Walter's Arm, No Structural Damage...

[Angry Pope]

Walter's injury appears minor
An MRI shows no structural damage to the QB's shoulder.

By Jim Jenkins
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 27, 2006


News almost as good to the Raiders as a 4-0 preseason record was a report from their medical staff Saturday that backup quarterback Andrew Walter's sore throwing shoulder doesn't appear to be serious.
Coach Art Shell said it still must be decided if Walter, held out of Friday night's 21-3 home victory over the Detroit Lions, will be able to practice much or play in the Raiders' final tuneup Thursday night, when they visit the Seattle Seahawks.


"We'll let the doctors determine that," Shell said in a conference call. "The doctors looked at him (Saturday morning), and we'll see how he is (today)."
Shell said Walter had an MRI and "there is no structural damage."

Walter had a sore shoulder in his senior year at Arizona State. As a rookie third-round draft pick with the Raiders last year, he fared generally well in exhibition play but suffered a groin injury and never took a regular-season snap.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder entered training camp this year, though, as the No. 2 quarterback, supplanting Marques Tuiasosopo as the chief backup to new starter Aaron Brooks.

Walter has outplayed Tuiasosopo in preseason games but was unable to throw in practice each day and remained in discomfort during warmups Friday night.

Shell said he plans to play his starters less this week, a common practice for teams worried about injuries as the season opener approaches. That likely will mean no more than a quarter for Brooks and other first-stringers.

"We're going to make sure we get a final look at some of the (reserves)," said Shell, who must cut the roster to 75 players by Tuesday.

Most teams carry more than 90 players during the early weeks of camp. The Raiders have two inexperienced quarterbacks not expected to make the final roster -- Kent Smith from Central Michigan and Reggie Robertson from Cal.

Of other players who have been hurt and are being monitored, Shell said receiver Ronald Curry, who returned to practice only a few days ago after consecutive seasons with a torn left Achilles' tendon, caught a pass and did not show any ill effects.

Linebackers Grant Irons (concussion) and Darnell Bing (neck sprain) are not cleared for practice today, but guard Barry Sims (elbow), who did not play the past two exhibition games, is expected to resume drills. Safety Michael Huff (ankle) was held out against Detroit but might play Thursday.

Even with Brooks finally clicking with receiver Randy Moss for two touchdowns, highlighting the Raiders' strong preseason start, Shell said the team isn't where he wants it.

"We're still a work in progress," Shell said. "I don't try to temper (players') enthusiasm. I just try to point out the facts to them. When they do good, I tell them, and when they don't do good, I tell them."

Following a brief drill this morning, activity switches to McAfee Coliseum from noon to 4 p.m. for Raider Nation Celebration, a gathering of past and present players, plus coaches. Festivities include an opportunity for fans to mingle with the team for autographs and photographs.

 

[Angry Pope]

Walter not lock to see action

By Bill Soliday

ALAMEDA — Even if Andrew Walter does not play Thursday in the exhibition finale at Seattle, the Raiders believe it shouldn't be taken as a warning there is something seriously wrong with his arm.

Walter has missed the last two Raider exhibitions with what has been termed tendinitis. An MRI revealed no damage. But against the 49ers on Aug.20, Walter was held out of the game after trying a few throws in warm-ups. He threw in practice two days later, but two days after that, he did not play against Detroit.

He said he presumed he would see considerable action against the Seahawks. Starter Aaron Brooks isn't likely to play more than a series or two. Coach Art Shell said the long-term plan was for Walter to get the majority of the snaps in Seattle. Now he can't be positive.

"We'll approach it with caution," Shell said. "We won't do anything to harm him just to get through a game."

SIMS GRITS TEETH: Left guard Barry Sims has also been held out of the last two games with an elbow injury that neither he nor Shell seem to know the specific name for.

He could return against Seattle, but even if he is held out, it isn't likely his condition will improve much.

Sims has a streak going, having not missed a regular season or playoff game since 2002.

"It's been like 61 games," Sims said, noting there was no doubt in his mind he would be on the field for the opener against San Diego on Sept.11.

OTTO HONORED: Raider

Hall of Fame center Jim Otto is one of four finalists named for the President Gerald R. Ford Legends of Center award. The Rimington Trophy Committee, which annually selects the best collegiate center, also named Bob Johnson, Alex Kroll and Jim Ritcher. All were named according to their collegiate affiliations — Otto of Miami (Fla.), Johnson of Tennessee, Kroll of Rutgers and Ritcher of North Carolina State.

The inaugural "Legends of Center" award was presented to and named after President Ford, who played center on two undefeated University of Michigan teams (1932-33). Ford was named the Wolverines most valuable player in 1934.

EXTRA POINTS: Shell said the team's intent was not to have Jeff George play in Thursday's game, but that "I'm sure he's a quick study so he'll be available." ... Rookie SS Michael Huff's status for Seattle won't be determined until game time, Shell said. ... LB Darnell Bing was examined by a specialist Monday and did not practice. He is suffering from a pinched neck nerve (stinger). ... NT Terdell Sands, who collected his first sack as a Raider on Friday, worked out on the side and will probably be held out of the Seattle game due to a hip flexor.

 

[Angry Pope]

Sims expects to be there when it counts

Bruce Adams

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Left guard Barry Sims, back at practice after missing the last two exhibition games with an elbow injury, sounds a bit tentative when he talks about his chances of playing in Thursday night's final exhibition game against the Seahawks in Seattle.

But he's pretty unequivocal when he talks about the regular-season opener against the Chargers at the Coliseum on Sept. 11.

"No doubt," Sims said.

Sims, converted to guard this year, has started every game at left tackle the past three seasons. He has appeared in 61 consecutive regular-season and postseason games, and he clearly wants to keep that ironman streak alive.

"It's not fun watching games," Sims said.

Rookie strong safety Michael Huff, the Raiders' No. 1 draft pick this year, also has been cleared to return to practice after spraining his ankle in the exhibition win over the 49ers on Aug. 20 at the Coliseum.

Coach Art Shell said he would make a game-day decision on both players.

Walter ready: Quarterback Andrew Walter, held out of Friday night's win over the Lions with bursitis and tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, said Monday he was feeling fine.

Walter was held out of practice last Tuesday at training camp in Napa, and has been limited in his throwing since then. He even took Sunday completely off.

He said the rest worked.

"I should be good this week," Walter said.

Although Walter initially was scheduled to see considerable action before the soreness, Shell wouldn't say how much the quarterback might play in Thursday's game.

"We'll approach it with caution," Shell said.

The reaper comes calling: The Raiders need to trim their roster from 90 players to 75 by today. Then the team has to come down to the regular-season complement of 53 by Sunday.

It began Monday with the release of six players. That means -- accounting for the surprise signing of quarterback Jeff George -- nine more players will be cut today.

Players released Monday were quarterback Reggie Robertson, guard Rod Green, tight end Marcellus Rivers, defensive back Raymond Washington, kicker David Kimball and punter Glenn Pakulak.

Quote of the day: "Is that an AARP meeting?" - defensive tackle Warren Sapp, 33, upon sighting George, 38, meeting with writers after practice.