Raiders win 16-10

[Plunkett16]

RB LaMont Jordan runs through a gaping hole in the first half. Jordan paced the Raiders on the ground with 27 yards rushing.

Tony Gonzales
The Oakland Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 16-10 in the 2006 Hall of Fame game one day after legendary Raiders head coach John Madden was enshrined in the Hall. LB Ryan Riddle and DT Michael Quarshie recovered Eagles fumbles, and CB Fabian Washington intercepted a pass for the defense. QB Aaron Brooks connected with TE Courtney Anderson for a 12-yard TD, and K Sebastian Janikowski made three field goals, including kicks from 50 and 51 yards out.
The Raiders won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. After a 14-yard Chris Carr kickoff return, QB Aaron Brooks took command of the Raiders attack. The Raiders were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt. After a 57-yard Shane Lechler punt, the Eagles offense took the field for the first time.

The Eagles mounted the first scoring drive of the game as RB Brian Westbrook cashed in from the 1-yard line. The touchdown run capped off a 9-play, 61-yard drive which took 4:51 off the clock.

WR Doug Gabriel returned the ensuing kickoff 25 yards to the Raiders 23-yard line. After an incomplete pass, a 6-yard RB LaMont Jordan run and a 7-yard sack, the Raiders were forced to punt. Reno Mahe returned Lechler's 48-yard punt to the Eagles 35-yard line where QB Jeff Garcia and company took over with 6:13 left in the 1st quarter.

The Raiders defense held the Eagles to a three-and-out and forced a punt. Carr fielded Dirk Johnson's punt at the Raiders 25 and was dropped immediately. Thanks to three bruising Jordan runs, the Raiders picked up their first 1st down of the game. On 1st and 10, Brooks' pass intended for WR Alvis Whitted deep down the right sideline was intercepted by CB Rod Hood at the Philadelphia 30.



LB Sam Williams (54) and the Raiders defense stuff RB Brian Westbrook in the backfield.

Tony Gonzales
Three plays later, CB Fabian Washington picked off and errant Garcia pass. Washington returned the pick 40 yards all the way to the Eagles 23-yard line. "The guy ran a curl and I just jumped the route and got the pick," Washington said. "I was excited at the time, but then I realized that I can't take this into the regular season. We've got a lot of talent back there and we're making progress in practice. We're gaining confidence in our ability and in handling our assignments. We have high expectations for ourselves this season."

On the next play, Jordan blasted his way inside the Eagles 10-yard line with a 14-yard run as the first quarter came to an end. Two plays later, Brooks found TE Courtney Anderson for a 12-yard touchdown pass. K Sebastian Janikowski's PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 14:12 left in the second quarter.

"Aaron threw me a good ball and I just jumped and made a play on the ball," Anderson said. "I just made a play on the ball. When it's in the air, you just try to make a play. I actually thought I wouldn't get it, but you never know unless you try. I just threw my hands up there and caught it  I was able to get both hands on it."

The Eagles returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 26. Philadelphia mounted a drive, which was kept alive by a roughing the passer call, to the Raiders 37. K David Akers came on and hit a 55-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 10-7 lead with 9:41 left in the 2nd quarter.

Gabriel returned the ensuing kickoff 19 yards to the Oakland 28-yard line. Andrew Walter entered the game at quarterback for the Raiders. After two RB Justin Fargas runs netted five yards, Walter's first pass was broken up forcing a punt. A false start backed the Raiders up 5. Lechler's punt was downed at the Philadelphia 41. An ineligible man down field call against the Raiders put the Eagles on their own 46.

The Raiders defense stiffened at their own 42 and forced a punt. Johnson's punt was downed at the Raiders 4-yard line where the Silver and Black took over with 5:50 to go in the 2nd quarter. Several plays later, Walter hooked up with Fargas on a wonderful adlib as Walter was flushed out of the pocket to his right. Walter flipped the ball to Fargas who took off for a 29-yard gain to the Eagles 47. Two plays later on 3rd and 5, Walter found rookie WR Will Buchanon for a 7-yard gain and a first down to keep the drive alive. After and incomplete pass and a sack, the Raiders faced 3rd and 16 at the 41. Walter's 3rd down pass intended for TE Marcellus Rivers was just a bit high and fell incomplete. Lechler's 41-yard punt bounced into the end zone for a touchback. After a Mahe rush, the first half came to an end.

Both teams traded punts to start the second half. During the Eagles' second possession, DE/LB Grant Irons crushed QB Koy Detmer and forced a fumble which was recovered by DT Michael Quarshie. A few plays later, a botched snap on a Janikowski field goal attempt ended the Raiders scoring chance.

After the Raiders defense forced a three-and-out, Marques Tuiasosopo entered the game at quarterback and mounted a scoring drive. Janikowski's 51-yard field goal tied the game at 10-10 with 2:42 left in the 3rd quarter. The Raiders defense then held the Eagles to another three-and-out. Carr returned the punt to the Raiders 34.

A few plays later, Tuiasosopo's deep pass for Buchanon was tipped and intercepted. The Eagles took over at their own 11. Timmy Chang entered the game at quarterback for Philadelphia. The Raiders forced the Eagles into another three-and-out. Rookie WR Burl Toler called for and made the fair catch on the punt at the Raiders 46. The Raiders offense drove to the Eagles 30 but RB DeJuan Green fumbled the ball back to the Eagles who returned it to the 38. Head Coach Art Shell challenged the ruling. Green was ruled down by contact and the ruling was overturned. The Raiders kept possession and faced 2nd and 12. The Raiders turned the possession into a score as Janikowski's 50-yard field goal put the Raiders up 13-10 with 11:43 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Raiders got the ball right back when LB Ryan Riddle recovered an Eagles fumble in Philadelphia territory. A 14-yard Green scamper put the Raiders on the Eagles 9. Two plays later, the Raiders faced 3rd and goal at the 13. Tuiasosopo was forced to scramble and he managed to get to the 5-yard line. Janikowski's 24-yard field goal put the Raiders up 16-10 with 5:44 left to play. The Raiders held the Eagles to another three-and-out and took over at their own 25 after the punt and a penalty on Oakland. The Raiders were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt as well. Lechler's punt was downed at the Eagles 37 with 2:55 left in the game.

RB Bruce Perry caught a pass from Chang and promptly fumbled the ball back to the Raiders. Oakland was unable to mount a drive and punted back to the Eagles who took over at their own 9 with 1:48 left to go with no time outs.

Rookie DB Dennis Davis intercepted a Chang pass after the Eagles managed to drive to the Raiders 39. The Raiders took over with :29 left. Tuiasosopo took a knee to run out the clock and preserve the victory.
__________________
__________________

 

[Angry Pope]

Bits and pieces

August 6th, 2006
By Jerry McDonald

A few observations on what took place in the Raiders 16-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles gleaned while simultaneously writing a column for Tuesday’s ANG Newspapers:

– Wide receiver Will Buchanon’s practice performances were no fluke. There are more than a few Raiders who are probably hoping Jerry Porter takes a few more days off for that sore calf, giving Buchanon’s underdog bid more of a chance.

– Grant Irons, mostly a short-yardage performer, could give Sam Williams a run for his money at strong side linebacker.

– Priceless John Madden observation on offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, whose headset was wrapped behind his head.

“In the years he was gone, he forgot how to wear the headset,'’ Madden said.

– Welcome to the NFL, Thomas Howard. Being one of the fastest linebackers in the draft wasn’t enough to help Thomas Howard keep up with Brian Westbrook in coverage.

– Sebastian Janikowski made a point of disregarding his poor place kicking in the preseason last year. After missing 10 kicks field goal attempts last season, Jano went 3-for-3 against Philadelphia, coverting from 51 and 50 yards.

