And on the First Day, Shell Goes Back to Raider Way

Back to the future . . .

Art Shell put in his first day as Raider coach Wednesday, and the team’s El Segundo facility threatened to turn into a theme park: Old Raiderland.

Players can sit on their helmets again. That silver-and-blackism was banned by businesslike Mike Shanahan.

Players were instructed to dress for practice--the “old way”--meaning no shorts but standard football pants.

Shell said that Tom Walsh, the quarterback coach, will call the plays, assuming Shanahan’s job. That makes Walsh an untitled offensive coordinator.

Shell suggested that Alex Gibbs, the highly regarded line coach who came from Denver with Shanahan with the title “assistant head coach,” will stay.

“He talked to me about his loyalty to Mike,” Shell said. “And I understand that. I mean, the guy brought him in here. They were friends for a lot of years.

“But he’s a football coach. We had our meetings last night and he wasn’t any different than he was before this happened.”

Gibbs, however, said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen yet. It’s too early to tell.”

Bill Farley, Shanahan’s secretary, was fired.

Don DeBaca, Tom Flores’ former secretary, was rehired.

Al Davis, usually never seen in El Segundo before lunch, was on the scene by mid-morning.

Raider players congratulated Shell and seemed genuinely relieved to have the old regime back.

Everyone awaited the expected changes.

“We’re probably going to see more deep balls,” Jay Schroeder said. “That’s what they want to get back to.

“We’ve been taking our shots here and there. I’m sure Mr. Davis wants to see it go down the field a little more.”

Shanahan couldn’t be reached but released a statement that read: “I’d like to thank Al Davis for the opportunity of becoming a head coach. I would also like to congratulate Art Shell, who is a fine person and will represent the Raiders well. I’m sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to address the team personally (the players were off Tuesday), but I’d like to wish them the best.”