Oakland Raiders - The Vertical Game

News Archive
Oct. 7 - Dec. 30, 2004

Thursday, December 30, 2004

The big news out of Oakland is Showboat Buchanon's announcement that he wants to be traded. It's so friggin' churlish that it's left this observer—a former practicing attorney who is rarely at a loss for words—pretty much speechless . . . Remember, this is the jackass who showed up to check in to training camp in a limo, wearing an outfit with Disney cartoon characters.

Lost in the commotion is QB Kerry Collins' plea to Raiders management to do whatever it takes to re-sign WR Jerry Porter. The importance of that need cannot be overstated.

After years of relative nobodies singing the national anthem at Raiders home games, finally this week Oakland will host a legendary group that yours truly has loved for decades—the Temptations!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

The unexpected death of NFL great Reggie White the day after Christmas has been covered in great scope by the media, including some links here in the Articles section, and we won't repeat that news here. But since the cause of death was not certain initially, and since this observer repeated a report he'd seen attributing death to a massive heart attack, it's apropos to reprint here a snippet from an AP account published today by Yahoo, reporting results of a preliminary autopsy:

Saturday, December 25, 2004

Chiefs All-Universe T Willie Roaf, who suffers from gout, has been downgraded today from probable to questionable.

As expected, the Raiders' starting corners, Charles Woodson and Phillip Buchanon, are both inactive for today's game. Also out for KC—they hadn't practiced this week—are RB Derrick Blaylock and WR Johnnie Morton.

Friday, December 24, 2004

Former Raiders FS Rod Woodson filed his retirement papers on Dec. 17, according to the Fort Wayne (Ind.) News Sentinel, so he could beat the Dec. 31 deadline and be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2009. Woodson, named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time team, is a first-ballot shoo-in for the HOF.

Where Are They Now Dept.: One-time Raiders safety (and Cal alumnus) Je'rod Cherry was released by New England after playing on their special teams for the past four seasons.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Oakland: Out G Ron Stone (knee); RB Tyrone Wheatley (hamstring/foot). Doubtful: TE Courtney Anderson (knee); DE Tyler Brayton (neck); CB Phillip Buchanon (tailbone); LB Sam Williams (ankle); CB Charles Woodson (knee). Questionable: LB DeLawrence Grant (knee); T Barry Sims (back). Probable: QB Kerry Collins (abdomen); WR John Stone (hamstring)

Kansas City: Out DE Vonnie Holliday (groin). Doubtful: WR Johnnie Morton (knee); S Jerome Woods (knee). Questionable: RB Derrick Blaylock (knee); C Chris Bober (toe); WR Chris Horn (knee). Probable: LB Monty Beisel (hip flexor); TE Jason Dunn (knee); RB Omar Easy (knee); QB Trent Green (ribs); T Willie Roaf (ankle); DT Junior Siavii (ankle); DT Ryan Sims (ankle).

Saturday, December 18, 2004

You've probably read that Titans QB Steve McNair is done for the season and will be undergoing surgery on his oft-injured sternum. But hold that sigh of relief . . .

His backup, Billy Volek, would start for many NFL teams. Last week he threw for a career-best 426 yards with 4 touchdowns and no picks. Indeed, it was a major surprise last offseason that Volek, then an unrestricted free agent, didn't garner more in the way of free agent offers to leave Tennessee. Most sportswriters thought he'd have a passel of bids from which to choose, as he's always done well in spot roles in the past.

Between Volek and emerging star WR Drew Bennett, a local product, the Raiders will have their hands full even though starting Titans RB Chris Brown may be shelved due to turf toe.

Oakland: Out: G Ron Stone (knee), RB Tyrone Wheatley (hamstring). Doubtful: TE Courtney Anderson (knee), WR Johnnie Morant (foot), DE Sam Williams (ankle). Questionable: NT Ted Washington (foot). Probable: DE Tyler Brayton (neck), DE Warren Sapp (ankle), WR John Stone (hamstring).

Tennessee: Out: RB Chris Brown (toe), QB Steve McNair (sternum), CB Samari Rolle (knee), FS Lance Schulters (foot), CB Andre Woolfolk (wrist). Questionable: OLB Rocky Boiman (calf), CB Rich Gardner (toe), DE Carlos Hall (knee), C Justin Hartwig (finger), DT Albert Haynesworth (elbow), T Brad Hopkins (hand), TE Erron Kinney (ankle), WR Derrick Mason (ankle), TE Shad Meier (hip), T Fred Miller (ankle), G Benji Olson (toe), LB Cody Spencer (abdomen).

