Angry Pope
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Injured Gallery won't be sliding to right
SHELL SAYS REPORT UNTRUE: TACKLE WON'T BE MOVING TO GUARD
By Steve Corkran
BALTIMORE - Left tackle Robert Gallery missed the Raiders' game Sunday because of a strained left-calf muscle sustained in practice last week.
His return is uncertain. However, his status as the team's left tackle remains unchanged, Coach Art Shell said after the Raiders' 28-6 loss Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens.
That Shell had to answer the question about Gallery's standing owes to a rumor started by ESPN that said Gallery would be moved to guard. An unattributed report that aired Sunday said Gallery's days at left tackle were over.
``No,'' Shell said, with a surprised look, when asked if the story had any merit. ``I don't know where (the reporter) would get that from. If it was true, I'd tell you.''
Gallery spent his first two NFL seasons at right tackle. Shell switched Gallery as part of an off-season makeover of his offensive line that resulted in four players at new positions.
Gallery struggled in Oakland's season opener, but so did his four linemates. It would seem strange for the Raiders to give up on a player they selected No. 2 in the NFL draft in 2004 after only one game at his new position.
Gallery was unavailable for comment after the game.
• Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski attempted a field goal in a game for the first time in more than three weeks. The layoff didn't appear to have any effect.
He converted from 34 yards in the second quarter in giving the Raiders their first points this season. Until then, he hadn't attempted a field goal since the fourth of Oakland's five exhibitions. He added a 51-yarder early in the fourth quarter, longer than any of the 20 he converted last season.
• The Raiders didn't have much going for them when they arrived in Baltimore. Things got worse when it was learned before the game that outside linebacker Sam Williams (ankle) and right cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot) couldn't play.
Grant Irons replaced Williams and did an admirable job, though he left the game because of a lower-back injury. Tyrone Poole filled in for Asomugha and twice broke up passes intended for receiver Clarence Moore in the end zone.
• The Raiders entered the season with a belief that they had a firm handle on resolving the turnover deficiency from last season. Not so, as it turns out.
It wasn't until middle linebacker Kirk Morrison intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter that the Raiders notched their first turnover this season. The Raiders had committed six turnovers by that point, including five against the Ravens.
Overall, the Raiders are minus-six in the giveaway-takeaway ratio (7:1).
• Backup quarterback Andrew Walter did a fine job dispersing the ball to his tight ends and receivers. However, he failed to complete any passes to a running back, just as Brooks did in the first game and the two drives he guided Sunday.
Screen passes have been a staple of Oakland's offense in recent seasons. Running back LaMont Jordan caught at least four passes in 13 of his 14 games last season and finished with 70 receptions overall.
SHELL SAYS REPORT UNTRUE: TACKLE WON'T BE MOVING TO GUARD
By Steve Corkran
BALTIMORE - Left tackle Robert Gallery missed the Raiders' game Sunday because of a strained left-calf muscle sustained in practice last week.
His return is uncertain. However, his status as the team's left tackle remains unchanged, Coach Art Shell said after the Raiders' 28-6 loss Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens.
That Shell had to answer the question about Gallery's standing owes to a rumor started by ESPN that said Gallery would be moved to guard. An unattributed report that aired Sunday said Gallery's days at left tackle were over.
``No,'' Shell said, with a surprised look, when asked if the story had any merit. ``I don't know where (the reporter) would get that from. If it was true, I'd tell you.''
Gallery spent his first two NFL seasons at right tackle. Shell switched Gallery as part of an off-season makeover of his offensive line that resulted in four players at new positions.
Gallery struggled in Oakland's season opener, but so did his four linemates. It would seem strange for the Raiders to give up on a player they selected No. 2 in the NFL draft in 2004 after only one game at his new position.
Gallery was unavailable for comment after the game.
• Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski attempted a field goal in a game for the first time in more than three weeks. The layoff didn't appear to have any effect.
He converted from 34 yards in the second quarter in giving the Raiders their first points this season. Until then, he hadn't attempted a field goal since the fourth of Oakland's five exhibitions. He added a 51-yarder early in the fourth quarter, longer than any of the 20 he converted last season.
• The Raiders didn't have much going for them when they arrived in Baltimore. Things got worse when it was learned before the game that outside linebacker Sam Williams (ankle) and right cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (foot) couldn't play.
Grant Irons replaced Williams and did an admirable job, though he left the game because of a lower-back injury. Tyrone Poole filled in for Asomugha and twice broke up passes intended for receiver Clarence Moore in the end zone.
• The Raiders entered the season with a belief that they had a firm handle on resolving the turnover deficiency from last season. Not so, as it turns out.
It wasn't until middle linebacker Kirk Morrison intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter that the Raiders notched their first turnover this season. The Raiders had committed six turnovers by that point, including five against the Ravens.
Overall, the Raiders are minus-six in the giveaway-takeaway ratio (7:1).
• Backup quarterback Andrew Walter did a fine job dispersing the ball to his tight ends and receivers. However, he failed to complete any passes to a running back, just as Brooks did in the first game and the two drives he guided Sunday.
Screen passes have been a staple of Oakland's offense in recent seasons. Running back LaMont Jordan caught at least four passes in 13 of his 14 games last season and finished with 70 receptions overall.