Put Game In Rivers' Hands..

cont'd...

RAIDERS OFFENSE VS. CHARGERS DEFENSE

Attempting to win over the Oakland fans will be quarterback Aaron Brooks (2882 passing yards, 13 TD, 17 INT with New Orleans), who is set to make his first regular season start as a Raider after six years with the Saints. Brooks finished the preseason strong following a shaky start, ending the team's five- game warm-up run with a solid 90.8 passer rating. Brooks will be looking downfield to wideouts Randy Moss (60 receptions, 8 TD), Alvis Whitted (14 receptions), and Jerry Porter (76 receptions, 5 TD), along with tight end Courtney Anderson (24 receptions, 3 TD). Moss is looking for a better sophomore season in Oakland after being limited due to injuries last season. Porter, who was reported to be in Shell's doghouse, could have trouble getting on the field in 2006 ahead of the newly-ordained starter Whitted and slot man Ronald Curry (2 receptions). A major issue for the Silver and Black on Monday night will be the work of a young offensive line, one that raised some concerns by surrendering 17 sacks in five preseason games.

Brooks will be looking to exploit a Charger secondary that has long been viewed as the defense's weak link, one that was the main culprit in the team finishing 27th in the league against the pass a year ago. San Diego made an effort to upgrade the group in the preseason, bringing in ex-Panther Marlon McCree (87 tackles, 3 INT with Panthers) to play free safety and using a first-round draft pick on cornerback Antonio Cromartie (Florida State). McCree will make his formal debut as a starter with the Bolts on Monday, while Cromartie will back up top corners Quentin Jammer (1 INT) and Drayton Florence (1 INT). Terrence Kiel (58 tackles) will occupy the strong safety slot. Making life easier for the secondary will be Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shawne Merriman (10 sacks), who burst upon the scene to lead San Diego in sacks as a rookie, with Shaun Phillips (7 sacks) slated to start opposite him. Phillips received a promotion when projected starter Steve Foley (4.5 sacks) was lost for the season after being shot by an off-duty policeman on Sept. 3rd.

Seeking to build on his first career 1,000-yard season is Oakland running back LaMont Jordan (1025 rushing yards, 70 receptions, 11 TD), who breathed some life into the Raiders ground attack last season but couldn't prevent the team from finishing 29th in NFL rushing offense. Jordan was not much a factor in two outings against San Diego last year, totaling 91 yards on 27 carries in a pair of double-digit defeats. Zack Crockett (208 rushing yards, 1 TD), back for his eighth year in Oakland, will once again pave the way for Jordan from his fullback position.

San Diego was No. 1 in the league against the run last season, a testament to the team's elite-level three-man line and a steady group of inside linebackers. It all starts up front, where Pro Bowl nose tackle Jamal Williams (53 tackles) sets the tone, and ends Igor Olshansky (29 tackles, 3 sacks) and Luis Castillo (49 tackles, 3.5 sacks) play off the 350-pounder. If Jordan manages to pass through that gauntlet, he'll have to deal with veteran inside linebackers Donnie Edwards (152 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) and Randall Godfrey (76 tackles), who were 1-2 on the team in stops last season. Edwards will start on Monday after spending much of the preseason attempting to force a trade in the midst of a contract dispute with the Chargers.


OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Raiders have gone an unsightly 2-16 against AFC West foes over the past three seasons, with their most recent home win against a division member coming in Week 4 of the 2003 season against San Diego. You have to believe that statistic is on the tip of every tongue on Oakland's roster and coaching staff, and that the Raiders will come out with a great deal of fire on Monday in an effort to turn the page on that dismal stretch. The Silver and Black looked like a far more disciplined outfit during the preseason than they had been under Shell's predecessors, and though the roster is littered with young players, that mentality should have a carry-over effect into the regular season. San Diego is likely to win this game due to better depth and talent, but Oakland will hang around and give its long-suffering supporters something about which to cheer.
 
Always a big game for Schottenheimer

By Bill Soliday

Marty Schottenheimer and Art Shell are old enemies ... and old friends. They form an odd pair in the friendship department though.

That's because Schottenheimer's feelings about the Oakland Raiders have never been a secret. He detests them with a passionate hatred bordering on obsession.

And Shell epitomizes what the Raiders' symbol is all about.

Just what is behind the San Diego coach's feelings is anybody's guess. It's not a Mike Shanahan thing, where Shanahan was fired by the Raiders — replaced by Shell in 1989. Nothing from Schottenheimer's playing career (1965-70) would indicate anything horribly offensive occurred along the way.

But whatever the year and whatever the team Schottenheimer was working for at the time, he would declare to his players that "Raider Week" had arrived and that it was time to journey into a pit of hostility.

Whether it was psychological ploy or genuine feelings, it has worked well for Schottenheimer. His record vs. the Raiders is 23-5.

In 10 years in Kansas City, Schottenheimer was 17-3 against the Raiders and never lost a home game to them. Since he came to San Diego in 2002, he is 6-2 against Oakland with only one home loss.

Over the years, former Chiefs would come to play in Oakland and confirm that if there was a game Schottenheimer would wax apoplectic about, it was the one against the reviled Raiders.

For two years, Shell got a chance to find out what was behind it all. After Shell was fired in 1994, Shell spent 1995 and 1996 as Schottenheimer's line coach in Kansas City — a Raider in Chiefs' clothing.

It couldn't have been a comfortable experience.

"That was a hell of an experience," Shell said with a laugh. "He said, 'Coach, don't take anything personal.' And then the barrage started. Look, that's how he gets his team ready to play and I respect that. So it should be a good game Monday night."

Shell never was able to put his finger on what may have been behind all this rancor.

"I'm not really sure," Shell said. "He just does not like the Raiders."

Part of the acrimony may have to do with styles.

"I think he said it on that piece on ESPN," Shell said. "(He said) the Raiders try to intimidate people. We don't try to intimidate anybody. We play hard, physical football. If that's intimidation, so be it.

"Teams around this league always address toughness when they play us ... intimidation. (It's) 'They think they're tough ... we've got to be tougher than they are.'

"Well, we like to think we're tough. What are we supposed to do, think we're soft? We're going to play hard, physical football. That's been the trademark of this organization, so that's what we're going to try to do."

Because Schottenheimer uses the same approach, he may have opted to make a plea to the emotions.


"He preaches it (toughness) big time," Shell said. "He wants to be physical, he wants to get after people. On that ESPN piece (he said) 'we want to hit 'em in the mouth.'

"Well, that goes both ways. He'll have them ready to play. Our guys need to meet that doggone energy that's coming up here. They're coming in here to get after us. They've been successful in previous years, so we've got to be ready to go.

"We will be."

Schottenheimer doesn't doubt that. He credits Shell for demanding discipline in addition to toughness. Lack of Raider discipline was one of the recurring themes Schottenheimer used in Kansas City during Raider week. The litany was "stick around, the Raiders would eventually make a big mistake and kill themselves somewhere during the course of the game."

