Oakland Raiders - The Vertical Game

News Archive
Sep - Dec 1996

Sunday, December 22, 1996

What a stinker today's final game was!! The Raiders had seven turnovers (six of them fumbles), and Billy Joe Hobert was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a concussion. David Klingler finished up.

The Raiders also managed to acquire eight penalties, precisely enough to tie their all-time NFL season record of 156, set in 1994.

Look at the stats and you'll see that Oakland completely dominated the game. It was yet another episode of self-destruction.

Friday, December 20, 1996

Anticlimax Department: The Raiders were 14,000 tickets short of selling out by yesterday's 1:00 p.m. deadline, so Sunday's game will be blacked out locally.

ESPNet SportsZone columnist Don Bosley has picked top Raiders draft choice Rickey Dudley as the Rookie Bust of the Year.

Wrote Bosley, "By season's end, the poor kid couldn't hang on to a handshake. Advertised as the second coming of Kellen Winslow, Dudley littered the Raiders' foiled playoff run with scores of dropped balls and dropped jaws. Time to crack open that emergency stash of Lester Hayes stickum."

Thursday, December 19, 1996

Seahawks: Doubtful: RB Steve Broussard (hamstring). Questionable: DE Phillip Daniels (knee), WR Ronnie Harris (shoulder-quadricep), QB Rick Mirer (quadricep), DE Michael Sinclair (elbow), RB Mack Strong (knee), RB Chris Warren (ribs).

Raiders: Out: CB Larry Brown (knee), QB Jeff Hostetler (head), C Barret Robbins (flu), CB James Trapp (shoulder). Questionable: S Eddie Anderson (neck), WR Olanda Truitt (hamstring), RB Harvey Williams (shoulder). Probable: T Robert Jenkins (knee), LB Mike Jones (hip).

Seattle QB Rick Mirer (bruised knee) didn't practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's season finale. "Rick can't move," coach Dennis Erickson said. "If he had to play today, he couldn't." Erickson says he expects Mirer to practice today. If Mirer can't start, Stan Gelbaugh will. Three other starters also didn't practice: DE Michael Sinclair (elbow), RB Chris Warren (ribs) and FB Mack Strong.

The team released some information yesterday about the condition of C Barret Robbins. Robbins missed last Sunday's game with what were described at the time as flu-like symptoms, but not the flu.

It now turns out that Robbins has a hereditary condition which, combined with the flu and with an adverse reaction to medication prescribed by his family doctor, left him confused.

"Barret had a recurring medical disorder that once surfaced in college," said senior assistant Bruce Allen. "His condition is hereditary. His mom suffered from the same difficulty he does. What we've done is gathered all his medical records, talked to people in Texas, physicians in Texas and his mom."

Dr. Robert Albo, the Raiders' team physician, issued a brief statement that said Robbins "has a chemical imbalance complicated by influenza syndrome. We expect Barret to make a complete recovery and be back to full health in the very near future." Robbins remains in the hospital at this time, essentially for rest.

QB Jeff Hostetler, meanwhile, continues to suffer headaches from the concussion suffered last weekend.

Although coach Mike White has said benched TE Rickey Dudley would have an eye exam and would work with assistant coach Fred Biletnikoff on concentration devices to help him get over problems catching the ball, Dudley said he needed to relax and get away from the problem. He said he would decide his own program in the offseason, and thus, be responsible for his own success or failure.

Wednesday, December 18, 1996

Coach Mike White announced late today that Billy Joe Hobert will start Sunday's season finale against Seattle because Jeff Hostetler hasn't fully recovered from the concussion he suffered in the Denver game.

At the same time, Seattle's likely QB starter will be third-stringer Stan Gelbaugh. John Friesz is out with a cracked tibia and now Rick Mirer is suffering a severely bruised knee.

Tuesday, December 17, 1996

Well, I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't read it with my own eyes. With the season effectively over, coach Mike White still intends to keep Billy Joe Hobert on the bench this Sunday and start QB Jeff Hostetler in the season finale if Hoss says he's well enough to play.

White said Hostetler would be cleared to play against Seattle on Sunday. The team's medical staff will monitor Hostetler throughout the week in case any changes in his status occur. Hostetler wasn't available for comment.

Hostetler sustained a concussion during the third quarter of the Raiders' 24-19 loss to Denver. He played most of the 4th quarter in a daze, calling formations in the huddle that don't even exist. White, meanwhile, insists no one made him aware that any of this was happening until the game was nearly over.

Referring to the coming game, White said, "The call will be Jeff's. There's a natural instinct that with the playoffs out of the picture, that we will play younger guys. But we won't do that."

One would think White might have learned something last year about Hostetler's tendency to downplay his injuries.

Rookie TE Rickey Dudley, who's dropped at least twice as many passes as he's caught this year, has finally been benched. Andrew Glover will be the starter at tight end against Seattle.

"It's time to replace Rickey," White said. "I don't have to give you the reasons. You've all been there."

Monday, December 16, 1996

Good news about FS Eddie Anderson: his injury is not as serious as it appeared yesterday, when he lay motionless for over five minutes and was taken off the field on a gurney. Anderson suffered a cervical sprain and later rejoined the team at the airport.

QB Jeff Hostetler suffered a concussion sometime during the second half—no one is quite sure when—and played much of the half in a daze before Billy Joe Hobert finally replaced him on the final series.

Sunday, December 15, 1996

The Raiders were eliminated from any playoff chances today when they lost, 24-19, to Denver and Indianapolis beat Kansas City by an identical score.

Eight Raiders were stricken with the flu within the 24 hours immediately preceding the game, including DT Chester McGlockton, DE Lance Johnstone, and C Barret Robbins. Only Robbins didn't start, but still, many of the Raiders were at less than full strength.

That's not why they lost, though. It was more familiar stuff: an incredible twenty—yes, 20—penalties (a new team record), turnovers, at least five dropped passes by Rickey Dudley, poor pass protection, dumb playcalling, little or no pressure on John Elway, etc.

One injury note: FS Eddie Anderson appeared to sustain a serious injury to either his head or neck and lay immobile on the field for a number of minutes before finally being taken off on a gurney.

Saturday, December 14, 1996

Raiders: Out: CB Larry Brown (heel), CB James Trapp (shoulder); Questionable: WR Olanda Truitt (hamstring); Probable: S Eddie Anderson (hamstring), T Robert Jenkins (knee), DE Lance Johnstone (groin).

Broncos: Out: T Gary Zimmerman (shoulder); Probable: QB John Elway (hamstring).

Here's more interesting analysis from yesterday's The Sports Xchange preview of Sunday's game:

The Raiders announced four of the players who will be inactive for Sunday's game: CBs James Trapp and Larry Brown, RB Tim Hall, and DT La'Roi Glover. Also likely to be deactivated is WR Olanda Truitt, who has a pulled hamstring but did some running Friday.

DE Anthony Smith, who has a history of big games against Elway and the Broncos, may be activated for the game.

Friday, December 13, 1996

Coach Mike White complained yesterday that Raiders Greg Biekert and Derrick Fenner were passed over in the Pro Bowl selections.

Speaking of Biekert, White said, "I can't think of a guy who has had better performances. He's a guy who gets lost in the shuffle." Biekert is second on the Raiders with 83 tackles.

"In my opinion, he's better than Junior Seau. He does things right, down after down. If Junior Seau played for us, he couldn't do the things Greg does. If you give me my choice of linebackers in this conference, I'd take Greg."

White also called Fenner, who has scored seven touchdowns, unheralded. "When you look at the fullback position, he's the same guy as Kimble Anders," White said, referring to the Chiefs player who was chosen to start in the Pro Bowl. "Derrick's a very good blocker, plus he runs effectively and is a very good receiver."

Chester McGlockton, meanwhile, was his usual less-than-diplomatic self when asked why teammate Steve Wisniewski was left off the team.

"He's a great player, but I wouldn't want to play against him because I don't know if I'd finish the game with Wiz," McGlockton said.

"He's a tough competitor, but some of the things he does I can't condone. I'm glad he's on my team and not somebody else's team."

Speaking of Whittingham, Raider defensive players have nothing but praise for him. Whittingham, then the linebackers coach, reluctantly took over the coordinator's reins following the abrupt departure of John Fox. The players credit him with 1) gradually stepping up the aggressive mode of attack, 2) listening to their suggestions, 3) lending the personal touch and 4) maintaining confidence in their abilities.

"He doesn't claim to know it all," said CB Albert Lewis. "He listens to input and I can't emphasize how important that is. I think when you do that, players naturally assume more responsibility."

"Being a knowledgeable coach sometimes is not as important as just your ability to relate to people. So many times players don't get the message because they are concentrating too much on the method."

John Elway may have a tender hamstring, but Fred Whittingham isn't counting on it in his preparations for Sunday's showdown at Piled High.

"If he's going to play, instinctively he's going to run," Whittingham said. "It's ingrained in him. His coaches can tell him, 'We don't want you running. We want you to throw the ball away.' But that's not going to work. We're preparing for Elway just like he's a healthy Elway. He'll pull the ball down and run."

The Raider pass rushers will have to maintain discipline and stick to their lanes.

FS Eddie Anderson, who's lost his starting job to Darren Carrington, is frustrated. Although he insists he's 100%, the Raiders apparently disagree. Last week he was used only on special teams, in part to see how well he could run.

"It's been a frustrating year," said Anderson, 33 and in his 11th season. "It feels like everything has gone against me. But as long as Darren is doing well, I'm happy. I'm going to have to sit down when I get healthy and the season is over and figure out whether I'll be back here next season. Right now, it's just frustrating."

Thursday, December 12, 1996

Today's San Francisco Examiner has a complimentary article on reserve CB Carl Kidd, who will play a key role Sunday with both Larry Brown and James Trapp out for the season. Realizing he would have to wait to get a shot at playing time on the corner, Kidd dedicated himself to trying to become a demon on special teams.

