Raiders : Hilger to Get His Chance in Exhibition Opener

The Raiders are playing an exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers here Saturday, and Raider Coach Tom Flores plans to use a rookie third-string quarterback as well as his big two, Jim Plunkett and Marc Wilson.

As mild a development as that is, Flores hasn’t done it in five seasons, when the kid was Wilson, his No. 1 draft choice.

This time, it’s not a No. 1 or a 2, or even, a 3, 4 or 5. It’s Rusty Hilger, the non-throwin’ Oklahoman, a sixth-round pick from Oklahoma State, where was hidden in a conservative offense.

Hilger, 23, looks like a cross between Huck Finn and Gary Busey, and has been impressing the Raider staff since he got off the plane from Oklahoma City.

Flores liked him in the mini-camps and worried out loud when Hilger held out for the first three days of rookie camp. There are only so many chances to look at a rookie quarterback, Flores kept saying.

A Raider official suggested that this was the low-key Flores’ way of suggesting that Hilger report before the last rookie scrimmage against the Cowboys, or he might as well forget it.

Hilger did report and played well against the Cowboys. Within a week, the Raiders released his more ballyhooed competition, Rich Campbell.

The question is, why was this guy still available in the sixth round?

“They had a little conservative pass offense,” said Larry Kennan, Raider quarterback coach who flew to Stillwater last spring to work Hilger out.

“All they ran were short routes. You really had to look hard to see him do all the things you needed to see. I looked at every game film from his senior year and some from his junior year.

“There were two things. I liked that real quick release that he’s got. He’s got an exceptionally quick release. That’s something you can’t teach. And he looked to me like he was a leader. It looked like during games that he’d say, ‘Aw, the hell with it, let’s just go win this game.’ And he’d do that.

“I knew the coaches down there very well. They told me the other guys who’d come down there to work him out hadn’t liked him.

“I have been a little surprised he’s picked things up so quickly but he’s a real bright guy. He’s still got a long way to go, but obviously, he’s a good sixth-round pick.”

Hilger was also motivated enough to turn down a $1 million offer from the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits, $250,000 of which was guaranteed. That was before the NFL draft, in which he knew he wasn’t going high.

Hilger said: “I guess, you know, when you’re four days away from something that you’ve waited for all your life--the draft was just too important to me.

“I’d never have been able to live with myself. I’d have said, ‘What if? What if?’

“I guess I was the type of guy where they think, ‘Maybe he can and maybe he can’t.’ I’m not an impact player. I didn’t come in here expecting to change this squad.”

He has spent a lot of time--ever since the May 20 draft--in El Segundo, poring over the Raider playbook, which has something to do with his quick recognition. He’s already had a little impact, anyway.

Raider Notes The Raiders released halfback Joe McCall, an early chop for last year’s No. 3 draft choice from Pitt. Said Tom Flores: “Unfortunately for Joe, when you have Marcus Allen and Kenny King (who is being switched from fullback) at halfback, and a 45-man squad, there’s a limit to the number of backs you can keep.” . . . Todd Christensen, who has had bruised ribs, won’t play against the 49ers Saturday night. Also doubtful is center Dave Dalby, who has a sore groin . . . Wide receiver Gordon Jones, a former Ram and Tampa Bay Buccaneer thought to be running No. 6 in the four- or five-man wide receiver race, had a big day in practice. Flores said: “He knows about the numbers and the talent we have at that position and he’s giving a very good effort. He did a have a very good day today. We gave him the game ball.”