Now Schottenheimer is warning his players to be wary of a Shell-coached team.

"There's considerably more discipline in the way they go about their tasks," Schottenheimer said. "Art's going to challenge them. The thing I admire about Art is, while on the surface, it may appear there's not a flame burning down there, deep inside we all know there's a volcano he just kind of keeps a lid on most of the time.

"In our view, they're going to come out and play much like we try to play ... be physical from the start ... and try to find their opportunities for a big play here and there."

"Maybe he knows a little bit about me," Shell said.

During his twice-annual telephone interviews with Bay Area press, Schottenheimer rarely has downplayed his feelings about the Raiders — nor has he tried to pretend there weren't "Raider week" slogans and messages being sent in his locker room.

But his Chargers are y on a five-game winning streak against Oakland, and now Schottenheimer denies "Raider week" had been in progress since the schedule pitting the two teams for a Monday night opener came out.

He almost downplayed it this week, hinting perhaps it wasn't such a big deal this time around.

"I mean, we've talked about Raider week, but it hasn't really gone anywhere beyond the last few days," Schottenheimer said.

"He's just telling you that," Shell warned. "Don't believe it. It's Raider week. It's not just another game. I know what he's preaching. I know what he's saying. I've been inside."
 
Offseason changes for Raiders, Chargers get test in season opener

By JOSH DUBOW


OAKLAND, Calif.

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."
 
The toughest matchup

September 10th, 2006

What is the most important matchup for the Raiders in Monday night’s season opener against the San Diego Chargers?

Binoculars and replay cameras will have a field day. San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman vs. Robert Gallery (or Langston Walker, if he flops sides), Raiders rookie strong safety Michael Huff vs. Antonio Gates . . . Raiders rookie outside linebacker Thomas Howard trying to defend LaDainian Thompson o a pass pattern out of the backfield.

Great matchups, all of them. Gallery was so tired of answering questions about Merriman he was rolling his eyes.

“He’s a great player, but you can’t be obsessed with one guy or someone else will get you,'’ Gallery said.

The someone else who is the focal point of the entire Chargers defense isn’t Merriman, or linebacker Donnie Edwards or any other player who is among the team leaders in tackles or takeaways.

The guy the Raiders have to control is nose tackle Jamal Williams, whose unique talents are the subject of a feature story in Monday’s ANG Newspapers.

_ Jerry McDonald
 
A nice day off

September 10th, 2006

Reasons why it was a good day for the Oakland Raiders Sunday:

1) They’re still undefeated.

2) Denver lost to the St. Louis Rams.

3) Kansas City lost to the Cincinnati Bengals. Larry Johnson, the trendy fantasy pick destined for 1,800 yards or more, looked pretty average _ 17 carries, 68 yards.

4) Kansas City plays at Denver next week, meaning one of those teams will be 0-2.

5) Chiefs quarterback Trent Green was taken from the field on a stretcher. No one wants him to be seriously injured, but let’s face it, if Damon Huard is the quarterback, the Chiefs are not a factor.

6) Doug Gabriel was inactive for New England, sparing the Raiders the embarrassment of a touchdown reception in his first game.

7) Kerry Collins looked like Kerry Collins, putting off any talk that it was the team’s fault and not the player in 2005.

8 ) The Tampa Bay Grudens lost 27-0 to Balitmore . . . oops, better put that one on hold. The Raiders are in Baltimore next week and the Ravens looked very good.

9) Arizona beat San Francisco 34-27. Not exactly sure why this should matter, but listen to the roar at McAfee Coliseume very time it’s announced the 49ers have lost.

10) There were no interviews aired in which Randy Moss thought things were fishy or sounded concerned about the state of the franchise.

_ Jerry McDonald
 
Schottenheimer loves to loathe the Raiders
Shell, an assistant under Chargers coach when he was in Kansas City, knows

By Steve Corkran

ALAMEDA - San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer is wasting his time when he calls Monday night's game against the Raiders just another game. His downplaying any game against the Raiders falls on deaf ears when it comes to Raiders coach Art Shell.

Schottenheimer lost that element of deception when he hired Shell as an assistant coach during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs.

It was then that Shell learned the true depth of Schottenheimer's utter disdain for anything Raider.

"It is not just another game," Shell said. "He's just telling you that. Don't believe that. ... It's Raider week. I know what he's preaching, I know what he's saying. I've been inside."

Schottenheimer's passion for the Raiders becomes clear in the week leading up to a game against them, Shell and former Chiefs say.

Shell said Schottenheimer undergoes a metamorphosis. He becomes more intense than usual, more focused and intent upon doing what he does best: concocting a game plan to beat the Raiders.

Schottenheimer has it down to an art. His teams are 25-7 against the Raiders since 1984. The Chargers have defeated the Raiders five straight times under Schottenheimer's guidance.

Shell knows this as well as anyone. He has been on both sides. The Chiefs beat Shell's Raiders 11 of 13 times from 1989-94 during Shell's first go-round as Raiders coach.

In a strange twist, Schottenheimer hired Shell in 1995. Together, they helped the Chiefs defeat the Raiders three times in four games.

Before each Raiders game, Schottenheimer repeats the same mantra he has used every time: "Hit 'em in the (bleeping) mouth."

"Oh, big time, big time, he preaches it big time," Shell said. "He wants to be physical, he wants to get after people. ... Hit 'em in the mouth."

Shell got to hear it firsthand those two years he worked under Schottenheimer.

"That was a hell of an experience," Shell said. "He said, 'Coach, don't take anything personal.' And, then the barrage started. ... He just does not like the Raiders."

Now the two are back on opposite sidelines, trying to figure out ways to beat the other team.

It has been that way for almost 40 years. Schottenheimer and Shell faced each other three times as players for the Buffalo Bills and Raiders, respectively, in 1968 and '69.

The Raiders won all three times. The Raiders also got the edge over Schottenheimer when he coached the Cleveland Browns from 1984-88, when Shell was an assistant coach for the Raiders. The Raiders won two of three games during that time.

It has been all Schottenheimer since he took over for the Chiefs in 1989, the year Shell replaced Mike Shanahan four games into the season.

The Raiders lost to the Chiefs in one of the four games under Shanahan. However, Shell's second victory as a coach came against the Chiefs. Schottenheimer won 11 of the next 12 meetings, including a playoff game.

Raiders defensive end Warren Sapp said Schottenheimer-coached teams excel because they play his style of football. Everyone understands what Schottenheimer expects from his players, and no one deviates from that mindset. He said Shell has instilled a similar approach.

"That is the one thing that Art has brought to us, a consistency level of, this is who we are, this is how we play the game," Sapp said. "There is just a better feel around this whole place."

Schottenheimer said he expects to see a mirror image of his team when he looks at the Raiders on Monday.

"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," Schottenheimer said. "Art brings a level of discipline and toughness to any organization that he's with."
 
Chargers vs. Raiders

• TIME: 7:15 p.m.

