Oakland expects to start Brooks

[Angel]

Oakland expects to start Brooks
- David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, November 18, 2006


Raiders coach Art Shell isn't saying, but all indicators point to Aaron Brooks taking over as the starting quarterback Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brooks took the majority of first-team snaps at practice Friday, according to a person who watched practice. Shell said he won't announce his starter until game day.

"It is unusual," Shell said about waiting to so long to make a decision. "You've got a guy who's ready to play, showing that he's ready to play, he was the guy at the beginning of the year, and so we've got two guys I can turn to."

Brooks, signed in the offseason and named the starter in training camp, has been out with a strained pectoral muscle near his right throwing shoulder since the first quarter of Week 2's game at Baltimore.

He ran the scout team offense last week, then declared himself fit to play this week as he shared first-team snaps with Andrew Walter.

Friday, the team's final practice before boarding a plane for Kansas City, was the first time he got most of the work with the starters.

Walter, a third-round draft pick last year, is 2-5 as a starter with the NFL's worst-rated total offense and passing offense. He threw nine interceptions versus three touchdowns for the league's lowest quarterback rating.

If Walter goes to the bench as expected, at least it could keep him from breaking the NFL record for most sacks in the season. With 40 after nine games, he was on pace to break the 76-sack record set by Houston's David Carr in 2002.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, who named Trent Green his starter this week, thought Brooks would start all along, and prepared for as much.

"Obviously, he's a fine quarterback," Edwards said. "Strong arm, has the ability to get outside the pocket and make throws. We anticipate he will probably play."

They'll probably have to anticipate right up to Sunday. Shell has not made his choice official, though a person close to the team said it could be a formality after Friday's practice.

"I'll make a decision and I'll go with the best guy, who I think will give us the best opportunity to win," Shell said. "I've got to look at the tapes and everything. I'll know by game time."

More Moss: Raiders receiver Randy Moss used his weekly national interview on Fox Radio to mull an exit from Oakland for the second time this season.

"Nothing good has come out of this ... and I'm tired of it and might want to look forward to moving somewhere else next year and to have another start and really feel good about going out here and playing football," Moss said Friday.

He also lightened up on his Monday comments about maybe dropping balls because he's unhappy, saying he spoke in frustration.

Briefly: Left tackle Robert Gallery (groin) and center Jake Grove (elbow) continued to improve and Shell expects them to start Sunday. Corey Hulsey will make his second start at left guard with Barry Sims (abdomen) out. ... The Chiefs have their own problems up front with left guard Brian Waters and right tackle Kevin Sampson out with injuries. ... The Raiders left one day earlier than normal for this road trip because of the two-hour time difference and noon kickoff. Shell wanted to give them time to acclimate for a 5 a.m. wakeup call (Pacific time) on Sunday.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/11/18/SPG49MFG1V1.DTL

 

[RaiderIVlife]

This figure to be a real ugly game for teams on the offensive side of the ball. I like our defensive matchup versus their offense, but of course every defense in the league loves to matchup against our putrid offense.

Heart says Raiders 17 - 16 over the chefs.

Brain says Chefs 17 - 16 over the Raiders.

 

[Angel]

When it comes to division rivals....doesn't matter what anyone's record is...throw it all out the window...it'll be a nail-biter right to the last second.

 

[YodasBeast]

And it was.....I had to watch the end on crappy reception from the TVU thing only to see Brooks get us to the 8 and turn it over.

 

[Madturk]

Barring an injury to Brooks, I think Walter has probably sniffed the field for the last time this year.

 

[Angel]

And it was.....I had to watch the end on crappy reception from the TVU thing only to see Brooks get us to the 8 and turn it over.

I was pissed, cussing the Chiefs defense (which is normal) and about to walk out of the room when I heard 'Interception'....I just knew the Raiders were going to win this one!!

 

[GRaider]

Barring an injury to Brooks, I think Walter has probably sniffed the field for the last time this year.

As short sighted a move as that is I think you are right.

 

[TheNextStep]

I don't know that it is a short-sighted move. Personally, I don't think that Walter showed a hell of a lot of improvement. I think getting beat up for weeks kind of put him into a rut. Things were is SUCH disarray that there wasn't just one or two things for him to focus on... everything was all fucked up.

I think putting Brooks back in gives us a better chance to win at this point and it also allows Walter to lick his wounds, watch the good and bad things that Brooks does in this offense, reflect on what he can do better, and then bring it in camp.

Walter's sitting for good reason, IMO. I like him and I want to see him do well... but I think that a little "time out" in the developmental schedule might do him some good.

 

[GRaider]

I don't know that it is a short-sighted move. Personally, I don't think that Walter showed a hell of a lot of improvement. I think getting beat up for weeks kind of put him into a rut. Things were is SUCH disarray that there wasn't just one or two things for him to focus on... everything was all fucked up.

I think putting Brooks back in gives us a better chance to win at this point and it also allows Walter to lick his wounds, watch the good and bad things that Brooks does in this offense, reflect on what he can do better, and then bring it in camp.

Walter's sitting for good reason, IMO. I like him and I want to see him do well... but I think that a little "time out" in the developmental schedule might do him some good.

A little time out in the "getting run over by a bus" schedule isn't going to hurt him.