With the Raiders 2-3 and coming off a stunning loss to the Chicago Bears, quarterback Rich Gannon dared to use the p-word Wednesday.
No, not pathetic. Playoff.
``If you ask me if we're a top-five team in the first month of the season, there's no way,'' said Gannon, the league MVP a season ago but now one of many Raiders struggling to find his form. ``There's a lot of questions that need to be answered. But we have the potential, in my opinion, to be a very, very good playoff team.''
That wasn't all. Perhaps mindful that the Raiders' victories -- against Cincinnati and San Diego -- have been almost as lackluster as their losses, Gannon tossed one more bucket of cold water.
``Potential is one thing. But acting on it and playing to that level and earning that right is a totally different thing,'' he said. ``While we have made a lot of errors and our game is not tied down to where it should be right now, there's still hope we can work our way through it like we did a year ago.''
That, in essence, was the universal message at Raiders headquarters Wednesday. Problems and potential. Chaos and control.
The Raiders' problems are on paper for anyone to see. They have the league's 24th-ranked offense and 31st-ranked defense. They're No. 29 in first downs (77) and No. 31 in third-down efficiency (26.2 percent). Opponents accumulate nearly 100 more yards per game (381.4 to 292.2) and hold onto the ball a disproportionate amount of time (34:31 to 25:29).
Add it all up, and the Raiders look bad. But key veterans said Wednesday that a good team is in there somewhere.
``You guys act like the season's over with,'' wide receiver Tim Brown chided reporters. ``We're five games into the year. Last year at this point, we were in the midst of a four-game losing streak.''
The Raiders' next chance to turn things around comes Sunday at Cleveland. After that comes a Monday night home date against AFC West leader Kansas City (5-0) and then the bye week. Those two games will set the stage for the second half of the season. Two wins could be a springboard; two losses would be a belly-flop.
``I think you have a bunch of guys who've made up their minds that it will turn around,'' defensive end Trace Armstrong said.
Injury report
Wide receiver Jerry Porter missed his target date for a return from hernia surgery when the Raiders went to Chicago without him. He practiced Wednesday, Coach Bill Callahan said, but is listed as doubtful for Sunday.
For the second consecutive week, Porter provided no hints, relying on his face-the-questioner-and-smile-brightly routine. As he reached the locker room exit, Porter finally spoke.
``Hell, yeah, doubtful. I like that.''
The report remained lengthy: Linebacker Bill Romanowski (concussions) is also doubtful. Running back/kick returner Ronney Jenkins (ankle), tackle Lincoln Kennedy (calf), defensive tackle John Parrella (groin), tight end O.J. Santiago (hamstring), offensive lineman Matt Stinchcomb (shoulder), defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield (ankle), running back Tyrone Wheatley (back), defensive end Sam Williams (knee) and free safety Rod Woodson (knee) are questionable.
In that group, only Jenkins, Kennedy, Santiago and Wheatley practiced, Callahan said. Additionally, Callahan indicated that the Raiders would add strong safety Derrick Gibson (shoulder) and guard Mo Collins (knee) to the list as questionable.
The Browns listed three players, all questionable: quarterback Kelly Holcomb (ankle), cornerback Michael Lehan (hamstring) and tackle Barry Stokes (ankle).
Reversal
A play in the Raiders game at Chicago that originally credited Brown with a 4-yard run off a lateral from Gannon has been changed to a pass. That makes Brown's official stat line three catches for 43 yards.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/6970167.htm
No, not pathetic. Playoff.
``If you ask me if we're a top-five team in the first month of the season, there's no way,'' said Gannon, the league MVP a season ago but now one of many Raiders struggling to find his form. ``There's a lot of questions that need to be answered. But we have the potential, in my opinion, to be a very, very good playoff team.''
That wasn't all. Perhaps mindful that the Raiders' victories -- against Cincinnati and San Diego -- have been almost as lackluster as their losses, Gannon tossed one more bucket of cold water.
``Potential is one thing. But acting on it and playing to that level and earning that right is a totally different thing,'' he said. ``While we have made a lot of errors and our game is not tied down to where it should be right now, there's still hope we can work our way through it like we did a year ago.''
That, in essence, was the universal message at Raiders headquarters Wednesday. Problems and potential. Chaos and control.
The Raiders' problems are on paper for anyone to see. They have the league's 24th-ranked offense and 31st-ranked defense. They're No. 29 in first downs (77) and No. 31 in third-down efficiency (26.2 percent). Opponents accumulate nearly 100 more yards per game (381.4 to 292.2) and hold onto the ball a disproportionate amount of time (34:31 to 25:29).
Add it all up, and the Raiders look bad. But key veterans said Wednesday that a good team is in there somewhere.
``You guys act like the season's over with,'' wide receiver Tim Brown chided reporters. ``We're five games into the year. Last year at this point, we were in the midst of a four-game losing streak.''
The Raiders' next chance to turn things around comes Sunday at Cleveland. After that comes a Monday night home date against AFC West leader Kansas City (5-0) and then the bye week. Those two games will set the stage for the second half of the season. Two wins could be a springboard; two losses would be a belly-flop.
``I think you have a bunch of guys who've made up their minds that it will turn around,'' defensive end Trace Armstrong said.
Injury report
Wide receiver Jerry Porter missed his target date for a return from hernia surgery when the Raiders went to Chicago without him. He practiced Wednesday, Coach Bill Callahan said, but is listed as doubtful for Sunday.
For the second consecutive week, Porter provided no hints, relying on his face-the-questioner-and-smile-brightly routine. As he reached the locker room exit, Porter finally spoke.
``Hell, yeah, doubtful. I like that.''
The report remained lengthy: Linebacker Bill Romanowski (concussions) is also doubtful. Running back/kick returner Ronney Jenkins (ankle), tackle Lincoln Kennedy (calf), defensive tackle John Parrella (groin), tight end O.J. Santiago (hamstring), offensive lineman Matt Stinchcomb (shoulder), defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield (ankle), running back Tyrone Wheatley (back), defensive end Sam Williams (knee) and free safety Rod Woodson (knee) are questionable.
In that group, only Jenkins, Kennedy, Santiago and Wheatley practiced, Callahan said. Additionally, Callahan indicated that the Raiders would add strong safety Derrick Gibson (shoulder) and guard Mo Collins (knee) to the list as questionable.
The Browns listed three players, all questionable: quarterback Kelly Holcomb (ankle), cornerback Michael Lehan (hamstring) and tackle Barry Stokes (ankle).
Reversal
A play in the Raiders game at Chicago that originally credited Brown with a 4-yard run off a lateral from Gannon has been changed to a pass. That makes Brown's official stat line three catches for 43 yards.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/6970167.htm