• TV/RADIO: ESPN, Ch. 44; 560-AM

• STORY LINE: Sure, this is only one game, but the Raiders can end a few bitter streaks and get their season off to a rousing start with a victory tonight. It would mark their first season-opening victory in four seasons, their first victory against an AFC West opponent in nine games, and their first against the Chargers in six tries. It also would give new quarterback Aaron Brooks a confidence boost in his first game in front of the locals. But it won't be easy. Not as long as the Chargers feature perhaps the game's best all-around running back (LaDainian Tomlinson), perhaps the top tight end (Antonio Gates) and one of the most-feared linebackers (Shawne Merriman). The Raiders are hopeful that their made-over front seven proves its worth against Tomlinson and puts the game in the hands of untested third-year quarterback Philip Rivers. Offensively, the Raiders don't figure to pull many surprises. LaMont Jordan left, LaMont Jordan right, deep pass to Randy Moss, back to Jordan, deep pass to Alvis Whitted, and so on. The key to their offensive success figures to be in how well the line fares in its first game since an offseason makeover that resulted in new faces at four positions.

RAIDERS THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

• 1. Get the Chargers to pass more than run. The less the Raiders see of Tomlinson carrying the ball, the better. At least, that's the theory. The Raiders would rather take their chances against a quarterback making his first NFL start than a future Pro Football Hall of Fame member.

• 2. Striking early on offense. A couple of completed passes that go for long gains or, better yet, touchdowns would energize the sold-out Coliseum, as well as the Raiders, and make for a difficult working environment for the Chargers.

• 3. Double-team Gates. The Raiders know, as does every other team, that the Chargers love throwing the ball to all-world tight end Antonio Gates on third-down and goal-line plays. They haven't stopped him in the past, so it's time to add another body to the mix.

FEELING THE HEAT

• Robert Gallery and Langston Walker: The Raiders' offensive tackles draw the unenviable task of dealing with Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman. The Chargers move Merriman from side to side, searching for the best matchup. Gallery and Walker need to be at their best or else Merriman has the ability to disrupt their game plan.

• Marcus McNeill: The Chargers left offensive tackle performed well enough in training camp and exhibition games to earn a starting spot as a rookie. His first real assignment comes against a Raiders team at the sold-out Coliseum. Fortunately for McNeill and the Chargers, reigning NFL sack king Derrick Burgess plays left end most of the time and won't be in McNeill's face all game. Still, McNeill is in charge of protecting quarterback Philip Rivers' blind side in Rivers' first NFL start.

-- Steve Corkran
 
Unsung Williams Chargers' mighty man in the middle
S.D. 'meat freezer' may haunt Raiders' blocking schemes

By Jerry McDonald

OAKLAND — Cameras will zero in tonight on matchups such as Robert Gallery vs. Shawne Merriman and Michael Huff vs. Antonio Gates, but the fate of the Oakland Raiders could be determined on their ability to move a standing meat freezer named Jamal Williams.

Williams, at 6-foot-4 and 348 pounds, destroys blocking schemes and opposing running games for the San Diego Chargers.

Losers of five straight against San Diego, the Raiders have had little success dealing with Williams even if his stats are nothing remarkable.

He'll get a tackle or two each week, maybe even sack a quarterback once every five or six games. Williams does it without fanfare or chest-thumping, but essentially sets the table for players like Merriman and Donnie Edwards to clean up with highlight-film hits.

"It's not a good situation to leave a center with him one-on-one because he's so stout and plays with good balance and leverage," Raiders left guard Barry Sims said. "He's good — one of the best players on their defense."

It was with one eye on the Chargers that coach Art Shell moved Corey Hulsey to center when Jake Grove suffered a shoulder injury Aug. 22. Oakland has lost the last five games to San Diego and have been unable to make any headway running the ball.

The center in those five games was Adam Treu, a capable veteran who possesses solid technique and intelligence but is not endowed with brute strength. The last time the Raiders beat the Chargers, in the first game of the 2003 season, the center was the more powerful Barret Robbins.

Hulsey, at 6-4 and 324 pounds, is an inch shorter and 25 pounds heavier than Treu, with the theory being he would have a better chance at getting leverage and battling Williams on more even terms.

To be fair, Treu isn't the only center who has had difficulty moving Williams. Oakland was only one of three teams the Chargers held to under 40 yards rushing in a game en route to a league-best figure of 84.3 yards per game in rushing defense.

Last season, Raiders running back LaMont Jordan had 91 yards on 27 carries in two games.

"He is going to throw the center two to three yards into the backfield and
make the running back change direction," Chargers defensive tackle Luis Castillo told the North County Times. "What he does is incredible."

Although Grove is improving, Shell said his first inclination is to wait another week before bringing him back. Hulsey realizes the challenge in front of him.

"He's trying to tie you up so linebackers can come free, but he's also good enough of a player to get off a block and make a tackle in in the backfield if you don't stay on him," Hulsey said.

The Raiders have rebuilt the middle of their defensive line, with Sims moving from left tackle to left guard and Weber State Paul McQuistan seizing the job at right guard.

Last season, Williams faced Treu, Langston Walker and Ron Stone in the first game, with Grove playing left guard in place of the injured Walker in the second meeting.

Williams is the centerpiece of what might be the strongest front seven in the NFL. He is flanked by left end Castillo and right end Igor Olshansky, with Randall Godfrey and Edwards playing inside linebacker and Merriman and Shaun Phillips on the outside.

Phillips replaces Steve Foley, the Chargers defender who was lost for the season after being shot by a police officer following a traffic stop.

During training camp, Foley said Williams was the Chargers' most valuable defender.

"A lot of guys get sacks, big hits, interceptions and all that, but when you put the science project together, you've got to have the one key element," Foley said.

Sims has a healthy respect for the dirty-work Williams does for San Diego.

"He doesn't have big stats — he's like an offensive lineman," Sims said. "He plays double teams real well. He can tell when a guard's coming so he almost hides into the center, so it's hard for a guard to get much to hit and make a double team effective."
 
Curious Nation turns to Shell
Renewed Raiders look to shine again in 'MNF' spotlight

By Bill Soliday

OAKLAND — It is only early September. Seasons aren't made or broken on the outcome of one game. Not with 15 more to play.

And yet ... try convincing the Oakland Raiders and their followers that this is just another game. Tonight's opener against the San Diego Chargers is fraught with significance, potential and hope.

The Raider brass knows.

It was several weeks ago that coach Art Shell offered a glimmer of what it all meant. Asked if any plans had been laid for an opening game that was still 24 days distant, Shell was blunt.

"We started doing that way in the off-season," Shell said.

Furthermore, they continued to do so between then and now. Focus on the opener made sense on a number of fronts.

It marks the opening of the new Shell era. It marks the return of old Raiders' values that forged the reputation of the team as tough. It comes on national television in front of a sellout crowd.

But there is more. Oakland has struggled against San Diego and all division opposition for three years. San Diego has won fivestraight against Oakland. The Raiders are a galling 2-16 against division opponents over three years.

The Raiders have decreed the circle must be broken.

