PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAIDERS : Shell: It’s Too Early to Bury Team

If someone had told Raider Coach Art Shell before the season that he’d be 6-3 and in first place after nine games, he wouldn’t have complained. That’s why he’s not ready to panic about his quarterback, Jay Schroeder, or his team.

“It’s two losses in a row,” Shell reminded. “The season’s not over. You (sportswriters) sound like you’re trying to bury (Schroeder) and bury the team. The season’s not over.”

After missing the Kansas City game with a strained foot, Rory Graves started at left tackle against Green Bay but was relieved by Bruce Wilkerson. “He hadn’t played in a while,” Shell said of Graves. “I just wanted to give him a blow and let (Wilkerson) play some.”