MRI on Raiders G Sims shows no significant damage, T Gallery practices
Written by: Associated Press ¦ 9/19/2006
Source:
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Raiders' beleaguered offensive line finally received some good news when MRI tests performed on guard Barry Sims' hip showed no significant damage, Oakland coach Art Shell said Tuesday.
Sims, who was hurt during the first half of Oakland's loss to Baltimore on Sunday, took part in individual drills at practice and could be back to full strength by the time the Raiders host Cleveland on Oct. 1.
"It surprised me," Shell said. "He said he's sore, but he's a fighter and he pushed his way through. (It's a) big relief. We can't afford to lose any more guys."
In addition to the news on Sims, Oakland also received a boost when left tackle Robert Gallery returned to practice for the first time since suffering a pulled calf muscle in practice on Sept. 13.
The former No. 2 overall draft pick, who was inactive for Oakland's 28-6 loss to the Ravens, only took part in individual drills but said he hopes to rejoin the team in time to play the Browns. The Raiders (0-2) are off this week with a bye.
"I'm not near ready to go, but I don't think it's going to do me any good sitting inside," Gallery said. "Better to work on my stuff and work as hard as I can without jeopardizing my chance of coming back."
The Raiders offensive line has come under scrutiny and heavy criticism after allowing 15 sacks in the first two games of the regular season. Quarterback Aaron Brooks absorbed several jarring hits in Oakland's season-opening loss to San Diego then suffered a strained pectoral muscle in his right (throwing) shoulder against Baltimore after getting hit while trying to recover a fumbled snap.
Brooks is expected to miss two to four weeks, which means backup Andrew Walter will start against Cleveland.
"I think its all written in stone right now, this is where our issue is," Brooks said of Oakland's offensive line. "I think coaches are going to do the best they can to get those guys going and do the best for our team."
It won't matter much who the Raiders have at quarterback, though, as long as the problems with the line continue. Center Jake Grove has been battling shoulder issues while rookie right guard Paul McQuistan was benched in the second half against the Ravens and replaced by sixth-round draft pick Kevin Boothe.
"I think (the criticism) is merited," said Sims, who has started 60 consecutive regular season games for Oakland. "Obviously, we're last in the league in sacks given up. You can never be proud of something like that. We're last in the league in a lot of offensive categories. We need to just all come together and get the job done. Right now, we're not getting the job done."
The Raiders are ranked last in the NFL in total offense, passing offense, first downs, sacks allowed and are 31st out of 32 teams in points scored. They are on pace to shatter the league record for most sacks allowed in a season despite having two Hall of Fame offensive linemen - Shell and assistant Jackie Slater - on the coaching staff
Shell said part of the problem facing the Raiders has been communication among the offensive linemen, something the team began addressing Tuesday.
"It's tough in a loud situation like it was last week," Shell said. "There were plays that we audibled to and all of a sudden you have half the line getting it and half not getting it. So you have to have everybody on the same page and that comes from communication.
"It's tough. I don't like to lose. Losing is part of the game, it's going to happen. I don't like the way that we have lost," he added. "Right now, we've got one area of our team that's not playing well right now. But I truly believe we're going to get this thing turned. I'm a very optimistic person."
Written by: Associated Press ¦ 9/19/2006
Source:
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Raiders' beleaguered offensive line finally received some good news when MRI tests performed on guard Barry Sims' hip showed no significant damage, Oakland coach Art Shell said Tuesday.
Sims, who was hurt during the first half of Oakland's loss to Baltimore on Sunday, took part in individual drills at practice and could be back to full strength by the time the Raiders host Cleveland on Oct. 1.
"It surprised me," Shell said. "He said he's sore, but he's a fighter and he pushed his way through. (It's a) big relief. We can't afford to lose any more guys."
In addition to the news on Sims, Oakland also received a boost when left tackle Robert Gallery returned to practice for the first time since suffering a pulled calf muscle in practice on Sept. 13.
The former No. 2 overall draft pick, who was inactive for Oakland's 28-6 loss to the Ravens, only took part in individual drills but said he hopes to rejoin the team in time to play the Browns. The Raiders (0-2) are off this week with a bye.
"I'm not near ready to go, but I don't think it's going to do me any good sitting inside," Gallery said. "Better to work on my stuff and work as hard as I can without jeopardizing my chance of coming back."
The Raiders offensive line has come under scrutiny and heavy criticism after allowing 15 sacks in the first two games of the regular season. Quarterback Aaron Brooks absorbed several jarring hits in Oakland's season-opening loss to San Diego then suffered a strained pectoral muscle in his right (throwing) shoulder against Baltimore after getting hit while trying to recover a fumbled snap.
Brooks is expected to miss two to four weeks, which means backup Andrew Walter will start against Cleveland.
"I think its all written in stone right now, this is where our issue is," Brooks said of Oakland's offensive line. "I think coaches are going to do the best they can to get those guys going and do the best for our team."
It won't matter much who the Raiders have at quarterback, though, as long as the problems with the line continue. Center Jake Grove has been battling shoulder issues while rookie right guard Paul McQuistan was benched in the second half against the Ravens and replaced by sixth-round draft pick Kevin Boothe.
"I think (the criticism) is merited," said Sims, who has started 60 consecutive regular season games for Oakland. "Obviously, we're last in the league in sacks given up. You can never be proud of something like that. We're last in the league in a lot of offensive categories. We need to just all come together and get the job done. Right now, we're not getting the job done."
The Raiders are ranked last in the NFL in total offense, passing offense, first downs, sacks allowed and are 31st out of 32 teams in points scored. They are on pace to shatter the league record for most sacks allowed in a season despite having two Hall of Fame offensive linemen - Shell and assistant Jackie Slater - on the coaching staff
Shell said part of the problem facing the Raiders has been communication among the offensive linemen, something the team began addressing Tuesday.
"It's tough in a loud situation like it was last week," Shell said. "There were plays that we audibled to and all of a sudden you have half the line getting it and half not getting it. So you have to have everybody on the same page and that comes from communication.
"It's tough. I don't like to lose. Losing is part of the game, it's going to happen. I don't like the way that we have lost," he added. "Right now, we've got one area of our team that's not playing well right now. But I truly believe we're going to get this thing turned. I'm a very optimistic person."