– Nothing happened with the three quarterbacks to alter the current depth chart. It’s Brooks, Walter and Tuiasosopo. Walter’s habit of constantly moving his feet and bobbing his head was duly noted by Madden. It’s happened every day in camp.

Lifting Brooks after just three pass attempts may be further evidence that there is no real competition for the starting job. It’s his.

– Sideline reporter Andrea Kremer, when reporting on the absence of Porter, made a glancing reference to a feud with announcer Al Michaels. When talking about the doghouse of owner Al Davis, Kremer said, “as you know, Al . . . ‘’

Michaels let it go.

– Five penalties for 40 yards. Not bad.

– If Fabian Washington makes a few more plays like he did against Philadelphia, Nnamdi Asomogha is going to get lots of work on the other side.

– Why didn’t I include Ken Stabler or Jim Plunkett among the first wave of inductees in the imaginary Raiders Hall of Fame? Couldn’t decide and I wanted only 10. So I made ‘em wait. Same thing for John Madden and Tom Flores.

 

[Angry Pope]

UPHILL STRUGGLE
Not quite a running start

David White

Monday, August 7, 2006

(08-07) 04:00 PDT Canton, Ohio -- The Raiders promised to run the ball downhill this season, if it was the last thing they do.

Maybe next week.

Raiders coach Art Shell pulled back the drapes to unveil his run-hard, throw-far offense Sunday, only to find a first-team offense covered in mothballs with dust on top.

Yes, the Raiders won in the end, riding three Sebastian Janikowski field goals and a backup defense that held on tight to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 16-10 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition season opener at Fawcett Stadium.

Wins are nice, and a team that went 4-12 last year will take it. But, be sure: they are relieved to have four more exhibition games to get this offense straightened out before the games count, starting Sept. 11 against the San Diego Chargers.

"It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year," running back LaMont Jordan said, and he didn't mean it in a good way.

Last year's offense, which tried the power running game but failed, ranked 23rd in scoring, 21st in total offense and 29th in rushing.

Much of that had to do with poor offensive line play. Sunday's opener was no different, with the tackle box crowded as ever after Shell rearranged the front five during the offseason.

"Offensively, we struggled," Shell said. "We've got to get that squared away and make sure our guys know exactly what needs to be done against certain defenses."

Look no further than the first three drives of the game.

On the game's first play, Jordan tried to run behind the left guard. He was hit almost immediately, and struggled to the line of scrimmage for no gain.

After a false start by left tackle Robert Gallery, Jordan was hit behind the line of scrimmage for consecutive 1-yard losses. Jordan played one quarter and had nine carries for 27 yards, with 14 yards coming on a single carry.

"We've got to get the cobwebs out," Gallery said.

Next drive, quarterback Aaron Brooks threw his first pass as a Raider. He was hit upon release and missed Doug Gabriel on the sideline by 5 yards. Two plays later, he was dropped by second-team defensive end Trent Cole, who chucked Gallery out of the way.

Drive No. 3 ended promptly enough with Brooks throwing a sideline interception. He was 1-for-3 with 12 yards and left the game 48 seconds into the second quarter.

"Not bad, knowing it's just a start for us, the first time going against an opponent," Brooks said. "There are some things we've got to get better at. It was good that we were able to put seven points on the board."

Brooks should thank the defense for that. Left to drive a long field in the first quarter, the Raiders had two first downs -- the first coming with 2 minutes, 45 seconds left in the first quarter -- and 23 yards of total offense (30 rushing, -7 passing).

If not for Fabian Washington's interception and 40-yard return to the Eagles' 23, the first-team offense might never have crossed midfield before the backups took over.

The offense turned the gift into the only touchdown of the game. On the second play of the second quarter, Brooks zipped a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Courtney Alexander, who leaped for the catch and spun forward into the end zone to tie the game 7-7 with 14:12 left in the second quarter.

All this came against a mixture of second- and third-team Eagles.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Jordan said. "The bright side is that this is our first preseason game, but we've got a lot of work to do if we are going to get back to form."

The first-team defense faced the Eagles' first team on only the opening drive, and they did nothing to hinder a nine-play, 61-yard touchdown drive. Brian Westbrook had six carries for 42 yards with a 1-yard touchdown roll.

After that, Oakland allowed a 55-yard field goal by David Akers, and nothing else while picking up two interceptions and three fumbles.

Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski countered with field goals of 51, 50 and 24 yards in the final 18 minutes of the game.

"When one area is lagging, the other two have to play strong," Shell said. "Our special teams and defense played well. Our offense ... we have a lot of room for improvement. There's no doubt we've got to pick it up and be more consistent in what we're doing.

"We got a 'W' and finished the game, and that's important for us."

 

[Crossbones]

Yeah, not quite a running start.

A win is a win but man that first quarter was ugly and the starters really looked terrible on both sides of the ball. Read it and weep.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders beat Eagles in Hall of Fame


By BARRY WILNER
Monday, August 7, 2006 10:28 AM CDT


CANTON, Ohio (AP) -- All Art Shell asked to see in his first game back as coach of the Oakland Raiders was some progress.

He got that, and strong placekicking by Sebastian Janikowski in a 16-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night as the NFL preseason began with the Hall of Fame game.

Oakland forced five turnovers and Janikowski made field goals of 50, 51 and 24 yards

"Coming up with turnovers was huge tonight," Shell said. "They are reacting to the ball.".

Shell was rehired a dozen years after being fired as Oakland's coach. His mission: bringing back the glory of the franchise for which he was a Hall of Fame tackle.

In front of former Raiders coach John Madden, who was enshrined Saturday, Shell got off to a winning start.

"It feels really good to be back," Shell said. "And getting a win is huge, because no matter if it is preseason, everybody wants to win. Playing in this game, with Coach Madden inducted, it was very much a good thing."

Philadelphia's David Akers set a game record with a 55-yard field goal in the second quarter. And the Eagles' first-stringers were solid on both sides of the ball.

"It was good that the offense got a chance to get out there and get things rolling," Donovan McNabb said. "I felt healthy, so it's an exciting time right now."

Eagles RB Bruce Perry was carried off on a stretcher with 1:14 remaining, his head immobilized. He was tackled by rookie Timi Wusu on a running play. Players from both sides stood silently or kneeled in prayer before Perry was removed. Perry gave a thumbs-up as he was wheeled to an ambulance and taken to a hospital.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Perry had a concussion and a team spokesman added X-rays of Perry's neck were negative. A CT scan also was normal and the team expected Perry to accompany it back to Pennsylvania.

"He had some loss of feeling in his arms and legs initially and the feeling started to come back," Reid said. "I don't know how far along he is now."

In his one series, McNabb hit all three passes for 29 yards on a 61-yard drive to Brian Westbrook's 1-yard touchdown run. McNabb is returning from sports hernia surgery that cut short his 2005 season, a major reason the Eagles finished 6-10.

"We came with a different attitude," McNabb said. "This is something that's serious for us. We were prepared to come out and have a good showing."

Westbrook, coming back from a foot sprain that cost him the final four games of 2005, had 32 yards rushing and a 14-yard reception in his short night.

"I think as an offensive unit we're out there trying to prove we can run the ball," Westbrook said. "We've certainly committed a lot of time to the running game and we did it out there in the first preseason game."

The Eagles made Oakland's starting defense look leaky in taking the 7-0 edge, and the Raiders did little on offense with their first-stringers until getting a break.

Three plays after Aaron Brooks' wobbly pass was picked off by Roderick Hood, Jeff Garcia returned the favor. The veteran QB, brought in as McNabb's backup this year, made a poor pass toward another Philly addition, Jabar Gaffney. Fabian Washington intercepted and sped 40 yards down the left sideline to the Philadelphia 23.

"I was excited at the time," Washington said. "But then I realized I can't take this into the regular season."

Lamont Jordan gained 14 yards on the final play of the opening period, then Brooks hit Courtney Anderson in the front of the end zone to tie it.

