Raiders Reluctant to Deal Brown to Get Mandarich

The long-rumored three-way deal among the Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys that would bring holdout rookie super-tackle Tony Mandarich to Los Angeles became public Thursday when Mandarich’s brother mentioned it to a Toronto newspaper.

The rumor is two weeks old and has been denied by all principals.

However, the Raiders are definitely interested. They called Green Bay a week before camp opened, asked about Mandarich and mentioned several big names, a source said.

But the Raiders didn’t say the magic words: Tim Brown.

Coach Mike Shanahan is thought to be against trading Brown, a wide receiver and kick returner. Owner Al Davis isn’t eager to do so, either, but has only one player with that kind of trade value.

Since the Packers need a quarterback, and since they like Dallas draftee Steve Walsh of Miami, the Raiders could try to bring in the Cowboys. The rumor has Brown going to Dallas, Walsh to Green Bay and Mandarich to the Raiders.

In reality, the Packers would want more than an untested rookie quarterback, and the Raiders would probably have to provide extra players or draft picks. Defensive end Greg Townsend’s name has been mentioned.

Tom Braatz, Packer personnel director, insists that his club will let Mandarich sit. But Mandarich just went on ESPN’s “SportsLook” and called Green Bay a village. A few more appearances and he might force Braatz’s hand.

Are the Cowboys interested?

“Well, Tim Brown would interest anybody,” said owner Jerry Jones after a Cowboy-Raider practice. “Everybody who knows how to spell football knows that. Yes, Tim Brown certainly interests us.”