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NFL insider: Raiders could save face behind QB Brooks
By Jim Jenkins - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Wednesday, November 22, 2006
They're gleefully talking playoffs on the other side of the bay, something the Raiders obviously can't do. But whatever ray of hope Oakland has in terms of regaining some pride over the final six games might well depend on the arm, legs and health of Aaron Brooks.
There's no denying the former New Orleans Saints quarterback's return from a chest injury Sunday in Kansas City upgraded the position and provided a much-needed boost for what is statistically the NFL's worst offense.
The Raiders face a major test on both sides of the ball against the red-hot Chargers on Sunday in San Diego. Brooks' mere presence and ability to run give the Raiders at least a chance. Certainly, his mobility kept the Chiefs from doing what other defenses routinely have done against Oakland: send a convention of pass-rushers after less-mobile and less-experienced Andrew Walter.
In time, Walter might deliver on the Raiders' expectations for him as their potential quarterback of the future. The seven games he started while Brooks was out provided invaluable experience. For now, however, with a beat-up offensive line and injured LaMont Jordan no longer in the backfield, Brooks fills a dire need for offensive unpredictability.
During the Raiders' radio broadcast of the Chiefs game, former coach Tom Flores commented that, even after a Brooks pass was intercepted in the end zone, snuffing out a comeback bid, the offense showed spark he hadn't seen all season.
Coach Art Shell agreed. "You have a veteran quarterback (vs.) a young guy who is learning and will be good as time goes by," Shell said. "Players know (Brooks) has the ability to escape the rush ... save a sack or save the play, knows where to go with the ball, where all the receivers are ... that he makes the approach of the defense a little bit leery of an all-out attack on him."
In his first season with the Raiders, Brooks said Oakland fans really haven't seen what he can do.
He didn't play extensively in exhibition games, admittedly played poorly against San Diego in the season opener, then was hurt in the first quarter against Baltimore in Week Two. Brooks is understandably eager to show that his last season with New Orleans, when he was benched, was more about a feud with management than ability.
"I'll try to make some noise and help this football team win," he said. "I'm a proven veteran. I don't have anything to prove to anyone who feels otherwise.
"So I'll just take that approach and make the best of the opportunity."
A friendly face
Among the first to console Seattle quarterback Seneca Wallace in San Francisco after his three-interception loss to the 49ers on Sunday was professional boxer Otis Griffin, a former schoolmate at Cordova High School.
Griffin, a correctional officer when not fighting, was a Cordova senior when Wallace was a sophomore on the Lancers' junior varsity team. Even then, Griffin could see Wallace's potential as "a strong-armed, versatile athlete who might have even made it in the NBA."
After Sunday's game, Griffin, a former Arena Football League player who once tried out with the 49ers, caught up with Wallace before he boarded the team bus. "I could see he was upset," Griffin said, "but I told him, as far as most people were concerned, he'd played pretty well starting (for injured Matt Hasselbeck).
"We often keep in touch. When I won ('The Next Great Champ' reality television show in 2004), he was among the first to congratulate me. I have no doubt he's going to do well in the NFL."
Reunited ... almost
Before signing Todd Bouman as a replacement for injured backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay considered bringing back former UC Davis star J.T. O'Sullivan, who was on the Packers' roster in 2004. Bouman and O'Sullivan have a connection to Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, having played for him while he was New Orleans' offensive coordinator from 2000 to '04.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/81363.html
By Jim Jenkins - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Wednesday, November 22, 2006
They're gleefully talking playoffs on the other side of the bay, something the Raiders obviously can't do. But whatever ray of hope Oakland has in terms of regaining some pride over the final six games might well depend on the arm, legs and health of Aaron Brooks.
There's no denying the former New Orleans Saints quarterback's return from a chest injury Sunday in Kansas City upgraded the position and provided a much-needed boost for what is statistically the NFL's worst offense.
The Raiders face a major test on both sides of the ball against the red-hot Chargers on Sunday in San Diego. Brooks' mere presence and ability to run give the Raiders at least a chance. Certainly, his mobility kept the Chiefs from doing what other defenses routinely have done against Oakland: send a convention of pass-rushers after less-mobile and less-experienced Andrew Walter.
In time, Walter might deliver on the Raiders' expectations for him as their potential quarterback of the future. The seven games he started while Brooks was out provided invaluable experience. For now, however, with a beat-up offensive line and injured LaMont Jordan no longer in the backfield, Brooks fills a dire need for offensive unpredictability.
During the Raiders' radio broadcast of the Chiefs game, former coach Tom Flores commented that, even after a Brooks pass was intercepted in the end zone, snuffing out a comeback bid, the offense showed spark he hadn't seen all season.
Coach Art Shell agreed. "You have a veteran quarterback (vs.) a young guy who is learning and will be good as time goes by," Shell said. "Players know (Brooks) has the ability to escape the rush ... save a sack or save the play, knows where to go with the ball, where all the receivers are ... that he makes the approach of the defense a little bit leery of an all-out attack on him."
In his first season with the Raiders, Brooks said Oakland fans really haven't seen what he can do.
He didn't play extensively in exhibition games, admittedly played poorly against San Diego in the season opener, then was hurt in the first quarter against Baltimore in Week Two. Brooks is understandably eager to show that his last season with New Orleans, when he was benched, was more about a feud with management than ability.
"I'll try to make some noise and help this football team win," he said. "I'm a proven veteran. I don't have anything to prove to anyone who feels otherwise.
"So I'll just take that approach and make the best of the opportunity."
A friendly face
Among the first to console Seattle quarterback Seneca Wallace in San Francisco after his three-interception loss to the 49ers on Sunday was professional boxer Otis Griffin, a former schoolmate at Cordova High School.
Griffin, a correctional officer when not fighting, was a Cordova senior when Wallace was a sophomore on the Lancers' junior varsity team. Even then, Griffin could see Wallace's potential as "a strong-armed, versatile athlete who might have even made it in the NBA."
After Sunday's game, Griffin, a former Arena Football League player who once tried out with the 49ers, caught up with Wallace before he boarded the team bus. "I could see he was upset," Griffin said, "but I told him, as far as most people were concerned, he'd played pretty well starting (for injured Matt Hasselbeck).
"We often keep in touch. When I won ('The Next Great Champ' reality television show in 2004), he was among the first to congratulate me. I have no doubt he's going to do well in the NFL."
Reunited ... almost
Before signing Todd Bouman as a replacement for injured backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay considered bringing back former UC Davis star J.T. O'Sullivan, who was on the Packers' roster in 2004. Bouman and O'Sullivan have a connection to Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, having played for him while he was New Orleans' offensive coordinator from 2000 to '04.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/81363.html