Coach Norv Turner says several of the Raiders currently listed as doubtful will actually be "game-time decisions." He specifically mentioned WR Johnnie Morant as a possibility if WR John Stone's hamstring isn't loose enough. Morant is recovering from a stress fracture of the foot.

And if you're holding your breath over the perilously thin group of receivers, readers, don't even let your thoughts stray over to the No. 3 quarterback situation now that Ronald Curry's on crutches. Turner mentioned using both Stone and Jerry Porter in practice. Yikes! (Not to mention that they're both two of the aforementioned too-few receivers.) Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan is feeling the heat now, as well he should be, but does anyone out there share my feeling that Turner has mismanaged the roster most of this season? One injury to Kerry Collins and the team could be 2-11 like the Whiners . . .

DL Warren Sapp and self-styled All-Universe CB Charles Woodson have earned the dubious distinction of being named to the "All-Overrated Team," to be featured in the December 20 issue of The Sporting News. See the Mercury News article on the Articles page for details.

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Correction: I was incorrect when I suggested that G Frank Middleton had suffered another quadricep tear, or even an injury substantially similar to last year's. It turns out Middleton tore the quadriceps tendon off his left kneecap Sunday in the Raiders' 31-26 loss to New Orleans. Middleton, who turned 30 on Monday, was scheduled to have surgery today and will then face four to six months of rehabilitation.

"I'm done for the year," Middleton said Monday. "It's cool, man," he told a Mercury News reporter, but you and I know he couldn't possibly have been feeling that way.

"I'll go back to the drawing board and try again next year."

In retrospect this observer was perhaps somewhat harsh in his choice of words about Middleton and his injury. While Middleton has been overweight every year since joining the Raiders—at least in my view—still, I don't wish injury upon any of the Raiders.

Monday, October 25, 2004

The news is absolutely sickening. Only seven games into a season that's already lost, the Raiders lost a starting offensive linemen and arguably their fastest receiver yesterday for the year. Two more starters were sufficiently banged up so that the prognosis is as yet unknown.

Typically the first Bay Area paper to publish electronically is the San Jose Mercury News, in the wee hours of the morning. This observer happened to be up quite early today and knew something was wrong when a column about Francis's fumble described WR Carlos Francis as he appeared in the locker room after the game: "The rookie was in so much pain because of an injured knee, his father had to help him dress, one pant leg at a time." And, describing Francis coming off the field after the play, the same reporter wrote, "Francis's leg dangled as he was helped off the field. He said his teammates tried to lift his spirits after they returned to the locker room."

Finely tuned athletes are tightly connected—limbs don't wobble and "dangle." And the description of the obvious great pain Francis was suffering was troublesome.

Francis was diagnosed today with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the left knee, an injury that will require surgery and mean he goes on injured reserve for this year. What is more troubling is that Francis had blazing speed, and that will be a thing of the past even if he has a great recovery. Athletes never come back from an ACL tear without losing significant speed. To use a Raiders example we saw it with Tim Brown (hurt his first year, and never a burner after that). Ron Woodson, too, had to switch from cornerback to safety after tearing up his knee. Examples abound. But it's just a shame to see it happen to a rookie whose job it wasn't to return kickoffs; he was just covering for Doug Gabriel, to give Gabriel's tender hamstring a rest. A "regular" returner would presumably have been coached that you want to go north-south, not laterally, when running back a kickoff.

Head coach Norv Turner, who is showing an increasingly annoying ability to say inane things rivalling former head coach Joe Bugel, uttered this gem about Francis, who by all accounts is a really nice young man with a fine character and good attitude and work ethic: "He's a young player. I think you learn by going through things like that. Unfortunately the injury is a significant one. It's one guys come back from and play. He'll recover and we'll get him started again when he's able to go."

This observer has considerably less sympathy for G Fat Frank Middleton, whose injuries tend to come when the obese journeyman falls on himself awkwardly. (See 2003, when a defensive lineman knocked him back onto his haunches and he tore his quadricep muscle). With Middleton it's the quad again, and again surgery will be required. Teammate Brad Badger blocked a Saint into Middleton in the open field and he fell with most of his weight on the one leg.