"I actually thought I wouldn't get it, but you never know unless you try," Anderson said. "I threw my hands up there and caught it."

Akers untied it with his record kick, breaking the 54-yard mark set by Dallas' Mike Clark in 1968 and tied by Atlanta's Bob Etter the next year.

Oakland's defense provided another superb chance in the third quarter when Grant Irons sacked Koy Detmer, who fumbled at his 13. But holder Shane Lechler bobbled the snap on an attempted field goal and Janikowski never got off a kick.

He did get off the 51-yarder in the third quarter to tie it, though. His 50-yarder early in the fourth period made it 13-10, and his 24-yarder finished the scoring.

Notes: The Hall of Fame paid tribute to Bill Willis, the first black player in the NFL, at halftime. Willis was enshrined in 1977. ... Also on hand were the other living members of the Class of 2006: Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Rayfield Wright and Harry Carson. The late Reggie White, who began his NFL career with the Eagles, was represented by his widow, Sara. ... Along with Perry, the Eagles had several injuries: guards Scott Young (right hamstring) and Adrien Clarke (back spasms); tackles Pat McCoy (concussion) and Calvin Armstrong (sprained left knee); and linebacker Greg Richmond (back).

 

[Angry Pope]

Stutter-step start
Defense provides silver lining; offense makes case for worry

PHIL BARBER




CANTON, Ohio - The Art Shell Legends Tour, launched Sunday night at tradition-steeped Fawcett Stadium, couldn't have begun any more raggedly.


The Raiders won, 16-10, but that didn't remove the bad taste left by the starters' performance: Consecutive negative-yardage drives to start the game; a surrendered touchdown, aided by missed tackles galore; a false start by Robert Gallery; Aaron Brooks getting sacked; Brooks failing to complete a pass in the first quarter; Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb hitting all his passes.

Then came the signs of life.

Second-year cornerback Fabian Washington made an interception, that rarest of Raiders commodities, against backup Jeff Garcia and returned it 40 yards. LaMont Jordan and Justin Fargas had a couple of impressive runs. Tight end Courtney Anderson leaped high for a touchdown catch from Brooks.

Pretty soon, the Raiders had much to feel good about. And yeah, a lot of corrections to make. On the whole, it was a typical exhibition game - uneven, unspectacular and hard to dissect.

"We just didn't get our groove on like we wanted to tonight," Anderson said. "We're pleased with our performance, but it can be a whole lot better."

Jordan, who finished with 27 yards on nine carries, was less diplomatic.

"We got a lot of work to do," he said. "It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year."

Perish the thought. Oakland played more or less evenly with the Eagles, who are expected to challenge for a playoff spot in the NFC. But the bulk of this unimportant game can be purged from memory. What counts is what happened in the first quarter, and that was decidedly mixed.

Of primary concern has to be the play of the quarterbacks and, not coincidentally, the offensive line. Neither starter Brooks (1-for-3 for 12 yards with a TD and an interception) nor Andrew Walter (3-of-10 for 46 yards) nor Marques Tuiasosopo (5-of-15 for 63 yards and a pick) had any sustained efficiency. The three quarterbacks had a cumulative passer rating of 29.0.

As a result, the Raiders' longest scoring drive was 44 yards.

"Offensively, we struggled at times," Shell said. "There were times we had people open, didn't hit 'em. There were times we had people open and we gave up a sack. There were times in the running game that guys were running free because some of the kids didn't know who they were supposed to block."

Some of the stalling can be ascribed to the offensive line, which was less than dominant. Gallery, who has looked and sounded rejuvenated at left tackle in training camp, did not have a good game. In addition to the false start, he allowed a first-quarter sack by defensive end Trent Cole.

The silver lining was an active defense that took away the ball five times. In addition to Washington's steal, Ryan Riddle, Michael Quarshie and Chris Carr came up with fumble recoveries. And rookie free agent Dennis Davis wrapped up the win with an interception.

As Washington said of his takeaway: "I was excited at the time, but then I realized that I can't take this into the regular season."

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders search win for any highlights
TOO BAD THEY WENT ON SECOND

Mark Purdy



CANTON, Ohio - The Raiders of 2006 had a tough act to follow Sunday evening -- namely, the Raiders of the 1970s.

That's what can happen at the Hall of Fame game. Twenty-four hours earlier, during the induction ceremonies for, among others, John Madden, the giant television screen at Fawcett Stadium had shown highlights of Madden's championship teams in Oakland. Over and over, the Raiders were running and passing and tackling at will.

In fact, watching the video, you'd have thought those 1970s Raiders had scored a touchdown on every offensive play and sacked the quarterback on every defensive down.

How on earth were the current Raiders ever going to top that in Sunday's exhibition opener?

Answer: They weren't.

Follow-up questions: But gee, couldn't they have given it a little better shot? Especially in the first quarter, when the first-string offense made just one first down.

LaMont Jordan thought so.

``We got a lot of work to do,'' the Raiders' featured running back said. ``It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year. The bright side is that this is our first preseason game.''

Correct, correct and correct. But the most-correct of Jordan's statements was the last one. Remember, there has never been a NFL Films production called ``Fantastic Preseason Finishes!'' For that matter, there's never been one called ``Fantastic Preseason First Quarters!'' Nor ``Fantastic Preseason Special-Teams Tackles!''

In other words, when analyzing the Raiders' 16-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, don't get too excited or too depressed over any one part of the performance. Nothing in football, at any level, is less compelling than the first round of NFL exhibitions. The starters generally play one quarter or less. Sloppiness rules. Field goals become huge accomplishments. By the fourth quarter, you're basically watching future arena league stars.

That said, you could draw a few reasonable conclusions from Sunday's game:

• 1. The Raiders' offense is not just a project in progress, it is like watching a group of people make up the instruction sheet while building the project. On their first possession of the second Art Shell Era, the Raiders took five snaps. Jordan ran three times, for a net loss of 2 yards. There was a false-start penalty on tackle Robert Gallery. And the fifth snap? A punt.

• 2. Not until the second quarter, when the Eagles were using their second defensive unit, did the Raiders make real offensive progress. Courtney Anderson, the third-year tight end from San Jose State, made a nice leaping touchdown grab on a pass from new quarterback Aaron Brooks.

• 3. The Raiders' defense, which gave up a touchdown to Philadelphia's starting unit on its first drive, looked to be more organized as the night progressed. And the special teams were fairly solid. If you were a Raiders fan looking for glimmers of non-despair to make you believe there won't be a repeat of last season's 4-12 record, that's where you found them.

``I know it's preseason,'' receiver Randy Moss said. ``But as bad as it was last season, you've got to enjoy this.''

• 4. Shell definitely has the team's attention. He was seen working with Gallery on the sideline after the big tackle gave up a sack. And most important, Shell has the unqualified support of his team's best player, Moss. After the game, unprompted, the receiver mentioned more than once how Shell was making a difference in the locker room.

``He doesn't have to be verbal,'' Moss said. ``His presence is enough.''

• 5. Brooks, who threw three times and completed only the touchdown pass to Anderson, is a determined guy. He was in no mood to shrug off the offense's struggles. He takes exhibition games very seriously. But as an eight-year veteran, he has been around long enough to know the difference between the 5th of August and the 5th of September.

``We've got a ways to go,'' Brooks said. ``It's just a process we've got to go through. . . . We just didn't get our good groove on like we wanted to tonight. We're pleased with our performance, but it can be a whole lot better.''

Shell had the best perspective of all.

``One good thing,'' he said, ``is that we've got a lot of good training reels to use.''

 

[Angry Pope]

Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up

• CB Fabian Washington: He intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards deep into Eagles territory late in the first quarter. That set up Oakland's first touchdown, three plays later.

