Shell Sees Raider Holdouts Being in Camp Soon

When Art Shell was playing for the Raiders, he never had a contract dispute during his 15-year career.

“I used to walk in and talk with the man (Al Davis), and I got my contract done in about 5-10 minutes,” Shell said. “I always felt like he got me, but I was happy when I walked out of the room.

Times have changed, however.

There are nine holdouts as Shell holds his first training camp as head coach, including tailback Marcus Allen, defensive end Greg Townsend and quarterback Steve Beuerlein, all of whom failed to report Friday, the first day that veterans were due.

The other holdouts are running back Steve Smith, safety Vann McElroy, tight end Mike Dyal, wide receiver Mike Alexander, cornerback Mike Haynes and defensive end Anthony Smith of Arizona, the Raiders’ top draft choice.

“I can’t go cut my throat because those guys aren’t here,” Shell said. “You’ve got to deal with the people that are here. We’ll have a little bit more opportunity to take a look at the younger guys. When those guys come in, we’ll welcome them with open arms.”

Is Shell discouraged by the large number of holdouts?

“No, it doesn’t discourage me because most of them are very close,” he said. “It’s just a matter of making a phone call. Of that group, 80% to 90% are very close to being done.”

But not all are close.

Beuerlein, who earned a reported $140,000 last season, is reportedly seeking a substantial raise. He threw for more yards and more touchdown passes last season than quarterback Jay Schroeder, who signed a $1-million, one-year contract Wednesday. Beuerlein was 4-3 as a starter, Schroeder was 4-5.

Beuerlein may believe he’s entitled to more compensation because the NFL average for quarterbacks was $397,000 in 1988, before the recent wave of big-money contracts for quarterbacks such as Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys pushed the average upward.

Allen, who was in his option year last season, missed training camp last summer because of a contract dispute. However, the Raiders refused to renegotiate and renewed his contract at a reported $1.1 million.

There has been speculation that the Raiders may attempt to trade Allen because they have an overabundance of tailbacks after acquiring Greg Bell from the Rams.

Does Allen fit into the Raiders’ plans?

“As far as I’m concerned, he fits into our plans,” Shell said. “He’s fit in for 11 years, and I expect that he’ll come in here and perform for us. There’s always rumors; rumors abound.”

Townsend, who led the Raiders in sacks last season, is coming off an extraordinary season, which may give him more leverage in contract negotiations. He earned a reported $475,000 in 1989.

Dyal, who replaced Todd Christensen in the Raiders’ starting lineup last season, averaged 18.5 yards in 27 catches in his first full NFL campaign. He had his best game with 124 receiving yards in a 16-13 victory over Denver.

Smith, after gaining a total of 180 yards in his first two years, had his best season in 1989, rushing for 471 yards, second-best on the team behind Bo Jackson, who gained 950 yards.

McElroy, Haynes and Alexander are in a weaker position in contract negotiations.

McElroy started the Raiders’ first four games before he was knocked out by a hamstring injury.

Haynes, 37, selected to the Pro Bowl nine times in his first 14 seasons, didn’t start last season and was used mainly as an extra defensive back in passing situations.