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Pastimes : The new NFL -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: calgal who wrote (3176)	1/18/2003 7:34:07 PM
From: calgal	Respond to of 89908

Emerging star Porter thrives in shadow of Brown, Rice URL:http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/sports/football/nfl/oakland_raiders/4977652.htm OAKLAND -- Raiders No. 3 wide receiver Jerry Porter performed like a starter, at times, this season. He was the best receiver on the field in Oakland's 30-10 victory over the New York Jets last Sunday, at least statistically. He caught six passes for 123 yards and one touchdown against the Jets. The presence of future Hall of Fame receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown is the only thing that prevents Porter from posting such numbers on a more consistent basis, Raiders coach Bill Callahan said. "He's elevated his game in the sense of understanding it, knowing it, working at it, and again making the big play when it counts," Callahan said. Indeed. Porter's touchdown broke a 10-10 tie late in the third quarter. He then turned a slant route into a 50-yard catch-and-run play on a drive that netted another touchdown and a 24-10 lead. "He continues to emerge," Callahan said. "He could be a (No.) 1 on most teams in this league. He's an unselfish guy and knows his role and he plays it well. All those factors combined have helped him emerge." Callahan said Porter would catch upward of 80 passes if he played for a team that featured him as its top receiver. However, Porter is relegated to a complementary role as long as Rice and Brown continue to produce the way they did this season. Porter's development into a viable threat on every down also takes off pressure from Brown and Rice, as well as every other offensive player, Callahan said. "I'd love to be a No. 1 receiver," Porter said, "but I realize that isn't going to happen in this offense right now. I'm just happy to take whatever scraps Jerry and Tim leave for me." Centers of attention If Raiders managing general partner Al Davis drafts a center, count on that player enjoying a long, prosperous career. Jim Otto, who was drafted before Davis' tenure with the team began in 1963, was the center from 1960-74. Dave Dalby (1972 draftee) carried the torch through the 1985 season. Then came Don Mosebar (1983). He made it through the 1994 season. Dan Turk started in 1995, while current All-Pro Barret Robbins learned the nuances of the position. Adam Treu (1997) filled in for an injured Robbins for all but two games last season and showed that he is good enough to start for most teams. Davis drafted Gennaro DiNapoli in 1998 and used him at guard for two seasons because of Robbins' looming presence. The Raiders didn't foresee DiNapoli replacing Robbins or any other offensive linemen anytime soon, so they traded him to the Tennessee Titans. He now is their starter. Quote of the day "I am not a crybaby." -- Brown at Friday's press conference in response to a comment made by Titans free safety Lance Schulters on Tuesday Extra points Starting cornerbacks Charles Woodson (leg) and Tory James (leg) "practiced well" Friday, Callahan said, and are expected at full health for Sunday's game. Tight end Roland Williams (knee) did not practice and remains doubtful for Sunday. ... The Titans tied for the league lead (with the Pittsburgh Steelers) in average time of possession at 32 minutes, 47 seconds. -- Steve Corkran