a seventh-round draft pick by the Raiders. Toler was the only player cut before Saturday who was brought back.

Number swaps -- Linebacker Robert Thomas switched from No. 58 to No. 55, which belonged to former starting middle linebacker Danny Clark, who was cut Saturday.

Tight end James Adkisson is now No. 88 instead of No. 47. Rookie tight end John Madsen wore No. 10 in the preseason but now has No. 85, Gabriel's old number.

Injury report -- Guard Barry Sims (elbow) is expected to start against San Diego. Center Jake Grove reports no pain in his strained left shoulder and took part in individual and team drills.

Shell said the Raiders would be cautious with Grove and not rush him onto the field for the season opener.

Wide receiver Alvis Whitted (groin) is expected to return to practice Wednesday and said he would be ready for the season opener.

 

[Angry Pope]

Hang Time: Can you handle Randy Moss' truth?


James Brown interviews Randy Moss


On the best athletes of his lifetime

One is myself, two is Bo Jackson, three is Deion Sanders -- in no particular order. Those are the best athletes of all time, hands down, and you can't argue that.

If you go through any other sports, those three guys that I just named will excel at them.

On whether he is the best wide receiver of all time

There is only one other wide receiver that I would put my name beside, and that's Jerry Rice. All the other wide receivers can take a back seat. If you really want to see what type of athlete I am, tell all the defensive coordinators in the league to let their defensive backs cover me one-on-one for 16 regular-season games, and I guarantee you I will shatter every record ever for a NFL wide receiver in a single season.

On comparisons to Terrell Owens

I love T.O. I don't love him to score or have more yards than me each week, but I love to watch him play. They always try to compare T.O. and myself. But is there a comparison? I don't think so.

On Brett Favre's returning for another season

Any wide receiver in the game today, 200 years ago or 20 years from now would love to have a quarterback like Brett Favre on their team. I think he still has some juice left. You just have to get some guys around him so he can sling that thing. They let Javon Walker go, and that is a big loss to that offense. But I still believe in Brett Favre.

On Favre's comments regarding Walker's contract with the Packers

I think that, man-to-man, Brett Favre did violate his friendship. I don't think it was up to him to say something like that. Now if the GM or the owner of the team would have come out and said something like that, it would have probably been better. I mean, what can you say? That's Brett Favre, man.

On Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident

My heart and my prayers went out to Ben Roethlisberger. I just wanted him to get up out of there. It was up to him if he wanted to wear a helmet or not. It was the media's fault how they trashed it and made a joke about it. That man could have lost his life.

On the treatment of Barry Bonds

What they are saying about Barry Bonds, I don't care. I still love Barry Bonds. I watched him in Pittsburgh, and I will continue to watch him until he leaves this game. If I ever met Barry Bonds in person, I would shake his hand and say nothing else about it.

 

[Angry Pope]

On the best athletes of his lifetime

One is myself, two is Bo Jackson, three is Deion Sanders -- in no particular order. Those are the best athletes of all time, hands down, and you can't argue that.

If you go through any other sports, those three guys that I just named will excel at them.

I obviously loved this part

 

[Rupert]

I don't know how good they'd be at cycling or synchronized swimming, but for the most part, I think they'd be good.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders' Key: If Randy is dandy
If healthy all season, Moss should catch 80-90 passes, Tim Brown says

Monte Poole

HE WAS The Solution, capable of reviving the snoozing, losing Raiders. Unless he destroyed them.
Randy Moss actually did neither.

One dreadful season later, I can't help believing Moss remains the key to any potential revival in Oakland.

While some sit back and hope the Raiders display a running game, I'm going to watch Moss.

While others cross their fingers and cover their eyes anticipating Oakland's run defense, my gaze will remain on Moss.

As a few pin their hopes on the team's ability to stop maiming its hopes with silly, costly penalties, Randy remains my indicator.

Though Moss is but one factor dictating the fortunes of Art Shell's Raiders this season, the peerless wide receiver is the surest barometer of Oakland's direction.

If Moss is ordinary or worse, the Raiders will be the same.

If Moss is spectacular and productive — about 90 catches, 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns — the Raiders likely will play meaningful games in December.

"Hopefully he can stay healthy," former Raiders wideout Tim Brown said Tuesday. "If he can stay healthy, he has to catch 80 to 90 balls."

The influence of Moss is best understood by recalling the seven years he spent in Minnesota, where he terrorized defenses, frequented the end zone and became the NFL's most dangerous offensive weapon.

With Moss on the roster, the Vikings were 64-48, with fourplayoff appearances. He was the ace in an offense so spectacular and balanced it hid an atrocious defense.