And so the tease to tonight's game is which Raiders will take the field — the refocused ones or the ones that won fewer games (13) than any other NFL team the last three years?

"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 (4-12 with six straight losses to close the season), I can understand that. But we are a new Raiders team. Coach Shell has brought in a new attitude."

Essentially Shell has stuck with the same players that did a Titanic sink job a year ago. There are three new starters on offense (QB Aaron Brooks, rookie RG Paul McQuistan and WR Alvis Whitted) and two on defense (rookie LB Thomas Howard and rookie SS Michael Huff).

There have been position shifts — Robert Gallery from RT to LT, Barry Sims from LT to LG, Langston Walker from LG to RT, OLB Kirk Morrison to the middle and OLB Tyler Brayton to right DE — but no wholesale changes.

"I really like this team," Shell said. "I said it to them when we first started in the off-season. I realized we had some good football players. But the thing that got me was the work ethic they had in the off-season (and) carried it on. They acted like professionals."

That is a notion that must stick. During the seasons of disgrace the Raiders
have been anything but professional — racking up more penalties than any team in the NFL.

Furthermore, they never managed to take advantage of a home-field edge.

"You always want to take care of your home first," Brooks said.

"We have some fans that might beat us up if we don't win," safety Jarrod Cooper said. "They're rough. But it's the best place to be."

The sellout crowd at McAfee Coliseum will be curious to see if the recently concluded 4-1 exhibition season was a predictor of things to come.

"It's the real deal now," Gallery said. "It's pretty exciting to open on Monday night. Everybody in the country will be watching. I don't know if a lot of people expect a lot out of us, but we get a chance to show'em."

They must show it against a Chargers team coming off a disappointing 9-7 season, losing three of their last four games and scoring just 14 points over the last two.

They allowed quarterback Drew Brees to escape in free agency, elevating Phillip Rivers, a 2004 first-round pick, to the starting job. Rivers will be making his first NFL start, and the Raiders hope to welcome him with confusing defensive schemes.

However, their first order of business is to deal with Rivers' top two offensive threats. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson gained 1,462 yards and was responsible for 23 touchdowns (three passing). Tight end Antonio Gates had 89 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Together they accounted for 33 of San Diego's 51 touchdowns.

Containing Tomlinson is the first order of business.


The Raiders major upgrade on defense was the injection of speed. However, speed often tends to overpursue, a dangerous flaw against Tomlinson.

Shell said the goal is "don't be in a hurry. Get there quick but stay in your gaps."


Although Tomlinson wound up rushing for 1,462 yards last year, he only had 72 in the opener and San Diego lost to Dallas, 28-24.

The Raiders would love nothing better than to reprise that outcome.
 
Before Raiders start, let's look at Shell's first term

By Ann Killion

Art Shell took the Raiders to the playoffs in three of the five full seasons he coached, but he did not get another head coaching job until the Raiders rehired him 11 years later.

Shell-Schottenheimer -- Once again on opposing sidelines
It took more than 11 years, but Art Shell will finally be back on the sideline tonight. He's an NFL head coach. He's a commanding figure. He's clearly already made a difference with the Raiders.

``Accountability,'' safety Stuart Schweigert said. ``There's no more coming late to meetings, wearing whatever they want, doing whatever they want, not watching film. He earned our respect right away.''

But Shell's return tonight raises the question: Why did a coach with such presence -- who took his team to the playoffs in three of the five full seasons he coached -- rot on the NFL's dump heap for more than a decade? Why was the first African-American head coach in the modern NFL passed over again and again? Why wasn't anyone willing to give him a shot besides the man who fired him?

``I stopped wondering, to be honest with you,'' Shell said last week.

But there are a few reasons. And a big one is this: the Marcus Allen thing.

``What Marcus Allen thing?'' Shell asked me.

Well, maybe that's part of the problem. There was a big Marcus Allen thing. A thing that, rightly or wrongly, fairly or not, defined a large chunk of Shell's previous stint as head coach. A thing that is included in any discussion of Shell. A thing that has been a forbidden topic at the Raiders (unless Al Davis leaks an odd cryptic comment) ever since.

What Marcus Allen thing?

This: Allen was the best running back the Raiders ever had. A superstar who ruled Los Angeles, a city where he had won the Heisman Trophy, the Super Bowl MVP and the eternal love of the citizens. And then, for reasons that remain mostly a mystery, Allen spent the last four years of his Raiders career -- prime years -- in the doghouse.

This wasn't just a normal development owing to the arrival of Bo Jackson, as some would like to portray it. Jackson played only parts of four seasons; Allen was out of favor when Jackson was playing baseball and for two years after Jackson retired. The speculation ran wild: Was Al Davis jealous of Allen? Was it because of a contract holdout? Because Allen was known to enjoy the nightlife (like so many other Raiders)?

Allen was dropped to fourth on the depth chart, behind no-names such as Nick Bell and Vance Mueller. Everyone knew Davis was behind the move, but the future Hall of Famer was riding the bench under Shell's watch. The decision deeply divided the Raiders. Allen's teammates were appalled. I'll never forget the anger and frustration I heard in the voices of men such as Howie Long when I was at Raiders training camp in 1990, when Allen still had three full seasons to go in purgatory.

In late 1992, his imprisonment almost over, Allen lashed out on ``Monday Night Football,'' saying Davis was trying to ruin his career. Allen also said that Shell had told him his hands were tied on the matter. Shell later called Allen a liar. It was ugly. It was tense. And it caused a rift in the locker room that remained after Allen was gone. Players lost respect for Shell. The team imploded. Shell was fired. The reverberations were still felt in 1995, when the team moved to Oakland. The perception around the league was that Shell had no authority as the head coach.

Allen ended up having five more productive seasons with the rival Chiefs and was reunited with Shell, who spent two seasons in Kansas City as an assistant coach. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2002, Allen said: ``I tried to talk to Art when he came to Kansas City, because I didn't want any negative carry-over, but he pretended like nothing had happened. So I just dropped it.''

What Marcus Allen thing?

The Marcus Allen thing has come up during the past six weeks because of the Jerry Porter thing. But these two things have nothing in common.

Allen was a Hall of Fame player who did what he was asked, including move to fullback and block for Jackson with a broken arm. He was benched out of insanity or, as Allen sees it, pure spite. His teammates couldn't believe it, and supported Allen. Porter, on the other hand, is a crybaby with little track record who has never responded to authority. He deserves to be benched and shipped out of town. His teammates think he's an idiot. It's not the same situation at all.

Shell had to know he would be asked about Allen 11 years later. He said he doesn't worry about others' perceptions -- but this was a reality that shaped both the Raiders and Shell's career in subsequent years. Allen's name might be verboten in Raider Nation, but his situation remains a lasting Raiders legacy, an entire chapter in the history of Los Angeles football. The great Jim Murray once wrote a column about Allen's invisibility, saying, ``the disappearing act of Marcus Allen the football player has to rank with Jimmy Hoffa's or Judge Crater's or Amelia Earhart's as a major bafflement of our times.''

