Flores Not Pulling Panic Switch at Quarterback : Hilger Impressive, but Raider Coach Sticks With Wilson Despite Detractors

Before the kickoff, Raider owner Al Davis was asked what he thought of his team after its shaky start in the National Football League this year--three games won, two lost.

“Our (preseason) goal was to be 4-1 at this point,” Davis said. “We’re close.”

After holding off the New Orleans Saints here Sunday, 23-13, the Raiders (4-2) are still close.

But now they’re having a serious disagreement with their fans.

At quarterback, the club’s brain trust wants veteran Marc Wilson. Many fans want rookie Rusty Hilger.

The starter, Wilson, was booed extensively in every quarter Sunday--before and after he left briefly with a shoulder injury during his second series.

Wilson’s long tour made it possible for Hilger to finish with a 1.000 passing percentage against the Saints. His only attempt was completed to another rookie, wide receiver Jessie Hester, at a time when the doctors were working on Wilson.

Hilger’s pass arched accurately down the field on the 29-yard play that set up the afternoon’s first touchdown.

For the day, Wilson was under .500, completing 14 of 31 for 169 yards.

Raider Coach Tom Flores confirmed later that he heard the boos. But he added: “No one is going to influence us on who to play.”

His decision to reinstate Wilson despite a more impressive first quarter by Hilger was based on a set of reasons that had been thought out and compiled before the game.

“Marc played well last week,” Flores said. “And he had a good week of practice. He’s our No. 1 quarterback. He’s tough, and he plays hurt. I took Rusty out when Marc told me (after treatment) that he was OK and could play.”

Did the head coach give any thought whatever to keeping Hilger in?

Flores: “That decision is really made by the doctors. If the doctors say your No. 1 quarterback is ready to play, there’s no reason not to put him back in.”

Flores wasn’t dismayed by the Raiders’ first two series, in which Wilson completed one of four and was sacked twice before Hilger came in to get the team moving.

“I used to be a quarterback,” Flores said. “Everything isn’t perfect every time.”

Did it bother you when you were booed?

Flores: “There weren’t many in the stands when I was playing for the Raiders.”

Does it bother the team when the quarterback is booed continually?

Flores: “You don’t give it a great deal of thought. You’ve got more important things to think about.”

Flores was impressed with Hilger’s one pass, which came on the first play of a two-play, 40-yard touchdown drive.

“Rusty was on target,” the coach said of the Raiders’ longest play of the first half and almost their only brilliant offensive play except those involving halfback Marcus Allen. “The receiver (Hester) was running a deep square-in. The tight end (Todd Christensen) ran a crossing pattern. The play-action fake to Marcus held the linebackers. Rusty threw to the right place.”

Hilger has that to think about. Wilson has the win to think about.