Indeed, Moss allowed the Vikings to win most of their games despite giving up points in bunches.

Which explains the excitement generated when Al Davis brought Moss to Oakland 18 months ago. Moss was the NFL's greatest deep threat, the team's first speed-burning, game-breaking wideout since Cliff Branch.

More often than not, though, Moss was rendered practically invisible. After averaging 13 touchdowns per season in Minny, he finished with eight. He finished third in catches on the Raiders, behind Jerry Porter and running back LaMont Jordan.

"You don't bring in a guy like that and have him (spend so much time as a decoy)," said Brown, now TV analyst. "I know he ended up with 1,000 yards last year. But it was an ugly 1,000 yards, if there is such a thing."

Was Moss slowed by the groin injury sustained five games into the season? No doubt. Mostly, though, he was locked down by rigid schemes and coaches who didn't maximize his strengths. The result was the most blatant misuse of skills since some genius told Carl Lewis to stop running and start singing.

Norv Turner could hardly have taken a more purposeful path to his firing than to marginalize Al's prize acquisition en route to a

4-12 record.

Rest easy knowing new offensive coordinator Tom Walsh knows another year of "Moss, MIA" would send him back to Idaho, making toast and omelets at that bed-and-breakfast inn.

While Shell and Walsh have stressed their intentions to establish a running game, to exhibit toughness while setting up the pass, they are committed to giving Moss room to do what he does best.

He'll outrun some defenders, jump over others. He'll take the heat off Porter, Johnnie Morant and Alvis Whitted. Simply by being on the field, Moss helps Jordan and the running game.

Even some of those who have been drinking Raiderade for years realize there is much to be fixed before their team can become a contender. They wisely put little stock in a preseason schedule that included San Francisco, Detroit and Minnesota.

They want to know if Aaron Brooks, smart and gifted, can display enough passion and leadership to stir his teammates. They know he can throw the rock, but can he become the rock? Good teams have a rock, they're better off when it's the quarterback.

But the rock needs playmakers, and that's where Moss comes in. He is the one man for whom defenses must account, as important to Brooks as he is to Porter and Jordan.

If Moss has an impact year, it means the running game is effective enough, and the run defense is solid enough to contain average runners and prevent being dominated by the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson.

If Moss is having a big year, it also means his touchdowns aren't being nullified by teammates holding and tripping in the trenches.

The Raiders have spent months talking about turning it around and rejoining the league's quality teams. Maybe they will. Maybe they won't.

To find out, I'll be watching Moss. No way the Raiders go any higher than 8-8 unless he regains his status among the most feared players in the game.

 

[Angry Pope]

Porter can list address as the doghouse

Nancy Gay

Wednesday, September 6, 2006


Last weekend's roster moves turned out to be no ordinary cutdown time in the NFL. Just look at the flurry of trades -- a new order of business, now that teams have more wriggle room under the salary cap -- and the number of intriguing comings and goings that deserve a closer look:

-- Why did the Raiders trade Doug Gabriel, one of their better downfield receivers, to the New England Patriots in exchange for fifth-round draft pick in 2007? Don't assume it's because Jerry Porter, with his thought-provoking "middle finger" T-shirt and reluctance to get on board with new coach Art Shell, is back in good graces with the Raiders' organization.

Quite simply, the Raiders looked at Gabriel and realized he was a player who was inconsistent on the field, dropping more passes than he caught, and someone who was a little more self-important than he deserved to be.

Meanwhile, the team saw more upside with a healthy Ronald Curry. The Raiders also are excited about the development of third-year wideout Johnnie Morant -- who led the team in receiving during the preseason (9 catches, 172 yards, including a 67-yard TD) and expect an occasional big play from former track star Alvis Whitted.

Has Porter mended fences? Not at all. He still wears the disrespectful T-shirt regularly. Coaches ignore it because, as of now, Porter is a non-factor. He has no leverage; therefore, he has no power to demand anything.

Despite Porter's desire to leave, there was zero trade interest in him throughout training camp -- numerous NFL personnel executives have confirmed this to The Chronicle -- and waiving a player who was one year into a five-year contract that included $10 million in guarantees would have been salary-cap foolish.

So Porter remains a No. 3 option, someone to go to across the middle. Look for Curry to assume the slot-receiver spot -- the Raiders hope that he stays healthy -- and for Morant to challenge him.

The Porter contract automatically voids to three seasons, so he can hit the road after 2007.

-- No, the Raiders have not made any moves to acquire disgruntled Patriots receiver Deion Branch. And they won't.

