Tight ends Steve Heiden and Aaron Shea are getting better. Both jogged
with their teammates during warm-ups Friday, but they did not
participate in all the drills.
"We've worked our contingency plans," Coach Romeo Crennel
said. "I'm not going to say what they are, but if we have to do
something, we'll do something."
Heiden and Shea are both hopeful of playing. Heiden's ankle
was heavily taped and Shea wore a tight wrap on his swollen left calf.
Heiden appears closer than Shea to playing. Speculation is
Paul Irons will be activated from the practice squad if one or both of
the tight end veterans cannot play.
HAPPY WITH DAVIS - Naturally, Crennel is very happy Andra Davis has a new five-year contract, but he does not want the 12 other
free agents thinking 'What about me?' during the final three games. He
is making it clear he won't talk about individual players and whether he
wants a particular player back.
"We have several free agents on this team we will deal with
in due time. Questions about who is next, I'm not going to talk about
because it will happen in time. I told the players all they could do is
their best and the process will take place."
The players who would be unrestricted free agents without new
contracts before March 1 are: linebackers Ben Taylor and Orlando Ruff,
tight end Aaron Shea, defensive backs Ray Mickens and Antwan Harris,
offensive tackle L.J. Shelton, guard Mike Pucillo, wide receiver Antonio Bryant, punter Kyle Richardson and defensive end Orpheus Roye.
FRYE GOES SLEEVELESS:
Charlie Frye left no doubt he will be fine for the Raiders. He did
not wear the support sleeve on his right knee during practice Friday. He
said he felt good to go earlier in the locker room.
Crennel said Frye should expect to see a lot of man to man
coverage in Oakland. The Raiders have an NFL-low three interceptions,
but they are third with 13 fumble recoveries.
Crennel said Frye should expect to see more man-to-man coverage
than he saw against Jacksonville or Cincinnati.