Surprise Shakeup of Raider Linebackers Corps : Van Pelt, Squirek Released; Barksdale Wins Receiver Job; Hannah Returning

The Raider cuts are all in. Gone from this season’s roster are two co-captains, three Super Bowl touchdowns and one starter.

Leaving Monday were Brad Van Pelt, a starter at left outside linebacker since arriving midway through the 1985 season; Jack Squirek, who intercepted a Joe Theismann screen pass and returned it for a touchdown in the ’84 Super Bowl; wide receiver Mark Pattison, the No. 7 draft choice in ’85 who was so impressive in two camps but was edged at the wire by the new home run hitter, Rod Barksdale; and reserve guard Dwight Wheeler.

Among other things, this made it official: Napoleon McCallum is a Raider.

The Raiders made another move Monday. Guard Charley Hannah, who held out through training camp at his home in Tampa, Fla., has reportedly agreed to a new multiyear contract. Hannah, who made $260,000 last season, will reportedly move into the $325,000 range. The Raiders have a two-game exemption before putting him back on the roster. Hannah was in sweat clothes Monday at the team’s facility in El Segundo.

Van Pelt, 35, made the Pro Bowl five straight seasons, from 1976-80 as a New York Giant, spent half a season with the Minnesota Vikings and was acquired by the Raiders to fill the spot vacated when Ted Hendricks retired.

The Raiders used him primarily on running downs. His days were thought to be numbered when Jerry Robinson was acquired, but Van Pelt had an excellent exhibition season. Late last week, Coach Tom Flores even suggested to writers that Van Pelt might retain his starter’s job.

Monday, the decision came down otherwise. The Raiders have decided to go with the more versatile Robinson--a Pro Bowler, himself--and to use Linden King, the newly acquired veteran from San Diego, to back up the outside spots.

One inside linebacker had to leave. Last year’s No. 4 draft choice, Jamie Kimmel, a tough young player, wound up beating out the perennial Al Davis favorite, Squirek. Squirek has size and speed, although not enough of the latter to be a top outside backer. He got his chance at Bob Nelson’s inside job last season but wasn’t physical enough and wound up getting beaten out by No. 10 draft choice Reggie McKenzie.

And, finally, Pattison lost out to Barksdale, the track star from Compton and the University of Arizona, who wrote the Raiders for a tryout and who has never played a down in a real football game.

Barksdale and Pattison both spent last season on injured reserve and waged a furious fight for the last receiver spot through the exhibition season. In the second exhibition, Barksdale scored on a 60-yard touchdown pass play from Mark Wilson, just before Pattison hooked up on a 56-yarder with Rusty Hilger.

But last week, Barksdale scored on another bomb, a 71-yard play from Wilson. He also caught passes for gains of 32 and 29 yards in the same period, in all probability making the team in the process.

“I didn’t know what my exact status was,” Barksdale said. “I knew they were only going to keep four receivers. I thought I was in the fifth spot. Granted, he (Pattison) was a draft choice, he had more football experience than I had, he’d been to more bowl games. I had to put myself in the rear of the group.

“Did the touchdown help? Anything helps. I did think that was necessary to maybe move up. The Raiders are always looking for big plays.”

So Van Pelt and Squirek join Raider cuts in this exhibition season that included captains Dave Dalby and Derrick Jensen, and halfback Kenny King. Jensen and Squirek scored touchdowns in the ’84 Super Bowl, and King scored one in the ’80 Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.

The Raiders made one more move Monday, placing No. 3 draft choice Brad Cochran on injured reserve. Cochran, a defensive back from Michigan, has a bad back.