"My goal was to come in here and open up some people's eyes, to prove that I'm taking the game seriously," said Kidd. "I knew I could do that on special teams. I told myself if I couldn't do it as a cornerback, at least I could make a difference there. I decided I wanted to make the Pro Bowl as a special teams guy."

Kidd plays on all four special teams units and is second in both tackles and kickoff return average. Coach Mike White calls Kidd the team's most valuable special teams player.

The Pro Bowl selections were announced today, and included two Raiders: WR Tim Brown and DT Chester McGlockton. McGlockton was elected to a starting role; Brown wasn't.

Past winners who were passed over this year included G Steve Wisniewski, whose string of consecutive appearances ended at 6, and CB Terry McDaniel, whose string was broken at 4. Both Wiz and T-Mac were named as alternates.

The Raiders suffered another devastating blow to their already depleted secondary when CB James Trapp underwent surgery yesterday to repair cartilage damage in the shoulder he dislocated on November 24th. He will require a three-month rehabilitation and will be placed on injured reserve.

Already gone for the rest of this season is Larry Brown, originally projected to be a starter this year at the corner.

Second-year CB Carl Kidd now becomes the regular nickel back and can expect to see plenty of John Elway passes thrown his way Sunday. The dime back will presumably be recently signed Perry Carter, who has virtually no NFL regular-season experience.

Coach Mike White said of Kidd, "A veteran quarterback like John (Elway) will look things over and try to take advantage. Carl's really been improving. His lack of experience has been exposed at times, but he's improving."

Although Harvey Williams was a surprise starter at running back Monday night against the Chiefs, White said Napoleon Kaufman will return as the starter when the Raiders visit Denver.

White said it was Kaufman's idea to let Williams start against Kansas City, his former team.

Finally, this shocker—John Elway's hamstring has magically healed enough that he'll start Sunday.

Did anyone seriously believe that Shorty Shanahan wouldn't start Elway against Oakland?

Wednesday, December 11, 1996

Broncos: Out: T Gary Zimmerman (shoulder); Probable: QB John Elway (hamstring).

Speaking of Denver QB John Elway's tender hamstring, coach Mike White said, "There's no question if he's limited in his running, it helps us. But we've got to prepare for John to be his old self."

Denver coach Mike "Shorty" Shanahan—who has never forgiven Al Davis for firing him—has said the Donks will play all-out to win Sunday, then rest many of their starters in the season finale against San Diego.

Let's hope Shorty's hatred for the Raiders comes to the same end as did Marty Schottenheimer's!

White had some interesting comments in his press conference. For one thing, he hopes to give Napoleon Kaufman more carries Sunday.

"I really feel good about the running-back thing," White said. "The combination is working. When you have a guy like Napoleon who is productive, it goes without saying you'd like to get the ball in his hands more. Depending on how the game goes, we'll do it."

RB Harvey Williams averaged less than two yards per carry Monday night. White defended Williams, saying that the low average was partly because Kansas City often stacked the line of scrimmage in the second half, with the Raiders trying to protect their lead. White neglected to point out, however, that Williams started the game and played the first two series, and wasn't particularly productive then, either.

White also said Darren Carrington may have supplanted Eddie Anderson as the starter at free safety. Anderson has been troubled the last two seasons with chronic hamstring pulls.

"I think Eddie was very disappointed he didn't start," White said. "We just felt comfortable with Darren and the way he played in the previous game (against Miami). And we had not seen Eddie do anything totally full speed."

White was also asked what makes the team's current three-game winning streak any different from their previous three-game streak, which was followed by three straight losses.

"I don't think the players would allow that to happen," said White. "I believe their preparation and their sense of urgency is there. If someone out-executes us in one area, the rest of the team makes up for it. This is a much more cohesive team. It's the mental aspect that holds us together and, hopefully, will continue to do that."

Here's an ironic anecdote from the Pro Sports XChange notes this week on the Raiders:

Tuesday, December 10, 1996

Not all the Squaws were gracious losers after being thumped last night by the Raiders.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer was asked whether QB Rich Gannon, who completed only 12 of 33 passes for 88 yards, one TD and one interception, had been overmatched against the Raider defense.

"Not at all. I never had that sense," replied Schottenheimer, adding quite firmly that there would not be another change in quarterbacks.

Gannon, asked whether the Raiders had the best pass rush and secondary coverage he'd seen this year, replied, "Oh, I wouldn't say that."

Derrick Fenner had a very productive game for the Raiders. Fenner's block on Kansas City LB Derrick Thomas helped spring RB Napoleon Kaufman on his 45-yard run in the first quarter.

"I was coming in motion and I was supposed to get the safety," Fenner said. "But Derrick came out wide with me so I stayed in front of him, jabbing him, jabbing him, jabbing him, and Napoleon made a good run."

Fenner said he didn't even see Kaufman's moves. "I just saw a flash fly by me," Fenner said. "The guy's so quick you don't see much of him."

Fenner also talked about his 23-yard touchdown reception in the 3rd quarter. Fenner came out of the backfield, sprinted down the right sideline and caught the ball at the 1 in perfect stride.

"At halftime, I told Larry Kennan I can beat my guy on an 'out and up.' In the first half I was running out to the flat and they weren't really paying too much attention to me. So when they called that play, I knew it was coming to me."

There was lots of locker room banter after the game about DT Chester McGlockton, who came to play Monday night. McGlockton had 4 tackles, two sacks, and caused a safety when Rich Gannon intentionally grounded a pass in the end zone while under a fierce rush from Big Chester. McGlockton even defensed a pass after dropping back in a zone blitz.

Fellow DT Jerry Ball said, "Before every game, Pat Swilling and I ask Chester if he feels good. If Chester feels good and he's ready to play, he's going to make things a heck of a lot easier for guys like me and Pat and Russell Maryland. We're going to be free for one-on-ones because they're going to double up Chester to try and slow him down."

S Eddie Anderson added, "Chester got riled up this week because he knows they're ready to make the picks for the Pro Bowl. He wanted to put up some numbers tonight to make guys think even more about him."

Owner Al Davis said that former Raiders coach John Madden, in attendance Monday night, stopped by Davis' box with six minutes left in the game and said, "We got it."

To which Davis replied, "If we ever did that to you with six minutes left, you'd be furious. You'd be ranting and yelling."

Denver backup QB Bill Musgrave made his pro debut subbing for John Elway (hamstring) in last Sunday's 41-6 crushing at Green Bay. Coach Mike Shanahan refused to blame Musgrave. "I don't care who our quarterback was," said Shanahan. "John Elway would have gotten killed in that football game. It's not fair to Bill to evaluate him from that performance because it takes 11 guys going in the same direction."

Denver has said they'll see how Elway's hamstring feels after Wednesday's practice, then make a decision whether to start him Sunday against the Raiders at Piled High.

Monday, December 9, 1996

Late update: Leo Araguz has been chosen to do the team's punting as well as hold on field goal and PAT attempts.

All-Pro DT Chester McGlockton has organized a guns-for-tickets exchange in an attempt to help counter rising urban violence, particularly by and among kids.

"You sit at home and you watch the news. I saw one day where a kid was suspended for carrying a gun to school and another kid shot a family member," McGlockton said, his voice filling with emotion as he slowly shook his head. "I'm going to turn in my two guns. It's sad to say this, but it's a major issue and it's something we all have to do."

The tickets-for-guns exchange will take place Dec. 21 at the Oakland Coliseum. The Chester McGlockton Foundation and the Raiders are offering two tickets to the regular-season finale the following day against Seattle to anyone who brings an unloaded firearm in a box to the Coliseum. The weapons will be turned over to the Oakland Police.

Teammates including Tim Brown and Jeff Hostetler will join McGlockton in signing autographs at the event.

Reserve S and special teams standout Dan Land relates a story about the officiating in the Raiders' first game with Kansas City in September.

"It was unbelievable," said Land, who complained twice to the officials that LB Greg Manusky was holding him on Kansas City kick returns. "They come in there and grab you and throw you down like you're in a wrasslin' match. The ref's standing right there, so after the play I asked him, 'Can he do that?' The ref said, 'Well, I didn't think he had his hands on you.' And I said, 'What do you mean? He slammed me down like we were wrasslin'."

"When we do something like that, it's a flag. I don't know if they're being biased, or if they have something against the Raiders. You don't want to think that. You can't worry about the referees. But when stuff like that happens, you start looking at them sideways, you think 'Wait a minute, there's something going on.' This is supposed to be a game of competition, not a game of favoritism."

There's been lots of coverage the past week on Marty Schottenheimer's tactics in preparing his team for games with the Raiders. Much of the description comes from former Chief Harvey Williams, who makes no secret of his resentment at the way he was treated by Schottenheimer.

"Marty doesn't want to lose to the Raiders," Williams said. "He has no respect for this organization. . . . Trust me, Marty believes the Chiefs can beat the Raiders any day of the week."

Asked about Schottenheimer's pep talks during what Kansas City calls "Raiders Week," Williams replied, "Marty does it the old-fashioned way—he jumps up, he screams, he cries. He could win an Oscar."

Sunday, December 8, 1996

Given a 24-hour reprieve by the NFL "in the interests of the League," the Raiders just managed to sell out by Saturday's 6:00 p.m. deadline and avert a local blackout of tomorrow's showdown with Kansas City. Actually, it's a sellout in name only, since Kansas City won't use some of its allotted block of tickets.

It was a great day for the Raiders' playoff hopes. Prior to today, Oakland needed to win all three of its remaining games and get one loss each from Houston, San Diego, and Indianapolis. The Raiders would then qualify for the AFC's final wild card berth on the basis of the best conference record.

