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Raiders, Turner Are in Search of A Silver Lining
Norv Turner is again dealing with an impatient owner looms, problems at quarterback and disapproving fans.
(Dave Kaup - Reuters)
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But Collins has failed when it comes to moving the chains as steadily as predecessor Rich Gannon, and his lack of mobility makes for adventure every time he is pushed out of the pocket. A career-long problem of throwing interceptions, which Collins had seemingly conquered by throwing only three in the first eight games, came back to haunt him against Denver. He was intercepted three times by the Broncos, including one that rookie Darrent Williams returned 80 yards for a touchdown to put the game away. The Raiders seemed likely to close within 23-17 until that point and the interception only restarted the boos.
"I was playing lousy," Collins said. "I understand their frustration. They want to win. They are passionate about it. It's part of the game and part of the position."
Still, Collins's job is safe. Turner said he never considered removing Collins and there is no thought of starting backup Marques Tuiasosopo against Washington.
There have been enough questionable officials calls and bad breaks for the Raiders to lament they could be 6-3 instead of 3-6. Two losses to Kansas City swung on close calls, and the Raiders lost, 23-20, to Philadelphia when normally reliable kicker Sebastian Janikowski missed two field goal attempts.
Defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who has shown some of his old form this season after being lost in a 3-4 defensive alignment in 2004, said he is mystified by the team's performance.
"If I had the answer, we wouldn't be 3-6 right now," Sapp said. "It's something you just can't put your finger on. There's no quit in this ballclub, that's something we can hang our hat on. We play hard, but we've just got to play a lot better."
As is his custom, Turner will look no further than the next game -- which happens to be against the Redskins, the team that fired him one year after winning the NFC East.
"You can't get caught up in that," Turner said. "You've got to find a way to put a complete game together and play an entire game."