There were other things that damaged Shell, such as being accused of calling Jeff Hostetler a ``white quarterback'' during a sideline confrontation -- a charge both men denied. (``What Hostetler thing?'' Shell asked when that was brought up.) And there's the reality that most former Raiders coaches, save for Jon Gruden and John Madden, earn little respect around the league.

The Raiders have long been in denial about their own culpability in past problems. They don't address them, purge them or solve them. So the issues linger and burn, wrapped in mystery and myth.

Shell is here to try to set the organization back on the right path. He is, by his own admission, a better coach than he was the first time around. ``I'm more mature,'' he said. ``I understand things a lot better. I understand coaching staffs.''

Does he have any regrets about some of his decisions and actions?

``Sure you do,'' he said.

The man is demanding accountability. Yet when asked about an issue that helped define his coaching career, he offers only this: What Marcus Allen thing?

TODAY'S GAME

San Diego at Raiders, 7:15 p.m. Ch. 44 ESPN.
 
Angry Pope said:
Raiders rookie strong safety Michael Huff vs. Antonio Gates . . .
Click to expand...
I'm really lookng forward to this one.
 
Raiders must get Moss involved

Gary Horton


After watching a lot of film on both the Chargers and Raiders, talking to coaches and scouts and following preseason practices, here are some key things to watch in their game on Monday (ESPN 10:15 p.m. ET).


San Diego Chargers

• The coaches are very concerned about their left tackle position. Veteran Roman Oben is still out with a foot injury and actually may not be ready all season. Rookie Marcus McNeill looked good early and will begin the season as the starter, but Leander Jordan will challenge him because he has more experience (eight starts in 2005). If the Chargers struggle in pass protection early (which is likely), they can put blocking TE Brandon Manumaleuna next to McNeill in a six-man OL blocking scheme or bring Jordan in as a blocking TE (much like the Packers did in their "Jumbo" package with Kevin Barry). San Diego has used this formation in the preseason. While it ensures better pass protection for Philip Rivers, it also makes the passing game somewhat limited and more predictable.

• San Diego must really believe in Rivers because his backup is now the talented but untested rookie Charlie Whitehurst. That is not much experience heading into the season. For a playoff- caliber team, this is a precarious QB situation. The Chargers waived their only veteran, A.J. Feeley, last week. Everybody expected Whitehurst to be on the practice squad -- not one injury away from the field.

• Marty Schottenheimer will try to avoid asking Rivers to win games. The Raiders can give you a lot of complex fronts and blitzes, and the Chargers will counter with a conservative, low-risk passing game. Look for a heavy dose of LaDainian Tomlinson running the ball and a passing game that features dump-offs and three- and five-step drops, with quick-hitting routes that don't lead to interceptions. Confidence is a big deal for Rivers and his coaches will try to develop it early.

• Rookie first-round pick Antonio Cromartie has had an uneven training camp but has flashed enough skills to play as the third corner in the nickel package. Starting RDC Drayton Florence will move inside to cover the slot receiver and Cromartie will cover a perimeter receiver in the nickel, taking advantage of his speed and natural cover skills. The Chargers are desperately looking for more turnovers and big plays from this unit, which should be improved from a year ago.

• Based on what they did in the preseason and the inexperience of Rivers, the Chargers will likely have a mostly intermediate and underneath passing game. WR Keenan McCardell and TE Antonio Gates will be his primary targets, but this will be a low-risk passing game with a minimum of vertical throws.

• There is some concern about the return game with the loss of Darren Sproles for the year. WR Eric Parker may have to assume the role of punt returner, but he is a big part of the San Diego offense and also gets banged up a lot. That leaves backup RB Michael Turner and DC Cletis Gordon as candidates. This is a position of some unrest.

• Pass protection in this game is critical for the Chargers. The Raiders have an excellent pass rush off the edge (DEs Derrick Burgess and Tyler Brayton) and San Diego is somewhat vulnerable at the tackle position. Rivers showed us in the preseason that he is capable of coughing the ball up when pressured.

• OLB Steve Foley, who is out for the season (shooting incident), will be replaced by Shaun Phillips, who is an excellent pass rusher with good sideline-to-sideline range. Foley was expected to post double-digit sacks in 2006 and take some double teams away from fellow OLB Shawne Merriman, but now Phillips will have to pick up that slack. Phillips will do a good job, but the problem now will be depth at the OLB position.

• The more you watch him on film, the more you like backup RB Michael Turner. He gets little publicity because he plays behind Tomlinson, but he could start for a lot of NFL teams. He averaged almost 6 yards per carry in 2005, and he can run inside and outside with good balance. The Chargers are trying to figure out ways to get him on the field more often (maybe as a KOR).

• Chargers NT Jamal Williams does a great job of eating up space and occupying two blockers, freeing up the other defensive linemen in single-blocking matchups. In this game, look for Williams to attack backup OC Corey Hulsey and rookie ROG Paul McQuistan. He can cause havoc inside and totally disrupt the Raiders' interior run game, possibly freeing DE Luis Castillo to have a big game.

• Rivers is capable of making all the throws. More importantly, he seems to have good leadership skills for a young guy. He may struggle with his consistency in the first month of the season. The Chargers will play conservatively until Rivers gets comfortable, and if they can survive the first month of the season (at Oakland, Tennessee, at Baltimore and Pittsburgh), they will be a strong Super Bowl contender.

• There has not been a wider gap in recent memory between the front office and the coaching staff of a team. Schottenheimer and GM A.J. Smith do not hang out together and operate independently. Schottenheimer does not have final say in personnel decisions. While he is a veteran coach who loves veteran players, Smith is a GM who builds through the draft and does not overspend in free agency. Can the two coexist? The answer is yes, but this is a frosty relationship.

• In 2005, the Chargers had a brutal road schedule, with a lot of East Coast trips. In 2006, the schedule is much more favorable and their only long trips are to Buffalo and Cincinnati.


cont'd..
 
cont'd...

Oakland Raiders

• This will likely be a run-oriented offense in 2006 under Art Shell. RB LaMont Jordan averaged only 19.4 carries a game in 2005. Jordan will be asked to increase his workload dramatically to give the Raiders better ball control. Wth no clear-cut backup, if Jordan isn't up to the task or he gets hurt, the Raiders' offense is in trouble. It faces a Chargers run defense that was No.1 in the NFL a year ago.
• Oakland led the NFL in penalties again in 2005 (147). The Raiders have continued to look somewhat sloppy and undisciplined in this preseason. The challenge for Shell is to get this team to play tough but under control, which hasn't been a Raiders trademark. This team is not good enough to overcome a lot of penalties. Many of the preseason penalties have been false starts by the offensive line.

• It is important for offensive coordinator Tom Walsh to get WR Randy Moss involved early. Moss has had a tendency throughout his career to disappear from games and lose interest if he doesn't get some early touches. When he is away from the ball his effort is usually marginal. We have seen those tendencies throughout the preseason, as Shell has been very conservative with Moss. The one weakness of the Chargers' outstanding defense is the secondary and the Raiders should test it early with a couple deep shots to Moss from Aaron Brooks.

