Raider Notebook : Plunkett May Be Ready to Get Up Off the Floor Again at the Count of 9

Here comes his 1,000th comeback:

Four days after 39-year-old Jim Plunkett arrived in camp, flunked his physical and was dispatched to the physically unable to perform list, he is throwing so well that a Raider official says: “He looks ready to go.”

If that is the optimistic assessment, the more cautious Tom Flores sees improvement, too.

“He’s coming along,” the Raider coach said. “I think he’s gaining strength. I couldn’t say that a month ago. I don’t think he could have said it a month ago.

“We really haven’t put it to the supreme test, having him practice or play in an exhibition game. And we might have to make a judgment without doing that.”

The Raiders still have more than a month before the final cut, when that judgment must be made. They’re thought to favor keeping Plunkett around one way or another--on the active roster or on injured reserve. It will probably come down to how well Rusty Hilger, Marc Wilson and Ed Luther play in exhibitions, how Plunkett continues to respond and whether a taker can be found for Wilson.

Plunkett can’t practice while he’s on the unable list, so he works out after drills, clad in a gray T-shirt and shorts. He says he’s encouraged.

“Very much so,” he said during Tuesday morning’s practice, pedaling away on an exercise bicycle. “When I first had the surgery, I thought it was never going to get any better.

“I’m throwing ups, outs, just about every pass we throw. By the time I get the receivers, they’re pretty tired. I don’t want to overwork them. I just have them stand in one place.”

The exception is tight end Trey Junkin, a glutton for punishment also on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing knee surgery last season, who is only too glad to run routes for Plunkett.

A year ago, when Junkin would finish with the weight work prescribed by the training staff, he’d go home and try to push his car to build up his legs, Flores said. Junkin is also looking forward to the day he can rejoin practice.

Raider Notes

Howie Long missed a third day of practice with back spasms, but Tom Flores said it is nothing serious. “He’s going out (this) morning and working light,” Flores said. “This is just a precautionary thing.” . . . The war over who will succeed Ray Guy: with one nominee (Scott Livingston) already eliminated, it’s down to USFL record-holder Stan Talley and ex-Philadelphia Eagle Ray Criswell. Talley, the front-runner, has been kicking low liners for the past few days, and Criswell’s name is being heard more often. Said Flores: “Talley does have a little edge. He has some impressive credentials. . . . His leg’s a little tired. I told him to take tomorrow off.” . . . The morning drill featured a free-swinging fight between John Clay and defensive end Jeff Reinke. Flores: “Sam Boghosian (offensive line coach) jumped on the pile and he came flying out of there. Then they fell on him.” . . . The new Raider defensive back, Ron Fellows, has been conspicuous by his neat practice attire. Told the Raiders don’t care and that he can loosen up and wear something torn, Fellows said, “I thought about it.”