Collins was 26-for-50 for 310 yards and two touchdowns, but also had
three interceptions -- including a back-breaking 80-yard return for a
touchdown by Broncos rookie Darrent Williams when it looked as if the
Raiders were poised to climb within 23-17.
Was Turner ever thinking of replacing Collins?
"I wasn't," Turner said. "He's played all the snaps. He gets all the
practice. There were things I think he could have handled better. There
were things I think we could have handled better."
When asked if Collins would start Sunday at Washington, Turner said,
"Kerry will be the starter. Yes."
Playing at FedEx Field may be less hostile than the home environment.
Raiders fans booed Collins early and often with a fury not seen in
Oakland since the home fans gave a big thumbs down to Dan Pastorini as
the replacement for the beloved Ken Stabler in the late 1970s and
instead the embraced Jim Plunkett.
If Collins has little support in the stands, he appears to have it in
the locker room. Wide receiver Jerry Porter, who dropped what could have
been a 57-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, thought the fans
went overboard.
"These guys are ready to chop his head off if he throws an
interception. If he makes a great play, he's supposed to," Porter said.
"Praise the guy, give him a little love. He's the Oakland Raiders
starting quarterback. Treat him as such. Don't treat him like he's the
visiting quarterback coming in here."
Running back LaMont Jordan, who waited his turn while Collins was
gracefully fielding pointed questions from the media, also had his
quarterback's back.
"The last thing I'm going to accept, whether he plays well or not, is
anyone taking shots at my quarterback," Jordan said.
Collins, who reacted last year with a "bring it on" gesture while
getting booed at home during a bad stretch against New Orleans, showed
no sign of defiance after the Broncos game.
"I was playing lousy," Collins said. "I understand their frustration.
It happened last year. They want to win. They're passionate about it. It
is what it is ... a lousy day for me. I will take responsibility for
that and move on."
REPLAY
The Raiders sunk deeper into the AFC West cellar with a 31-17 loss to
the Broncos at McAfee Coliseum. Kerry Collins threw three interceptions,
and the Raiders fell behind 23-0.
Oakland's offense had very little going until Collins hit Randy Moss
with a 29-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to give the
Raiders some life. Oakland appeared on the verge of closing within 23-17
while getting deep into Denver territory, but Darrent Williams
intercepted a Collins pass intended for Jerry Porter and raced 80 yards
for a touchdown to put the game away.
The Oakland acquitted itself well, holding the Broncos to a
season-low 3.2 yards per carry (38 carries, 121 yards). After Mike Anderson ran 23 yards on the first play from scrimmage, the Raiders held
Denver to 98 yards on 37 carries.
The Raiders are 0-4 in the AFC West and 2-14 since the beginning of
the 2003 season.
PLAYER NOTES
--C Adam Treu removed himself the Denver game because of a sore knee,
telling coach Norv Turner he wasn't helping the team. He was replaced by
Jake Grove, who started the first four games before undergoing
arthroscopic knee surgery. Grove has served as a backup at both guards
spots and center the past two weeks.
--RB LaMont Jordan had 48 yards on 14 carries against Denver, his
third-lowest output of the season. Jordan had 12 carries for 37 yards
against San Diego and 16 carries for 19 yards against Philadelphia.
--WR Randy Moss rejoined the Raiders offense, catching a season-high
six passes for 89 yards and a 29-yard touchdown against Denver. Moss
hadn't caught as many as five passes since Week 3 against Philadelphia
and had seven receptions in his previous four games after suffering rib,
groin and pelvis injuries against San Diego.
--DE Bobby Hamilton was inactive for the second consecutive game with
an ankle injury.
--K Sebastian Janikowski had a streak of 10 consecutive successful
field goal attempts snapped when he was wide left from 45 yards in the
second quarter against Denver. It was his first failure since missing
from 37 yards in Week 3 against Philadelphia.
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