Put Game In Rivers' Hands..

[Angry Pope]

Sapp: Put game in Rivers' hands
Raiders know to beat San Diego they have to stop Tomlinson

By Bill Soliday

ALAMEDA — The last five times the Raiders have met the San Diego Chargers, the word "close" rarely came up.

The Bolts won five straight times and have more than doubled the score on Oakland. The numbers are ugly:

-A total of 147 points for San Diego, 69 for Oakland.

-San Diego has scored 21 points or more every time.

-Oakland has never scored more than 17.

Never in the 92-game history of this intrastate rivalry have the Chargers beaten the Raiders that many times in succession. They have only won as many as four in a row once (1961-62).

These, of course, have not been normal times in Oakland. The Raiders, once the scourge of the AFC West, are 2-16 over the past three years in division games.

Which brings us to Monday night when the Raiders and Chargers kick off their 2006 season at McAfee Coliseum. The time is different for a Monday kickoff (7:15), and the time has come for the Raiders to turn back the clock and repudiate the trend.

Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp has a plan, one quite simple yet not so easily accomplished:

Stop LaDainian Tomlinson and force Drew Brees' replacement, the inexperienced Philip Rivers, to win the game from the quarterback position.

"If they have it in their minds this is going to be a tough night to run the ball, then they are going to look to their young quarterback and say, 'This game is on you, son. You've gotta win it,'" Sapp said.

"And who knows what that will take?"

The first order of business figures to be the most difficult. Tomlinson had the multipurpose game of the year last time the Chargers visited Oakland. He ran for one touchdown, caught one for another and threw for a score in a 27-14 San Diego victory.

In 10 career games against the Raiders, Tomlinson has rushed for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns, caught 42 passes for 207 yards and two scores and thrown two touchdown passes. He has five 100-yard games, and on Dec.28, 2003, he destroyed Oakland with 243 yards.

"It's going to be the challenge for us if we can get him under control then put the game in Rivers' hands," Sapp said. "But if he makes those cuts and gets those runs, it opens up the game for the quarterback, and now he gets the play-action pass. (Tight end Antonio) Gates is a beast. (Wide receiver) Keenan McCardell is a cagey veteran with 700 catches in this league.

"We feel good about how we are playing defense the last five weeks of preseason, but it's live bullets now. Everything picks up a notch, intensity and emphasis. All your cards are on the table, let's play. I am sick of this preseason. It's like watching paint dry."

Raiders defenders are in lockstep when it comes to the secret of stopping Tomlinson.

"We have to swarm tackle him, get two or three people on the ball," rookie strong safety Michael Huff said. "You have to stay in your gap. As long as we do that, we'll be fine."

The Raiders harbor no illusions that the Chargers will open the game with Rivers as their featured offensive player. Coach Art Shell coached two years on San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer's staff in Kansas City.

"The constant is that he is going to try to be physical with his football team and try to run the ball down your throat," Shell said. "That's his personality. He wants to get after you physically ... and that's our personality too."

Sapp says the major difference in this year's Raiders defense from a year ago is speed.

"It's something you can't teach," Sapp said. "If you have (it) and can get to the ball and have your responsibilities down and then get hats on the ball, things bode well for you.

"Because no one guy is going to take this guy down. It's going to take two or three of us. Speed will allow us to rally to the ball. Turn him the right way so you can get more hats on the ball."

And then turn it over to Rivers and make his first starting gig in the NFL — his first start other than in an exhibition game since 2003 — the kind he'd like to forget.

EXTRA POINTS: Three Raiders will have new numbers now that the 53-man roster is complete. LB Robert Thomas (formerly No.58) will wear Danny Clark's old number 55, TE James Adkisson (formerly No.47) will wear No.88 and TE John Madsen (formerly No.10) will wear Doug Gabriel's old number, 85.

 

[Angry Pope]

Rivers not fearful of Black Hole


By Jay Posner

September 6, 2006

When you've played in front of 84,000 chanting fans and a guy dressed as a Seminole Indian planting a flaming spear in the grass while atop an appaloosa, what's a trip to The Black Hole?

“It'll be magnified even more than that,” Philip Rivers said of Monday night's season opener against the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum, aka The Black Hole.


The fact it will be Rivers' first professional start might have some Chargers fans nervous, but the quarterback himself is looking forward to it.
“It'll be hostile and it'll be crazy,” he said yesterday. “You can be poised and control the environment and thrive off of it, or it can rattle you. I think this team, we'll be able to handle the situation.

“There's nothing better than playing in front of your home crowd, but it's a thrill to go in an opposing stadium in that type of environment, in that type of noise. It's just what you really dream about being in.”

Rivers has been to Oakland twice – for day games. He knows it will be different at night, but he's excited about making his first start under the prime-time lights.

“You grow up watching Monday night (games), you grow up dreaming to play in big games . . . and that's what we're going to be able to get in the opener,” he said. “I think it's just how we would draw it up: It's a division opponent, it's a rival, it's Monday night. We couldn't really ask for a better setting and a better way to kick things off.”


Nuts 'n' Bolts

Tackle Leander Jordan (stinger) and tight end Aaron Shea (back) remained sidelined as the Chargers returned to practice following two off days. Jordan did some work on the side and remains possible for backup duty Monday. It's unlikely Shea would play considering he hasn't practiced in a month.
The only other Charger not to practice was running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who according to a club spokesman was in Texas for the funeral of a family member. Tomlinson is expected to practice today.

It seems doubtful return specialist Cletis Gordon will play in the opener. Gordon, who has switched from No. 30 to No. 24, has an injured wrist (that required surgery Saturday) on one hand and an injured thumb on his other hand. Eric Parker (punts) and Michael Turner (kickoffs) are the likely replacements.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders vs. Chargers Game Notes

September 6, 2006


The Oakland Raiders enter their 47th season of professional football play when they host the San Diego Chargers as part of a unique double-header on ESPN's Monday Night Football on Monday, September 11th. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.

The Raiders lead the all-time series against the Chargers 54-36-2, in a series that dates back to 1960 when the two teams were part of the American Football League and the Chargers were based in Los Angeles.

NUMBER CHANGES: TE James Adkisson's number changed from 47 to 88; TE John Madsen's from 10 to 85 and LB Robert Thomas' from 58 to 55. During the offseason RB Justin Fargas changed his number from 20 to 25.

YOUTH IS SERVED: The Raiders will have three rookies from the 2006 class in the starting lineup - first round pick Michael Huff at safety; second round selection Thomas Howard at linebacker and third round pick Paul McQuistan at guard.

SIX TO 400: The Oakland Raiders need six regular-season victories to reach 400 regular-season victories. Oakland's all-time regular season record is 394-287-11.

ONE MORE AND MOSS HAS A HUNDRED: Randy Moss enters 2006 with 99 career TDs and 98 receiving TDs. Moss currently ranks third among active receivers in career touchdown receptions, seventh in all-time receiving touchdowns, and 19th in career total touchdowns. Moss has recorded 100 receptions in a season two times in his eight-year NFL career. Moss can join Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice (4) as the only players in NFL history with three seasons with 100 receptions.

GATHERING MOSS: Randy Moss enters the 2006 season with 10,147 career receiving yards, more than any player in NFL history through eight seasons, and 98 career receiving touchdowns, the second-most over the same time span in league history.

WARREN-TING ATTENTION: Warren Sapp enters 2006 with 84.5 career sacks, good for fifth among active NFL players. Among defensive tackles, Sapp tops the active list and ranks third on the all-time career list.


CROCKETT ROCKETING UP THE SCORING CHART: FB Zack Crockett is tied with Mark van Eeghen for third on the franchise's all-time rushing touchdown list. Through eight seasons with the Silver and Black, Crockett has now rushed for 35 touchdowns and is averaging a touchdown every 8.8 carries.