• TE Courtney Anderson: He made a nice catch of a high pass by quarterback Aaron Brooks and bulled his way into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

Thumbs down

• OT Robert Gallery: He got called for a false-start penalty two plays into the game and allowed a sack four plays later in his first start at left offensive tackle. He spent his first two NFL seasons at right offensive tackle and showed it's going to take some time before he makes a successful conversion.

• QB Aaron Brooks: He missed high on his first pass attempt in his Raiders debut and was intercepted on his second attempt. He also got sacked on Oakland's second series. The Raiders didn't move the ball until their fourth possession, long after the Eagles first-team defense departed.

• DE Kevin Huntley: A roughing-the-passer penalty turned a failed third-down play by the Eagles into a 15-yard gain and an automatic first down in the second quarter. Those are the kind of plays that irritate the coaches and factor in to whether a fringe player such as Huntley makes the opening day, 53-man roster.

• CB Chris Carr: He got drilled for a 1-yard loss on a punt return, netted only 14 yards on his first kick return, and let a Shane Lechler second-quarter punt bounce into the end zone, though he was in position to down the ball at the 1-yard line.

 

[Angry Pope]

CAM INMAN

CANTON, Ohio - His false-start penalty wasn't pretty. Neither was the third-down sack he allowed. But then came a sight for already-sore eyes in the Raiders' exhibition-season opener Sunday night.

Left tackle Robert Gallery took a seat on the bench and listened. Standing in front of him was Art Shell, whose bronzed bust rests nearby on a glass shelf in a little white building -- the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"He reminded you of little things that get you in trouble," Gallery said of Shell's advice.

Shell's encore as the Raiders coach, 11 seasons after being fired from his first coaching stint with his former team, comes with another job requirement. He must be Gallery's shadow, and that's good, even if you think Shell has other things to do.

As last year's 4-12 debacle showed, it's important to solidify this offensive line, and turning Gallery into a quality left tackle is crucial.

"I don't worry about Robert," Shell said after the 16-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. "Right now he's beating himself up. I know that. He's got some of me in him. He'll be saying, 'Coach, you don't need to say anything. I know I screwed up.'

"The kid has star quality. He's going to be fine."

Just hope that Gallery doesn't need Shell standing in front of him in five weeks, again showing him how to properly move his feet to keep a defender from blowing past him.

For 15 meaningful seconds, Shell addressed Gallery on the bench, about 15 seconds after Gallery got beat by defensive end Trent Cole, a fifth-round draft choice last year.

Cole was the 146th player taken overall, by the way. Gallery was the second pick of the 2004 draft.

Don't give up on Gallery, who played mostly right tackle his first two NFL seasons. Sunday's game marked his Raiders debut at left tackle, the spot he made a name for himself at the University of Iowa.

"I'm confident in what I do, I just had some cobwebs tonight," Gallery said. "I've just got to go back to work."

Helping him get the kinks out is Shell, not to mention line coach Jackie Slater, another Hall of Famer.

"That's what they're there for -- to help us," Gallery said. "It comes down to technique. It's good to have these preseason games to get the cobwebs out, fix things and be ready to go when the season starts."

Two plays into the Raiders' first series, Gallery drew a false-start penalty to get an early jump against defensive end Darren Howard, the Eagles' prized free agent acquisition from the New Orleans Saints.

On the next play, Howard blew past Gallery and joined Jevon Kearse in stuffing LaMont Jordan for a 1-yard loss.

On the next series, and on only the second time Aaron Brooks dropped back to pass, Gallery got fooled on a move by Cole and gave up the sack.

"You've got to move your feet," Shell said, "and he didn't do that."

Ugly, yes. Repairable, yes.

Gallery's feet now have quite a new dance instructor -- Shell. Don't forget about Slater, too, who walked off the field with Gallery after the game.

"It's not time to overreact to players and situations at this point," Brooks said of the first-team offense's overall slow start.

We already know Gallery isn't an instant classic. But neither was Rayfield Wright, who was inducted Saturday into the Hall of Fame for his efforts as the Dallas Cowboys' right tackle, a position he moved to after three seasons.

As Wright said in his enshrinement speech: "I played against the best. My body still hurts when I hear their names called. But I wouldn't be here today without these great players. Deacon Jones, thank you for your gracious welcome into the NFL. In case you're wondering, Deek, the answer is yes, my mother knows I'm here."

Gallery, too, will face great players, for the nature of his position pits him against opponents' top pass rushers, including the San Diego Chargers' Shawn Merriman in the Sept. 11 opener.

As bad as the Raiders were last year, it was their line that drew the strongest damnation from Al Davis, at least on the day he fired Norv Turner as coach.

"I thought one of our standards of gold would be our offensive line," Davis said then. "Our bright young players there never got the toughness or power running I thought we'd get from our football team."

Everyone's been waiting for more from Gallery the second the Raiders drafted him. Perhaps that's why it was fitting he had a false start so early in Sunday's game. His career has been a false start, so far. But he's only two seasons and one game into that career.

Left tackles aren't made overnight, and certainly not on this night.

 

[Angry Pope]

Early look not positive for Raiders
The first-team offense and defense struggle in Hall of Fame game win

Steve Corkran

CANTON, Ohio - This can't be what first-year Raiders coach Art Shell had in mind for his first game in 12 seasons. Not after changing quarterbacks, revamping the offensive line, adding a playmaker to his defense and harping on a return to physical football.

Yet, there it was on display Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Hall of Fame game, in front of a national television audience, and a little more than a month before games count in the standings.

Some of the names have changed, the coaching staff has a new look, and the schemes are new. No matter. The end result was a complete and utter failure by the Raiders to show that they are any better suited this season to improve upon last season's 4-12 debacle.

The evidence was omnipresent and indisputable in a 16-10 victory over the Eagles in the NFL's exhibition opener at Fawcett Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd.

"We got a lot of work to do," running back LaMont Jordan said. "It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year."

Shell preached discipline the entire offseason. The so-called "stupid" penalties had to go, he said. Two snaps into the game, left offensive tackle Robert Gallery got nailed for a false-start penalty. A roughing-the-passer penalty on defensive end Kevin Huntley turned a failed third-down play by the Eagles into a first down.

Shell promised a return to physical football, both offensively and defensively. The Raiders are going to dictate the action, he said.

Offensive linemen are going to move defenders downfield and clear room for Jordan, Shell said. Perhaps, in time.

Jordan's first three carries went for no gain, minus-1 yard and minus-1 yard. Eagles defenders had little difficulty blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage. Gallery got beat for a sack six plays into the game, on a third-and-four play.

Improved offensive line play is going to free up quarterback Aaron Brooks to make more of the big plays that predecessor Kerry Collins failed to execute, Shell said.

Brooks' first pass attempt sailed over the head of wide receiver Doug Gabriel. His second attempt, for receiver Alvis Whitted, got intercepted 33 yards downfield.

"It's a little disappointing in the production in our first offense and first defense, but we're still in training-camp mode," receiver Randy Moss said. "There's a lot of wrinkles that we have to work out. We still have a lot, lot, lot of football left to play, so hopefully we can fix some things up and head to Minnesota and see what we got."

Defensively, proof that there is plenty of work to do manifested itself in a nine-play, 61-yard drive by the Eagles on their first possession. Six runs netted 30 yards. Quarterback Donovan McNabb completed all three of his passes for 31 yards. The drive culminated with a touchdown and compelled Eagles coach Andy Reid to yank his starters midway through the first quarter.

"We've got to get back to practice and keep building from where we're at now," defensive end Derrick Burgess said. "There's no standing still. We're not pleased with the way we played tonight."

It took some doing to find a handful of bright spots in an otherwise dismal beginning to Shell's second stint with the Raiders and in the first of the team's five exhibition games.

The problem is, it's difficult to put much stock into cornerback Fabian Washington's interception and subsequent 40-yard return when it came against backup quarterback Jeff Garcia.