It was also a great day because the San Francisco Whiners were beaten for the second time this year by Carolina, putting Carolina (10-4) into first place in the NFC West by virtue of its head-to-head advantage over the Whiners (also 10-4).

Saturday, December 7, 1996

The NFL yesterday extended the Raiders' deadline for avoiding a local TV blackout of Monday night's game after the team failed to meet the normal 72-hour deadline, which would have been Friday at 6:00 p.m. The Raiders now have until today at 6:00 p.m. to sell the remaining tickets.

OFMA, user-friendly as always, did not return phone calls yesterday about how many tickets remain unsold.

The Raiders have now changed their plans relative to the kicking game. Whether or not newly signed punter Leo Araguz wins this week's competition with Billy Joe Hobert, he will get a roster spot and will hold for K Cole Ford on field goal and extra point tries.

Hobert's happy with that. "I stink at holding," he said. "I take a snap and I think more about how I'd kick than I do about holding the ball right."

The Raiders may also wait until the weekend before deciding who will do the punting.

Kansas City DE Neil Smith, a five-time Pro-Bowler who has given the Raiders fits in the past, is not having his usual caliber of season. He has just 4 ½ sacks through 13 games, a pace that will produce his worst sack season since his rookie season of 1988.

"When you can't reach personal goals, what you have to do is help the team reach its goals," said Smith. "I think I'm contributing to that." In the last three games, Smith has totals of five tackles, six QB pressures and no sacks. On Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, he was not credited with a tackle.

There were no changes in the league's final injury report from Wednesday's preliminary version.

The Raiders' defensive secondary fully expects to go to war Monday night with Kansas City's receivers. The Squaws have been repeatedly criticized by opponents this season for taking cheap shots at opposing DBs. Denver CB (and ex-Raider) Lionel Washington suffered a partial ligament tear in his knee and missed a month earlier this year after sustaining a behind-the-back block to the knees by DB-WR Dale Carter.

Most teams normally try not to give their upcoming opponent "bulletin board material" during the week preceding the game, but the bad blood between these two teams runs so deep that Raiders players have thrown tact and diplomacy out the door.

"When you play those guys, you know it's going to be a physical game," FS Eddie Anderson said. "They're going to cut you, go for your knees, and they're going to set you up for the play-action passes. The thing is, you have to take them on, and not let it get to the point where you're thrown out of a game. It can come to that with those guys because they're a dirty team."

FS Darren Carrington sounded off too. "They've always been a dirty team to me," said Carrington. "They play hard, but then they do that cheap stuff, like hitting you from behind on your knees. If a guy is standing there and you know it's illegal to hit him, and you hit a guy in the back of the legs anyway, you tell me what that says. It's one thing to try to make a play. It's another when you're endangering a guy's career."

Friday, December 6, 1996

Coach Mike White refused to discuss the condition of any of the injured Raiders yesterday.

He also sidestepped a question about the Squaws' dirty tactics, e.g., their receivers blocking defensive backs at the knees. "I just see them as aggressive players," White said.

Meanwhile, OFMA officials said yesterday that game tickets were still available.

The press has made much of the fact that backup QB Rich Gannon has replaced Steve Bono as Kansas City's starter in an effort to jump-start their sagging offense. FS Eddie Anderson doesn't see a lot of significance in the change, though.

"I just don't think either one of those guys will beat you," said Anderson. "They just play within the scheme. They have a defense that creates turnovers that they score off of. They have the game's best third-down back in Marcus (Allen) and they run it well. Field position. Defense. Special teams. That's how they beat you. I don't think the quarterback has anything to do with it."

Thursday, December 5, 1996

Late update: Here's the league's preliminary injury report for Sunday's game:

Chiefs: Out: LB Tony Richardson (wrist); Questionable: T John Alt (back), DE John Browning (shoulder), TE Reggie Johnson (ankle), DT Keith Taylor (shoulder); Probable: CB Darren Anderson (knee).

Raiders: Out: CB Larry Brown (heel); Questionable: CB James Trapp (shoulder); Probable: T Robert Jenkins (knee), DE Anthony Smith (elbow).

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later once the Raiders began allowing non-PSL holders to purchase single game tickets.

A Sacramento couple who hold PSLs has sued the team in Small Claims Court, demanding a full refund of their PSL fees and associated costs (they also paid to join the Silver and Black Club). They argue the club defrauded them by reneging on its contract to sell season tickets only to those who first purchased Personal Seat Licenses.

The case is one of about a dozen such actions currently pending. The couple has put out a request over the Internet for any other Raiders fans interested in joining a possible class action suit.

"We're expecting other people upset with the marketing association may also file suits," said Lisa Nunn. She said OFMA offered them free tickets for the year in a section of the ballpark that doesn't require membership in the Silver and Black Club in exchange for dropping the suit, but she and her husband refused.

The Raiders signed 26-year-old free agent P Leo Araguz yesterday, but it was not immediately clear whether he'll see action against Kansas City. He'll compete in practice against Billy Joe Hobert, and the team will decide at the end of the week who will do the kicking. Playing for the Rhein Fire, Araguz led the World League in net punting with a 37.9-yard average in 1996.

Coach Mike White was pleased with Hobert's punting last Sunday against Miami. "He just takes everything as it comes," White said. "On that one punt (that went almost straight up) he dropped the point of the ball on his toe. That might have really crushed some guys, but he just laughed. He came off the field and said, 'My drop was bad. Don't worry about it'."

White added that he isn't concerned that having Hobert punt would detract from his work as the No. 2 quarterback. "Actually, we think he's been improving every week," said White, "although most of the work he and David Klingler do every week is impersonating John Elway or Dan Marino, or whatever quarterback we're going to face."

If Hobert does become the regular punter, Cole Ford would be his backup and Jeff Hostetler would be the holder on field goals and PATs.

Injury update: CB James Trapp, who dislocated his shoulder against Tampa Bay, is still bothered by the injury and was held out of practice. FB Derrick Fenner has a leg bruise but is practicing and expected to play Monday night.

New Raider and ex-Chief CB Perry Carter gave the team a motivational speech yesterday about his former team. Carter played briefly with Kansas City last season and was a member of its practice squad this year before he was released.

"The Chiefs always feel they match up with the Raiders well except for (Oakland's speed). Therefore, they had to do something to get the guys hyped," said Carter. "Basically, I just told the players here how the Chiefs felt. Harvey and Albert can tell you the same, but I just wanted to reiterate some things."

Carter said that during the week of practice for the Raiders, there are a few must-dos on the Chiefs' agenda. One is an impassioned speech from coach Marty Schottenheimer. Another, he said, is pasting the Raiders insignia on tackling dummies.

"I don't know what the deal is," Carter said of Schottenheimer's unstated reason for his dislike of the Raiders. "But ever since I've been there, he's supposedly been the guy who started the Raider-hater week."

In his post-game press conference earlier this week, White had particular praise for MLB Greg Biekert.

"Miami likes to run Karim Abdul-Jabbar to the outside and let him find a crease, but Biekert was able to run him down. That really shut down their running game. Greg was also responsible for coordinating our blitzes and adjusting to the formation, and Miami runs quite a few different formations."

White also was pleased with TE Rickey Dudley's performance. "Like any quarterback, Jeff (Hostetler) will go to the guy who's making the plays. Dudley caught a couple of balls early, so Jeff kept going to him. But the best thing about Dudley's game was his blocking. He made a big block to clear a hole for Derrick Fenner on our first touchdown."

White explained why RB Joe Aska has vanished from the Raiders' offensive plans lately. "He's still not completely healthy. The last game he was back covering kicks but he's had a hard time coming back from an ankle injury. Plus, the other backs (Harvey Williams, Napoleon Kaufman and Derrick Fenner) are all healthy now. It's a combination of things, but he understands."

Finally, the Raiders think that two of the pass interference penalties called against CB Carl Kidd on Sunday were highly questionable. They're considering sending tapes of those plays to the NFL.

Wednesday, December 4, 1996

According to today's Chronicle, the Raiders are close to signing punter Leo Araguz, who led the World League in punting last season for the Rhein Fire.

Araguz was on his way to Oakland yesterday. His agent, Steve Weinberg, was unsure whether the Raiders planned to put Araguz on their 53-man roster or their practice squad. Coach Mike White has said the team might keep Billy Joe Hobert as its punter for the last three games of the season.

Araguz, 26, has no regular-season NFL experience, although he has tried out with Carolina, Miami and San Diego. He punted in college at Stephen F. Austin.

The apparent choice of Araguz comes as something of a surprise. Speculation on a possible replacement punter had centered on Mike Saxon, who has 11 seasons of NFL experience.

Monday, December 2, 1996

Late update: New punter Rich Camarillo was right to feel nervous about his job security after injuring himself in pre-game warmups yesterday and being unable to punt. He was waived late today by the Raiders.

Coach Mike White said the club has not yet decided whether to sign another punter to replace Camarillo, or to go with Billy Joe Hobert. But White said it could be risky going into the game next Monday night against Kansas City with only Hobert having punting skills.

"I think the thing you've got to consider is you need two punters," White said. "Do you want to go into a game with only one punter?"

If the Raiders decide to sign another punter, White said they probably would not hold additional tryouts, but rather would select one of the other four punters who auditioned along with Camarillo last week. In that case, the leading candidate would be Mike Saxon, who has played for Dallas, New England and Minnesota. Saxon, who has played in 11 NFL seasons, was by far the most experienced of the other punters who tried out last week.

Although the entire Raiders defense played well yesterday, 36-year-old CB Albert Lewis deserves the game ball. He had an interception, two more near-interceptions, seven tackles, and five deflections.

"He ran around out there like a 25-year-old," DE Aundray Bruce said after the game. "The guys on the line are involved with our own stuff, but we can always hear Albert back there helping the other guys in the secondary, tipping them off to things. He's like another coach on the field."

