Raider Camp : Veterans Kinlaw and McKinney Released as Roster Is Trimmed to 50

In the Raider camp, Tuesday’s cut to 50 went deep, slicing away veterans Reggie Kinlaw and Odis McKinney, and shaking up the teammates they left behind.

Kinlaw, 28, the sixth-year nose guard and a star in the 1984 Super Bowl, succumbed to the challenge of fourth-year defensive lineman Bill Pickel and the infamous 45-man roster, which didn’t allow room for a run specialist.

McKinney, 28, a fifth defensive back for most of his six Raider seasons, lost out to Stacey Toran. Toran becomes the added safety in passing situations.

“Those two guys were real Raiders,” Coach Tom Flores said. “They were part of two of the greatest moments in the history of the Raider organization, the ’81 Super Bowl and the ’84 Super Bowl. In my opinion they exemplified what a Raider is: guys with class, poise--tough guys. There every day, every meeting. That’s about the best compliment I can pay.”

Both players bore up well. Kinlaw was the more surprised, but a club official had suggested weeks ago that he was on the bubble.

McKinney was less surprised. He had been hearing rumors about being traded for weeks.

Kinlaw said: “It was a big surprise. Not only to me, but my fellow players. To be a first-string starter. . . . I started in two Super Bowls. From the (‘81) Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, I was the only defensive lineman left. It’s a big surprise.

“The sad thing about it is leaving all my friends. It’s like a family. Me and my roommate, Kenny King, have been together 10 years (with the Raiders and at Oklahoma). But you come to a time when the dynasty just breaks apart.

“I thought that (1983) was my hump year. After that game (the ’84 Super Bowl, in which he ate up the lead Hog, Redskin center Jeff Bostic), I thought everything was just going to lay out for me. But things happen.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet. I’m still on the campgrounds. I suppose when I hit that traffic jam home, I’m going to fall apart.”

McKinney said: “When they traded for me six years ago, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Being coached by (Willie) Brown and Chet (Franklin)--just thinking about it really hurts.

“I do thank Al (Davis). Al helped me a lot. He gave me the opportunity to play. When I saw the players here in ‘80, I thought there was no way I could play. The backups were that good. They really worked with me, helped me a lot. I thank Al a lot for that.

“I’ve gone through two Super Bowls with Tom (Flores). I’ve gone through two Super Bowls with a lot of players on this team. Tom and Al were just talking about the play in Cleveland (the 14-12 victory en route to the ’81 Super Bowl in which the Browns’ Brian Sipe threw the late interception with his team in field goal position). No one remembers it. Everyone remembers Mike Davis’ interception.

“There was a play when I hit an ice patch and Ozzie Newsome caught a pass on me. I was down and there was no way I could get up and catch him. They keep talking about how I came out of nowhere and caught him. No one else was within 35 yards.

“I’ve had my fun here. I’ve had my fun.”

Both players alluded to a new feeling in camp, which might be called concern, or might even be called fear.

Even the most secure veterans were subdued before the cuts were announced. Those less established walked around edgily or joked about where they were being traded.

Dave Stalls, affecting resignation, said: “I just work here . . . Don’t I?”

After the cuts, the camp was noticeably quiet. And there is one more after this.

“Usually our camp is open, wild,” McKinney said, packing his briefcase. “Crazy things happen. This one was kind of tense, especially for the veterans. The coaches were telling us, ‘There are going to be some surprises the next two weeks. Watch the (waiver) wire.’ ”

Safety Mike Davis, late in the afternoon: “Reggie, I’ve been with him day-in, day-out, good years and bad times. Odis and I have been together so long. We were in college (Colorado) together. Out there today, I started to do something knowing how he’d play it and then I realized he wasn’t there. “

Raider Notes

Also waived: No. 11 pick Steve Strachan of Boston College; tackle Warren Bryant, a huge tackle who started seven seasons in Atlanta, beaten out for the moment by rookie Kevin Belcher; and linebacker Darryl Byrd. . . . Onto injured reserve: linebacker Jamie Kimmel, the No. 4 pick and last week’s sensation, with a hamstring pull; center Nick Haden, a seventh-round pick with a hand injury; No. 7 pick Mark Pattison with a hamstring and tight end Jeff McCall, who has a groin injury.