While the loss is serious—G Ron Stone has played little this year and Chad Slaughter is really a tackle with little game experience—it's easier to fill a hole inside than at tackle, especially since either Barry Sims or Robert Gallery could move inside in a pinch. But one has to wonder if Middleton will ever drop the blubber—he's listed at 330, but that's a joke—and get in shape for a season, because he's perennially injured.

Other casualties from yesterday's hard-hitting but uninspired effort against the Ain'ts were NT Ted Washington (bruised ribs) and CB Charles Woodson (hip pointer). Woodson was due to have an MRI today, after which presumably the team will know more. Turner said Washington might be available for duty this weekend at San Diego. Ron Stone ran this past week but hasn't otherwise practiced as he rests a strained MCL in his knee.

One final injury note: the Raiders finally deactivated RB Justin Fargas for a game. Let's hope they allow him to have 2-3 weeks more of complete rest—it's the only cure for so-called "turf toe". And the Raiders aren't going anywhere anyway.

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Today's game in a nutshell: Can the Raiders stop New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister? If he gets 150 or so yards like every other tailback the Raiders have seen lately, the Ain'ts will control the ball and win handily.

Earlier this week the NFL released the preliminary list of nominees for the 2005 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 89 names will eventually be culled down to 13 finalists, to which two senior finalists will be added for a final ballot of 15. Between three and six new enshrinees are normally named in a given year.

The major Raiders story this week, and one that potentially bodes ill for the team, has been the Jerry Porter one. Briefly, in an unattributed "Insider" column which appeared today in The Sporting News, the Cleveland Brownies are reported to have said that prior to the league trading deadline Oct. 19, the Raiders tried to interest them in a trade involving three players: WR Porter, T Langston Walker, and TE Teyo Johnson. Walker and Johnson, both starters at one time, have lost their starting roles and fallen on the depth chart. (Indeed, Teyo Johnson is now fourth-string.)

Couple that with the fact that Porter, who was expected to become the go-to guy this year, has gotten fewer passes than Ronald Curry, with no TD throws thus far, and you have the makings of a player who feels unappreciated. Porter feels he waited in the wings behind both Tim Brown and Jerry Rice, and now should be his time in the sun. Porter also has a big ego, as the Rumor Mill column points out today. That column quotes an anonymous NFL personnel guy thusly: "Porter was a dick coming out of college. A me-me guy. He's still the same. He'll be surprised that the market will not be what he thinks it is."

Porter signed a six-year deal when the Raiders drafted him in the second round five years ago. Based on a playing time incentive which he's already reached, he can void the final year and become an unrestricted free agent at season's end simply by notifying the team in writing. It's been reported that he has already done just that.

The Raiders strenuously deny having shopped Porter. Porter's response to that has been, basically, "Why would Cleveland lie?" And a column in today's (Cleveland) Plain Dealer tends to lend credence to the rumor in general, by quoting a source close to the Raiders as saying that the Browns passed on an offer of Langston Walker for a 2005 second-round draft choice.

So the Raiders stand to lose their best offensive threat, and in the meantime Oakland is paying $8.7 million for a cornerback that lets an opposing receiver get deep behind him for a touchdown in a prevent defense . . . Go figure.

Saints personnel shifts: The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Saints DL Howard Green will start at nose tackle in place of DT Johnathan Sullivan today against the Raiders. Also, LB Orlando Ruff will start at middle linebacker, replacing rookie LB Courtney Watson. Finally, LB Sedrick Hodge will start at strong side linebacker ahead of LB James Allen.

For the Raiders, depending on the hamstrings of Curry and Gabriel, rookie WR Johnnie Morant could be activated for his first game this year. Coach Norv Turner announced earlier in the week that regardless of Gabriel's status, rookie WR Carlos Francis will replace him as kickoff returner to lighten the load on Gabriel.

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Oakland: Doubtful: LB Travian Smith (knee); G Ron Stone (knee); RB Tyrone Wheatley (shoulder). Questionable: WR Ronald Curry (hamstring); RB Justin Fargas (toe); WR Doug Gabriel (hamstring); T Barry Sims (foot).