Newly signed punter Rich Camarillo managed to strain his groin in yesterday's warmups, forcing backup QB Billy Joe Hobert to do the team's punting. Hobert performed well, averaging 41.7 yards per punt even despite one effort that turned into a 25-yard pop fly when he dropped the ball onto his foot end-first. Hobert managed to draw a roughing the kicker penalty to boot (pun intended).

Hobert also gets the ball away quickly on his punts. This observer saw Miami put a full-scale rush on him at least twice, but Hobert never got rattled.

Not only was Camarillo unable to punt, he screwed up the hold for K Cole Ford's first field goal try, turning the laces on the ball to the side rather than forward. Not an auspicious beginning . . .

"I don't know what's going to happen," Camarillo said. "He (Hobert) punted very well. I was in Phoenix with Tom Tupa in a similar situation and now he's an NFL punter (in New England). I don't know what Billy Joe's future is as a QB, but if he keeps working at it as a punter he can turn out to be a pretty good one too."

Added Camarillo, who until yesterday had never missed a game in his 15-year career, "This has to be the most disappointing thing to happen to me in my career. Obviously, getting cut (from Detroit, his last team) wasn't good, but to come here to punt and then get hurt, believe me, you don't know how frustrating that is."

As for Hobert, he said he'll take quarterback, thank you. "I can play quarterback," he said. "Really, I can."

FS Eddie Anderson suited up but did not play. He'd gotten a clean bill of health to participate, but the coaches decided it was more important to rest him for the December 9 showdown with Kansas City.

Tim Brown, in addition to catching 5 passes, passed Vai Sikahema for the NFL's career punt return record. He now has 293.

Negatives in an otherwise excellent team performance: QB Jeff Hostetler was sacked 4 times again (for the fourth straight game), and the Raiders drew 11 penalties.

Miami coach Jimmy Johnson, furious at his team's effort, had little to say after the game. His postgame remarks, taped and then timed, ran all of 48 seconds.

Sunday, December 1, 1996

There was widespread confusion yesterday because OFMA, which sells the tickets for Raiders games, made no announcement Friday evening. Sunday games must normally sell out by the preceding Thursday at 1:00 p.m., but the league had granted an extension until Friday because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Friday night OFMA said it would make an announcement yesterday, and oddly, OFMA ads for tickets were still running on the television well after the 5:00 p.m. Friday deadline had passed. Even as late as yesterday afternoon the local NBC affiliate, KRON-TV, was saying it did not know if it would be able to carry the game.

Saturday, November 30, 1996

This morning's San Jose Mercury News claims that OFMA refused to state last night whether the Raiders had sold out Sunday's game in time to avoid a blackout.

This observer, however, saw a television ad last night about 6:30 p.m. PST which said tickets were still available. The ad ran on KRON-TV, the local NBC affiliate which would televise the game.

It now seems likely that DT Chester McGlockton will play in tomorrow's game. McGlockton practiced both Thursday and Friday. FS Eddie Anderson will be available, too, although it's unclear whether he or Darren Carrington will start.

CB James Trapp, who dislocated his shoulder last week, will not play and was designated as inactive for the game. The other Raiders named to the preliminary inactive list were T Robert Jenkins, RB Tim Hall, and CB Larry Brown.

Miami: Out: RB Jerris McPhail (arm); Questionable: G Keith Sims (knee), S Louis Oliver (ribs); Probable: LB Dwight Hollier (knee), RB Bernie Parmalee (shoulder), RB Stanley Pritchett (ankle).

Oakland: Out: CB Larry Brown (heel), P Jeff Gossett (ribs-injured reserve); Questionable: T Robert Jenkins (knee), DT Chester McGlockton (hamstring), DE Anthony Smith (elbow), CB James Trapp (shoulder); Probable: RB Joe Aska (ankle), DE Lance Johnstone (groin).

Friday, November 29, 1996

The Raiders failed to sell all the remaining tickets to Sunday's game by 1:00 p.m. today, so the Miami game will be blacked out in the Bay Area.

Miami coach Jimmy Johnson will shake up his secondary in the wake of last Monday night's loss to Pittsburgh. That game's critical play occurred when FS Louis Oliver ran into the Dolphins' best DB, CB Terrell Buckley, knocking him out of his coverage and allowing the game-winning touchdown by Pittsburgh. Oliver has been demoted and rookie Sean Hill will start in his place, with Shawn Wooden moving to strong safety.

In the past six games, four teams—Pittsburgh, Houston, New England and Philadelphia—have thrown touchdowns in Oliver's area. Average length of the touchdowns: 25 yards.

"Louis has really done some outstanding things for us," Johnson said. "I've bragged on him all year long. But sometimes it gets down to the fact that it's not who makes the most great plays, it's who makes the fewest bad plays. There comes a point in time where you have to say, hey we can't give up the big play anymore."

Thursday, November 28, 1996

In a move that was expected, the Raiders placed injured punter Jeff Gossett on injured reserve yesterday and signed Rich Camarillo to replace him. Camarillo, who has a strong leg and has also been a holder for field goal attempts, was a salary cap casualty at Detroit in the pre-season.

Gossett's strength is kicking for the corners, but this year new special teams coach Rusty Tillman wanted to try to create turnovers with his punting team, so Gossett was told to kick straight away. While he still got good hang time on his punts, his declining leg strength was reflected in his distance—he ranked last in the NFL with an average of 39.7 yards per punt. He will also turn 40 in January.

The roster move ends Gossett's personal string of continuous NFL games at 140. Only the incomparable Ray Guy has punted for Oakland for more years. Guy played for 14 years (1973-86).

As for Camarillo, when he makes his first appearance with the Raiders, he will be playing in his 16th NFL season—tying the record for punters set in the 1960's and 1970's by Kansas City's Jerrel Wilson.

Camarillo, who will be 37 tomorrow, is well aware he's no spring chicken. "If I do well, it's definitely an opportunity that's going to help me," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be good enough to land the job for next year."

Said Gossett: "That's too far away. I'd like to think I can come back. I'm confident I can still punt in this league and do things other guys can't."

"The key was finding a veteran," commented coach Mike White. "(Camarillo's) history of consistency and punting quickly were the deciding factors." Ever the diplomat, White added that Gossett's NFL career is not necessarily at an end: "We'll talk about it and see what his desires are. He's not washed up. He's a good athlete. He can continue to punt in this league."

Camarillo, whose 15-year career has included stints with four other NFL teams and five All-Pro seasons, spent this season at his home in Phoenix, waiting for the phone to ring. It suddenly sprung to life this week; he worked out for Washington on Monday and with the Raiders on Tuesday.

"The new punter was asked by reporters about his running ability. "I already told them I'm not running the ball," he said, smiling. "I'll throw, but I can't run."

"I did it once for New England and got drilled," Camarillo said. "Of course, if they told me to do it, I would. But I run straight up, and I'm not very fast."

QB Jeff Hostetler had an immediate question for Camarillo. "The first thing I asked him was whether he was able to hold for kicks," Hostetler said. (Camarillo will be the new holder.) "It's a thankless job I'd rather not have."

G Kevin Gogan and T Pat Harlow were each fined $5,000 by the NFL yesterday. The league assessed the fine against Gogan for one of two chop block penalties he drew last Sunday. (Replays clearly showed that the second call was erroneous.) Harlow was fined for a late hit.

Both players said they will appeal. Both also have the backing of Mike White, who left himself open to disciplinary action by criticizing the league's policy on fines, in particular where it concerns the Raiders.

"It's a travesty," White said. "Two players were fined for part of a game that is supposed to be administered by an officiating crew." White is complaining that the game officials, not league administrators, should have the last say on the seriousness of a penalty. As an example, White pointed out that the Raiders later were told that the officiating crew admitted one of Gogan's chop blocks was legal. It also was disclosed that a penalty whistled against Jeff Hostetler for passing beyond the line of scrimmage was incorrect.

White said it has become obvious that the league has "a mind-set" and practices "unfair scrutiny" in officiating Oakland's games.

Gogan insisted that the chop block he is being fined for was not intentional. Said an equally perplexed Harlow, "It's guilt by association."

The Raiders still had 4000 tickets unsold for Sunday as of yesterday afternoon. The league's normal deadline of 1:00 p.m. Thursday to avoid a home blackout has been extended an additional 24 hours because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Miami: Out: RB Jerris McPhail (arm). Doubtful: G Keith Sims (knee). Questionable: S Louis Oliver (ribs). Probable: RB Bernie Parmalee (shoulder); RB Stanley Pritchett (ankle).

Oakland: Out: CB Larry Brown (heel); P Jeff Gossett (ribs). Questionable: T Robert Jenkins (knee); DT Chester McGlockton (hamstring); DE Anthony Smith (elbow); CB James Trapp (shoulder). Probable: RB Joe Aska (ankle); DE Lance Johnstone (groin).

Wednesday, November 27, 1996

P Jeff Gossett has not one broken rib but four, X-rays revealed, and he's out indefinitely. The Raiders, hoping to leave Billy Joe Hobert free to concentrate on the backup QB job, brought a group of five punters in for tryouts yesterday: Mike Saxon, Leo Araguz, Brian Grabert, Rich Camarillo and Brian Greenfield.

Sunday's game will be the first that the 39-year-old Gossett has missed in his 15-year NFL career.

As for DT Chester McGlockton, who in the past has been known to rag on injured teammates, he's says he's learned a lesson.

"I gave them a hard time, and now I'm getting it back," said McGlockton, who is listed as questionable for Sunday. "I just won't say anything about anyone else's injury the rest of my life."

Owner Al Davis gave his annual press conference yesterday, and as usual it was less than than a public relations triumph. Davis ridiculed the PSL concept and blamed OFMA for the ticket mess. He had little to say about the team's on-field performance or coaching situation.