BROOKS NEARING 20K: Quarterback Aaron Brooks enters the 2006 season with 19,156 yards, leaving him just 844 yards shy of 20,000. Brooks is currently ranked 10th among active QBs in career passing yards.

BACK ON THE BLOCK: The Raiders special teams enter the 2006 season having blocked three kicks in 2005. G Langston Walker knocked away a field goal attempt in the third quarter of the team's home opener against Kansas City. Walker swatted away an Adam Vinatieri extra point attempt in the third quarter of the Raiders' season-opener at New England, and WR Randal Williams blocked a Patriots punt in the fourth quarter. The Raiders blocked three kicks and one punt in 2004.

MORRISON A TACKLING MACHINE: LB Kirk Morrison is coming off a season in which he recorded 112 tackles which was the most by any rookie defender. His total was six more than Cincinnati's Odell Thurmond and seven more stops than Seattle's Lofa Tatupu. Morrison either led the Raiders or tied for the team lead in tackles seven times in 2005.

BURGESS BARGES THROUGH: Oakland Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess led all NFL players with 16.0 sacks last season, nearly doubling his career sack total (8.5) from 2001-04. Having played in only one game from 2002-03 due to injury, the Philadelphia Eagles' third-round pick of 2001 joined Oakland as a free agent in 2005. Burgess became the first Raider to lead the NFL in sacks since the sack became an official statistic in 1982. Burgess surpassed Sean Jones' total of 15.5 set in 1986.

FIRST YEAR PHENOM: Derrick Burgess set an NFL record for the most multiple-sack performances by a veteran in his first year with a new team. Burgess had two sacks each in six games last season-against Dallas, San Diego, Buffalo, Washington, Miami and the New York Jets.

JORDAN BY LAND AND BY AIR: Despite missing the final two games of the season due to injury, LaMont Jordan not only led the Raiders in rushing, but he also finished second on the squad in receptions with 70, behind WR Jerry Porter's 76. At the time of his injury, he was on pace to become the first Raider to lead the team in receptions and rushing yards since Hall of Famer Marcus Allen in 1987 (51 rec., 754 rush yds.). Jordan was the only player in the NFL to rank in the top 25 in receptions, rushing yards (1,025), yards from scrimmage (1,588), first downs (86) and scoring (68 points).



JORDAN'S GRAND SEASON: LaMont Jordan rushed for 1,025 yards in 2005, giving him 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career. The total is the 10th-best single-season performance in Raiders history. Through 14 games, Jordan's 1,588 total yards (1,025 rushing, 563 receiving) ranked sixth in the NFL and is the seventh-best total in Raiders history.

JORDAN'S BREAKOUT YEAR: In his first year as a starting running back, LaMont Jordan set career single-game highs in rushing attempts (28 vs. BUF 10/23), rushing yards (132 vs. CLE 12/18), receptions (7 vs. DEN 11/13), receiving yards (69 @ TN 10/30) and touchdowns (3 vs. BUF 10/23). His totals for 2005 alone nearly match the combined totals of his first four professional seasons.

JANIKOWSKI KICKING UP THE CHART: Sebastian Janikowski is already fourth on the Raiders all-time scoring list six seasons into his career. Janikowski, who has topped the century mark in scoring in four of his six professional seasons, is 26 points behind Jeff Jaeger for third place in team annals. Last season, Janikowski surpassed Hall of Famer Marcus Allen (588 points) and former wide receiver Tim Brown (626) on the team scoring list.

LECHLER LEADS AGAIN: Shane Lechler finished 2005 tied for the NFL lead in punting average at 45.7-yards per attempt. Lechler, a two-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL for the third straight year and set a record with 33 consecutive games with a punt of 50 or more yards, the longest streak since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970. The streak, which lasted from 11-30-03 against Denver until 12-11-05 at the New York Jets, surpassed Rick Tuten's mark of 30 straight games from 1993-95 with Seattle. During the streak, Lechler topped 50 yards 65 times with 12 punts of over 60

LECHLER PUNTING AVERAGE TOPS IN NFL HISTORY: Shane Lechler's 45.9-yard punting average through six seasons is the highest in NFL history for players with at least 250 attempts. Lechler reached the qualifier of 250 punts during the November 23, 2003 contest at Kansas City. He surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh, who averaged 45.1 in a career that ended in 1952.

 

[Angry Pope]

2006 Pre-Season Recap

September 6, 2006


The Oakland Raiders finished the 2006 pre-season with a 4-1 record. The Silver and Black won four games in a row, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, the Minnesota Vikings on the road, and the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions at home. The only blemish on the pre-season record came in the finale against the Seahawks in Seattle.
Here are some interesting notes and facts about the Raiders' 2006 pre-season campaign:

FAST CARR: Second-year performer Chris Carr rambled 72 yards with a punt for a touchdown during last Thursday nights 2006 preseason finale in Seattle against the Seahawks for the first score of his young pro career. Carr led the Raiders in both kickoff and punt returns in the preseason, averaging 17 yards on punt returns (eight returns, 136 yards) and in kickoff returns with a 31.2-yard average (five returns, 156 yards with long of 60). Carr led the Silver and Black in both categories last year as a rookie.

TEAMS SPECIAL FROM THE START: In addition to Chris Carr's touchdown return of a Seattle punt, the Raiders special teams shined from the beginning of the game versus the Seahawks at Qwest Field. Sebastian Janikowski began the game by booting the football deep into the end zone for a touchback, forcing the Seahawks to begin at their own 20-yard line. Following Carr's score on a return, Janikowski once again launched a kickoff deep into the end zone for a touchback. Punter Shane Lechler got into the action as well, with his first punt on the evening traveling 54 yards in the first quarter. His second punt traveled 62 yards while his third went for 44 yards. Lechler enters the 2006 season as the NFL's all-time leader in average per punt at 45.8.

ALL GOOD: Kicker Sebastian Janikowski concluded the preseason a perfect seven-for-seven on field goal attempts, including three from 50 yards and beyond. His 55-yard field goal on Monday night, August 14, at Minnesota matched his Raider record for the longest field goal made in the regular season (11-2-03 at Detroit) and his career long. Janikowski is the Raider leader in field goal accuracy entering 2006 at an 80.8 percent clip.




LAST TIME: The last time the Raiders played in five preseason games was in 2001, when the Silver and Black went 10-6 in the regular season and captured the AFC Western Division crown. The last time the Raiders won four games in the preseason was in 1990 when the Silver and Black went on to post a 12-4 record, capture the AFC West title and play in the conference championship game.

C-NOTES: The Raiders had two receivers go over 100 yards in a game during the 2006 preseason. Johnnie Morant posted 108 yards against the Minnesota Vikings on August 14. Randy Moss became second Raider receiver to join the century club in the preseason with his 102 yards against the Detroit Lions on August 25 at McAfee Coliseum. Three Raider running backs accounted for over 100 yard in limited action during the preseason. Justin Fargas led the Raiders in the preseason with 131 yards while LaMont Jordan, the team's leading rusher in 2005 (1,025 yards) accounted for 123 yards. ReShard Lee totaled 118 yards during the 2006 preseason.

PLUS COLUMN: The Raiders concluded the 2006 preseason at plus-four in giveaways-takeaways. The Silver and Black forced and recovered five fumbles and interception seven passes, all by different players.

 

[Angry Pope]

Sellout ensures opener will not be blacked out
Oakland enjoys a rarity vs. San Diego -- a home game televised locally


ALAMEDA -- Monday night's regular-season opener against the San Diego Chargers sold out in advance of the league-mandated deadline -- 72 hours before kickoff -- and will be televised locally on ESPN.