-- The 49ers' youth movement on offense became evident when longtime running back and special-teams contributor Terry Jackson was among the team's final cuts. In seven seasons, Jackson established himself as one of those unsung but valuable all-purpose guys, good for a few carries a game, an experienced presence on special teams (115 career tackles) and a nice insurance policy in the backfield.

The emergence of younger players in camp -- running back Michael Robinson (173 combined rushing/receiving yards, 3 TDs), a fourth-round pick, and tight end Delanie Walker, a sixth-round pick who's a dangerous receiver and kick returner -- helped make Jackson expendable. Maurice Hicks proved he is a worthy contributor as well.

Walker's dislocated right shoulder will keep him off the field until at least Week 3, so we'll have to wait to see if he lives up to expectations.

The 49ers' decision to keep two fullbacks, Chris Hetherington and Moran Norris, shouldn't be that surprising. Both are outstanding special-teams players and Hetherington is an unselfish blocker in the backfield, someone who can help clear space for Robinson and starting back Frank Gore.

-- Dolphins coach Nick Saban apparently is the only guy in the NFL who believes former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick can make it at the next level. With his history of legal problems and questions about his attitude, the younger Vick went from projected NFL first-rounder in 2004 to the black list in 2006. No team drafted him.

Saban, however, signed Vick as a free agent, tried him at various positions (wide receiver, returner) and concluded that he has a diamond in the rough on his hands. Even so, Miami took a chance -- not a huge one -- and waived Vick to reach the 53-man roster limit, hoping that the rest of the NFL would look at the rap sheet and pass on Vick.

That was the case, and Vick now sits on the Dolphins' practice squad.

To his credit, Vick has avoided trouble under Saban's watchful eye. If any team believes Vick's potential is worth the risk, it can sign him to its active roster.

-- By the way, this might be the end of the NFL road for former Stanford tight end Teyo Johnson -- he was among the Dolphins' cuts last weekend.

-- Did anyone really think the Dallas Cowboys would waive frustrating wide receiver Terrell Owens, real/faux hamstring injury and all, to avoid paying his $5 million salary for 2006? Remember, the salary for a vested veteran (players become vested after their fourth season) becomes guaranteed if he remains on the roster in Week 1.

Not a chance. That would require owner Jerry Jones to admit he was wrong, signing T.O. to a $25 million deal. And it would force coach Bill Parcells to concede he couldn't control the NFL's most volatile player.

So Owens remains the Cowboys' greatest playmaker. Or their biggest headache. Maybe both.

 

[Angry Pope]

Alvis lives

September 6th, 2006

ALAMEDA _ The Raiders are full of surprises when it comes to wide receivers.

Turns out the replacement for the recently traded Doug Gabriel won’t be Ronald Curry, Jerry Porter or even pre-season whiz Johnnie Morant.

It’s Alvis Whitted, a 32-year-old veteran who has 11 starts in eight years and 109 games.

“He will start Monday night if he stays healthy,'’ Shell said Wednesday following practice.

There was a clue to be had in the Raiders depth chart, which listed Whitted as a starter Wednesday. But depth charts are wrong all the time, and sometimes intentiionally.

Whitted, who missed the last two pre-season games with a groin injury, was given a bill of health by Shell and awarded with the starting position. When asked why Whitted was starting over Curry, Shell said, “Ronald Curry just got back. This guy’s been working the whole camp, worked the whole off-season, and he deserves a shot at it.'’

Whitted’s most outstanding quality, as Shell said, is, “he can run.'’ One of the fastest Raiders in terms of top-end speed, Whitted is believed to be an Al Davis favorite.

He had a career-high 14 receptions for 183 yards last season, and has 47 career receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns.

As for Porter, Shell wasn’t interested in discussing where he is on the depth chart.

“He’s on the roster,'’ Shell said. “I’m not going to get into where he stands, one, two, three, four, five. I’m not going to do that. He’s on the roster, working. That’s all I can ask.'’



_ Jerry McDonald

 

[Rupert]

Uhhh, exciting?

 

[Angry Pope]

Porter problem needs repair

September 6th, 2006
By Jerry McDonald

As rational human beings, we can all come to the agreement that the bashing of Jerry Porter has been good fun for all concerned.

When is it ever a bad idea to take a self-absorbed, me-first athlete to task for being, well, a self-absorbed me-first athlete?

Seeing Art Shell put Porter in his place has been as good as it gets for training camp and pre-season theater.

The problem is, training camp and pre-season has given way to the regular season, and Alvis Whitted is starting over Jerry Porter.

Exactly how this has happened, with regard to Whitted, is not clear.

Whitted is a modest, religious, decent guy who is unfailingly polite and agreeable. Un-Porter like in every way. You want the Alvis Whitteds of the world to beat out the Jerry Porters, giving an “aw-shucks'’ shrug in the process.