• Look for the Raiders' defense to put eight defenders in the box, not only to stop Tomlinson but also to force Rivers to throw the ball. That sounds good in theory, but the reality is that San Diego has averaged over 170 yards rushing against the Raiders in their last four games. Defending the run on first and second downs in this game is critical for Oakland. The more third-and-long situations the Raiders can get Rivers in, the better chance they have for turnovers.

• This looks like a good rookie class for the Raiders. They will start three rookies in 2006: First-round pick Michael Huff will start at SS, second-round pick Thomas Howard will start at WOLB and third-round pick Paul McQuistan will start at ROG.

• This is a young secondary with a lot of speed and athleticism, but it is a work in progress. DC Fabian Washington has had a lights out preseason and looks like the true shutdown corner the Raiders have been looking for. They will play Huff all over the field, including lining him up in the box. He will blitz and the Raiders love his versatility. This is an organization that has made a lot of mistakes in the draft when selecting defensive backs. The Raiders have chosen a DB in the first round in five of the last six drafts, and they still don't have it right -- but they are getting better.

• On defense, the Raiders will try to confuse Rivers with a variety of 4-3 and 3-4 fronts, along with an aggressive blitz package. Rivers will have to make good reads, but the real question here is whether the Raiders really believe in their defensive scheme or are trying to cover up personnel weakness with exotic defensive looks.

• PK Sebastian Janikowski was under a lot of pressure heading into training camp. He converted only 7-of-15 field-goal attempts from 40-plus yards in 2005, and his kickoffs were short. However, he has had a good preseason and looks like he is ready for a solid season.

• Oakland's offensive line is definitely a work in progress. There is a lot of shuffling going on and the biggest concern is on the edges, where former first-round pick Robert Gallery (LOT) continues to struggle with false starts and slow reactions to speed rushers. Langston Walker (ROT) is moving from the LOG position he played a year ago, but his tenure at ROT has been rocky to say the least. They also have rookie McQuiston starting at ROG. The Chargers have an excellent edge pass rush provided, and they can attack from a lot of directions. The Raiders are very nervous about their perimeter pass protection in this game.

• Look for the Raiders' TEs to have a lot more production in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Tom Walsh. They will be used extensively in third-down situations, and this offense will attack the middle of the field with a group of TEs who can all catch the ball. We could see at least 50 receptions from this unit in 2006. The one big problem could be pass protection. If the Raiders' tackles struggle, as anticipated, TEs Courtney Anderson and Randal Williams may be forced to stay at home and block, and that will obviously adversely affect the intermediate passing game.

• Surprisingly, the Raiders traded WR Doug Gabriel to the New England Patriots last week, but the remarkable recovery of Ronald Curry (Achilles tendon) made it possible. A trio of Moss, Curry and the disgruntled Jerry Porter gives the Raiders a good vertical passing game, and the thing that Brooks does best is throw the deep ball. If you add Alvis Whitted to the mix, the Raiders have four guys who can stretch the field, but there is not a lot of margin for error.

• For a team with marginal personnel, you would expect the Raiders to have a lot of room under the salary cap, but they don't have the money available to make wholesale changes. They will have to rebuild this team slowly, but they do have some good young players.
 
I still maintain that the Porter thing is exaggerated upon by the media. The media often speaks when they want to sell a story and have the facts wrong and they have been wrong a lot during the offseason.

As far as the other things, trading Gabriel didn't make much sense yet. If Porter plays a lot as the number two receiver, we will see Moss feel better...in my opinion.

Part of the sell job on Moss for coming to Oakland is that we were going to build a powerhouse and win. Last year we were stuck with Norv and Collins so he felt back as he should. This year he has been working hard and helping others on the receiving staff and is optimistic. Suddenly we start Whitted opposite him, trade away Gabriel and demote Porter. Randy wants to win and he doesn't feel that this set up is the most beneficial towards that result....in my opinion.
 
Shell has insight on Chargers' thinking

David White

Monday, September 11, 2006


San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer would have you believe Raiders week is just another seven ho-hum days on his desk calendar.

Yeah, right.

"I mean, we have talked about Raider week," Schottenheimer said between the normal hems and haws of it all. "But no, it hasn't really gone anywhere beyond the last few days."

Baloney, Raiders coach Art Shell says, with a dash of hogwash on top

Shell always had this sneaky suspicion Schottenheimer had it out for the Raiders. His thesis was validated in the mid-1990s, when Shell spent two years on Schottenheimer's staff in Kansas City.

"Don't believe that," Shell said. "It's not just another game. He's just telling you that."

The Chargers visit the Raiders in tonight's season opener on ESPN, with a sellout crowd at the Coliseum to boot. The winner gets a head start in the AFC West.

But wait, there's more.

As long as Schottenheimer is on the sideline, the event will be mean and unforgiving. This grudge goes back to his 10-year tour at Kansas City, whether Schottenheimer wants to admit it or not.

"Metamorphosis," Shell said. "I know what he's preaching, I know what he's saying. I've been inside."

Shell was the Chiefs' offensive line coach in 1995-96. Schottenheimer hired Shell when the Raiders fired him after the 1994 season. Shell's last game that year: a 19-9 loss to the Chiefs at home on Christmas Eve.

A job offer was the least Schottenheimer could do after beating Shell in 10 of 12 games from 1989-94, a big reason Shell was job hunting that winter.

Only then, when Shell was allowed behind the Chiefs' curtain, was he privy to Schottenheimer's distaste for all things silver and black.

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

Hit 'em in the freaking mouth, or something along those lines. It worked when Schottenheimer was in Kansas City, and it's working now that he's in San Diego.

The Chargers have won five straight against the Raiders for just the second time in the 93-game series. Schottenheimer is 25-7 against the Raiders, the most wins by any coach against Al Davis' pride and joy, and he's loving every victory of it.

"Marty has coached in this division a long time and has a long history with the Raiders," Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence said. "It makes the game a little extra special."

That works both ways.

The Chargers want to win, if only to give Schottenheimer his biannual fix. The Raiders want to win because they're sick and tired of being a second-hand joke in the NFL.

The Raiders have won 13 games in three years, tied with San Francisco for the league low. They've lost eight straight division games. The way they see it, the debut of "Monday Night Football" on ESPN would be a convenient venue to change the nation's mind.

"I think people are curious to see how we are going to do," running back LaMont Jordan said. "I think some people feel San Diego is going to come blow us out, which is fine if people feel that way. Based on what we did last year, I can understand that.

"But, we are a new Raiders team with a new attitude."

Schottenheimer, perhaps calling a truce now that Shell is back in charge, acknowledged improvement in the general direction of Alameda. He expects Shell to enforce discipline on a penalty-laden team, and for the Raiders to punch back with physical play, Marty-style.

Will do, Shell says.