That, combined with the news Wednesday that the Raiders have sold 37,000 season tickets, bodes well for fans who got to watch only 29 of the 88 regular-season home games in the 11 years since the Raiders moved to Oakland before the 1995 season.

Quarterback Aaron Brooks said he's looking forward to his first regular-season game with the Raiders at McAfee Coliseum.

"I kind of got the feeling of how it's going to be against Detroit, when we were playing pretty well out there," Brooks said of Oakland's exhibition game at the Coliseum on Aug. 25. "Even with San Francisco, it came out. I look forward to it being very electrified. A big main event, stadium sellout, it's all going to be there. And it's just for us, it's set up for us to go out there and perform and make the fans happy."

Whitted gets nod

Coach Art Shell said veteran wide receiver Alvis Whitted is slated to start opposite Randy Moss against the Chargers. That is, as long as Whitted's groin injury doesn't act up.

Whitted, 32, didn't start any games last season and has logged only 11 during his nine-year career. He last started a game Jan. 2, 2005, against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This comes as somewhat of a surprise, inasmuch as Jerry Porter started 15 games last season and Ronald Curry had been working with the first-team offense in practice the past several days after a successful rehabilitation from a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

"Ronald Curry just got back," Shell said. "(Whitted's) been working the whole camp, worked all offseason, and this guy deserves a shot at it."

Welcome back

Cornerback Duane Starks got cut Saturday but was back on the field Wednesday. That's because the Raiders released safety Hiram Eugene on Tuesday, only three days after reducing their roster to the league-mandated limit of 53.

Starks said he was told by the Raiders not to clean out his locker Saturday, that a move was in the works. Regardless the reason, Starks said, he is just happy to be back with the Raiders.

He said a few teams called to inquire about his availability between the time he was cut Saturday and re-signed Wednesday.

Extra points

Center Jake Grove (shoulder) is doubtful for Monday's game. Defensive end Lance Johnstone (shin) is questionable. Grove practiced Wednesday and said he still has a chance to play Monday, though he realizes it might be in his best interest to wait awhile longer before he returns from the injury he sustained during training camp. "I never like to play it safe," Grove said. "I want to get in there and help us win. I'm kind of frustrated right now." ... The Raiders signed former Cal running back Adimchinobe Echemandu and assigned him to their practice squad. He is the seventh player added to the practice squad since teams were allowed to do so beginning Sunday afternoon. They still have room to add one more player, if they choose.

 

[Angry Pope]

LT eager to start season, especially against Oakland

By Jay Posner

September 7, 2006

Finally, it's time for LaDainian Tomlinson to play some football.

“I'm pretty excited,” the Chargers running back said yesterday. “I'm anxious to really get out there and play for real.”

No doubt adding to the excitement is the Chargers' opponent in Monday's season opener. Tomlinson has enjoyed some of his finest performances against Oakland, especially at McAfee Coliseum, where his worst rushing game in the last four years was 140 yards (he averaged 161).

“I think several guys have great games in their careers against certain teams,” said Tomlinson, who also gained a career-high 243 yards against the Raiders in a 2003 game at Qualcomm Stadium. “I guess this is one of the teams that's been very helpful to me at times.

”. . . But every game is different. It's a different defense, so I don't know if you can expect the same thing. We don't even know what to expect from them, to be honest.”

This will be Tomlinson's first game of any kind since the Pro Bowl seven months ago, and his first game that counts since the last day of 2005. For the first time, he did not play in an exhibition game.

“Last year I had one carry and I didn't get tackled (he scored on a 55-yard run), so I really didn't play in the preseason last year, either,” he said, laughing. “You've just got to be focused at the beginning of the season. Some guys need preseason to get back into it. For me, I'm focused on football at all times.”

Tomlinson has just 14 exhibition carries in his career, but it hasn't seemed to slow him. He's gained more than 100 yards in the season opener three times in five tries.

Add Tomlinson

He called this year's Chargers “the most talented team that I've been on so far” and said there was “no doubt” they could win a playoff game for the first time since the 1994 season.

Tomlinson is not bringing his family to the Oakland game. Asked why, he laughed and said, “It's not a family atmosphere.”


The Sapp standard

In a conference call with San Diego reporters, Oakland defensive tackle Warren Sapp was asked why his name shows up on some lists of overrated players in the NFL.

“Just hate,” he said. “I'm no longer the 1999 Defensive Player of the Year, but I'm definitely not overrated by any stretch of the imagination. The only person I ever get compared to is myself because no other defensive tackle has put up 16½, 12½ sacks (in a season). It just doesn't happen. The only person I'm compared to is myself when I was 26 and 27 years old (he's 33).”


Injury report

Tight end Ryan Krause left during practice after injuring his hamstring and was listed as questionable on the official injury report. Tackle Leander Jordan (stinger, questionable) and tight end Aaron Shea (back, doubtful) missed all of practice.

The Raiders listed center Jake Grove and backup tight end John Madsen as doubtful, and defensive end Lance Johnstone as questionable.

 

[Angry Pope]

Chargers say Moss gathers no fears


By Jay Posner

September 7, 2006


It's not as if Randy Moss is the only star receiver the Chargers will face in 2006.

“It's the NFL, man,” free safety Marlon McCree said. “It's not high school or college where you play Florida one week and Vanderbilt the next.”

In the world of NFL receivers, however, a healthy Moss is Florida, Texas, Ohio State and any other powerhouse all wrapped up in one scary silver-and-black package. And to many Chargers fans, their team's secondary has been, well, Vanderbilt.

But that's in the past, according to the Chargers, who will have every opportunity to verify their improvement beginning with Monday night's season opener against Moss and the rest of the Oakland Raiders.


“I feel very confident,” said McCree, a six-year veteran who is the only newcomer starting on the San Diego defense. “I think this secondary's going to do really well. I think we're going to hold up our end of the bargain this year. I think we'll be a big part of why this team has a lot of success in the postseason.”

Said coach Marty Schottenheimer: “I've been very pleased with their development, and the addition of Marlon McCree has been a big part of that.”

McCree has taken over for Bhawoh Jue opposite strong safety Terrence Kiel, who was hampered by injuries last season but showed improved coverage skills this summer. The cornerbacks remain Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence, with No. 1 draft choice Antonio Cromartie replacing Jamar Fletcher as the nickel back.

The Chargers probably weren't quite as bad as their No. 28 pass ranking last season, since just five teams faced more pass attempts. That said, the Chargers did intercept just 10 passes, and they had trouble against some of the league's lesser quarterbacks, including Brooks Bollinger and Gus Frerotte.

Interestingly, the Chargers did have success against several top receivers, including Santana Moss, Terrell Owens and Moss – twice. In the first game against Oakland, Moss was shut out through the first quarter before leaving with injuries to his ribs, groin and pelvis. In the second game, Moss had seven catches, but for just 74 yards.


Then again, last season wasn't a normal season for Moss, who was bothered throughout the year by the injuries he suffered against the Chargers. He had the quietest full season of his career, with “only” 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns. Incredibly, he had just four catches that gained more than 29 yards all season, including only one after his injuries.
This year, though, not only is Moss healthy, but the Raiders under new coach Art Shell figure to show more of their old “vertical” passing game. Expectations for Moss are high, and there might be no better stage than “Monday Night Football” for him to show he's back in form.

“I expect Randy to be Randy,” Shell told San Diego reporters yesterday. “He's shown that to me during the offseason and during training camp. I expect good things out of Randy within our system.”

Said Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp: “When he is healthy, he is the biggest weapon in the game, and I expect nothing different from him.”

Of course, even if the Chargers play well against Moss, Jammer knows it's only one game.

“It's a start, but the first game isn't going to shut people up,” Jammer said. “If they don't have any yards passing, it's not going to shut people up. They're going to still say what they're going to say. But if we do it for the season, that's when people are going to start talking about how good we are.”