New Orleans: Out: DE Darren Howard (knee). Doubtful: CB Ashley Ambrose (knee). Questionable: WR Talman Gardner (ankle); WR Devery Henderson (hamstring); LB Derrick Rodgers (rib); WR Donte' Stallworth (rib).

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Oakland: Doubtful: OLB Travian Smith (knee); G Ron Stone (knee); RB Tyrone Wheatley (shoulder). Questionable: WR Ronald Curry (hamstring); RB Justin Fargas (toe); WR Doug Gabriel (hamstring); T Barry Sims (foot).

New Orleans: Out: DE Darren Howard (knee). Doubtful: CB Ashley Ambrose (knee). Questionable: WR Talman Gardner (ankle); OLB Derrick Rodgers (rib); WR Donte' Stallworth (rib). Probable: WR Devery Henderson (hamstring).

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Defensive line coach Sam Clancy, 46, was put on a stretcher and rushed to a local hospital after complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath during practice.

"The doctor was here and he went and saw the doctor and they just took him to the hospital for precautionary to check on him," said Turner. "The doctor suggested to make sure, just to be safe, to take him to the hospital. He walked in. It wasn't any dramatic thing. We're just being safe with him."

In something of an anticlimax, QB Rich Gannon went on injured reserve yesterday, officially ending his season. CB Brock Williams, a second-year defensive back from Notre Dame who played with the Bears last season, was signed to the active roster, and David Rivers, a quarterback from Western Carolina, was signed to the practice squad.

Williams was with the Raiders in training camp last year and was cut in August 2003 after a dreadful showing in pre-season games. This observer hopes he has improved his skills since then.

There remains one open spot on the active roster. Turner said he planned to play Sunday with only two quarterbacks, Kerry Collins and Marques Tuiasosopo. Jack-of-all-trades Ronald Curry would be the emergency (No. 3) quarterback.

Rivers started for the Berlin Thunder in the World League over the summer and was in training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.

Oakland worked out receiver Antonio Harrison and safety Kevin Curtis. Harrison played at West Texas A&M. Curtis was selected by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL draft. Neither was offered a contract by the Raiders.

Monday, October 18, 2004

This observer saw an article over the weekend in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer discounting the rumors of WR Jerry Rice going there. Seemed pretty convincing, but hold on . . .

Never discount the importance of the NFL substance abuse policy working its whatevers behind the scenes. The entertaining Rumor Mill column reports this morning that Hawks WR Koren Robinson is currently appealing a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. That changes everything . . . Earlier speculation had been premised on the fact that Robinson was dropping some balls, but that's not enough in my book to bring in an expensive (pro-rated base salary of $1.35 million) 42-year-old receiver who no longer gets separation. The guy being suspended, however, is a whole different ball of wax. In that case the Hawks would want someone short-term who could pick up the offense in a hurry and plug a gap.

So maybe there is somewhere for Jerry to go. Of course they probably won't use him a lot and may even release him once Robinson returns from his suspension. Rice won't feel properly appreciated there in Seattle, but at least he'll no longer be a Raiders problem. Because, frankly, the Raiders have enough problems that need fixing without having to constantly placate Jerry Rice.

If you happened not to see yesterday's game, it's hard to put into words how execrably bad the Raiders looked in all three phases of their game—offense, defense, and special teams. QB Kerry Collins drew the boos from the "johnny-come-lately" Raiders fans in the stands—many of whom are twenty-somethings who never suffered with the horrible games that Lamonica, Stabler and Plunkett sometimes had, but they don't know sh*t. Only one solitary Raider out of the 47 who were activated played magnificently. SS Marques Anderson had 15 unassisted tackles and an interception.

The pasting was no more the fault of Collins alone than of any one of the overpriced, blubbery linemen the Raiders brought in on defense this year, or the pathetic linebacking. The entire team just stunk, folks . . . And as badly as the Raiders are getting whipped in all phases, it's fair to call the quality of the coaching into question, too.

Managing General Partner Al Davis, who's been in denial for three decades, can use whatever vocabulary he chooses, but this is a team which needs to rebuild. Coming off a 4-12 disaster, it's unlikely to win more than 6 games this year at the rate things are going.