Davis said at yesterday's press conference that 5000 to 6000 tickets remained unsold for Sunday's game with Miami. The team must sell out by 1:00 p.m. tomorrow in order to avoid another home television blackout.

Tuesday, November 26, 1996

Injury update: The list of Raider wounded was expanded yesterday. Punter Jeff Gossett definitely suffered a broken rib. DT Chester McGlockton pulled his right hamstring. He unsure of his status for this Sunday's game; "I put it in the Lord's hands," said McGlockton.

Perhaps the most critical injury came in the Raiders' already-depleted secondary when CB James Trapp suffered a dislocated shoulder. Trapp declined to discuss his injury.

Finally, the Raiders clarified that FS Eddie Anderson, who was inactive Sunday, is now troubled by the opposite hamstring from the one which bothered him early in the season. Anderson has now missed time this year because of a torn triceps muscle and pulls to both hamstrings

QBs coach Larry Kennan had a rough time Sunday. After feeling faint several times, he became dehydrated early in the fourth quarter, walked to the bench, and sat down. Trainers had to give him intravenous fluids.

The Raiders finally showed a willingness to take the occasional risk in their play-calling against Seattle. They tried a fake punt from their own 28-yard line in the first quarter, and they went for it (successfully), rather than taking the field goal, on a 4th-and-2 at the Seattle 10. Mike White later said the team had prepared four different fake plays.

"We went into this game with the idea that we were going to kind of let everything hang out," White said after the game. "We sold our players on that idea. They have the kind of attitude that they like it put back on them to make the plays."

The defense also blitzed more often than in the past. "We had a lot of blitzes going defensively. We kind of left our corners out on the island (by themselves)."

Although the blitzes backfired at times—Joey Galloway's 40- and 42-yard catches both came on blitzes which Galloway and QB Rich Mirer saw coming—still it was nice to see the team finally take some chances.

White gave some of the credit for Sunday's win to director of squad development and Hall of Famer Willie Brown, who addressed the players Saturday night at the team hotel.

"Willie talked to them about looking in the mirror, as a gauge for you as an individual," White said. "It seemed to hit home. Here's a Hall-of-Fame guy who they respect. That seemed to have an impact on the guys."

Odds and ends: Al Davis will hold a rare press conference today at 11:00 a.m. at the team's Alameda practice facility. There's no specific item on the agenda.

Backup T Rick Cunningham, who caught a TD pass Sunday as the third option in a tackle-eligible situation, missed practice yesterday to join his wife in Arizona, where she was about to give birth.

Monday, November 25, 1996

Injury report: Punter Jeff Gossett suffered bruised—or possibly broken—ribs yesterday running the ball on a fourth-down fake punt play. Billy Joe Hobert, the team's backup punter, handled the punting duties for the remainder of the game, averaging 39.5 yards on two efforts. Jeff Hostetler became the holder on field goal attempts.

Said Hobert about his punting, "It has been years since I've been doing any punting. I'm not going to claim to be any great punter, but I fooled some people for one day."

DE Anthony Smith has undergone an MRI for an elbow injury and watched the game in street clothes.

CB Terry McDaniel, burned twice yesterday on bombs to Seattle WR Joey Galloway—two pass interference penalties were declined when Galloway made the receptions—thinks he did his best.

"Either way, he made great catches," McDaniel said. "And if you give me that route and that position a hundred times, I'll take it a hundred times. I would love to be in that position again."

Rookie TE Rickey Dudley struggled again yesterday, dropping three more passes (five in the past two games).

Hostetler continued to express patience: "It gets frustrating, but I know he's frustrated too. The kid works his butt off."

Said Coach Mike White, "I hate to look into a player's psyche but I think he (Dudley) probably is (tensing up). And he gets banged around," referring to a down-the-middle pattern in the third quarter on which Dudley stopped running, causing Hostetler to overthrow him.

"Rickey got double-teamed but then he failed to complete the route," White said. "I think he's pressing. ... Maybe we have to remind ourselves that Ohio State's season last year was over a lot earlier than what Rickey Dudley is going through right now, or any rookie."

Special teams coach Rusty Tillman, unhappy with the recent play of his units, made several personnel changes yesterday, adding RB Joe Aska and newly promoted S Lamar Lyons. Said White before the game: "We're going to beef up special teams in terms of personnel and enthusiasm."

Yesterday's inactive list: QB David Klingler, RB Tim Hall, TE Marcus Hinton, CB Larry Brown, CB Perry Carter, S Eddie Anderson, T Robert Jenkins, DE Anthony Smith.

Sunday, November 24, 1996

Matchups to watch today: Seattle's running backs against the Raider front seven. If the Raiders can't stop All-Pro RB Chris Warren or his replacement, Lamar Smith, QB Rick Mirer will be able to pick his spots to throw the ball. Mirer did significant damage to the Raiders during his first two seasons.

Warren has been troubled with a bursa sac problem in his knee—the same problem Raider FS Darren Carrington had a few weeks back—and didn't play last week. Smith is no slouch; pressed into action, he responded with 148 yards in 33 carries. He's averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his three-year career.

Late this week, Seattle coach Dennis Erickson indicated that Warren has practiced well enough that he would probably start today. Warren's been having what is for him a sub-par year, however, and Smith may be the more dangerous runner.

Also noteworthy: Pat Harlow, starting at left tackle in place of Robert Jenkins, will have the unenviable task of protecting QB Jeff Hostetler from the AFC's leading pass rusher, Seattle DE Michael Sinclair, who has 9 sacks.

[Note: Oops!! Make that Michael McCrary on Harlow, and Sinclair on Lincoln Kennedy. With that many sacks I would have thought Sinclair lined up at RDE, but he plays the left side.]

Friday, November 22, 1996

The updated NFL injury report shows only one change from Wednesday's preliminary version. DE Pat Swilling has been added as probable. He missed one day of practice earlier this week with a minor toe injury.

Ironically, yesterday's reports of team dissension—the San Francisco Chronicle carried a story similar to that described in the Mercury News—may have had a unifying effect on the Raiders' players. Angered by the story, the team members were especially focused yesterday. Coaches cut the practice short after what Mike White termed an "unusually crisp" session.

Musical chairs: the Raiders waived RB Jerone Davison yesterday and activated S Lamar Lyons from the practice squad for the second time this season. After Davison cleared waivers, he was re-signed to the practice squad.

According to the Chronicle, the Raiders have reversed their thinking about DT Nolan Harrison and he will suit up Sunday after all. The article mentions as one possible reason a previously unreported elbow injury to DE Anthony Smith.

FS Eddie Anderson is almost certainly out for Sunday's game. Darren Carrington will replace him.

DE Aundray Bruce missed a second day of practice to be with his daughter, who is ill in Los Angeles. Bruce is expected to return to practice today.

Thursday, November 21, 1996

As befits a team that almost seems to be trying to tank its season, there have been few articles about the Raiders this week. Yesterday, however, disturbing reports surfaced in the Contra Costa Times, a small suburban newspaper, that the team has once again begun the only too familiar ritual of infighting, finger-pointing and backstabbing that occurred late last season.

According to this morning's editions of the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle, one unnamed front-line player for the team said, "I think we've got to clean house. Your players have to want to play for you and I don't see that." Others players declined to talk to reporters.

Another unnamed Raider is said to have criticized Al Davis' decision to reinstate DE Anthony Smith: "It starts at the top. If you're going to always contradict your coaches and bring back a guy that has been a distraction for two years, what does that say about the person who is, quote, running the team?"

Asked about the troublesome issue of this team's character, coach Mike White, as usual, tried to downplay the problem, saying that disgruntled employees can be found in all walks of life.

"In almost any organization or business you can find someone upset about something," said White. "The thing that hurts me is losing football games."

White also said he does not anticipate any major lineup changes. Ever the optimist in dealing with the press, he said, "We selected these (starters), and we like what we've seen so far." HUHHH?

Responding to the finger-pointing story, in which some unnamed players also reportedly criticized White, Raiders senior executive Bruce Allen brushed it off as the response of a frustrated team. "No one is pointing fingers at Mike," he said. "We point it at ourselves. The attitude in (the locker room) is good." Allen said White's status was a subject he refused to discuss "every time we win or lose a game."

Today's Sacramento Bee confirms what various fans who attended the game had reported on the Raiders Fans Mail List, that during the overtime period of Sunday's game, LB Greg Biekert came to the sideline and screamed at both White and DT Chester McGlockton, who had taken himself out of the game during what turned out to be the game-winning drive by Minnesota.

Biekert later declined to discuss the incident. Mike White did his usual job of spin control, insisting Biekert wasn't angry at McGlockton.

"Greg was concerned about some players who weren't lined up in the right spot," White said. "Greg's a perfectionist. He was bitterly disappointed his teammates were not aligned properly in critical situations."

Amid indications that he will deactivated again for the Seattle game, Nolan Harrison had this to say: "I weigh 272 pounds. If they want me to play out of position, that's one thing. But I don't want to go out there and jeopardize my teammates by doing that. With the kind of defense we run, we can't have small interior linemen. At 272 pounds, I'm a small interior lineman. But I'm a good run-stopping end. But if that's why they're mad at me, then that's how they feel."

Whatever the coaches' reasoning, it's becoming increasingly clear that Harrison's unlikely to be back with the Raiders next year.

Yesterday the Raiders signed free agent CB Perry Carter, 5-11 and 206 pounds, to fill the roster spot of LB Rob Fredrickson, who was put on injured reserve. Drafted in the 4th round (107 overall) by Arizona in 1994, Carter spent most of last year on Kansas City's practice squad, making one tackle in the AFC playoff against the Colts. He played his collegiate ball at Southern Mississippi.

