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Walter might not give Brooks his job back
- David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Great, look at what Andrew Walter has started, an all-out quarterback controversy.
Aaron Brooks' job was safe and sound so long as Walter kept throwing picks and losing games.
But, now that Walter is 1-0 against Matt Leinart, throwing for 263 yards and converting 3rd-and-21s, Brooks can't be so sure anymore.
"Why do we need to go to 'what ifs' right now?" Raiders coach Art Shell asked at his weekly news conference Monday.
For starters, because Brooks is out for a sixth straight week with a strained chest muscle that the team thought would be fine in two-to-four weeks.
Brooks is doubtful for Sunday's home game with the Steelers, and Walter is expected to start despite leaving Sunday's 22-9 victory over the Cardinals late in the third quarter with a mild hamstring strain.
It couldn't hurt Walter's ever-increasing confidence to know he doesn't have to worry about Brooks waking up one morning feeling all better.
Besides, quarterback controversies are what make weekdays in the NFL so magical.
So, what do you say, Mr. Shell?
Nothing definitive, but for the first time, he hinted Brooks will have to earn his way back onto the field.
"I've got a lot of confidence in Andrew, I really do," Shell said. "Brooks has to go to work, has to show us he's capable of doing things necessary to play the quarterback position as far as throwing the ball, and we haven't seen that.
"He has to get back into the swing of things throwing before I can say he's going to go out there."
Walter completed 8-of-11 third-down passes against the Cardinals. He completed 17-of-30 passes overall, and would have had more than 300 yards and another two touchdown passes if not for six dropped throws.
"Whatever coach decides," Walter said. "If that's what he does, I'm obviously for that. I want to play. Each week has gotten better and better for myself."
Teammates said Walter has been composed and relaxed in the huddle. Now, he's doing the right checks at the line of scrimmage, audibilizing to the best plays and finding the open receiver with added regularity.
He still forces some throws -- like Sunday's interception at the Cardinals' 4 -- and can hold onto the ball too long. But he is improving, and you don't have to break down tape to notice.
"(Sunday), he had total command of the offense," wide receiver Ronald Curry said. "He hasn't played in a year. If you hadn't done something in so long, it's going to take a game or two just to get your feet back under you. He's finally settled in."
So, Walter for quarterback?
"Man, I ain't trying to start a controversy here," Curry said.
Just wait until Brooks is healthy and ready to start again. He was benched late last season in New Orleans for the first time in his career, and he still doesn't understand why.
After Brooks was hurt in Week 2, he missed a start because of injury for the first time in his eight-year career. Now, he's about to miss five straight while saying he's "better, better, better" but still "day to day."
"I think we can win with both those guys," center Jake Grove said. "As far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing to have. We have two guys who can do it. It's not a problem for me."
It will be for Shell, especially if Walter capitalizes Sunday against the Steelers, who are the defending world champions, but 2-4 after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got knocked out Sunday.
"(Walter's) growing," Shell said. "The more he plays, the better he'll be."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/10/24/SPGHVLURIB1.DTL
Walter might not give Brooks his job back
- David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Great, look at what Andrew Walter has started, an all-out quarterback controversy.
Aaron Brooks' job was safe and sound so long as Walter kept throwing picks and losing games.
But, now that Walter is 1-0 against Matt Leinart, throwing for 263 yards and converting 3rd-and-21s, Brooks can't be so sure anymore.
"Why do we need to go to 'what ifs' right now?" Raiders coach Art Shell asked at his weekly news conference Monday.
For starters, because Brooks is out for a sixth straight week with a strained chest muscle that the team thought would be fine in two-to-four weeks.
Brooks is doubtful for Sunday's home game with the Steelers, and Walter is expected to start despite leaving Sunday's 22-9 victory over the Cardinals late in the third quarter with a mild hamstring strain.
It couldn't hurt Walter's ever-increasing confidence to know he doesn't have to worry about Brooks waking up one morning feeling all better.
Besides, quarterback controversies are what make weekdays in the NFL so magical.
So, what do you say, Mr. Shell?
Nothing definitive, but for the first time, he hinted Brooks will have to earn his way back onto the field.
"I've got a lot of confidence in Andrew, I really do," Shell said. "Brooks has to go to work, has to show us he's capable of doing things necessary to play the quarterback position as far as throwing the ball, and we haven't seen that.
"He has to get back into the swing of things throwing before I can say he's going to go out there."
Walter completed 8-of-11 third-down passes against the Cardinals. He completed 17-of-30 passes overall, and would have had more than 300 yards and another two touchdown passes if not for six dropped throws.
"Whatever coach decides," Walter said. "If that's what he does, I'm obviously for that. I want to play. Each week has gotten better and better for myself."
Teammates said Walter has been composed and relaxed in the huddle. Now, he's doing the right checks at the line of scrimmage, audibilizing to the best plays and finding the open receiver with added regularity.
He still forces some throws -- like Sunday's interception at the Cardinals' 4 -- and can hold onto the ball too long. But he is improving, and you don't have to break down tape to notice.
"(Sunday), he had total command of the offense," wide receiver Ronald Curry said. "He hasn't played in a year. If you hadn't done something in so long, it's going to take a game or two just to get your feet back under you. He's finally settled in."
So, Walter for quarterback?
"Man, I ain't trying to start a controversy here," Curry said.
Just wait until Brooks is healthy and ready to start again. He was benched late last season in New Orleans for the first time in his career, and he still doesn't understand why.
After Brooks was hurt in Week 2, he missed a start because of injury for the first time in his eight-year career. Now, he's about to miss five straight while saying he's "better, better, better" but still "day to day."
"I think we can win with both those guys," center Jake Grove said. "As far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing to have. We have two guys who can do it. It's not a problem for me."
It will be for Shell, especially if Walter capitalizes Sunday against the Steelers, who are the defending world champions, but 2-4 after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got knocked out Sunday.
"(Walter's) growing," Shell said. "The more he plays, the better he'll be."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/10/24/SPGHVLURIB1.DTL