"We've got a lot of talent back there," Washington said, "and we're making progress in practice. We're gaining confidence in our ability and in handling our assignments. We have high expectations for ourselves this season."

Furthermore, Jordan's 14-yard run and Brooks' 12-yard pass to Anderson lose most of their luster when noted that they came against the Eagles second-team defense.

"Not bad, knowing it's just the start for us, the first time going against an opponent," Brooks said of his team's performance. "There are some things that we've got to get better at."

In all, Shell and his troops came away from Sunday's game knowing that they benefit from four more exhibition games and numerous practices before games such as this one can be remembered for anything more than part of the maturation process.

If not, it just might be remembered as an omen of things to come.

"We got a lot of room for improvement, there's no doubt about that," Shell said.

RAIDERS 16, EAGLES 10

• NEXT GAME: Aug. 14, at Vikings, 5 p.m.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders' Brooks is not impressive


CANTON, Ohio -- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb stood on the sideline after presiding over the offense for nine plays. He sported a visor, bounced from teammate to teammate and laughed it up as the game wore on.

In other words, he got in the game, did what he wanted to do and retreated to the comfort of the sideline, where injury no longer is a prevalent thought. In other words, he did what the Raiders envisioned quarterback Aaron Brooks and their first-team offense doing in Sunday night's Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium.

Instead, Raiders coach Art Shell had little choice but to trot out Brooks and the starters for four possessions in their first exhibition game in an attempt to get them some meaningful work and perhaps build their confidence.

Oakland's first two possessions resulted in punts after three plays from scrimmage failed to net a first down. Its third possession ended with a Brooks pass that was intercepted.

Finally, the Raiders offense got something going, albeit against the Eagles second-team defense, on their fourth drive. Running back LaMont Jordan rushed for 14 yards on the first play, and Brooks connected with tight end Courtney Anderson for a 12-yard touchdown two plays later.

In all, the Raiders offensive starters mustered only 27 yards in 13 plays. Brooks had as many interceptions and sacks as he did completions: one. Jordan finished with 27 yards on nine carries before he left.

Defensively, Oakland used most or all of its projected starters for the first three series. Philadelphia scored a touchdown on its first possession, punted on its second and turned over the ball on an interception on its third.

Huff-ing and puffing

Raiders first-round draft pick Michael Huff saw extensive action as a starter but did not make a tackle or break up a pass at strong safety.

"When I first got out there, it was kind of hard to breathe," Huff said. "Getting out on an NFL field was a dream finally coming true. It took me a couple of series to get the butterflies out, but after that, everything came together naturally."

Jano goes deep

Shane Lechler botched the hold on a 33-yard field goal attempt midway through the third quarter. Sebastian Janikowski was unable to get off a kick, and the Eagles tackled Lechler.

A short time later, Janikowski drilled a 51-yarder to tie the score at 10. He added a 50-yarder early the fourth quarter to break the 10-10 tie and a 24-yarder late in the game.

His first two kicks exceeded his season-best kick of 49 yards last year. He missed 10-of-30 attempts last season.

Did you know?

The Raiders improved to 3-0 in Hall of Fame games. They recorded victories against the Dallas Cowboys in 1979 and the Green Bay Packers in 1993. Shell played in the first of those games and coached the Raiders in the second one.

Also, no team that appeared in a Hall of Fame game has won the Super Bowl at the end of that season.

Extra points

Raiders defensive end Grant Irons forced a fumble early in the third quarter on a play in which defensive tackle Michael Quarshie recovered the loose ball at the Eagles 13-yard line. Linebacker Timi Wusu forced a fumble in the fourth quarter that linebacker Ryan Riddle recovered at the Eagles 39. ... The five living players and coach inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday -- former Raiders coach John Madden, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, former Cowboys offensive tackle Rayfield Wright, former Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon and former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson -- visited the Raiders sideline before the game. Former Eagles defensive end Reggie White passed away in 2004. Numerous Raiders raised their helmets in homage to Madden as he walked across the field between the two teams. Raiders receiver Randy Moss and defensive end Derrick Burgess broke from the ranks to shake hands with Madden. ... Former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia looked less than stellar in extensive action in the first half. He short-hopped throws, fired wide on others and had a pass intercepted and returned 40 yards. ... Raiders receiver Jerry Porter (calf) was among the injured players who did make the trip to Canton.

 

[Crossbones]

Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up

• CB Fabian Washington: He intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards deep into Eagles territory late in the first quarter. That set up Oakland's first touchdown, three plays later.

• TE Courtney Anderson: He made a nice catch of a high pass by quarterback Aaron Brooks and bulled his way into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

Thumbs down

• OT Robert Gallery: He got called for a false-start penalty two plays into the game and allowed a sack four plays later in his first start at left offensive tackle. He spent his first two NFL seasons at right offensive tackle and showed it's going to take some time before he makes a successful conversion.

• QB Aaron Brooks: He missed high on his first pass attempt in his Raiders debut and was intercepted on his second attempt. He also got sacked on Oakland's second series. The Raiders didn't move the ball until their fourth possession, long after the Eagles first-team defense departed.

• DE Kevin Huntley: A roughing-the-passer penalty turned a failed third-down play by the Eagles into a 15-yard gain and an automatic first down in the second quarter. Those are the kind of plays that irritate the coaches and factor in to whether a fringe player such as Huntley makes the opening day, 53-man roster.

• CB Chris Carr: He got drilled for a 1-yard loss on a punt return, netted only 14 yards on his first kick return, and let a Shane Lechler second-quarter punt bounce into the end zone, though he was in position to down the ball at the 1-yard line.

If that is the AP's analysis of the game I agree 100%.

Gallery looked terrible and in his third year he should be dominating. He's average and we might have screwed up drafting him #2 overall. But then, of course, hindsight is 20/20.

 

[Angry Pope]

If that is the AP's analysis of the game I agree 100%.

Gallery looked terrible and in his third year he should be dominating. He's average and we might have screwed up drafting him #2 overall. But then, of course, hindsight is 20/20.

That one is from Corkran.....my paste job got screwed up. The accuracy all the quarterbacks had is disappointing to say the least.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders exhibit rough spots in Shell Debut II
Starters on offense and defense struggle in Hall of Fame game win over Eagles

Bill Soliday



CANTON, Ohio — Art Shell wanted his new-look Raiders running downhill this year. The way the Shell regime started Sunday night in Canton it looked like their plans were just plain heading downhill.
Three carries, two yards in losses by LaMont Jordan, a false start penalty on Robert Gallery, and the Raiders were headed backwards — or at least in the direction of where they had gone a year ago.

"We got a lot of work to do," Jordan said. "It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year."

Which isn't good. What was good, on the other hand, was that the Raiders managed to win the game 16-10 on three Sebastian Janikowski field goals, two of them from 50 yards and beyond.

It made for a happy preamble to Shell Era II in that it was a "W," but it was clear in the aftermath of a ragged first exhibition game that there was plenty of work left on the horizon.

Not that the Eagles deserved slaps on the back. With the Raiders attacking aggressively and forcing five turnovers, Philadelphia outgained the Raiders a flimsy 227-178.

The encouraging play was by Raiders reserves. They held the Eagles without a touchdown. What wasn't encouraging was the play of the starting offensive and defensive units.A defense that had been dominant in training camp was gashed by the Eagles first team for a touchdown on their lone series of the game. Donovan McNabb was 3-for-3 for 29 yards on the drive, and Brian Westbrook carried six times for 32 yards.

The lone defensive play of consequence on the drive was Sam Williams' tackle for a loss of a yard by Westbrook. Otherwise, the Eagles averaged 7.8 yards a play on the nine-play drive.

On offense, when the Raiders first unit was on the field, Oakland didn't do a lot. They did improve after that first series, getting 29 yards on 6 rushes.