"I saw him ... on ESPN ... 'The Raiders try to intimidate people ... they think they're tough,' " Shell said. "Well, we'd like to think we're tough. What are we supposed to do, think that we're soft?"

Everyone else will, until the Raiders prove otherwise.

"We're going to see where we're at right now," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "We start it off at home, division opponent. All your cards are on the table: Let's play."



Tonight's game

Who: Chargers at Raiders

When: 7:15 p.m.

TV/Radio: Channel: 44 ESPN; 560 AM, 1170 AM
 
Win today would help validate Shell regime

OAKLAND — So here we go for real, Art Shell era No.2. For the time being, anyway, the Oakland Raiders can only hope it goes as well as Art Shell era No.1.

Some people are excited and optimistic about the 2006 Raiders under Shell. Others are dubious and more horrified than ever. Still others — stand up and take a bow, Randy Moss — suggest something fishy could be going on.

Tonight, against the San Diego Chargers, count on reeling in some tangible clues. That 4-1 preseason told us little, other than a lot of guys who won't be in the starting lineup tonight played pretty well. Now, the men who must validate Shell's vision of playing smart, tough and efficient football get their turn.

Beating an AFC West opponent, something the Raiders didn't do last year and have only accomplished twice in the past three seasons, would be a good start. Early success always helps a new coach sell his message, and it's pretty clear by Moss' words that the players haven't completely bought in to Shell's agenda yet.

If nothing else, Shell's regime deserves a chance based on franchise history alone. He rescued a fractured 1-3 team coming off 5-10 and 7-9 seasons in 1989 and coaxed them to an 8-8 finish, then the team went 12-4 and a spot in the AFC Championship Game the next year.

But no savvy Raiders fan should be convinced just yet that history is destined to repeat itself. It's a different time now with different players in a different city. and it's reasonable to question whether the franchise infrastructure — while still commandeered by Al Davis — is as stable and capable as it once was to support Shell in his quest.

Here's a checklist of things we should be watching for tonight that will give us early indications of Shell's impact on the Raiders so far:

Cohesion. Simple stuff. Are things operating smoothly on the field and on the sidelines? Are players getting on and off the field when they're supposed to? Are they lining up properly? Are they getting plays off without false starts and delays of game? Are they avoiding stupid penalties such as offsides and lining up in the neutral zone and silly personal fouls?

Execution. In Shell's back-to-basics formula, are guys actually doing the basics such as blocking and tackling? Are receivers running their routes hard and crisp? Are defenders swarming to the ball? Is Aaron Brooks taking charge of the huddle? Are they moving the chains with the running game and being aggressive in the red zone?

Scheme. OK, Tom Walsh, time to show that long layoff didn't dull your game-planning and play-calling skills. Are you shrewd enough to understand Lamont Jordan needs at least 25 touches, and that Justin Fargas needs to be worked into the equation? Can you get the most out of Brooks and Moss, and can you throw in a wrinkle or two, like throwing to the tight end?

Defense. The one key holdover coach, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, needs to take another big step with his unit, specifically in slowing down the run and getting more turnovers via interception. Get Derrick Gibson off the field and Michael Huff on it, and now that he's back where he belongs, turn Tyler Brayton loose on the pass rush opposite Derrick Burgess. But it's mostly about stopping the run, and there is no better litmus test to your credentials in the trenches than facing LaDainian Tomlinson.

Jerry Porter. The idiotic trade of Doug Gabriel mandates that Shell make peace with Porter and get him involved. Otherwise, everyone suffers, because there isn't enough receiving weapons to keep defenses honest. Alvis Whitted is a No.3 at best.

Kicking and special teams. Following an abysmal 2005 season that cost the Raiders at least two wins, Sebastian Janikowski is in the best shape of his career and had a terrific preseason. For the Raiders to exceed goals, "SeaBass" has to be special in the close ones. Tonight he might get his first chance. As for the coverage units, it's a wait-and-see considering the Raiders waived a number of their best special teams players.

Prime-time pride.Nationally, nobody thinks the Raiders can do anything. What better way to bring critics around than play a stellar opener on Monday night, especially with the Chiefs and Broncos losing on Sunday. Taking over first place after Week 1 would do wonders for the team's credibility and confidence under Shell.

The real killer is waiting until 7:15 to find out if any of it is realistic.
 
Big challenge for Raiders' line
Revamped unit to face NFL's No. 1 run defense

PHIL BARBER


ALAMEDA - If Corey Hulsey starts at center Monday night - and he's an odds-on favorite to do just that - the Raiders won't have a single offensive lineman starting in the same place as last season.

Left tackle Robert Gallery, left guard Barry Sims and right tackle Langston Walker all have moved positions (from right tackle, left tackle and left guard, respectively), and right guard Paul McQuistan is a rookie.

Jake Grove, anchored at center, looked like the only guy who would be back in his 2005 spot. Now Grove is fighting a left shoulder injury and is listed as doubtful.

In light of all this transition and flux, the Raiders might have appreciated a warm-up game against a team that is challenged along the defensive front. What they get is the San Diego Chargers and one of the NFL's top front sevens.

The Chargers led the NFL in run defense last season, yielding a lowly 84.3 yards a game. They gave up even fewer the year before, 81.7. San Diego has a strong pass rush, too, paced by blitz-backer Shawne Merriman. But with coach Art Shell and the Raiders touting their ground attack, it's the Chargers' ability to stuff the run that looms largest.

"It will be a test," Gallery said. "We obviously in this system want to run the ball. To be successful, I think we have to."

On a conference call last week, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer confirmed what a lot of NFL observers kn ew already - his run defense starts with ox-strong nose tackle Jamal Williams and smart, active inside linebackers Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey.

"I think it's harder to run against a 3-4 defense than it is a 4-3, " Schottenheimer said, "You don't have the breakout plays because you've got more speed on the field."

Meanwhile, the Raiders' offensive line is still trying to find its way. It figured to be improved with Gallery's move to his natural position and the addition of McQuistan, who stole the show at the May minicamp. But Sims missed the final three practice games with a bruised elbow, then Grove hurt his shoulder. Anyway, Gallery has been less than sensational, Walker worse than that, and McQuistan looked all too much like a rookie in exhibition games.

"Any rookie that thinks they can come into this league and jump into an offensive line and be a Pro Bowl player, it doesn't work that way," said Shell, who didn't start until his third season with the Raiders. "It takes a couple of years in order for guys to settle in, and I think he'll settle in."

The question is, how long will it take? And will McQuistan's linemates be settling with him? Shell and his O-line assistants, Jackie Slater and Irv Eatman, have spent the past few months replacing the zone-blocking scheme Jim Colletto installed last season in favor of a more aggressive approach. The result hasn't always been smooth.

"We'll see Monday night," Gallery noted. "It doesn't matter what's happened so far."
 
Slump in West hounds Raiders
They have lost eight consecutive games in division play.

By Jason Jones


ALAMEDA -- Tonight it's the San Diego Chargers, but it doesn't matter for the Raiders.

It's an AFC West opponent, which has meant a victory for the team playing the Raiders 89 percent of the time since 2003.