The Seahawks claimed 26-year-old QB Gino Torretta from the San Francisco Whiners and were able to get him in town Wednesday to work as the third quarterback. To make room for him, the Seahawks placed John Friesz on injured reserve.

Seattle WR Brian Blades said he'll work out today and hopes to play Sunday against the Raiders. Blades has a shoulder separation. RB Chris Warren is almost certainly out with a bursa sac problem in his knee.

Raiders: Out: CB Larry Brown (heel), LB Rob Fredrickson (shoulder-injured reserve); Questionable: S Eddie Anderson (hamstring), T Robert Jenkins (knee).

Seahawks: Out: QB John Friesz (knee-injured reserve); Questionable: LB Michael Barber (hamstring), WR Brian Blades (shoulder), CB Dexter Seigler (hamstring), RB Chris Warren (knee).

Tuesday, November 19, 1996

T Robert Jenkins, who had to leave Sunday's night's game when his knees began bothering him, will probably be listed as doubtful for the coming game at Seattle. Pat Harlow came off the bench to replace him against Minnesota and will start at left tackle this Sunday.

Only last week, Raiders coach Mike White had announced that Harlow would be moved back to right tackle, but woeful deficiencies in the pass blocking abilities of Charles McRae appear to have left White no alternative. Harlow had not been active since aggravating a back injury Sept. 22 against San Diego

"I look for Jenkins to have a very slim chance to play, but I don't want to jump the gun," said White yesterday. "That is a significant injury; it's the deterioration of those knees. At this time of year it gets tougher and tougher for him to play."

As for Harlow, "Pat did a good job," White said. "On his first couple (of plays), he thought he was in a revolving door because (Minnesota) put on a good pass rush. But as the game went along, Pat got his legs under him."

White said the reason for deactivating DT-DE Nolan Harrison against Minnesota was that the Raiders wanted to take a look at La'Roi Glover in a game situation.

"Nolan's caught in a tough situation," White said. "He prefers to play end and we feel he should play tackle. It's just the way things have developed."

Harrison was diplomatic if not overjoyed by the decision. "It's disappointing," he said. "For me, it happened for no reason. . . . I'm really happy that La'Roi got a chance to play and he played well. . . . Whoever made the decision to sit me down, I'm sure they had a good reason for it."

White said that for the first time this season, he is genuinely angry at the team for lack of execution.

"This is the first day I'm really mad," he said calmly. "I think the players know it. . . . I've preached over and over the importance of execution in critical games."

"I'm really mad because we've lacked execution in every area. We're letting our season slip away, and we haven't learned that lesson."

Sad news: Harriet Francis, the older sister of RB Joe Aska, died Thursday after suffering a second aneurysm. Aska missed the Minnesota game to be with her at her bedside.

Monday, November 18, 1996

Late update: CB Larry Brown, troubled all season by an injury to the plantar fascia tissue of his foot, will have a cast fitted on it tomorrow to keep the foot immobile. Doctors have told Brown that the injury has worsened; he now has microscopic tears in his Achilles tendon and arch.

"I tried to plant (in the Minnesota game) and it pulled," Brown said today. "We'll be conservative and see if the cast works. I haven't had much time to stay off it and see if time will heal it."

The cast will be on about five weeks. If that doesn't work, Brown could face surgery.

Brown was examined by two foot specialists during the Raiders' bye week in late October. Both doctors recommended immobilizing the foot by placing it in a cast, but Brown continued playing.

Injury update: Three Raiders were unable to finish last night's game. FS Eddie Anderson pulled his hamstring again and was unsure whether he'll be able to play against Seattle this weekend. CB Larry Brown re-aggravated his foot injury, and T Robert Jenkins had to leave the game when his chronically sore knees acted up.

Charles McRae replaced Jenkins in the lineup and immediately gave up a sack. The Raiders quickly pulled McRae and put in Pat Harlow, who went the rest of the way at left tackle.

Seattle starting QB John Friesz cracked the tibia in his right leg yesterday and is out for the season. Backup QB Rick Mirer, the former first-round draft choice whom Seattle tried unsuccessfully to trade to Atlanta for Jeff George earlier this season, becomes the starter again and will face the Raiders this coming Sunday.

The rainstorm that drenched the Bay Area over the weekend caused an electrical outage at the Coliseum early Sunday morning. PG&E workers were able to restore power at about 2:15 p.m. Kickoff was 5 p.m.

The rain caused a short in the Coliseum's electrical system and damaged a transformer. Normally the power source for the Coliseum and the arena are covered. But because of the construction being done at the Arena, the equipment was exposed.

"They were tremendous," Raiders legal counsel Amy Trask said of the 18 PG&E workers assigned to do the repair work. "We invited all the PG&E people who were here to the game, but unfortunately most of them got called away to fix other problems."

Sunday, November 17, 1996

David Humm mentioned on tonight's Raider radio broadcast that T Robert Jenkins is going to need another surgery on the same knee that was 'scoped last summer.

Saturday, November 16, 1996

In a surprising move, the Raiders have deactivated DT-DE Nolan Harrison for tomorrow's game. The other inactive players announced by the Raiders yesterday were RB Tim Hall and FB Jerone Davison.

Although the Raiders expect Derrick Fenner to be able to start at fullback tomorrow, TE Andrew Glover spent most of this week practicing at fullback in case he's needed. In a refreshing change from the grumbling that seems to characterize most of the team this year, Glover's just happy to be getting an opportunity.

"I understand that they need me to block back there," said Glover, who lost the starting job to rookie Rickey Dudley. "Besides, I get a running start at people and I like that. I actually just like playing. With Rickey getting most of the (plays) at tight end, and my being juggled around, just being on the field is nice."

After LB Rob Fredrickson's surgery earlier this week, coach Mike White made a comment about doing things by committee. The meaning of White's statement became a little clearer yesterday.

The Raiders will start Mike Morton in Fredrickson's spot but will also use LB-DE James Folston, a stronger run defender, in short-yardage situations. Folston, thought to have a bright future last year, has been on the inactive list for many of the games this year as he comes back from suffering a broken arm late last season.

Speaking of Morton, defensive coordinator Fred Whittingham said, "He'll fit in. It's tough to lose a guy like Fred, someone who has played consistently and doesn't make mistakes on the field. But right now we expect Mike to zero in on the job and do it well. He's an intelligent kid and he can handle it."

The Chronicle contacted former Raider players and asked them what they thought about this year's team and the penalties it has committed.

"It's unbelievable," said Jim Plunkett. "How could you be offsides eight times? High-school kids don't do that."

Kenny Stabler put it this way: "Give the quarterback some credit for voice inflection, for taking advantage of the intensity of third-and-one. But eight times? No."

The most trenchant comment came from Big Ben Davidson. Davidson played on the 1969 team which set an NFL record with 1,274 yards in penalties.

"There's one big, glaring difference," Davidson said. "They've already lost six games. We lost one."

Friday, November 15, 1996

It's official—Sunday's 5:00 p.m. game will be blacked out in the Bay Area. Some 14,000 seats remained unsold as of yesterday's 5:00 p.m. deadline.

Today's San Jose Mercury News has a feature story on T Pat Harlow, who says he's been healthy for the past two games but hasn't been activated. He's become an expensive backup.

Harlow, who makes $1.4 million, lost his starting left tackle spot to Robert Jenkins ($525,000). Jenkins' backup is Charles McRae ($300,000). Harlow has now been moved back to the right side, according to the article, where he's in competition with starter Lincoln Kennedy and backup Rick Cunningham.

"As an offensive lineman, you lose your timing, you lose your techniques, you lose that edge," said coach Mike White, who hasn't decided whether to activate Harlow for Sunday's game. "It's been hard for him to get it back. Plus, you're way behind in assignments. . . . If he was a five-year player in our system, I think a lot of the mental stuff would be easy. But he's not only had to come back physically and technique-wise, but he's had to come back mentally. It's been tough."

"You hate to disturb the chemistry," said White. "They're working together, they're functioning pretty well. . . . Maybe he was way above those guys. But now with time passing, he just falls back into the competitive mix and there's just not room. The big dilemma is just getting him suited up. He certainly hasn't lost his ability to back somebody up."

RB Joe Aska was excused from practice to go to Oklahoma City, where his older sister is gravely ill after suffering an aneurysm. It's doubtful he'll be available for Sunday's game.

Thursday, November 14, 1996

Late update: FB Derrick Fenner, who didn't practice Wednesday because of an ankle problem, is now listed as questionable for Sunday. TE Andrew Glover would move to fullback if Fenner is unable to play.

LB Rob Fredrickson is out for the season after undergoing surgery today to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. The injury had initially been diagnosed as a dislocation, but Fredrickson found he couldn't lift his arm on Monday morning. An MRI later disclosed the rotator cuff tear.

"The play was a freak thing," coach Mike White said. "He was making a tackle with Jerry Ball on a sweep. The whole pile fell on him and he got caught in an awkward position."

He'll be replaced in the starting lineup by Mike Morton, who was previously listed on the depth chart as the backup to Mike Jones.

"This is huge for me," said Morton, who plays on special teams and filled in for Fredrickson for the remainder of Sunday's game. "It's not the way you'd want to get into this situation, with one of your friends getting hurt, but it is an opportunity for me to get out and show what I can do. It's not really the position I've been working at and playing at, but I'm excited. Anything to get on the field."

Added White, "This is a blow. I don't want to minimize what this means. Fredrickson is one of the best all-around linebackers out there. He's good against the run and can cover backs and tight ends. Now, we'll have to do things a little bit by committee."

Fredrickson has not been placed on injured reserve, which would open up a roster spot. White said no decision has been made on possible roster moves.

The Raiders' running backs aren't exactly thrilled that the team seems to have abandoned its running game lately, and Harvey Williams in particular sounded off about it to reporters yesterday.