After Aaron Brooks threw an interception on his third series, he provided the Raiders with their lone touchdown on the fourth — a 12-yard pass to Courtney Anderson two plays into the second quarter. The 6-foot-7 Anderson, towering over the Eagles' coverage, had to jump to get the pass.

"I actually thought I wouldn't get it," Anderson said. "But you never know unless you try. So I just threw my hands up there."

It was Brooks' lone completion overall in three attempts. He was sacked once.

"Not bad," Brooks' concluded, "knowing it's just the start for us. It was good we were able to put seven points on the board the first time out. There are some things that we've got to get better at."

The conclusion of the game was held up for nearly 10 minutes when Eagles' second-year running back Bruce Perry suffered an apparent neck injury and had to be taken off on a gurney. He was transported to Aultman Hospital for X-rays.

Georgia Tech rookie Dennis Davis intercepted a pass thrown by Eagles' rookie Timmy Chang in the closing 30 seconds to finish off Philly.

The Raiders' start hardly inspired much confidence. Three Jordan runs netted 0, minus 1 and minus 1. With a false-start penalty against tackle Gallery, the Raiders wound up punting from their 11.

The Eagles first unit would only stay in for one series — and it was a good one. Westbrook scored on a 1-yard plunge seven minutes into the game, and the Raiders were down 7-0.

The terrible rushing start rectified itself thereafter but, still, Oakland did not get a first down until 2:40 was left in the first quarter. It came on a 3-yard run by Jordan.

However, on the next play, Brooks fired up a pass for Alvis Whitted deep down the right sideline that was intercepted by Eagles cornerback Roderick Hood.

The first quarter by the Raiders was grim except for the next-to-last play on defense.

Fabian Washington, who set his goal for interceptions on the season at six (the entire team had just five last year) got the first of his pro career.

Not only did he pluck Jeff Garcia's long pass for wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, he returned it 40 yards to the Eagles' 23.

Three plays later, Brooks found Anderson on the 2 under the goalposts. Anderson spun and forced his way into the end zone for the 12-yard touchdown.

The Eagles made it 10-7 on a Hall of Fame game record 55-yard field goal by Fred Akers 41/2 minutes later. The kick came after defensive end Kevin Huntley extended the drive. He was called for roughing Garcia on a third-and-15 incompletion.

Akers' kick was the last points the Eagles would score. After the slow start, the Raiders wound up with seven first downs and 42 yards rushing on 15 carries.

Oakland tied the game with 2:42 left in the third quarter when Janikowski connected on a 51-yard field goal. It was Marques Tuiasosopo's first series of the game, and the big play on the 44-yard drive was a 22-yard completion to Will Buchanon.

When Tuiasosopo was intercepted on his next series, the Eagles actually did the Raiders a favor. Joselio Hanson made the interception at the goal line but tried to run it out. He was tackled at the 10, and

Raiders running back LaMont Jordan (34) breaks a tackle on a 14-yard run on the last play of the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Associated Press)

when the Raiders reserve defense held the Eagles to 1 yard in three plays, Philadelphia was punting from deep in its own territory.

The go-ahead field goal by Janikowski would never have happened had it not been for Shell's first challenge of the year — a successful one in which he claimed DeJuan Green's fumble should have been ruled down by contact.

With a second life, the Raiders drove to the Eagles' 33, from where Janikowski booted a 50-yard field goal with 11:43 remaining.

When linebacker Ryan Riddle recovered a fumble forced by Stanford rookie linebacker Timi Wusu on the Philadelphia 39, the Raiders were in business again. Janikowski's 24-yard field goal came with 5:49 to play.



Oakland0736—16Philadelphia7300—10First Quarter


Phi—Westbrook 1 run (Akers kick), 7:50.

Second Quarter


Oak—Anderson 12 pass from Brooks (Janikowski kick), 14:12.

Phi—FG Akers 55, 9:41.

Third Quarter


Oak—FG Janikowski 51, 2:42.

Fourth Quarter


Oak—FG Janikowski 50, 11:43.

Oak—FG Janikowski 24, 5:44.

A—22,200.


OakPhiFirst downs1313Total Net Yards178227Rushes-yards34-7624-73Passing102154Punt Returns4-113-20Kickoff Returns3-585-111Interceptions Ret.2-402-11Comp-Att-Int9-28-219-36-2Sacked-Yards Lost5-192-14Punts7-40.67-38.1Fumbles-Lost2-04-3Penalties-Yards5-407-55Time of Possession31:5428:06INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS


RUSHING—Oakland, Jordan 9-27, Smart 7-17, Fargas 6-15, D.Green 9-11, M.Tuiasosopo 2-6, Lechler 1-0. Philadelphia, Westbrook 6-32, Mahe 8-22, Perry 9-15, Tapeh 1-4.

PASSING—Oakland, Brooks 1-3-1-12, Walter 3-10-0-46, M.Tuiasosopo 5-15-1-63. Philadelphia, McNabb 3-3-0-29, Garcia 5-10-1-43, Detmer 2-6-0-12, Chang 9-17-1-84.

RECEIVING—Oakland, Buchanon 4-50, Fargas 2-39, Rivers 1-14, Anderson 1-12, Gatewood 1-6. Philadelphia, Mahe 3-31, Gasperson 2-36, Avant 2-12, Thorn 2-10, Perry 2-5, Westbrook 1-14, Sampy 1-13, Schobel 1-12, R.Brown 1-8, Bartrum 1-7, Baskett 1-7, Fenner 1-7, Ford 1-6.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders notes: Huff feels the jitters early

By Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Monday, August 7, 2006


CANTON, Ohio -- Starting his first NFL game, Michael Huff admitted to having some anxious moments.
It proved that there are jitters in the preseason.


"First drive, a little nervous out there," Huff said. "I couldn't breathe a little but I kind of got settled down and we picked it up the last couple of drives."
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2006 draft started at strong safety ahead of Derrick Gibson, who worked with the second team.

Huff hadn't been named a starter before training camp and coach Art Shell had been hesitant to say Huff was a starter before the game.

Another rookie standout -- Free-agent rookie linebacker Timi Wusu forced a fumble in the fourth quarter and had two solo tackles on special teams. He finished with four tackles.

The Stanford graduate plans to attend medical school. He is looking to make the team and earn an NFL paycheck to help him eventually cover med school costs.

Perry down -- Eagles running back Bruce Perry was carried off the field on a stretcher after going down with 1:14 left in the game.

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said Perry had a concussion and had lost feeling in his limbs but regained feeling after the game.

Et cetera -- A number of injured players did not make the trip: receiver Jerry Porter, cornerbacks Duane Starks and Tyrone Poole, linebacker Robert Thomas and tight end James Adkisson.

Backup center Adam Treu, who'd missed practice time with a back injury, was the long snapper, but did not play on offense.

• Rookie receiver Kevin McMahan was hit by two Eagles players during the third quarter. It looked like a hard hit, but the only injury he suffered came from biting his tongue.

• The Raiders improved to 3-0 in Hall of Fame Games. The Raiders beat Dallas in 1979 and Green Bay in 1993.

• Eagles kicker David Akers' 55-yard field goal was the longest in Hall of Fame Game history.

 

[Angry Pope]

Raiders sputter but win
Oakland's first units struggle in exhibition opener against Eagles

Jason Jones
Published 12:01 am PDT Monday, August 7, 2006


CANTON, Ohio -- A penalty on the second play of the game.
A defense unable to stop the run or pass.

That's the Raiders, for starters.

In the exhibition opener Sunday night, Oakland's first-team offense sputtered against Philadelphia's starters, and the Raiders' first-team defense was bullied by the Eagles' starters.

It wasn't exactly what Art Shell wanted to see from the Raiders, who still won 16-10 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium.


