Ronald Curry...

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Angry Pope

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Preparation is the key to Curry's route back
The Oakland wide receiver credits studying game film and the playbook for his readiness.


By Jason Jones


ALAMEDA -- The word "smart" often is associated with Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry, for good reason.

Curry's intelligence explains how he can go from the sideline because of injury to the field without missing a beat.

He watches game film as much as possible and studies the playbook with the attentiveness of a quarterback, his college position at North Carolina.

"I think I'm very prepared as far as going into the game," Curry said, preparing for Monday's season opener against San Diego. "Just studying your opponent gives you that edge. A lot of guys don't do it. I definitely take advantage of the technology these days."

Curry studied all the wide receiver positions while out because of a torn left Achilles' tendon. He returned last month and is listed as the No. 3 wideout. His acumen eased his transition back onto the field.

"He's a smart kid, having been a quarterback," coach Art Shell said. "I guess they say quarterbacks are really smart. He walks out there to run the routes, and it's like he's been doing it all the time."

Curry's study habits date to his days as a record-setting football player at Hampton High School in Virginia.

"Our high school coach made us sit together as a team and look at film during lunch," Curry said. "So ever since then, I took a liking to it, and I always wanted to be competitive and I always wanted the edge, and that's one way of getting it."

The competitive itch isn't limited to the week's opponent.

"I even watch our guys, the defensive guys we go against so I can be prepared to go against them," Curry said. "I just like film, I like football, I like players, so I'm definitely a student of the game. So I can pretty much tell you about a lot of guys on this team, what their strengths and weaknesses are."

Taking his lumps -- Rookie Paul McQuistan impressed the coaching staff with his tenacity during the offseason, but his transition from college left tackle to NFL right guard hasn't been smooth.

He struggled in the exhibition finale in Seattle, where he had trouble in pass protection against the Seahawks, who led the league in sacks last season.

"I'm still practicing, working on things that I know will improve game things that will go on," McQuistan said. "The Seattle game's on film, so I've been able to see that for last couple of weeks and shut it down."

Shell said the learning process is ongoing.

"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," Shell said. "It doesn't happen. It takes a couple years in order for guys to settle in, and I think he'll settle in."

Et cetera -- The 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard will perform a fly-by during the national anthem Monday. Four F-16 Fighting Falcons will fly over to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks five years ago.

• Center Jake Grove (shoulder) still is listed as doubtful for the game but has practiced this week and might play. "He's on the runway," Shell said.

• Tight end John Madsen (ankle) is doubtful. Defensive end Lance Johnstone (shin) is questionable, but Shell said he would play. Wide receiver Alvis Whitted (groin) and tight end James Adkisson (knee) are probable.
 
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