"With all the talent that we have back there, you can't say that you don't have any confidence in the players you've got back there running the football. You've got me, Napoleon, Joe Aska. You've just got to call it and stick with it."

FB Derrick Fenner, who has often asked to carry the ball more this year, agreed with Williams.

"We're not running the ball enough, I feel, in certain situations," Fenner said. "But I don't have any control over that. None of us have any control over that. The thing we have to worry about is making the plays work that we have. That's all we're trying to do."

Napoleon Kaufman was the most diplomatic of those who answered reporters' questions. "I'm just to the point where I'm making sure I'm doing my job," said Kaufman, who has only 12 carries since the bye week. "That's what I think about. I don't worry about the plays. I worry about running, receiving, and blocking. I was definitely surprised by what happened on Sunday, but if you're looking for answers, you have to ask the coach."

Minnesota QB Warren Moon will not start Sunday night because of his sore ankle. "Warren can't throw if he doesn't have balance, and he can't defend himself because he can't move," coach Dennis Green said. Brad Johnson will start for the Vikings.

Special teams co-captain Jeff Gossett had some comments this week on those units' play this year.

"I think the kickoff team is playing well and that's it. We haven't gotten our return game going. We just haven't gotten things together yet. It's not the schemes. When you look at the films, there's always one breakdown somewhere that makes the difference. The pressure is on us now. We have to realize the urgency of it."

Commented the San Francisco Examiner, "When Raiders special teams coach Rusty Tillman joined the staff in the offseason, he planned on making an impact. He wanted special teams to win at least four games. He didn't expect that they would help cost the Raiders two thus far."

Both FB Derrick Fenner (ankle) and CB James Trapp (knee) have missed practice time this week.

Wednesday, November 13, 1996

Minnesota coach Dennis Green has named backup QB Brad Johnson as the starter for Sunday's game at the House of Thrills. Warren Moon reinjured his ankle in last weekend's game.

Monday, November 11, 1996

How thoroughly did Tampa Bay dominate yesterday's game? The Bucs held the ball for 48:09 compared to the Raiders' 23:47. Their opening touchdown drive covered 94 yards. Rookie FB Mike Alstott had 54 yards rushing in only 10 attempts—a 5.4 average—and added 67 yards on 8 receptions. The Bucs converted 10 of 16 third down opportunities while the Raiders managed only 2 of 8. And the Bucs won despite committing two costly turnovers.

QB Jeff Hostetler was officially sacked only four times, but early in the fourth quarter, the NBC stats also showed 6 knockdowns and 9 hurries by the Tampa Bay pass rush.

In short, while K Cole Ford's missed field goal at the end of regulation was a heartbreaker, the Raiders were thoroughly beaten on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

The Raiders did their part to lose, too. They committed 12 penalties, including a critical third-down roughing the passer call on DE Aundray Bruce which kept alive the tying drive by Tampa Bay to set the stage for overtime, and eight offsides calls (three on DT Chester McGlockton in the first half alone).

The most incredible gaffe came when, with seven seconds remaining in the first half and the Raiders trying to get into field-goal range, Mike White and Jeff Hostetler talked too long during a timeout and were hit with a delay of game penalty, temporarily taking them out of field goal range. This observer has never seen a similar miscue in 39 years of watching NFL action.

Here's a good question posed by the San Jose Mercury News this morning: "Napoleon Kaufman first carried the ball with 9:13 remaining in the third quarter and picked up 9 yards. What were the Raiders waiting for?"

MLB Greg Biekert had 14 solo tackles yesterday, an indication of just how porous the defensive line was.

Bright spots: CB Terry McDaniel had his 31st career interception, tying him with Vann McElroy for third on the Raiders' all-time list. Willie Brown and Lester Hayes share the record with 39.

In his first action since being reinstated to the team, DE Anthony Smith had a sack and forced a fumble which led to the Raiders' first touchdown.

RB Harvey Williams threw the second halfback-option TD pass of his career, hitting WR James Jett in the end zone following the Smith fumble recovery.

Odds and ends: CB Larry Brown was inactive for the game, still bothered by his heel injury. He acknowledged he may need surgery after the season.

"I know I can't have it during the season," Brown said. "When the season's over, it's a serious consideration. Right now, I don't have time to think about it. They need me on the field."

Starting LT Robert Jenkins' pass blocking was sorely missed yesterday. He missed all but one series with the flu, with third-stringer Charles McRae—a poor pass blocker—replacing him. T Pat Harlow was inactive for the game.

Sunday, November 10, 1996

The Raiders suffered a costly injury in today's game when LB Rob Fredrickson dislocated his right shoulder.

Saturday, November 9, 1996

Buccaneers: Doubtful: TE Jackie Harris (knee); Questionable: DT Brad Culpepper (ankle), WR Alvin Harper (knee), G Jim Pyne (ankle); Probable: TE Dave Moore (abdomen).

CB Albert Lewis will play with a splint on his dislocated right thumb. He injured it against Denver and stayed in the game rather than risk losing a timeout.

It turns out the San Diego Chargers were fined $7,500 by the NFL for improperly inciting crowd noise during the Monday night contest with the Raiders at Jack Murphy Stadium.

The league allows the home team to use game-specific cheers, such as the "Dee-Fense!" cheer often heard at the House of Thrills. The Chumpsters' sin was to flash the words "Get Loud!" repeatedly in an attempt to elevate the needle on the "Noise-O-Meter" display, one of several new game promotions. The NFL forbids methods specifically designed to encourage crowd noise (i.e., "Louder!" or "Let's Hear It!").

Friday, November 8, 1996

According to the media, RB Harvey Williams is accepting his demotion with some grace. Said Williams, who is making $1.16 million this season compared to Kaufman's $807,500, "They're paying me a lot of money, man, so why should I be crying? Joe (Aska) and Napoleon have been doing a hell of a job. They've got the rhythm going so they should keep going to them."

T Pat Harlow, on the other hand, is puzzled that he wasn't at least activated for the Denver game.

"I guess the question really is, am I better than the two guys that are in there?" Harlow said Wednesday. "That's a question for the coaches to figure out and deal with. . . . The thing that they have to be careful about is if they make the move, then I wind up getting hurt again or this thing acts up, what do you do to the confidence of the guy you took out? That's kind of a touchy, delicate situation."

"I know I can play football," he said. "I've played enough that I know what I can and can't do. And (as far as being deactivated against Denver) nothing really surprises me any more."

Wednesday, November 6, 1996

QB Jeff Hostetler is urging the coaches to use the no-huddle offense more often. The strategy has been effective every time the Raiders have tried it this year.

RB Napoleon Kaufman will start Sunday for the third consecutive game. Joe Aska will again see a fair amount of action as FB Derrick Fenner's backup.

Former Raider TE Kerry Cash was signed to a one-year contract by the Chicago Bears Monday. Injuries had left Da Bearsss starting an undrafted free agent at tight end.

Cash, cut by the Raiders in pre-season to free up signing money for rookie Rickey Dudley, was previously signed and then cut by Miami.

Saturday, November 2, 1996

The Broncos are still closely guarding their plan at right cornerback for Monday night's showdown. "That first snap on Monday night on defense, you will know who our starter is," coach Mike Shanahan said. . . . QB John Elway was named AFC offensive player of the month for October. He completed 73 of 111 passes for 935 yards and 10 TDs in three victories.

Friday, November 1, 1996

Monday's game will be a sellout. Fewer than 1000 tickets remained unsold today, and local ABC outlet KGO-TV said it would purchase any tickets remaining as of tonight's 6:00 p.m. deadline.

This will be the first Raider home game to be televised in the Bay Area this season.

Denver: Out: CB Lionel Washington (knee); Probable: G Brian Habib (hip-calf), CB Randy Hilliard (groin), T Gary Zimmerman (shoulder).

According to the San Jose Mercury News, with Denver CB Lionel Washington out for at least two weeks, the Raiders are salivating over the prospects of throwing at his replacement—whoever that may be. With veteran backup Randy Hilliard nursing a groin pull, Denver has two options, both of them rookies: Tory James and Darrius Johnson. The Broncos are said to be leaning toward starting James.

Washington, who also played with the Raiders for 8 seasons, had been playing very well before the injury.

DE Pat Swilling is still looking for that elusive 100th sack. He's been shut out so far this season.

"My game's OK," he said. "I'm a little restless (to get the 100th sack), yeah. Guys in there keep telling me, 'Keep playing. Don't worry about it.' That's the most you can do at this point. That's the worst thing to do is keep worrying about it. I got to a point where I was a little concerned about it, but I look at the film and I'm not doing anything wrong. So, hell, I just keep playing."

Odds and ends: LB Rob Holmberg is a new father. His wife, Diedre, gave birth to their first child last Saturday, an 8-pound, 5-ounce girl they named Madeline Mae.

Other expectant fathers in the Raiders organization are senior assistant Bruce Allen, and quarterbacks Billy Joe Hobert and Alfred Montez.

Coach Mike White said yesterday he's "leaning toward" deactivating T Pat Harlow for the game and, if so, Charles McRae will be activated.

Thursday, October 31, 1996

Napoleon Kaufman will start at running back against Denver on Monday night. Coach Mike White deflected reporters' questions about the status of (former?) starter Harvey Williams, claiming that the decision has no special significance. He said Kaufman has earned the start based on his performance against San Diego.

"Napoleon did a real good job in that (last) game. I think he deserves to start," White said following practice Wednesday. "I hope Harvey understands that. We assume that he does. . . . Harvey could be in by the second play."

"When you have three skilled running backs, I don't think you want to put yourself in a position of saying that (Kaufman starting) is going to be the case the rest of the year, or even the next week."

Raiders executive Al LoCasale, known by fans as "Little Al," is back at work for the first time since undergoing quintuple bypass heart surgery last August. LoCasale, 63, has been with the organization since 1969. He missed only three days work in 1993 after suffering a stroke.

