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Raider Camp : 2 Kickers Are Cut; Veterans to Report Tonight

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Times Staff Writer

The Raiders made their first two cuts of rookie camp Wednesday, releasing free agent kickers Vince Gamache of Cal State Fullerton and Mike Ward of Glendale College.

Another 8 or 10 rookies and free agents will be cut today. The veterans will report tonight and practice for the first time Friday

The Raiders, who have had all sorts of characters, recently had the world’s greatest athlete, too, on their premises, anyway. That was Daley Thompson of Great Britain, the Olympic gold-medal winner in the decathlon, whom they tried out last April at their El Segundo headquarters.

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“He could really run and he could really jump,” Coach Tom Flores said. “He was explosive.

“Of course, he knew nothing about a three-point stance or anything like that. It was funny. He’d ask me in this British accent, ‘Tawm, what am I doing here? Tawm, what is a bloody route? ‘ “

Said Ron Wolf, personnel operations head: “He contacted us. He was in town for something else. I think it might have been a publicity stunt. There was a British TV crew there, and his agent was there.

“He wasn’t very tall by football standards, about 5-10, 190. If he’d had a position, I guess it would have had to be defensive back or receiver.

“You’re always intrigued by the great athletes. Here’s a guy who’s demonstrated he’s the greatest athlete in the world. “But a guy’s either a football player or not. I’m not saying Daley Thompson couldn’t be a football player--but I rather doubt it. San Francisco got hold of (Renaldo) Nehemiah at a young age. He had experience playing football in high school, so he had some background. Here, you’re talking about a 27-year-old human being.”

So how did they leave it?

“I think we just left it,” Wolf said.

Raider Notes With rookie camp over, Coach Tom Flores praised No. 3 draft choice Tim Moffett, who led all receivers with seven catches in the two Cowboy scrimmages; No. 5 pick Dan Reeder, a fullback from Delaware; Trey Junkin, a free-agent linebacker being converted to tight end, and Sammy Seale, the second-year wide receiver being converted to cornerback. . . . Flores and Cowboy Coach Tom Landry are discussing pitting their veterans against each other in drills, but not in a scrimmage, to lessen chances of bloodshed. Flores said: “On those 12-play drives, when you’re in there for 12 plays, the defense gets a little testy. I know ours does.” . . . Added Flores, on the probability that someone will report late: “Every year, it’s something. I’ve never seen so many $40,000 cars break down in my life.”

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