Added McCree: “Next week will be another Randy Moss-caliber receiver. If you slack off for one minute, the third-team receiver can come beat you for a touchdown. But the fact it is Randy Moss adds a little bit more motivation for us.”

 

[Angry Pope]

New chapter for coaches Shell, Schottenheimer
Admiration for one another as teammates, adversaries

By PHIL BARBER

ALAMEDA - Art Shell makes his return to the NFL sidelines against the Chargers this Monday night. And if you were scripting the event, you might very well cast Marty Schottenheimer as the opposing coach.


For the last 38 years, Shell and Schottenheimer have traveled in the same NFL circles, once teaming up on the same staff, more often than that doing battle as opponents. They have faced off as players, as player-vs.-assistant coach, and assistant-vs.-head coach. Remember that classic 1980 AFC playoff game, when Mike Davis preserved the Raiders' Super Bowl run by intercepting Brian Sipe's pass in a frozen end zone? Shell was Oakland's left tackle in that game, Schottenheimer was the Browns' defensive coordinator.

But the relationship got several degrees hotter in 1989, when Shell was promoted to head coach of the Raiders and Schottenheimer took the same job in Kansas City. The two coaches went head to head 12 times, including a playoff game in 1991, before Raiders owner Al Davis fired Shell after the 1994 season. And Schottenheimer dominated, winning 10 games.

But Schottenheimer must have seen something he liked in his former adversary. When the Raiders headed north from Los Angeles without Shell in 1995, Schottenheimer hired him as his offensive line coach "That was a hell of an experience," Shell recalled Wednesday.

"He said, 'Coach, don't take anything personal.' And then the barrage started."

By that time, Schottenheimer was a Raider Hater nonpareil. During his days in Kansas City, and now again in San Diego, he has made a religion of Raider Week - any week preceding the rivalry.

But if their teams have barely coexisted, Schottenheimer and Shell have not lost admiration for one another. That was apparent in the praise they sang this week. It was interesting that in describing one another, each coach pointed to his counterpart's emotional comportment.

"The thing I admire about Art," Schottenheimer said, "is, while on the surface it may appear that there's not a flame burning down there, deep inside we all know that have been around him that there's a volcano he just kind of keeps a lid on most of the time."

"Marty is very excitable," Shell said."He's very emotional. He starts talking and the next thing you know he's got tears coming out of his eyes. But that's who he is. He's into the game."

Hence Raider Week and its accompanying rants and histrionics. On a conference call Wednesday, Schottenheimer downplayed the significance of the series, saying he and his staff have been focusing on the Raiders for only a few days. Shell wasn't buying it.

"It is not just another game," he said. "He's just telling you that. Don't believe that. What do they call it, metamorphosis? That whole thing changes. It's Raider Week. I know what he's preaching, I know what he's saying. I've been inside."

If Shell can steal this game from the Chargers and break the Raiders' current five-game losing streak to Schottenheimer, he may tilt the balance of this friendly feud yet again.

TICKET UPDATE

In a meeting with local writers, Raiders chief executive Amy Trask acknowledged that the Chargers game is sold out and will be televised locally. Trask would not confirm any other sellouts, but noted that the team has sold about 37,000 season tickets for 2006. That is well above the approximately 29,000 the Oakland Football Marketing Association sold last year.



EXTRA POINTS

Shell said Alvis Whitted would start at wide receiver opposite Randy Moss on Monday night. "Ronald Curry just got back," Shell explained. "This guy's been working the whole camp, worked all offseason, and this guy deserves a shot at it."

TE John Madsen (ankle) did not practice. DE Lance Johnstone (shin) took part in individual drills, but not team sessions. Everyone else practiced, including C Jake Grove (shoulder), who is listed as doubtful on the team's first injury report.

The Raiders waived S Hiram Eugene and re-signed CB Duane Starks, whom they had cut Saturday. The team also signed RB Adimchinobe Echemandu to its practice squad.

 

[Angry Pope]

Chargers expect to see Moss at his best

By: MICHAEL KLITZING

SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers expect to see a new Randy Moss on Monday night in Oakland, which is to say they expect to see the old Randy Moss.

Clearly, they didn't take Moss' best shot last year.

"We didn't," cornerback Quentin Jammer said. "We know we didn't."


The 74 receiving yards the Raiders' wide receiver tallied in parts of two games against the Chargers last season would usually represent a decent half's output for the five-time Pro Bowler.

And it wasn't just a good scheme and tight coverage.

Moss sustained injures to his groin and abdomen in the first quarter the first time the Raiders and Chargers met last season, and he was largely held in check in December when the two teams met again. He never regained his Hall of Fame-caliber form after his health problems and the numbers back that up ---- he had 466 yards in four games before getting hurt, 539 the rest of the way.

Jammer said Moss looked healthy but tentative in their late-season matchup a year ago ---- perhaps hoping not to aggravate the injury while playing out the string in a lost 4-12 season. And now?

"We know this year he's healthy," Jammer said. "He's going to come into this game running full speed and trying to make some plays. We know they're going to get him the ball as much as possible."

There's another reason to expect a breakout from Moss.

Some believe former coach Norv Turner's misuse of Moss had as much to do with those paltry totals as did Moss' health. With Art Shell taking the helm in Oakland, the Raiders plan to take their attack vertical to take advantage of one of the NFL's most dangerous weapons.

So how does head coach Marty Schottenheimer expect to contain Moss?

"You put three or four guys on him," Schottenheimer said, grinning.

Indeed, putting the clamps on Moss will require a team effort for the Chargers much-maligned, yet supposedly beefed-up secondary.

But ultimately, the majority of the responsibility will fall to Jammer. Though the Raiders do move Moss around, he typically lines up on the left side of the defense, meaning the former first-round pick with the shiny new multiyear contract will get a stiff test in the season opener.

And that's just fine with Jammer.

"I look forward to it," he said, "because if you have a great game against him, you get your name on the map. If you have a bad game against him, he's already on the map."

Another first-round choice eager to put himself on the map may get his shot at Moss, too. Schottenheimer said there are "some situations" in which rookie Antonio Cromartie may lock horns with the Raiders' star, presumably when the Chargers play nickel against obvious passing formations.

Couple that with a national television audience and that's heady stuff for a 22-year-old who hasn't played in a meaningful game since 2004. But Cromartie is at no loss for confidence; he denies feeling any opening-week jitters.

"It's gonna be fun," Cromartie said. "Obviously he's an all-pro receiver, but my key is to just go out and do my job."

Come Monday, that job may require hazard pay. This time the Chargers will likely take Moss' best shot.

CHARGERS NOTES ---- The Chargers named their captains Thursday, with the honors going to RB LaDainian Tomlinson (offense), LB Randall Godfrey (defense) and San Diego State alumnus Kassim Osgood (special teams). Ö OT Leander Jordan (shoulder stinger) sat out practice again. Though he didn't offer a timetable for his return, coach Marty Schottenheimer said he has been encouraged by Jordan's progress. TEs Ryan Krause (hamstring) and Aaron Shea (back) also did not work. ...The lead-up to games with the Raiders always adds a measure of intensity around Chargers Park ---- the team broke its practice Thursday with the chant "Raiders week." But don't count LB Shawne Merriman among those giving the rivalry extra credence. "There's a finish that we would like to end up at (this season), and they're just a team that's in our way," he said. ... Schottenheimer's assessment of Raiders fans: "They are very vociferous in their support of Raider Nation."