The Raiders attempt to end their eight-game division losing streak tonight.

The Raiders have won two division games since 2003, including none last season. Over that span, the Raiders are 13-35 overall, 2-16 against the division.

Coach Art Shell speaks about winning championships, but he understands the Raiders have to take steps to reach lofty goals.

"The first thing we talked about is we've got to win the division," Shell said. "You've got to control your division. You start doing that and start taking care of your home."

The Raiders' last home victory in the division was against San Diego, 34-31 on Sept. 28, 2003. The Raiders' last division triumph was in Denver, 25-24 on Nov. 28, 2004.

At home, the Raiders were 4-4 in 2003, 3-5 in 2004 and 2-6 last year.

"It's not only the fact that it's a division game, but it's a home game," safety Stuart Schweigert said. "We want to be 8-0 at home, and it starts off (tonight). We want to establish a home-field advantage for once."

Shell said he still gets excited to play in the division, more than 20 years since he last played, and he still has fond memories of those games.

"They were always physical games, and that's the way the game is supposed to be played," Shell said. "You've got to be physical. You come out of those games, the next day you're in the training room getting in the hot tub trying to get rid of some of the soreness. There's a lot of hard hitting going on out there, a lot of intensity."

Shell knows Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer strongly dislikes the Raiders, and Oakland's players know, too.

Against the Raiders, Schottenheimer is 25-7, the most victories by an opposing coach against them.

Shell saw Schottenheimer's disdain for the Raiders up close as the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive-line coach under Schottenheimer in 1995 and '96.

"That was a hell of an experience," Shell said. "He said, 'Coach, don't take anything personal,' and then the barrage started.

"Look, that's how he gets his team ready to play, and I respect that. So it should be a good game (tonight)."

The Raiders' biggest concern is running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

In 10 career games against Oakland, Tomlinson has run for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has caught 42 passes for 207 yards and two scores and thrown two touchdown passes.

One player charged with tracking Tomlinson will be rookie linebacker Thomas Howard, who was drafted partly because the Raiders lacked defensive speed to cover the likes of Tomlinson.

"LT does it all," Howard said. "He runs (pass) routes, throws the ball -- but what he does best is run the ball. He makes cuts hardly (any) other running back can make. When he touches the ball, it's like a punt return."

The Raiders will counter with running back LaMont Jordan, who said the Raiders need to earn some respect tonight.

"I think some people probably feel San Diego is going to come blow us out, which is fine if people feel that way," Jordan said. "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. Just the aura that I feel around here ... guys are hyped and are excited to get out there and play football."
 
Theismann: Three main guys for Chargers-RaidersJoe Theismann

The opening week in the NFL is great because every team has great expectations. Every player has the potential to have a record-breaking season and every fan has hope. This week is no different, so I'm taking a look at the San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders matchup to look at three players from each team who have to have breakout games not just this week, but this season for their teams to win the game and eventually make the playoffs.

Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery: The Raiders made this kid the No. 2 pick in the draft a few years ago and now is the time for him to step up and make his presence felt in this league. He's a physical specimen with a ton of talent, but he hasn't quite reached the expectations the Raiders had for him when they drafted him.

This is going to be the season debut of a new quarterback (Aaron Brooks) for the Raiders, and the best way for an offensive lineman to get on the good side of a new coaching staff and quarterback is to keep the quarterback off his back. To add to the pressure, he's now playing for head coach Art Shell, one of the best offensive linemen in the game when he played. Gallery's not playing for someone who doesn't understand the position or what he should be doing out there. He has to get the level of his play up or he's going to really feel the scrutiny of these Raiders fans and the coaching staff. Tonight's performance isn't just about this week, but about this entire season.


Aaron Brooks: Talk about the beginning of a new start. Brooks needed a new place to play after six seasons with the New Orleans Saints. This was a change of venue that he needed. This is a great opportunity for him with WR Randy Moss catching his passes. Brooks has one of the prettiest deep balls in the league and now he has a guy he can toss them to at any moment of the game. Under Shell, a ball-control proponent, Brooks isn't going to be relied upon as much for those deep balls, but he's going to have to connect on them when he's given the green light.

Brooks must protect the ball, take advantage of the defense with his legs when it blitzes heavily and not make mistakes under this new offense. As we know from the past, those aren't Brooks' strong suits, but hopefully for him a change of address will result in a change of play, or he's going to be watching instead of playing.

This week he has to take advantage of the Chargers in short bursts. He can't try to get greedy and toss the long ball whenever he gets the chance. He needs to start this game throwing slants, hitting the intermediary receivers and working on forcing the safeties to cheat up so he can hit Moss on the deep bomb when they least expect it, like in a third-and-short situation.

LaMont Jordan: Now is the time for Jordan to step up and start making things happen for his team. The new coach is going to start emphasizing the run more, so he must take advantage. He's a very good north-south runner, but he's shown a tendency to not be as patient as he should be when following his blockers. He has to get better at that, and I'm sure the Raiders' staff has told him that.

Jordan is a very talented running back who has the potential to be fantastic in this league and now he's going to have to step it up, because the onus is on him.

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers: The Chargers let go of a quarterback (Drew Brees) who led them to the playoffs in 2004 and who was a Pro Bowl-caliber performer to start Rivers. So, yes it's obvious why he's on this list. The Chargers need him out there making things happen on a regular basis. He's not a rookie and he can't play like one if the Chargers are going to continue to be a playoff-caliber team. There is even more pressure this season because the Chargers are in a division that actually found a way to get tougher; every team in the division got better on paper through offseason moves. Rivers wanted this job, and now we get to find out if he has what it takes to keep it and if he really earned it.

Quentin Jammer: There's no doubt that he is a great talent, but he hasn't been everything the Chargers anticipated when they drafted him in the first round. He still looks like he takes plays off and lacks intensity at times, which is not something a team wants to hear about a starting cornerback.

The Chargers need him to show that fire and passion that they know he has on a consistent basis, and what better way to start than against Randy Moss and the Raiders? There's no better guy to have to match up against if a cornerback wants to keep his focus for a full game, because if even half a play is taken off, then Moss' hand will go up signaling a go route, and the next thing you know, that cornerback is being laughed at on "SportsCenter." I don't think he wants to be that guy this week, so I expect to see the type of focus that he's going to have to show for the entire season.

Antonio Gates: Obviously this guy has shown how good he is as a player, but with a young quarterback this season, the Chargers need him to be great yet again. He is going to be the safety valve for Rivers this season, and I suspect a great deal tonight as well. I don't expect him to go vertical downfield as much as he has in the past, but he's going to own the middle of opposing defenses to give Rivers a constant target he can see when he gets in trouble or if his No. 1 option is double-covered.
 
"I think some people probably feel San Diego is going to come blow us out, which is fine if people feel that way," Jordan said. "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. Just the aura that I feel around here ... guys are hyped and are excited to get out there and play football."
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Kind of sheds a brighter light on our team as a whole :)
 
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