It looks as though the Raiders may finally have their first home sellout of the season for Monday night's game. As of late yesterday, only 2000 tickets remained unsold.

Roster news: FS Eddie Anderson, out since Sept. 8, has been fully cleared to play Monday and is practicing with the first team defense. Expect him to start.

S Lamar Lyons cleared waivers yesterday and was re-signed to the practice squad. Lyons lost his active roster spot when DE Anthony Smith was reinstated on Tuesday.

Tuesday, October 29, 1996

The Raiders announced they have reinstated DE Anthony Smith to the team's active roster. Today was their deadline to act after keeping Smith on suspended status for the maximum period permitted, four weeks.

"We only had two options where Anthony Smith was concerned, either reinstate him or drop him from the team," coach Mike White said. "He'll just join the team tomorrow and it's business as usual."

To make room for Smith, the Raiders put S Lamar Lyons on waivers. If he clears waivers, he will return to the practice squad, from which he was promoted when Smith was suspended.

White said he and other Raiders officials "sampled the team" and got feedback from players before deciding to reinstate Smith. He added that the reinstatement was in line with owner Al Davis' usual way of handling such matters. "Al Davis has always leaned toward players, and this situation is no different than that," White said. "The Raiders have always given opportunities to players."

White said Smith may face his toughest critics in the Raiders' locker room. "He's back and we'll see what'll happen. I think our players are well-informed on the possibilities and now it just has to work itself out," White said. "This guy has paid as heavy a penalty as can be levied. I think he's paid his dues."

Though Smith says he continued working out during his suspension, White said he is now at the bottom of the depth chart and will probably not see much if any action against Denver.

Senior assistant Bruce Allen said the team gave "little to no" consideration to waiving Smith, who has 50 sacks in six seasons. Allen said the Raiders are ready to welcome him back.

Something's got to give: The NFL's leading rushing teams face off when the Raiders play Denver next Monday. Denver is averaging 5.05 yards a carry, and the Raiders are second at 4.81. Both teams are ahead of club-record paces (Denver at 4.5, Oakland at 4.6).

Denver starter (and former Raider) CB Lionel Washington will be out 2-4 weeks with a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, courtesy of Dale Carter's chop block at his knees in Sunday's KC-Denver showdown.

Said Denver coach Mike Shanahan, "It was a legal play. But I believe it was unethical."

There hasn't been much hard news about the Raiders lately as the team tries to heal during its bye week. There were several articles on the 'new' Chester McGlockton, who teammates say is less selfish and standoff-ish since his recent marriage and religious awakening. His Raider teammates elected him their Players Union rep this year.

What was McGlockton like before the recent changes? Here's how FS Eddie Anderson describes him then: "It was like talking to this," he said, knocking on a wall. "When he first got here, I don't even think he talked to the press, period."

Friday, October 25, 1996

Former Raider linebackers Matt Millen and Jerry Robinson were among 12 first-time nominees yesterday for Pro Football's Hall of Fame. This year's class will be chosen the weekend of Super Bowl XXXI.

Also guaranteed a spot on this year's final ballot because of a finish in the top 6 last year is CB Mike Haynes.

Various Bay Area media reported yesterday that with about 11,000 tickets to the Nov. 4 home game against Denver still unsold, there's the very real possibility of a home blackout for the Monday night contest.

Meanwhile, the Oakland City Council is re-examining its contract with the Raiders amidst political turmoil over cost overruns in renovating the Coliseum and the OFMA's PSL marketing fiasco.

Coach Mike White says the bye week came at precisely the right time for the Raiders, who have a slew of nagging injuries. As for the possibility of losing the momentum of three consecutive victories, White said, "We've just been playing week-to-week anyway."

If you're curious what Raghib Ismail has been up to since he was traded to Carolina, an article today answers the question.

Wednesday, October 23, 1996

The Raiders are convinced that G Steve Wisniewski was innocent of the face mask violation for which he was flagged during Monday night's game—so much so that they invited reporters into the team's film room yesterday to review videotape of the play.

Wisniewski and Chargers LB Junior Seau collided in an apparently legal manner, then Seau took a roundhouse swing at Wisniewski that failed to connect. The players hit each other again—although that, too, looked clean—and the flag flew, wrote a Mercury News reporter.

There was also a dispute on whether San Diego WR Tony Martin ever crossed the goal line on the play resulting in a touchdown. After watching tape of that play, the reporter observed that "cornerback Larry Brown seemed to have yanked him back just short of it."

"When I watched the tape, (Martin) definitely did not" cross the goal line, White said. "No. But in the game I didn't like the looks of it, either. But that's part of life."

Mike White says the team is close to making a decision on suspended DE Anthony Smith. The team is allowed to keep him on suspended status for a maximum of four weeks. That period will end Tuesday.

White said no decision has been made on whether to waive him or return him to active status.

White hopes the bye week will allow the Raiders' battered defensive secondary to mend. CB Albert Lewis (hip) is close to full speed and FS Eddie Anderson (triceps) is expected back for the Nov. 4 game against Denver. Most troublesome, said White, is FS Darren Carrington's knee injury, although Carrington—deactivated for the past two games—told coaches Tuesday that he is feeling slightly better.

Tuesday, October 22, 1996

Late update: It turns out that coach Mike White gambled with his roster last night after WR Tim Brown told him before the game that his ankle was sore.

White activated a fifth receiver, Olanda Truitt, and deactivated S Lamar Lyons in his place. Had either Dan Land or Lorenzo Lynch been injured, Albert Lewis would have had to go in at safety, hip flexor and all. Brown ended up playing the entire game.

As expected, Atlanta waived QB Jeff George today. Any team claiming him off waivers would have to assume the remaining part of his salary—about $1.9 million.

Managing General partner Al Davis, who rarely speaks to the press, went out of his way last night to personally deny a juicy rumor, according to the Sacramento Bee.

He characterized as untrue a rumor that Dennis Green will leave Minnesota to coach the Raiders next year. quot;I have no idea where some of these things get started," Davis said.

According to the rumor, circulated by a New York-based AP reporter, Green is feeling the heat with Vikings management and is telling friends he expects to be coaching the Raiders next year. Supposedly, Minnesota's dissatisfaction with Green is surfacing both on and off the field.

Supposedly Green's strength as an offensive-oriented coach who is heavy on discipline makes him a natural fit in Oakland, where Davis is said to care more about winning than the behavior of his coaches or players.

"That's simply not true," Davis said, noting that he has received several calls about the Green rumor. "I care very much about the personal conduct of everyone who works for this organization. That goes for all the coaches who have ever been here."

RB Joe Aska, who had been expected to start last night, saw only limited special-teams duty because of his sore foot. Instead, Napoleon Kaufman started, and Harvey Williams saw more action than anticipated—10 carries for 30 yards and four receptions for 40 yards.

For the second straight week, FS Darren Carrington was deactivated for the game because of his knee problem.

Monday, October 21, 1996

The Chargers will concede the short passing routes to the Raiders in tonight's game in order to try to stop the long ball, says San Diego CB Darrien Gordon. Gordon, replacing Dwight Harper (out with a hamstring pull), will make his first start since San Diego's Super Bowl loss to San Francisco two seasons ago. He missed all of last season after two rotator cuff surgeries.

"We're going to try to take that element out of it," said Gordon. "That's what they want to do every game. We're going to concede the short underneath routes, but we're not going to let them run by us. They live and die by the big play. They'll throw five or six times down field to try to get the big play in. If we can take away the big play I think we'll be all right."

Added Chargers coach Bobby Ross, "I expect the Raiders to go deep. Probably about 10 times. That's what they do and they do it well, as good as anyone in the National Football League. Defensively, we've got to try to keep the big play out of the games. That would be true for anybody we play, but that's particularly true for these guys."

Gordon, by the way, has a personal agenda in making his first NFL start in a year and a half. A first-round draft pick out of Stanford in 1993, he'll become a free agent at season's end.

"It will be a great opportunity to show the league my abilities against a team like the Raiders," he said. "It's going to be a great opportunity, against one of our biggest rivals."

Offensive line coach Joe Bugel had high praise for the progress of his charges in the last two games. "I'm really enjoying the growth of our offensive line. We started off with three new starters on the line—four if you count (tight end) Rickey Dudley—and we've really picked it up lately. The last couple of weeks have been magnificent."

The Raiders currently lead the AFC in total rushing yards and are third in rushing yards per game. Conversely, the Chargers are last in the NFL in total defense.

Said Bugel, "We're No. 1 in rushing yards, we're No. 3 in average yards, we're No. 9 in prevention of sacks. So we've got some great stats. We're at the top of the NFL in a lot of categories. That's a tribute to all 11 guys, but it starts with the offensive line."

Bugel particularly singled out the play of LT Robert Jenkins, who had been a career backup until last year's opening-day injury to the departed Gerald Perry. "He's playing his best football," Bugel said of Jenkins, who is in his 11th season in the NFL and third with the Raiders. "We've changed some of his techniques to help him, and he bought into it. Right now he's playing as good as any left tackle in the league."

T Pat Harlow, whom Jenkins has replaced in the lineup, said he knows his starting job isn't secure when he's healthy again.

"I'm here to help these guys win," he said. "If Robert stays in there and does a good job the rest of the year, I'm not going to say anything. He's played some great football, especially the last two or three weeks."

Musical chairs: Coach Mike White will have all three running backs available for tonight's game. Joe Aska will probably start.

Asked what he would do when all three RBs are back to full strength, White evaded a direct answer. "We won't face that until we turn the corner after the bye," he said. "We're going to have to make it work with different combinations."

Harvey Williams may see the fewest reps tonight. Although he practiced all this past week, he admits he hasn't yet tried running at "warp speed." (In how many years, Harvey? ;-)