Randy Moss vs. the Chargers

Date;Catches;Yards;TDs;Result

Nov. 28, 1999;7;127;1;Vikings 35, Chargers 27

Nov. 9, 2003;11;120;1;Chargers 42, Vikings 28

Oct. 16, 2005;0;0;0;Chargers 27, Raiders 14

Dec. 4, 2005;7;74;0;Chargers 34, Raiders 10

Career Totals;25;321;2

 

[Angry Pope]

Chargers scouting report

By: JAY PARIS

Opponent: Oakland Raiders

Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Monday, McAfee Coliseum

> Series: 94th meeting. The Raiders lead 55-36-2, but the Chargers have won five in a row and six of the past eight. The Chargers prevailed in the last meeting, 34-10 on Dec. 4 at Qualcomm Stadium.


> Player to watch: RB LaMont Jordan. Many NFL watchers predict Jordan is due for a breakthrough season. The six-year pro wasn't bad last year, gaining career highs in rushes (272), receiving yards (563) and receiving touchdowns (two). The Raiders love to talk of their vertical game, but to get that on track they have to establish the run with Jordan, who is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Jordan will give the Chargers ---- last year's top run defense ---- a solid test. If Jordan's patched-together offensive line can supply enough running room. Jordan ran for but 91 yards last year against the Chargers in two games, but that included two rushing touchdowns.

> Offense: QB Aaron Brooks takes over for Kerry Collins, coming over from the Saints. Although Brooks has outstanding athletic skills that can bail him out if his pass protection breaks down, he is woefully inconsistent: 13 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions last year. But he has some weapons to utilize in Jordan and WRs Randy Moss, Alvin Whitted and Jerry Porter ---ñ if Porter can escape coach Art Shell's doghouse. Moss is looking to rebound from a so-so 2005 season and he gets to do it against a Chargers secondary that the club promises will be improved. A makeshift offensive line could be the Raiders' downfall on this side of the ball.

> Defense: Pro Bowl DE Derrick Burgess is coming off a monster season in which he led the NFL with 16 sacks. He will be eyeing Chargers QB Philip Rivers and trying to blast past RT Shane Olivea. Rookie S Michael Huff, a first-round pick, has earned a job and if the men up front ---- Burgess and Warren Sapp --- can pressure QBs, Huff and improving CB Fabian Washington could better last year's team total of five interceptions quickly. Former San Diego State star Kirk Morrison, who was solid last year, will plug the middle at linebacker; he's joined by another rookie in Thomas Howard on the weak side.

> Noteworthy: WR Will Buchanon, an Oceanside High alumnus and, son of former Chargers CB Willie Buchanon, secured a spot on the Raiders' practice squad. Ö Raiders WR coach Fred Biletnikoff once was an assistant Orange Glen High and Palomar College. ... Raiders owner Al Davis was a Chargers assistant coach in the early 1960s. ... Chuck Pagano, a Raiders defensive assistant, is the brother of John Pagano, a Chargers defensive assistant coach. ... Raiders coach Art Shell was an assistant under Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer in Kansas City from 1995-96.

 

[Angry Pope]

Back to school night could be final exam

Ray Ratto

Friday, September 8, 2006



While it is always easy to overstate how an opening game can affect a football team, it is also easy to understate it. Cal, for example, isn't going to its dream BCS bowl now unless it wins the Pacific 10 Conference, all because it opened up in the wrong place against the wrong team and before the wrong audience.

But that's Jeff Tedford's migraine, not yours. Yours is something else.

And Art Shell's ... well, that comes Monday night with the San Diego Chargers, and given the right circumstances, it may not be a migraine at all.

It all depends on LaDainian Tomlinson, and the Raiders assigned to keep him from being the Tomlinson that Oakland knows and hates.

The Chargers have won six of the last eight games they have played against the Raiders, and the common theme has been Tomlinson, who is either the best, second-best, or third-best running back in football, depending on who you took in your fantasy draft. And Tomlinson's street cred has been made in significant part against the Raiders.

Which is why everything you hear about the Raiders' improved defense and how it is the real strength of the team is going to be proven, or disproven, Monday night.

Oh, there is the superficial fascination with Aaron Brooks, Randy Moss and their ability, or lack thereof, to become what Moss and Daunte Culpepper were in Minnesota. And yes, that would be helpful to a team that has been vapor-locked since the morning of Super Bowl XXXVII.

But if the defense has been built, tooled and polished to as high a gloss as has been guesstimated by analysts of various qualifications, then here's the final exam, right on the first day of school.

Forgiving Tomlinson his rookie year as we should, he has gained 1,101 yards and scored 10 times in eight games against Oakland. He has defined those eight games, mostly by making the Raiders over-fear the run and under-fear the pass. This is the way Marty Schottenheimer has always liked it, and how he will want it to happen again this year with the very undertested Philip Rivers at quarterback.

Thus, the Raiders' chances of winning over an announced sellout crowd, a skeptical national audience and even themselves can be boiled down to answering the one vital question:

Can they stop LaDainian Tomlinson?

Oh, there are always other issues with the Raiders, but those are largely there to amuse the tourists. After you get around the ticket issues, the stadium issues, the Los Angeles stuff and all the other hilarities that make the Raiders the Raiders, the truth is that at their very base, the Raiders are still a football team -- a football team that has clearly lost its way.

To refind it, Al Davis hired Shell, presumably to straighten out a dysfunctional offense and teach the seemingly unteachable lesson that nine penalties per game is just not very helpful.

But to pay the bills until all those components are meshed, the Raiders will live and/or die on Rob Ryan's oft-maligned defense, starting and perhaps even ending Monday night against Tomlinson.

This essential truth makes understanding the game as it unfolds a fairly easy matter, even with all the noise and doo-wop about Moss and Brooks and Jerry Porter. This one is simple -- stop Tomlinson, or open up with another deflating and season-defining loss.

Unlike the 49ers, who are in Year Two of a four-year (minimum) rebuilding (if they're lucky) program, the Raiders could, if everything breaks perfectly right, win eight games. But they have to break right, and right away, because the team's recent history is all about losing heart early and going through the motions while teams whiz by them, fast lane and slow, until the season mercifully expires right after Christmas.

Thus, seeing Tomlinson right off the bat could be considered an immediate setback, except for one thing. The Raiders are in control of their own destiny, and they actually could do something about their fate. That is the realization Davis made when he fired Bill Callahan, and that he had to remake when he fired Norval Turner. Shell's primary job is to convince this team that it is not predestined to stink, and those lessons will be easier for the employees to absorb if the team starts quickly.

And Monday seems quick enough. Now, we'll see if the Raiders are quick enough to avoid the fate expected of them.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders' game plan is to make Rivers deliver

David White

Friday, September 8, 2006


Go ahead, Philip Rivers, make the Raiders' opening day.

Shoot for the rookie single-game passing record. Chuck the ball a mile plus change. When the game gets close, take matters into your own hands and save the day.

The Raiders so want to see Rivers try.

"Let's put on the quarterback," Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "Let's see how he reacts to how we go at him."

Rivers is a third-year quarterback from North Carolina State. He makes his first NFL start Monday night against the Raiders at the sold out Coliseum.

He replaces the popular, yet departed, Drew Brees, who's in New Orleans because his services were no longer deemed necessary after five years and a season-ending injury.

Until now, Rivers was best known as the other player involved in the Eli Manning trade to the New York Giants. Manning wanted nothing to do with San Diego, so Rivers it is.

"I'm coming into a great situation where I don't have to come in and say, 'All right, I have to make every play. I gotta try to be a hero.' I definitely don't walk into this game thinking I have to make magic.

"I have a guy standing directly behind me that I can give the ball to that can make big things happen."

That would be LaDainian Tomlinson, the Pro Bowl running back who banks on two Raiders games a year to pad his Pro Bowl application.

He has five 100-yard games against Oakland, with four in the Coliseum. Of his 7,361 career rushing yards in five seasons, 1,215 come courtesy of the Raiders.

