As clear as mud.
Gabriel traded in surprise move
SHELL CITES DEPTH AT RECEIVER; GEORGE DOESN'T MAKE CUT
By Steve Corkran
MediaNews
Twenty-one players packed their bags Saturday and left the place they called home for at least the past six weeks. In some cases, years. Most of the cut players no doubt expected the inevitable.
However, wide receiver Doug Gabriel had no idea what awaited him. The Raiders traded the fourth-year receiver to the New England Patriots for the rights to an undisclosed draft selection only nine days before the season opener.
This qualifies as a huge surprise, given that Gabriel started all five exhibitions and played opposite Randy Moss with the first-team offense throughout training camp.
``Everybody came in thinking he was going to be a big part of the offense,'' receiver Ronald Curry said. ``So, it's definitely surprising.''
Raiders Coach Art Shell said the depth at receiver, as well as adequate compensation, made Gabriel expendable.
``We had enough receivers that we felt we could part with him,'' Shell said. ``He's been a big part of this organization for many years. That was tough, to let him go, but we have some people that we feel we can win with.''
Curry could benefit from Gabriel's trade. He had been inserted into the No. 3 slot upon his return from a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
``We've got some talented guys here,'' Curry said.
Incumbent starter Jerry Porter was banished from the first-team offense during training camp and received scant playing time in three games after he returned from a calf injury.
Suddenly, the Raiders are more dependent upon Porter, regardless of the rift between him and Shell that stemmed from an off-season meeting that ended with Shell kicking Porter out of his office.
Shell said Porter's attitude has been satisfactory and that he views Porter as an integral part of the team.
``He comes to work,'' Shell said. ``He's like the rest of the guys. He's been working. I have no problem with that.''
Yet Shell refused to define Porter's role or to specify who will replace Gabriel in the lineup.
``There is no plan,'' Shell said in regard to Porter's role. ``He's a player. He'll play when we want him to play.''
Alvis Whitted and Johnnie Morant are other options beyond Moss, Curry and Porter.
Gabriel, 26, finished third among Raiders receivers in receptions last season with 37. He had 33 in 2004.