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Oakland: Out: QB Rich Gannon (neck). Doubtful: LB Travian Smith (knee); G Ron Stone (knee); RB Tyrone Wheatley (shoulder); LB Sam Williams (shoulder). Questionable: CB Phillip Buchanon (ribs); RB Justin Fargas (toe).

Denver: Out: DE Trevor Pryce (back). Doubtful: CB Willie Middlebrooks (hamstring). Questionable: LB Patrick Chukwurah (quadricep). Probable: CB Roc Alexander (finger); RB Quentin Griffin (ankle); DT Monsanto Pope (wrist); CB Lenny Walls (shoulder); WR Darius Watts (shoulder).

Friday, October 15, 2004

In a seemingly paradoxical state of affairs, RB Tyrone Wheatley has practiced on a limited basis the last two days but will almost certainly not dress for Denver. Justin Fargas, on the other hand, has been unable to practice but will presumably be a game-time decision again this week. Wheatley, you'll recall, has a partially dislocated shoulder. Fargas has the painful ligament injury euphemistically called turf toe.

QB Rich Gannon saw a third spine specialist in Los Angeles on Wednesday. One has to presume he's being advised not to play again this year, since he keeps seeking further opinions . . . It would seem that the Raiders, who have been patient with Gannon up until now, will soon have to make a decision if they want to pursue a replacement quarterback with any abilities, meaning Gannon would miss this season by being put on injured reserve status.

Source(s): Fanball.com, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times

A Seattle paper reports that it was after the 2001 season that the Seahawks had Jerry Rice in for a physical. They've apparently made no serious inquiries this year despite some rumors to the contrary.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer in a short piece published today, opines that Rice's "play me or trade me" bit may have been just a ploy to try to get the ball thrown to him more often.

This observer is seeing most media predict that Rice will remain a Raider for the rest of this season—if for no other reason, because he has virtually no trade value.

Thursday, October 14, 2004

With OLB Travian Smith (knee) now unlikely to play against Denver, it means the Raiders will likely play more in a 4-3 defensive formation than the 3-4. The more versatile LB Napoleon Harris would see time at outside linebacker, along with LB DeLawrence Grant, with LB Danny Clark in the middle. In 3-4 alignments, Harris and Clark would play inside, with Grant and LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila on the outside.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Raiders grouping all the backers together until Denver has come to the line of scrimmage and committed to its formation, then dispersing them.

OLB Sam Williams, described late last week as being likely to return for special teams duty against the Donks, was limited in practice on Thursday (Oct. 14) and is now doubtful for Week 6.

Oakland: Out: QB Rich Gannon (neck). Doubtful: LB Travian Smith (knee); G Ron Stone (knee); RB Tyrone Wheatley (shoulder); LB Sam Williams (shoulder). Questionable: RB Justin Fargas (toe/leg).

Denver: Out: DE Trevor Pryce (back). Questionable: LB Patrick Chukwurah (quadricep); CB Willie Middlebrooks (hamstring). Probable: CB Roc Alexander (finger); RB Quentin Griffin (ankle); DT Monsanto Pope (wrist); CB Lenny Walls (shoulder).

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Where Are They Now Dept.: WR Ryan Hoag, last year's Mr. Irrelevant and now with the Vikings, is expected to be activated from their practice squad due to an injury to one of Minnesota's wideouts.

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Late update: There's a tad more detail about the Cole Ford drive-by incident provided in this past week's Rumor Mill column. Click here, then in the new window that opens, use your browser's Find key (usually <Ctrl-F>) to search for "FORMER KICKER".

There's some good news for a team whose injury list has been growing by the day. Outside backer Sam Williams says he's been cleared for individual workouts and hopes to receive clearance for team practices on Monday. His goal would be a return to action against Denver on Oct. 17.

Williams sounds realistic in his expectations. He feels "great," (naturally, as would any top athlete who hasn't been subjected to any contact for weeks now.) He anticipates contributing primarily on special teams at first, and gradually increasing the number of snaps he can play in the regular defensive schemes.

The Raiders can use Williams. No-name third-stringer Jonathan Wells had a 100-yard game against the Silver and Black last week in Houston, and a depressing number of the team's tackles were made by the secondary.