"You guys can turn around and hand the ball off, it's the easiest thing to do in this league," Sapp said. "If we can get LT under control and put the game in Rivers' hands ... they're going to look to the quarterback and say, 'The game's on you, son. You've got to win.' "

Rivers made one last-minute game appearance as a rookie in 2004, never throwing a pass. Last year, he came out in Week 10 to take a knee, and replaced the injured Brees midway through a season-ending loss to Denver.

He finished 3 of 6 for 39 yards with one touchdown drive. Brees had just finished the year with a career-high 3,576 yards. The Chargers, apparently, saw enough.

"He's different in the sense, from Drew, that he's an emotional leader," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "Philip's played a lot of football. And the last two years for him he spent them with the idea that was he was a starter.

"He's been outstanding for the most part."

That's the spirit, if you ask the Raiders. Let Rivers drop in the pocket all night. Give NFL sacks champion Derrick Burgess time to negotiate the right corner. Let defensive end Tyler Brayton get first crack at rookie left tackle Marcus McNeill, a second-round draft pick from Auburn.

"Pressure on the quarterback and knocking him around is just as important as sacks," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "You've got to get around and let him know that you're there. We're going to try to make sure we're there."

They better be, because Rivers has plenty of help at his disposal. Antonio Gates is called the best tight end in the league. Wide receiver Keenan McCardell is 10th all-time in the NFL record books with 825 catches.

They're why the Raiders would rather see Rivers carry the Chargers piggyback. The Alabama son with a taste for okra, cabbage and country music is the least experienced chance they've got.

"Whether you have to run it 40 times to win," Rivers said, "or throw it 40 times to win, I have to be ready to do it."

 

[Angry Pope]

Offseason changes for Raiders, Chargers get test in season opener

Sep. 7, 2006

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Art Shell is back pacing the sidelines, Aaron Brooks is taking snaps at quarterback and the defense has been overhauled.

There's a new look in Oakland, and after three years of losing, the players want to show the rest of the NFL that it's no longer the same old Raiders.

They'll get that chance in a nationally televised opener on Monday night against the San Diego Chargers.

"People are curious to see how we are going to do," running back LaMont Jordan said. "Some people probably feel San Diego is going to come blow us out. Based on what we did last year, I can understand that. But we are a new Raiders team with a new attitude. Coach Shell has brought in a new attitude."

The Raiders have had three straight losing seasons for the first time since Al Davis joined the franchise in 1963 as coach and eventually owner. Last year's 4-12 record led to coach Norv Turner and quarterback Kerry Collins being cut loose, and an infusion of speed on defense.

Shell is trying to return the Raiders to their glory days, bringing back the power-running and deep-strike passing offense that was successful when he played and coached the team.

"They're going to come out and play much like we try to play, and that's to be physical from the start of the ballgame, and try to find their opportunities for a big play here and there," said Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, who has coached with and against Shell in the past. "I think what Art brings, he brings a level of discipline and toughness."

The opener will also be an opportunity to see how the Chargers' big offseason change is going. San Diego let quarterback Drew Brees go and turned over the offense to Philip Rivers.

It also will be the team's first game since outside linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer, sidelining him for the season.

But the key for San Diego to make it to the playoffs after falling short last season is Rivers, the player the Chargers have groomed to be the starter since acquiring him in the 2004 draft.

San Diego's offense will still center around star running back LaDainian Tomlinson and All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates.

"I just have to try to manage the game. I feel fortunate that I have a guy standing directly behind me that I can give the ball to that can make big things happen," Rivers said. "I don't walk into this game Monday night thinking I have to make magic."

Tomlinson has five 100-yard rushing games against the Raiders, including four in Oakland. In 10 career games against the Raiders, Tomlinson has rushed for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns, caught 42 passes for 207 yards and two scores, and thrown two touchdown passes.

The Raiders hope the additions of speedy rookies Michael Huff at safety and Thomas Howard at linebacker will limit Tomlinson and put pressure on Rivers, who has a rookie protecting him at left tackle in Marcus McNeill.

"I think they're going to rely on LaDainian a little bit more than they did with Brees," safety Stuart Schweigert said. "Rivers is still learning the offense a little bit. I think he's a guy we can force into mistakes. He takes some chances. Sometimes they turn out good. Hopefully, Monday they will turn out bad for him."

The key for the Raiders' offense is Brooks. A starter for more than five seasons in New Orleans, Brooks struggled in his final year with the Saints with 17 interceptions and 13 touchdowns.

After dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina last season, Brooks is eager for a fresh start in Oakland.

"As a team this can be the beginning of a new birth, the whole thing of a winning tradition around here," Brooks said. "That's the feeling I get from my teammates. Everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to get back on top and experience what it is to be a Raider."

Lately, being a Raider has meant being undisciplined and losing to AFC West teams. Oakland went 0-6 in the division last season and has just two wins against AFC West opponents the past three seasons.

Perhaps no one in the division take greater pleasure in beating the Raiders than Schottenheimer, who is 25-7 in his career against them. Even though Schottenheimer publicly downplays the importance of beating his rivals, Shell got a first-person look at the change Schottenheimer undergoes when it's time to play the Raiders.

"That whole thing changes. It's Raider week. I know what he's preaching, I know what he's saying. I've been inside," said Shell, an assistant for two years under Schottenheimer in Kansas City. "That was a hell of an experience. He said, 'Coach, don't take anything personal.' And, then the barrage started."

 

[Angry Pope]

The Gates Situation

In some ways, the Raiders are better off without Charles Woodson. But Monday night, when the Chargers and their fearsome tight end, Antonio Gates, come to town, the home team might be wishing Woodson were back in uniform.

Woodson never lived up to the lofty expectations he created as a cornerback during his eight seasons in Oakland. But he did some good things against tight ends in the Raiders' “Wolverine” – a modified nickel package that usually put Woodson in a hybrid safety/linebacker role. When the Raiders played San Diego or Kansas City (and Tony Gonzalez), Woodson often shadowed the tight end.

When Gates came to town in Week 6 last season, he saw a steady diet of Woodson and caught only two passes for 17 yards – his lowest output of the season. Gonzalez had five receptions for 44 yards against Oakland in Week 2, not exactly explosive. Then Woodson got hurt and the Raiders were forced to scramble.

The Wolverine remains in Rob Ryan's defensive scheme, but no longer includes Woodson, who signed a lucrative free-agent contract to play in Green Bay this year. The question of the hour, then, is who will cover Gates on Monday? The short answer: a lot of people.

“We've got different things planned for him,” free safety Stuart Schweigert said. “We know where they like to use Gates, when he's a big factor in certain areas. We have a couple different things planned for him. … We're not changing up our defense just for him.”

It's almost guaranteed that rookie strong safety Michael Huff will be part of the puzzle. The Raiders loved Huff coming out of Texas because of his dual strengths – he can play the run like a safety and cover like a cornerback. He's a 'tweener, and as such he is ideally suited to cover an athletic tight end.

Of course, putting a rookie on Gates for the entire game would be a little sadistic. Expect the Raiders to involve safety Derrick Gibson, nickel backs Tyrone Poole and Chris Carr, and perhaps linebacker Thomas Howard. End Tyler Brayton may even try to chuck Gates at the line occasionally.

No matter how many Raiders get a piece of him, expect a mighty struggle against Gates, the first tight end in NFL history to catch 10 or more touchdown passes in consecutive seasons.

 

[Rupert]

Well, he's probably the first truly gifted TE to not have a pair of competent WR's around him in 2 consecutive seasons.

 

[Angry Pope]

Chargers' Rivers stuck in tight spot
QB will be making first start — on national TV — for disheveled team

By Bill Soliday



ALAMEDA — It's hard to imagine a more formidable circumstance to open a season than the one the San Diego Chargers face Monday night in Oakland.
They are coming off a disappointing season.

