Post by TheShadow on Dec 9, 2003 20:18:11 GMT -5
www.pressdemo.com
Players say animated, intense on-field huddles, even late in game, prove integrity
December 9, 2003
By PHIL BARBER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
ALAMEDA -- When you just lost 27-7 and your record is 3-10 and your starting quarterback is limping like a man who stepped on a porcupine, the last thing you need is to be called out by your opponent.
But that's what happened to the Raiders on Sunday. Speaking to reporters in the home locker room, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward questioned the Raiders' desire.
"In the middle of the third quarter, maybe they gave up," Ward said. "They were ready to go home. It was cold, and they had a long flight home and they've had problems with their coach."
On Monday, that coach -- Bill Callahan -- flatly refuted Ward's opinion. Asked whether he saw any drop-off in his team's effort, Callahan said, "No," and quickly moved on to another question.
While the Raiders have not always presented a unified front this season, they seem to be in agreement on this. Right after the game, several players insisted that no one gave up.
"There was no quitting out there," said defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, who had just finished criticizing the team's shoddy play. "It's not like we were just out there freelancing."
"We played hard," said quarterback Rick Mirer, who hurt his left ankle on a sack by Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen in the second quarter. "Some days it's just not your day. But we'll be there. We can't fix the other games, but the effort will be there."
Receiver Tim Brown offered a more succinct opinion, saying, "For the most part, guys stayed into it. I mean, we still had a chance to win until there were 10 minutes left."
When a season is swirling down the drain, it's a common activity among fans to watch for signs of quitting. The problem is that from the stands or the living room couch, it's usually impossible to tell when it happens. Were those missed tackles the result of poor technique or lack of commitment? Were those receivers getting open because the opposing quarterback had so much time to throw, or did the defensive backs lose interest? Without reading minds, it is a tricky calculus.
In defending their teammates, some Raiders spoke of the on-field huddles, which they said were animated and intense even as the team fell behind.
Callahan pointed to the way his guys were finishing plays, and he held up defensive end Tyler Brayton as Exhibit A. In the third quarter, Brayton raced 40 yards to corral Steelers speedster Antwaan Randall El.
"It was extremely impressive." Callahan said. "To finish it the way that he did was phenomenal."
Callahan also complimented the spirited play of defensive tackle Chris Cooper and right guard Brad Badger.
None of the few Raiders players willing to talk to the media Monday were willing to buy Ward's harsh assessment a day after the fact.
"I didn't see quit in nobody," said safety Anthony Dorsett, whose Pittsburgh homecoming was less than satisfactory. "With everything going on with this team, one thing you have to say is that we have not quit. We're in this thing together. It's all been good amongst the players."
IT AIN'T BROKE
Team doctors took X-rays of Mirer's ankle, and the quarterback confirmed that nothing is broken. While still limping, he wasn't using crutches, and he remained optimistic he could practice Wednesday.
"It's better than it was last night," Mirer said. "I'll work with it through the week."
Players say animated, intense on-field huddles, even late in game, prove integrity
December 9, 2003
By PHIL BARBER
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
ALAMEDA -- When you just lost 27-7 and your record is 3-10 and your starting quarterback is limping like a man who stepped on a porcupine, the last thing you need is to be called out by your opponent.
But that's what happened to the Raiders on Sunday. Speaking to reporters in the home locker room, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward questioned the Raiders' desire.
"In the middle of the third quarter, maybe they gave up," Ward said. "They were ready to go home. It was cold, and they had a long flight home and they've had problems with their coach."
On Monday, that coach -- Bill Callahan -- flatly refuted Ward's opinion. Asked whether he saw any drop-off in his team's effort, Callahan said, "No," and quickly moved on to another question.
While the Raiders have not always presented a unified front this season, they seem to be in agreement on this. Right after the game, several players insisted that no one gave up.
"There was no quitting out there," said defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, who had just finished criticizing the team's shoddy play. "It's not like we were just out there freelancing."
"We played hard," said quarterback Rick Mirer, who hurt his left ankle on a sack by Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen in the second quarter. "Some days it's just not your day. But we'll be there. We can't fix the other games, but the effort will be there."
Receiver Tim Brown offered a more succinct opinion, saying, "For the most part, guys stayed into it. I mean, we still had a chance to win until there were 10 minutes left."
When a season is swirling down the drain, it's a common activity among fans to watch for signs of quitting. The problem is that from the stands or the living room couch, it's usually impossible to tell when it happens. Were those missed tackles the result of poor technique or lack of commitment? Were those receivers getting open because the opposing quarterback had so much time to throw, or did the defensive backs lose interest? Without reading minds, it is a tricky calculus.
In defending their teammates, some Raiders spoke of the on-field huddles, which they said were animated and intense even as the team fell behind.
Callahan pointed to the way his guys were finishing plays, and he held up defensive end Tyler Brayton as Exhibit A. In the third quarter, Brayton raced 40 yards to corral Steelers speedster Antwaan Randall El.
"It was extremely impressive." Callahan said. "To finish it the way that he did was phenomenal."
Callahan also complimented the spirited play of defensive tackle Chris Cooper and right guard Brad Badger.
None of the few Raiders players willing to talk to the media Monday were willing to buy Ward's harsh assessment a day after the fact.
"I didn't see quit in nobody," said safety Anthony Dorsett, whose Pittsburgh homecoming was less than satisfactory. "With everything going on with this team, one thing you have to say is that we have not quit. We're in this thing together. It's all been good amongst the players."
IT AIN'T BROKE
Team doctors took X-rays of Mirer's ankle, and the quarterback confirmed that nothing is broken. While still limping, he wasn't using crutches, and he remained optimistic he could practice Wednesday.
"It's better than it was last night," Mirer said. "I'll work with it through the week."