Here's the week's final injury list for tomorrow's 10:00 a.m. game. (For the Raiders, the only change was moving Tyrone Wheatley from doubtful to out after he told a Sacramento radio station that he's dislocated his shoulder and will miss 2-4 weeks. At that point coach Norv Turner dropped the (silly) ruse he had been maintaining of suggesting there was even a 25% chance that Wheatley could play [the nominal threshold for doubtful status].)

Oakland: Out: QB Rich Gannon (neck); RB Tyrone Wheatley (shoulder). Doubtful: G Frank Middleton (ankle); G Ron Stone (knee); LB Sam Williams (shoulder). Questionable: RB Justin Fargas (turf toe).

Indianapolis: Out: S Mike Doss (hamstring); CB Joseph Jefferson (knee); S Bob Sanders (foot); WR Troy Walters (upper arm fracture). Questionable: S Idrees Bashir (groin); TE Marcus Pollard (knee); CB Donald Strickland (shoulder); PK Mike Vanderjagt (right hamstring). Probable: RB Ran Carthon (ankle); CB Nicholas Harper (hip); DE Robert Mathis (thigh/groin); WR Brandon Stokley (hip).

And, of course, as has been reported in the Game Previews section, Indy has signed a second placekicker, ex-Giant Matt Bryant, in case the highly accurate Mike Vanderjagt's hamstring tightens up.

Friday, October 8, 2004

Here's what little I was able to find on the newest addition to Oakland's practice squad, tackle Jason Jimenez:

He was released on Sept. 4 by Green Bay and signed by the Raiders on Oct. 6. Period. That's it. No further info available . . .

Sometimes Pro Football Weekly publishes little tidbits about little-known players—such as guys who toil on practice squads—in its weekly personnel summaries. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Watch this space for any further news.

Thursday, October 7, 2004

The preliminary injury report for the Indy game is grim . . . There's just no other way to describe it, after only 4 weeks of the regular season.

That shoulder that head coach Norv Turner coyly said RB Tyrone Wheatley "tweaked" is dislocated, folks. Ty's out 2-4 weeks. Both starting guards, Ron Stone and "Slim" Middleton, are doubtful. (Brad Badger and Chad Slaughter, normally a tackle, will likely fill in.) Which may explain why a promising young linebacker, Donny Green, who could play all four positions in a 3-4, lost his spot on the practice squad yesterday to a tackle, Jason Jimenez.

Oakland: Out: QB Rich Gannon (neck). Doubtful: G Frank Middleton (ankle); G Ron Stone (knee); RB Tyrone Wheatley (shoulder); LB Sam Williams (shoulder). Questionable: RB Justin Fargas (toe).

Indianapolis: Out: S Mike Doss (hamstring); CB Joseph Jefferson (knee); S Bob Sanders (foot); WR Troy Walters (upper arm fracture). Questionable: S Idrees Bashir (groin); PK Mike Vanderjagt (right hamstring). Probable: CB Nicholas Harper (hip); DE Robert Mathis (thigh/groin); WR Brandon Stokley (hip); CB Donald Strickland (shoulder).

Where Are They Now Dept.: one-time Cal product and ex-Raiders S Je'Rod Cherry, who can be a valuable role player in the right defensive scheme, was signed by New England yesterday.

Also yesterday, Jon Ritchie—as selfless a player as the Raiders had during the "me-first" Chucky-Callahan years—went under the knife to repair his torn ACL. The surgery was called successful afterward, with Ritchie expected to make a full recovery.

In a story perhaps more sordid than even Todd Marijuanavich could imagine, ex-Raiders placekicker Cole Ford, 31, has a warrant out for him in Las Vegas, alleging that a "drive-by" shotgun blast was fired out of his white mini van in the vicinity of the home of entertainers Siegfried and Roy.

What few facts have been reported make little sense and are largely contradictory . . .

We've heard of ex-NFL players falling on hard times—once-unstoppable Raiders WR Warren Wells was convicted of rape again after his career ended following a first rape conviction. Dave Dalby ended his life as he spent much of it, under the influence of John Barleycorn . . . Art Schlichter goes in and out of jail every year or two, but his weapon of choice is a pen and a checkbook. A loaded shotgun?!?!? Dramatic stuff!! This ranks up there with what this observer considers the saddest of all . . . That would be the disintegration of Pittsburgh Hall of Famer Mike Webster after the NFL refused to give him a decent pension.