Yet there is little evidence to suggest that Whitted is a better receiver than Porter. Certainly not by the stats, which favor Porter. Not by performance in recent weeks, because Whitted hasn’t played in either of the last two pre-season games because of a groin injury.

Porter is a bigger receiver, better between the hash marks, and more suited to complementing Randy Moss than Whitted, who is another outside sprinter.
But Shell named Whitted as his starter, saying he deserved it. Porter? He’s working. He’s on the roster. End of story.

Porter deserves some of this. He took on the new coach, and he lost. There is no fresh information as to whether Porter is still challenging Shell out in the open, or if he’s doing it with a glare and indifference.

But if Shell says Porter is working, we’ll take him at his word.

At some point, it’s Shell’s job to manipulate the roster to get the best he can out of his players.

If Jerry Porter suddenly isn’t as good as Alvis Whitted, then it’s Shell’s fault. At least that’s been the Al Davis philosophy in the past.
He’s had months to deal with the Porter issue, Sept. 11 is upon us, and Porter is still more of a problem than a solution.

Perhaps starting Whitted is the final salvo. Maybe Porter comes in, takes a majority of the snaps, scores the winning touchdown against San Diego and everyone winds up living happily ever after.

The start may be no more than window dressing anyway, assuming Whitted, Porter and Ronald Curry all get their share of snaps.

Regardless, it’s time to get the most out of what is on the roster. And that includes Porter.

If that doesn’t happen, it’s the first chink in the Shell regime.

 

[Angry Pope]

Whitted receives the nod as starter opposite Moss

By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer



ALAMEDA -- The answer is: Alvis Whitted.

That's who is expected to start at wide receiver opposite Randy Moss for the Raiders in the season opener Monday night against San Diego.

Not Ronald Curry. Definitely not Jerry Porter.

Instead it's Whitted, 32, a nine-year veteran and former North Carolina State track star with 47 career catches and six receiving touchdowns.

Whitted's last start was Jan. 2, 2005, against Jacksonville, the team that drafted him in the seventh round in 1998. The Raiders signed him as a free agent in 2002.

Whitted missed the last two preseason games with a groin injury. He replaces Doug Gabriel, who was traded to New England last weekend.

Whitted is listed as probable on the injury report.

"He's been working," said coach Art Shell said. "He's been working during training camp. Ronald Curry just got back. This guy's been working the whole camp, worked all offseason, and this guy deserves a shot at it."

Curry was with the first team Monday. The Raiders have been cautious with Curry as he returns from a second torn left Achilles' tendon.

Whitted played in 15 games last season and caught a career-high 14 passes for 183 yards. He had a 27-yard run against the New York Jets that was the longest run for the Raiders in 2005.

"He can run good routes, catch the ball, too," Shell said. "Good quickness and explosion."

As for Porter, the former starter who requested a trade in the offseason and has clashed with Shell, the coach still won't say if he could start.

Porter missed time early in training camp with a strained calf muscle and hasn't worked with the first team since.

"I'm not going to get into where he stands (on the depth chart), one, two, three, four, five," Shell said. "I'm not going to do that. He's on the roster, he's working, and that's all I can ask."

Foley update -- "Raider Week" didn't start off well for Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Starting outside linebacker Steve Foley was shot three times by an off-duty police officer early Sunday.

The Chargers put Foley on the injured reserve list, which means the Chargers don't have to pay Foley this season. The snub reportedly has angered some since Foley is still recovering in a San Diego-area hospital.

It turns out, however, that Foley already has been partially paid for the season.

"The fact of the matter is, he has already received over 50 percent of his compensation due under his 2006 contract," Schottenheimer said. "So that information was not as accurate as it (should) have been."

The team could recoup Foley's $875,000 roster bonus paid in March, according to reports.

Welcome back -- The Raiders re-signed cornerback Duane Starks four days after releasing him.

It wasn't the first time Starks was released and brought back by the Raiders.

"I just came back and got some things out of my locker (Monday), and they told me to stick around," Starks said. "Basically, my agent (Drew Rosenhaus) told me to stick around, and they brought me back today."

To make room, the Raiders released safety Hiram Eugene.

Et cetera -- The Raiders signed former Cal running back Adimchinobe Echemandu to the practice squad. He played for Minnesota last season and spent 2004 in Cleveland after the Browns drafted him in the seventh round.

The Raiders have one more spot left on their practice squad.

• Center Jake Grove (shoulder) and tight end John Madsen (ankle) are doubtful for Monday's game. Madsen did not practice Wednesday.

Defensive end Lance Johnstone (shin) is questionable. Tight end James Adkisson (knee) is probable.