Plunkett Joins Quarterback Picture as Hilger Falls Out

The Raider quarterback rotation underwent its first shake-up of camp Friday: 40-year-old Jim Plunkett joined it, and 25-year-old Rusty Hilger fell out.

Even this much marks a comeback for Plunkett, who wasn’t even allowed to participate in on-field drills in mini-camp. He now joins the competition for the No. 1 spot with Vince Evans and Steve Beuerlein.

“I’m impressed,” Raider Coach Mike Shanahan said. “Somebody else (a new coach) coming in, a new system, no promises have ever been made.”

This may not be the end of the comeback, either. There are indications among Raider officials that Plunkett has become Plan B. If Evans can’t do it--they’d prefer to bring the 22-year-old Beuerlein slowly--they’re thinking of going with Plunkett to buy some time.

Hilger, last season’s opening-day starter, now becomes a longshot to make the team.

Raider Notes

Coach Mike Shanahan said Matt Millen and possibly Stacey Toran will be fined $1,000 for each day out of camp. Both are holdouts, but the Raiders are arguing that Millen is under contract, because the team sent him one offering him a 10% raise. “We’ve got a policy: People don’t show up, they’re fined,” Shanahan said. “The players are aware of it. Can Matt Millen be fined? Will he be fined? Yes.” . . . Raider cuts included former Ram Hank Goebel, former UCLA running back Marcus Greenwood, former Brigham Young University running back Lakei Heimuli, former Notre Dame wide receiver Milt Jackson and former BYU wide receiver Rich Zayas.