They lost one of their star defensive players, Steve Foley, for the season to a gunshot wound.

They changed quarterbacks, and Phillip Rivers will be making his first pro start.

Should anything happen to Rivers, the backup is Charlie Whitehurst, a rookie with no experience. There is no No.3.

Rivers will be protected at left tackle by a rookie, Marcus McNeil.

The inexperienced pair will be on Gulp TV — the Monday night national spotlight.

The game is on the road in a sold-out stadium before a geeked-up crowd that may be the most intimidating in football.

Add it all up and you've got to figure San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer and Rivers are a little nervous figuring the Raiders are licking their chops.

"He (Rivers) is a guy who is still learning the offense and picking stuff up," Raiders safety Stuart Schweigert said. "I think he takes some chances (and) is a guy we can force into some mistakes."

Others presume the Chargers will come out running and that LaDainian Tomlinson's success on the ground will either save Rivers or put him on a very big spot.

If he's nervous, Rivers is putting up a good game face.

"I'm excited, the team's excited," he said. "There's really no better way to start off the year. It's about as good as it gets."

By that kind of reasoning, root canals are a laugh a minute.

However, Rivers is a spunky type, which is why the Chargers were willing to let Drew Brees escape to New Orleans and elevate a neophyte quarterback to be leader of a team with playoff aspirations.

"Probably more than anything else it's just the way he understands the game, the kind of mentality he brings to the competition," Schottenheimer said. "He's different from Drew in the sense that he's an emotional leader. Drew (was) very calculating."

Rivers' preseason has been neither scintillating or catastrophic. He has completed a proficient 65.2 percent of his passes, but he has been sacked five times.


Raiders defensive end Lance Johnstone isn't counting on any gifts.

"We are not going in with the approach we expect him to mess up," Johnstone said. "But we are going to make him have to make some quick decisions."

What Rivers has going for him is a solid team behind him — Tomlinson running, Antonio Gates catching the ball and a potent defense.

"I'm stepping into a great situation where I don't have to come in and say, 'All right, I have to make every play, I've got to try to be a hero,'" Rivers said.


EXTRA POINTS: The week's final injury report was unchanged. Raiders — C Jake Grove (shoulder), TE John Madsen (ankle) doubtful; DE Lance Johnstone (shin) questionable; TE James Adkisson (knee), WR Alvis Whitted (groin) probable. San Diego — TE Aaron Shea (back) doubtful; T Leander Jordan (neck) questionable; CB Cletis Gordon (wrist), T Marcus McNeil (hand) probable ... Shell said all available players practiced Friday including Grove, who did work for a time with the first team ...

Shell joked that he was no longer relying strictly on Sebastian Janikowski's word for how far he thought he could kick a field goal in games. "I made a change," Shell said. "After I ask him, I'm going to ask the special teams coach. Janikowski has kind of been telling me a little fib. He said (so) in the paper. I read it."

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders still aren't set on starting center for opener


ALAMEDA — Three days before the season-opener against San Diego, Raiders coach Art Shell says he's still not sure who Oakland's starting center will be.
Jake Grove, who began the preseason as the Raiders' top center, has been sidelined since Aug. 22 with an injured left shoulder and only returned to practice earlier this week. Backup guard Corey Hulsey has been working in Grove's place and started in Oakland's final two preseason games.

Grove and Hulsey have split time working with the Raiders' first-team offense this week in practice, and while Hulsey would appear to be the front-runner to start against the Chargers, Shell has so far refused to make that a certainty.

"I haven't made a decision on that yet," Shell said. "I'm watching, I'm looking and gathering information."

Two weeks ago it seemed as if Shell would have an easy decision.

Grove was injured in practice during training camp and was initially expected to have surgery.

Team trainers later upgraded Grove's condition and said no surgery would be required, instead prescribing 3-4 weeks of rehab.

On Monday, Grove told Oakland's coaching staff he was ready to return, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.

"He's pushing (to play), but he hasn't pushed me yet," Shell said of Grove.

QUICK HITTERS — Redskins running back Clinton Portis is targeting Washington's second game for his return from a shoulder injury. ... Carolina All-Pro receiver Steve Smith missed his third straight day of practice with a sore right hamstring and is questionable for the the season opener against Atlanta. ... Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said that Shaun Suisham would likely kick Sunday against the Jaguars instead of Mike Vanderjagt (groin). ... Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud missed a second consecutive day of practice Friday and remained questionable for the season opener Sunday against Dallas. ... Former Packers running back Najeh Davenport signed with the Steelers.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders still have questions up front

Friday, September 8, 2006



Three days before the season-opener against San Diego, Raiders coach Art Shell says he's still not sure who Oakland's starting center will be.


Jake Grove, who began the preseason as the Raiders' top center, has been sidelined since Aug. 22 with an injured left shoulder and only returned to practice earlier this week. Backup guard Corey Hulsey has been working in Grove's place and started in Oakland's final two preseason games.


Grove and Hulsey have split time working with the Raiders' first-team offense this week in practice, and while Hulsey would appear to be the front-runner to start against the Chargers, Shell has so far refused to make that a certainty.


"I haven't made a decision on that yet," Shell said. "I'm watching, I'm looking and gathering information."


Two weeks ago it seemed as if Shell would have an easy decision. Grove was injured in practice during training camp and was initially expected to have surgery. Team trainers later upgraded Grove's condition and said no surgery would be required, instead prescribing 3-4 weeks of rehab.


On Monday Grove changed those plans when he told Oakland's coaching staff he was ready to return, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.


"He's pushing (to play), but he hasn't pushed me yet," Shell said of Grove. "We've got a long ways to go, we've got a long year, and we've got people we can win with. But again, I don't know what reason why, in the history of doing this stuff if a guy is supposed to be ready to go this week, most of the time you hold him another week just as a precaution."


That's a lesson Grove wished he would have learned before last year. A knee injury sidelined him for three games midway through the 2005 season. When he returned, Grove pushed the coaching staff to reinsert him into the starting lineup. Grove returned for three games, only to aggravate the injury which forced him to be inactive for Oakland's final three games.


Still, that hasn't stopped Grove from pushing for playing time this week.


"Whatever (Shell) decides is what's going to happen," Grove said. "Whatever. I'm good to play. (The shoulder) is 100 times better than it was when it happened. It has been good news every day -- started out with season, then a month."


The Raiders will be facing a San Diego team that ranked first in the league defending the run in 2005, giving up just 84.3 yards a game last season. Conversely, Oakland was just 29th in the NFL in rushing a year ago, averaging 85.6 yards.


Center isn't the Raiders' only question mark along the offensive line. Left guard Barry Sims was held out of the final three preseason games because of an elbow injury; Robert Gallery is still adjusting to the move from right tackle to left tackle; and right tackle Langston Walker is coming off a 2005 season in which he had to have emergency abdominal surgery.


In addition, Oakland is starting a rookie, Paul McQuistan, at right guard.


"It wasn't an optimal situation but you have to be able to plug guys in," Sims said. "Nothing's ever easy. Jake and I are both working hard to get back out there."

 

[Angry Pope]

Just another tough test for LB Morrison

Bruce Adams

Saturday, September 9, 2006



Kirk Morrison says he won't have butterflies in his stomach when he makes his first start at middle linebacker as the Raiders open the regular season against the Chargers on Monday night. He dealt with his nerves early last year.

As a rookie out of San Diego State, Morrison's first game was the season-opening loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots on national

TV.
"You get thrown out there to play," Morrison said. "That's when I really understood how the NFL was going to be. And I haven't looked back since."

In other words, Morrison won't be thrown off his game by what could be a long night -- dealing with two of the best players in the league: running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates.