Oakland's offense was inept at the start. And the faster Raiders defense, with rookie starters Michael Huff at safety and Thomas Howard at linebacker, didn't look tough against the Eagles' first-team offense.
"We got a lot of work to do," running back LaMont Jordan said. "It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year. The bright side is that this is our first preseason game, but we've got a lot of work to do if we are going to get back to form."

And it didn't take long for a longtime Raiders problem to resurface.

Left tackle Robert Gallery picked up a false-start penalty on the Raiders' second play from scrimmage. He also was faked badly by defensive end Trent Cole for a sack.

"It's killing him right now, I know it is," Shell said. "It's killing him, but he'll rebound."

New quarterback Aaron Brooks, who completed 1 of 3 passes for one touchdown with one interception, called for patience.

"It's not the time to overreact," Brooks said. "… We have four more preseason games left. There's a lot more training time to go."

That was the consensus among the offense. With a new system and an extra preseason game, the Raiders said they wouldn't panic.

"I was a little disappointed in the production of our first offense against their first defense," said wide receiver Randy Moss, giving his first postgame interview since last year's season opener. "But we're still in training-camp mode. So there's a lot of wrinkles we need to work out. We have a lot more football left to play."

As for Oakland's defense, it was overmatched early. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb complete 3 of 3 passes for 29 yards in his only series. Philadelphia's offensive line had its way in the running game, with Brian Westbrook gaining 32 yards on six carries and scoring a touchdown on the Eagles' opening drive.

Oakland's offense began to show progress as the Eagles pulled their starters. The Raiders' defense also settled down as reserves began playing for both teams.

The Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski made three field goals, including 51- and 50-yarders. He missed all three of his tries from at least 50 yards last season.

Oakland's defense, which has focused on forcing turnovers in training camp, made two interceptions and forced four fumbles, recovering three. The turnovers proved pivotal.

Cornerback Fabian Washington intercepted a pass by Eagles backup quarterback Jeff Garcia in the first quarter and returned it 40 yards, setting up Brooks' 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Courtney Anderson.

An interception by cornerback Dennis Davis sealed the victory with 29 seconds to play.

The Raiders will take that positive out of this game while looking to get their offense going.

"We just didn't get our good groove on like we wanted tonight," Anderson said. "We're pleased with our performance, but it can be a whole lot better."

 

[Angry Pope]

Oakland gains one meaningless win

Monday, August 7, 2006 SPORTS SPOTLIGHT TODD PORTER



CANTON - It should have been the perfect kickoff to the 2006 season. The first game. NBC’s entry back into the business of broadcasting football. John Madden in the booth and the Hall of Fame. Al Davis watching from a truck perched above Fawcett Stadium. Art Shell coaching on the sideline.

Sure, inside the locker room the Raiders talked like Sunday night’s 16-10 thrilla in vanilla felt like a win. But, c’mon. Really? It didn’t look like one.

The Raiders are so far from the organization they once were. They used to have John Madden. Now they have rookie wide receiver John Madsen, who in 25 years will still be a consonant away from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game win can only make a coach feel good if you count the contribution the Raiders received from guys who will be watching these games at home in a month.

Then again, this is Oakland — one of a handful of teams lowlier than the Browns last season.

“We got a lot of work to do. It looks like we picked up right where we left off last year,” said running back Lamont Jordan, who looked more like Lamont Sanford running behind this line. “The bright side is this is our first preseason game, but we’ve got a lot of work to do if we’re going to get back to form.”

That’s honesty folks.

Oakland finished the 2005 season with six straight losses.

If Oakland is the “Team of the Decades,” then the Browns look pretty good during the last decade.

It’s 2006 and, unfortunately, Oakland Head Coach Art Shell knew full well what he was getting himself into when he signed up for a second tour of duty in this mess.

“Offensively, we struggled,” Shell said. “There were times when we had people open, and didn’t hit them. There were times we had people open, and the quarterback got sacked.”

Star left tackle Robert Gallery gave up a sack in the first quarter ... to a backup defensive end.

“The kid gave him a good move, and (Gallery) bit on it,” said Shell, who worked with Gallery on the sideline right after. “It’s killing him right now.”

Shell and his coaching staff — made up of four Hall of Famers and other greats — had to feel like they were watching a half of liver and onions. It’s a tossup which smelled worse. The dish, or Oakland’s starting offense.

After Donovan McNabb was finished for the night, there wasn’t much meat and potatoes to watch. Jeff Garcia? Browns fans saw way, way too much of the under-sized, weak-armed quarterback for an entire season.

“We just didn’t get our good groove on like we wanted to tonight,” said tight end Courtney Anderson, who caught the Raiders’ lone touchdown pass.

Oakland couldn’t do the simplest things right, granted this was the first time out for both teams. Still, catching a snap? It’s like learning to take a nap the first day of kindergarten.

They botched a field goal when holder Shane Lechler dropped a perfectly good snap. Sebastian Janikowski’s 33-yard field goal would have tied the game in the third quarter. Lechler ate the ball, and then a little Fawcett Stadium turf.

Janikowski hit three field goals, two 50 yards or longer. He better stay fit and trim. This offense won’t hit the end zone much.

The Raiders’ lone score in the first half came thanks to Garcia. His short pass for Jabar Gaffney was thrown a yard too wide and about two too high. Oakland’s Fabian Washington picked it off and returned it 40 yards.

It was the longest run of the night for the Raiders. Their touchdown came against Philly’s second-team defense. Aaron Brooks felt good about himself when Anderson made him look good with a nice catch in the middle of the end zone.

But, let’s be honest, Oakland scored against a second-team defense. The Silver and Black Attack will have to pray for 11 starters to get hurt to look this good again.

Shell was a good hire. He’ll bring some fans back, who have long left.

But with Brooks under center and some guy named Andrew Walter second on the depth chart, this will be a long season.

“The evaluation of the quarterbacks?” Shell said. “Not good. It has to get better.”

Maybe in Oakland, that’s the only way things can go.

They don’t get much worse.

 

[Angry Pope]

Morris, Ford get off to strong starts

CANTON, Ohio - Chris Morris looked comfortable and confident.

He played like he belonged.

The Bedford graduate and Michigan State University product got his first taste of the NFL Sunday night as his Oakland Raiders took on the Philadelphia Eagles in the annual Hall of Fame Game.

The rookie center played 2½ quarters of solid football to help the Raiders win 16-10.

"It felt a lot like college. Just being out on the field in a game was nice," he said. "I think I played well, but we'll see what the film looks like. It's good to get that first one out of the way."

Morris was one of two Monroe County athletes playing in the nationally televised game. Monroe native and University of Toledo standout Carl Ford is on Philadelphia's roster.

He played on special teams and at wide receiver, finishing with one catch for six yards. It is believed to be the first time two county natives played in the same NFL game.

"It's been going pretty good for me so far. I'm just trying to open up some of my coaches eyes and get them to realize ‘this guy can help us win,'" Ford said.

This is the second straight year Ford has played in the Hall of Fame Game. Last August, he had his finest day as a professional athlete, catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown for the Chicago Bears in a win over the Miami Dolphins.

Ford played in 10 games for the Bears last year before being released. He was signed immediately by Philadelphia but spent the next six weeks inactive.

He originally was drafted in the seventh round in 2003 by the Green Bay Packers.

"This is a dream come true. I've wanted to do this since I was a young boy. I'm just trying to do it as long as I can," Ford said.

Morris has been in the NFL a short time and things have been going well so far.

He was drafted in the seventh round in April. He left for camp three weeks ago and currently is battling to win a job as the backup center.

His debut was a success. The remainder of the preseason will determine if his coaches agree.

"You always get the jitters in the first game of the year every year, but we got a win and you can't do any better than that," Morris said. "I just try to watch what the veterans do and approach the game the same way."

