Fresh Start For Brooks

Fresh Start For Brooks
By Tim Sullivan
Posted: 6:00 am PDT 2006-08-05

The Raiders opened training camp a little early this year. Because they have a five-game preseason slate, the Silver and Black were allowed to re-ignite their Commitment to Excellence on July 24.

From the looks of things, they're going to need that extra time.

Oakland, fresh off a humiliating 4-12 season, has a new coach, a new quarterback and a new philosophy. Not to mention, the Raiders are hamstrung by being a tenant in the NFL's only division to produce three teams last year with at least nine wins.

How's that for wrong place, wrong time?

"I am excited about this football team," an overly optimistic Art Shell, in his second term as head coach, said. "I am excited about giving the Raider fans something to be proud of because they deserve it. We are putting the parts together. Now we've got to fine-tune those parts and get them ready to go."

And while those parts include game-breaking wide receivers Randy Moss and Jerry Porter (although Porter has asked to be traded), as well as an emerging workhorse running back in LaMont Jordan, it's clear the most important piece -- if the Raiders are going to challenge in the AFC West -- is the new signal-caller: Aaron Brooks.

Brooks takes his high-wire act to Oakland after six roller-coaster seasons in New Orleans. As a Saint, he threw at least 15 interceptions four times. He also surpassed 3,500 passing yards four times and orchestrated the organization's first playoff victory.

But the jury is still out on this former Virginia Cavalier. He clashed far too many times with former Saints coach Jim Haslett, and didn't have the best relationship with his offensive mates, either.

Water under the bridge, he says. And the happy-go-lucky Shell happens to agree.

For the sake of Raider Nation, though -- as well as any bettors who take a chance on this club to win the West on WagerWeb.com (line to win West: +$1100) -- those better be more than just words.

"I'm loving the fresh start. I think it was very necessary, particularly coming to a place like this, with such a great tradition," Brooks said. "I'm very excited to be here. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Especially since he was given the reins of Shell's offense long before camp even opened. He didn't have to battle backup Marques Tuiasosopo. And former starter Kerry Collins is long gone.

Aaron Brooks is the guy," Shell said. "He's excited about what the capability of the system can allow him to do as far as being the quarterback, the freedom that it allows him to have. He's excited about the weapons that we have available for him to utilize. He's looking forward to the year. So am I."

But so are the Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers, who combined for 32 wins last season and love to throttle defensively challenged teams. The battle for the AFC West figures to be as close as ever, and these high-octane clubs probably can't wait to face an Oakland team that allowed 383 points last season.

"There is a lot of work to be done. But strange things can happen," Shell said. "In this league, as you well know, one year you can be down and the next year you can be on top of the world. Why not us? We can do this. We just have to make sure we do the right things."

With enigmatic, inconsistent stars like Brooks, Porter, Moss and Warren Sapp, that's easier said than done.

CHAD'S CHALLENGE: The Patriots seem gung-ho about Chad Jackson, a second-round pick who is challenging for a starting job at receiver -- never an easy task in New England. They love his big-play ability, his composed confidence, and, more than anything, his upbringing. Jackson, you see, comes from a pass-happy program at the University of Florida.

But beware the curse of the Gators. Although it seems hard to fathom, former Florida receivers usually struggle in the NFL.

For evidence, take a look at your fantasy wideout cheat sheet, and try to find Travis Taylor, Ike Hilliard, Jabar Gaffney, Reidel Anthony, Reche Caldwell and Taylor Jacobs.

Keep looking.

In fact, Seattle's Darrell Jackson, who seemed an afterthought during his days in Gainesville, is the only former Gator to finish in the NFL's top 10 receivers since 1985. In 2003, he was 10th with 1,137 yards.

So, history is not on Chad's side after all.

"But what makes me different is, I'm a guy that goes out there and works hard," he said. "You can talk to any of my old coaches, they will tell you that I'm a hard worker. I have great character, and I'm willing to do what it takes to go out there and win."

Time will tell.

MAKE ROOM FOR JAI: When most bettors hear the name Jai Lewis, they'll probably recall being on one side or the other of George Mason's amazing Cinderella run to the Final Four four months ago. Lewis was the hulking center for the Patriots, who advanced to the national semifinals before losing to Florida.

A day after the NFL Draft, however, Lewis signed a free-agent deal with the Giants, who envisioned him as an offensive lineman and long snapper.

"It's not going to be an easy task," Lewis said then. "It's going to be a rocky road, an uphill road."

Too rocky, apparently.

The 6-foot-5, 292-pound Lewis has changed his mind and is now scouting opportunities to play professional basketball overseas.

But that doesn't mean the Giants won't hold out hope. In fact, Coach Tom Coughlin, who praised Lewis' work ethic at a minicamp, placed him on the reserved/retired list last week.

That way, should Lewis decide to try the NFL again, Big Blue would own his rights.

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