"We call this game a test for our defense, to see where we're at," Morrison said, noting a good performance "could bode well for the rest of the season."

He said the key against the Chargers' offensive stars was simple -- discipline.

"You can't try to make the big play," he said. "You just make the play. It's a lot easier."

Morrison played in all 16 games last year, starting the last 15. But all of that was on the outside. This year he's been moved to the middle -- a transition he says is a natural.

"This is the position I played in college, the position I played in high school," he said. "I've been playing there my whole life."

And it's a familiar view.

"The picture looks the same now," Morrison said. "You're so used to seeing the center, guard and backfield. You play outside, it's a different picture. Now I'm back to the picture I'm used to seeing."

Morrison also has the added duty of making the calls on defense.

"He's adapted very well to calling plays, calling the signals and ... making the changes around the line of scrimmage when they need to be made," coach Art Shell said.

Sam Williams, a starter at outside linebacker, said Morrison has thrived with the move. "It's going well," Williams said. "Kirk is a natural middle linebacker, a natural leader of the defense."

"Kirk isn't really a young guy anymore," added tackle Warren Sapp.

Morrison's new position and his new duties are part of the team's new look at linebacker.

Bobby Clark, the starter for the past two years at middle linebacker, was cut when the team got down to the 53-man regular season roster last Saturday. (Since then he's signed with the Saints.)

Rookie Thomas Howard, out of Texas-El Paso, starts at one outside spot. Fourth-year player Williams, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, starts at the other outside spot.

Morrison was No. 2 on the team in tackles last year with 112. He recorded six in the preseason.

Morrison is playing in his hometown; he is one of three Raiders out of Bishop O'Dowd High -- along with starting tackle Langston Walker and practice squad wide receiver Burl Toler.

"We're excited about it," Morrison said. "We have a great upbringing where we come from."

Briefly: Wide receiver Randy Moss, who rarely talks with local beat writers, was on Fox Sports radio Friday, stating his displeasure with the trade of receiver Doug Gabriel to the Patriots in particular and the Raider organization in general. "It's fishy around here, man, so actually we're walking on egg shells around here, man," Moss said. "Hopefully coach Art can move us in the right direction, man." Shell, saying he hadn't heard Moss' comments, said every player was allowed his say -- as long as it wasn't detrimental to the team. "You can't go crazy with it, but you're allowed to speak your mind," Shell said. "You're allowed to be a man."

 

[Angry Pope]

Shell's Latest Debut to Come Against Familiar Foe

Art Shell shouldn't have any trouble getting the adrenaline flowing on Monday night, as the Raiders head coach dives into his second tenure on the sideline of the Silver and Black at home against longtime division rival San Diego.

Shell was a part of no fewer than 55 Chargers/Raiders games, competing against San Diego twice a year as a player (1968-82), assistant coach (1983-89), and head coach (1989-94) over a span of 27 seasons. The Hall of Fame tackle, formerly the NFL's senior vice president for football operations and development, was re-hired in February to help revive the franchise's fortunes. Oakland went a combined 13-35 from 2003 through 2005, prompting Raider owner Al Davis to re-hire the man he had fired following the 1994 campaign. Shell fashioned a 54-38 record during his first stint as head coach, guiding the then-Los Angeles Raiders to three postseason appearances.

When he looks across the field, Shell will see a familiar face in Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer. Shell served as Schottenheimer's offensive line coach for two years in Kansas City (1995-96), and also went head-to-head with Schottenheimer 12 times as a head coach. This season, the current Chargers' leader will be trying to guide his team back to the postseason after a disappointing 9-7 showing in 2005, and will be doing so with a first-year starter, Philip Rivers, at quarterback.


SERIES HISTORY

Oakland has a 54-36-2 record in its all-time series with San Diego, but has lost the last five in a row to the Chargers. The Bolts were 27-14 road winners in Week 6 of the 2005 season, then took a 34-10 decision at Qualcomm Stadium in Week 13. The last win in the series for the Silver and Black came in 2003 at home, a 34-31 triumph in overtime.

Oakland won the only postseason meeting between the teams, prevailing by a 34-27 count in the 1980 AFC Championship.

Shell is 5-6 against San Diego in his head coaching career, including 1-4 in home games. The Chargers' Schottenheimer is 25-7 in his career against the Raiders (6-2 while with San Diego), including a 10-6 victory for his Chiefs over Shell's team in a 1991 AFC First-Round Playoff. Schottenheimer is 10-2 all-time against Shell, with all of the matchups dating back to his time with Kansas City.


CHARGERS OFFENSE VS. RAIDERS DEFENSE

Chargers fans and NFL observers will be closely monitoring the play of Rivers, the 2004 No. 4 overall pick out of North Carolina State, on Monday night. Rivers has thrown just 30 NFL passes, and will be making his first start after backing up Drew Brees for the past two years. In a controversial move, San Diego allowed Brees to escape to New Orleans via free agency in the offseason. Rivers looked reasonably sharp in the preseason, completing 30-of-46 passes for 333 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Chargers' corps of pass-catchers remains basically the same, with Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates (89 receptions, 10 TD) representing the team's top target and wideouts Keenan McCardell (70 receptions, 9 TD) and Eric Parker (57 receptions, 3 TD) offsetting him. The 36-year-old McCardell tied a personal single-season-best for touchdown catches a year ago. The San Diego o-line allowed five sacks of Rivers in the preseason, and will be featuring a first-year starter in rookie Marcus McNeill (Auburn) at right tackle.

In constant pursuit of Rivers will be Oakland defensive end Derrick Burgess (16 sacks), who came to the Raiders as a free agent prior to the 2005 campaign and promptly led the NFL in sacks. Burgess will line up opposite Tyler Brayton (16 tackles, 1 sack) in the team's base 4-3 look, while pass-rushing specialist Lance Johnstone (7 sacks with Minnesota) will appear on a situational basis. Oakland defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is hoping that a new-look secondary takes hold quickly. The Raiders used the No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 draft on Texas' Michael Huff, who will start at strong safety on Monday night. With cornerback Charles Woodson now a Green Bay Packer, Nnamdi Asomugha (60 tackles) and 2005 first-round pick Fabian Washington (43 tackles) will be under scrutiny to limit McCardell and Parker's effectiveness. Rounding out the secondary is free safety Stuart Schweigert (87 tackles), who had two of the team's league-low five interceptions a season ago.

The curtain will at last be lifted on LaDainian Tomlinson's (1462 rushing yards, 51 receptions, 20 TD) 2006 season on Monday night, as the perennial Pro Bowl running back suits up after sitting out the entire preseason as a precautionary measure. The presence of a first-year starter at quarterback is likely to mean a renewed emphasis on Tomlinson's skills, perhaps spelling a return to the TCU product's 1,600-yard, 100-catch showing of 2003. Back to pave the way for Tomlinson is reliable fullback Lorenzo Neal (98 rushing yards, 24 receptions, 1 TD), with Michael Turner (335 rushing yards, 3 TD), who had a strong preseason, again giving Tomlinson the occasional breather.

The Raiders have changed their defensive look from a 3-4 to a permanent 4-3, a situation that they hope frees up defensive tackle Warren Sapp (32 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT) to make more plays along the interior. Sapp and fellow DT Tommy Kelly (45 tackles, 4.5 sacks) will look to slow Tomlinson when he runs between the tackles on Monday night, with their presence aiding a young linebacking corps featuring second-year pro Kirk Morrison (116 tackles) in the middle and rookie Thomas Howard (2nd Round, UTEP) at one of the outside slots. Morrison led the Silver and Black in tackles a season ago. The third member of the starting LB corps is outside man Sam Williams, who started four games in 2004 but missed all of 2005 after tearing his ACL in the preseason. Oakland was just 25th in the league against the run last season.


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