Porter sheds no light on benching

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Porter sheds no light on benching
By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS
Article Last Updated:10/12/2006 07:36:36 AM PDT

ALAMEDA — Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter made a rare appearance in the locker room during media access Wednesday. He smiled, joked around and even granted a one-on-one interview to an out-of-state reporter.
Later, when approached by local media, Porter said he didn't have anything to say about his being benched the first four games of the season by coach Art Shell.

"I don't want to give them any more reason to get (mad) at me," Porter said in his first public comments since training camp.

Porter said there isn't much for a guy to say when he hasn't caught any passes. Besides, he added, "I made this bed for myself, right?"

That was in reference to his being banished from the starting lineup for getting into a disagreement with Shell during the off-season and voicing his displeasure over the Raiders not hiring former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz instead of Shell in February.

When asked if he expected to be traded before the league deadline Tuesday, Porter said: "I'm just going out to practice."

All along, Shell has said that Porter is considered as an option before each game. However, Porter has been deactivated for every game, even though he led the team with 76 receptions last season.

"It has nothing to do with drawing a line in the sand," Shell said of his decision to sit Porter. "It's just a coach's decision."

The last time the Raiders had a receiver who demanded a trade they acquiesced and sent Jerry Rice to the Seattle Seahawks in 2004. Several teams have expressed interest in trading for Porter, though no overtures have led to a serious offer.

BOOTHE RETURNS: Starting right guard Kevin Boothe rejoined the team, only three days after he sustained a broken nose that required his being hospitalized Sunday so that doctors could stop the bleeding.

Boothe got hurt on a play against the 49ers in which his helmet got pushed downward into the top of his nose. The Raiders fitted his helmet with a protective shield to guard against that happening again.

He said he intends to play in Denver on Sunday night.

"Once the bleeding stopped, it was fine," Boothe said. "No real issues. I was in the hospital for about an hour."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I had respect for Al Davis many, many years ago, but his method of operation hasn't worked in a long time. He can't attract quality people to the Silver and Black." — former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson.

EXTRA POINTS: Quarterback Aaron Brooks (chest) has been declared out for Sunday's game. Linebacker Grant Irons (back) and cornerback Fabian Washington (hamstring) did not practice and are listed as doubtful. Stanford Routt is expected to start in place of Washington on Sunday, Shell said. Tight end Randal Williams (quadriceps) did not practice, but he is questionable for Sunday's game. ... The Raiders signed fullback Tony Jackson to their practice squad. He was a sixth-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2005 NFL draft. He got hurt during training camp that year and spent the season on injured reserve. He got cut by the New York Giants in training camp.
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http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_4480150
 
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I had respect for Al Davis many, many years ago, but his method of operation hasn't worked in a long time. He can't attract quality people to the Silver and Black." — former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson.

Wow...that's telling from a guy who Al considers a close friend.
 
I saw that on the pre-game show Sunday....pretty bad.
 
"It has nothing to do with drawing a line in the sand," Shell said of his decision to sit Porter. "It's just a coach's decision."
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This is the part that I don't get.

I can live with Art drawing a line in the sand but calling it a "coach's decision" makes it sound like he really thinks Whitted is a better option. Tell it like it is or move on for Christ's sake.
 
Well you can't say Jimmy J isn't calling it like he sees it.

He and Al have been buddies so for him to level that kind of criticism at Al is pretty telling.
 
gst8 said:
This is the part that I don't get.

I can live with Art drawing a line in the sand but calling it a "coach's decision" makes it sound like he really thinks Whitted is a better option. Tell it like it is or move on for Christ's sake.
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It's a head scratcher all right! :confused:

This just smacks of the Marcus Allen debacle if you ask me.
 
I have a funny feeling that we've seen the last of Jerry Porter on the field in the S & B. Shell is not going to budge to the detriment of the team.
 
Madturk said:
I have a funny feeling that we've seen the last of Jerry Porter on the field in the S & B. Shell is not going to budge to the detriment of the team.
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They seem to be tryng hard to trade him if you belive the rumor mill.

Deadline is Tuesday (10/17) -- hope something can happen here.
 
CrossBones said:
It's a head scratcher all right! :confused:

This just smacks of the Marcus Allen debacle if you ask me.
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This thing is that 99% of Raider Nation would be behind the Porter benching if Art would just come out and stated that it was a disciplinary measure. It is clear (IMO) that Porter is not going to see the field in a Raider uniform again so I don't see the benefit of intentionally clouding the issue... unless Art really does think that Whitted is a better option. :eek:
 
"I don't want to give them any more reason to get (mad) at me,"

"I made this bed for myself, right?"

"I'm just going out to practice."



Looks like somebody's making good use of that "The Dummy's Guide to Damage Control and Image Repair" book....




Considering the "quality" people Jimmy Johnson sent our way the last time we heard from him, he can go back to Florida and sail the SS STFU...
 
hawaiianboy said:
Considering the "quality" people Jimmy Johnson sent our way the last time we heard from him, he can go back to Florida and sail the SS STFU...
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Yeah that Turner recommendation turned out real well.

I was just surprised that he leveled that criticism since he used to be close with Al.

Who knows, maybe he has an ax to grind with Al firing Turner or maybe Al told him to F-off after the Turner thing turned into a steamer.

Whatever happens, I hope this means he won't be recommending Wanstedt as a head coach candidate for us. eeek.
 
At this point we have to play Porter or trade him now. Him sitting is making him look better as a player and us look dumber as a team.
 
Paging Charlie Casserly. Please pick up the white courtesy phone.
 
gst8 said:
This is the part that I don't get.

I can live with Art drawing a line in the sand but calling it a "coach's decision" makes it sound like he really thinks Whitted is a better option. Tell it like it is or move on for Christ's sake.
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Exactly....Porter is a much better WR IMO....and Shell needs to stop being an asshole. Pardon my language :mad:
 
Pardon your language? Does IMO mean something other than in my opinion?
 
Okay, I haven't weighed in on this yet since it's all about speculation since neither one is saying anything substantive.

Simply reading Porter's latest comments suggests that he is fully aware that his mouth got him in trouble.

Shell's comments say that Porter has not satisified his requirements, which he is not making public, since it's a lockerroom issue.

You can call Art an asshole if you like, but I see it as Porter being the asshole and thinking he can squeeze Art. Porter's mistake is thinking Art's a turd when in fact he's a prick, and that is why Porter is getting screwed.
 
Rupert said:


Simply reading Porter's latest comments suggests that he is fully aware that his mouth got him in trouble.
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Maybe I'm just cynical in my belief that some people really never change their stripes, but reading Porter's comments just made me think that his agent got in his ear and told him that he's going to have to at least appear contrite before any team will take a chance on dealing for him...
 
hawaiianboy said:
Maybe I'm just cynical in my belief that some people really never change their stripes, but reading Porter's comments just made me think that his agent got in his ear and told him that he's going to have to at least appear contrite before any team will take a chance on dealing for him...
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I think you might be right. I don't think JP is sincere at all. I don't think he likes Art Shell and apparently the feeling is mutual. One way or the other Porter is more than likely history in Oakalnd. I'd just like to get something for him that we can turn into a Super Star... :p
 
I never said he cared. I just said he was aware.
 
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