Morris entered the game with 9:35 left before halftime and his team trailing 10-7. He played the remainder of the game.

The Raiders pulled away in the second half on three Sebastian Janikowski field goals, including two from 50 yards or more.

"I just focused on getting ready all week long. I was going to play as many plays as they needed me," Morris said.

Morris' parents - Mike and Jackie - were at Fawcett Stadium Sunday night, along with Morris' fiancé Krista Kreinbrink.

They liked what they saw.

"This is a dream come true. It's amazing. I think he did real well," Jackie said.

"I was just hoping he played well and stayed healthy," added Mike.

Morris likely will have some bumps and bruises from opening up holes for his running backs and protecting his quarterbacks, but he remained injury free.

Ford, on the other hand, was banged up after the game.

He injured his ribs when a Raider defender fell on him awkwardly during the fourth quarter. He was to be evaluated sometime today.

"I'll be okay," he said.

Ford also had a small contingent of family and friends make the trip from Michigan to football's shrine, including his parents - Carl Ford II and Annie Ford - and girlfriend Lindsay Grimes.

"He's strong. He'll bounce back, but I was scared," Ford's mother said.

"It's great every time we see him play. It never gets old, but that anxiety thing is still there. It's always there," Ford's father said.

Ford's catch came with 5:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. He also had another ball thrown in his direction earlier in the quarter, but it sailed over his head and into the Raiders' bench.

"We all get a lot of chances to make plays. We just have to take advantage of the opportunities that have been given to us," Ford said.

Philadelphia hosts the Cleveland Browns Thursday at 7:30 p.m., while the Raiders travel to Minnesota Aug. 14.

Ford and Morris plan to practice, eat, sleep and practice some more during the next few days. That's what training camp life is like.

"It's crazy right now. It's like déjà vu or groundhog day every day," Ford said. "But that's okay, because there are a lot more plays to be made."

The Eagles took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Brian Westbrook hit paydirt from a yard out. Oakland answered in the second with a 12-yard scoring strike from Aaron Brooks to Courtney Anderson.

The Eagles took a 10-7 lead on David Akers' Hall of Fame Game record 55-yard field goal with 9:12 left before halftime.

Janikowski hit a 51-yarder in the third quarter and made field goals from 50 and 24 in the fourth to put the Raiders ahead for good.

"We're going to take it day by day," Ford's mother said. "We have a lot of fun just seeing him here in the NFL. We're very proud."

 

[Angry Pope]

Porter, six others miss game because of injuries

David White

Monday, August 7, 2006




(08-07) 04:00 PDT Canton, Ohio -- Wide receiver Jerry Porter stayed home for Hall of Fame weekend, one of seven players to miss the trip because of injury, a Raiders official said before Sunday's exhibition opener against the Eagles.

Porter, listed second on the depth chart, has complained of a calf strain since the first day of training camp. That's the same day he went public with a trade demand because of an offseason feud with new coach Art Shell.

Others who missed the exhibition opener were cornerbacks Duane Starks (back) and Tyrone Pool (hamstring), linebackers Robert Thomas (calf) and Ricky Brown (hamstring), receiver Carlos Francis (hamstring) and tight end James Adkisson (knee ligaments).

Doug Gabriel started in Porter's usual spot and did not catch a pass.

Huff puffing: Strong safety Michael Huff and weakside linebacker Thomas Howard started in their rookie debuts for the Raiders.

Huff was the team's No. 1 draft pick. He played one quarter and made no tackles.

"When I first got out there, it was kind of hard to breathe," Huff said. "Getting out on an NFL field was a dream finally come true. It took me a couple of series to get the butterflies out, but after that, everything came together naturally."

Howard was selected second. He had two tackles in the first quarter.

Burgess reunion: Raiders defensive end Derek Burgess hugged Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson during pregame warm-ups, followed by a long line of former teammates, during pregame ceremonies.

That's as close as Burgess came to touching anyone. The NFL sacks leader last season, he had no tackles in one quarter of play.

Burgess played for the Eagles from 2001-04 before joining the Raiders as a free agent. Playing against his former team last season, Burgess was held to two solo tackles.

The catch: Raiders tight end Courtney Anderson scored big against the Eagles -- again.

He caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Brooks, leaping and spinning into the end zone on the second play of the second quarter. The extra point tied the game 7-7.

"I actually thought I wouldn't get it, but you never know unless you try," Anderson said. "I just threw my hands up there and caught it."

Last season, Anderson had five catches for a career-high 100 yards in a regular-season game against the Eagles.

Yellow flag: The Raiders drew their first yellow flag of the exhibition season on the game's second play from scrimmage. Robert Gallery, making his first NFL start as a left tackle, was called for a false start.

The most damaging penalty was by backup defensive end Tyrone Huntley. On a 3rd-and-15 incomplete pass, he was tagged for a 15-yard roughing the passer.

That gave the Eagles a first down and set up David Akers' 55-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Akers broke a 37-year-old Hall of Fame record with the kick.

The Raiders were the most penalized team last season, and Shell has made discipline a priority in training camp.

 

[Angry Pope]

Moss, Raiders appreciate Hall of Fame experience


Monday August 07, 2006

CANTON, Ohio -- Art Shell made sure his Oakland Raiders got the full Hall of Fame weekend experience.

They toured the shrine as former coach John Madden was one of six new inductees. And then they beat the Philadelphia Eagles 16-10 Sunday night to open the NFL's preseason.

"Playing in this game, with Coach Madden inducted, it was very much a good thing,'' Shell said after the Raiders forced five turnovers and got three field goals from Sebastian Janikowski. "The kids toured the Hall of Fame, found out a little of our tradition, what it means to be part of this organization.

"I loved being part of it.''

Shell was rehired a dozen years after being fired as Oakland's coach. His mission: bringing back the glory of the franchise for which he was a Hall of Fame tackle.

"It feels really good to be back,'' Shell said. "And getting a win is huge, because no matter if it is preseason, everybody wants to win. You start emphasizing it right here.''

Star receiver Randy Moss, beginning his second season with the Raiders, felt the same way as his coach.

"This was a special weekend,'' Moss said. "To see all the Hall of Famers means a lot to me. I wish I could've taken my picture with them all.''

The game ended on a scary note.

Eagles running back Bruce Perry was carried off on a stretcher with 1:14 remaining, his head immobilized. He was tackled by rookie Timi Wusu on a running play. Players from both sides stood silently or kneeled in prayer before Perry was removed. Perry gave a thumbs-up as he was wheeled to an ambulance and taken to a hospital.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Perry had a concussion and a team spokesman added X-rays of Perry's neck were negative. A CT scan also was normal and the team expected Perry to accompany it back to Pennsylvania.

"He had some loss of feeling in his arms and legs initially and the feeling started to come back,'' Reid said.

Janikowski made field goals of 50, 51 and 24 yards, but Shell was most encouraged by the takeaways.

"Coming up with turnovers was huge tonight,'' Shell said. "They are reacting to the ball.''.

Philadelphia's David Akers set a game record with a 55-yard field goal in the second quarter. And the Eagles' first-stringers were solid on both sides of the ball.

* * *

New York Jets quarterback and former Marshall star Chad Pennington showed the poise and accuracy in an intrasquad scrimmage that made him a successful quarterback before two straight shoulder operations set him back.

Pennington, vying with three other quarterbacks for the starting job, went 12-of-14 for 117 yards with the first-team offense. His green team won the scrimmage held at the Meadowlands.

"It was really good for our team, there were a lot of real game situations we covered,'' Pennington said. "Coming into the stadium and getting prepared was just like a game, so I think it's going to prepare us. It's important for us to get out here, go through this and get something out of it.''

Pennington, playing against the first-team defense, outshined fellow green teammate Kellen Clemens, and opposing quarterbacks Patrick Ramsey and Brooks Bollinger.