PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Shell Gives Young Good Marks

Raider Coach Art Shell says Steve Young has played well in relief of Joe Montana as the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback.

“Steve is beginning to feel comfortable with what they’re doing,” Shell said Friday. “They’re running the same offense, and Jerry Rice is still breaking three- or four-yard (pass) patterns into long runs.”

The Raiders will also try to keep Young in the pocket Sunday.

“He’s an outstanding runner,” Shell said. “He probably could be a pretty good halfback.”

Although rookie running back Nick Bell has been moved onto the practice squad, Shell said he will wait to see how Bell progresses in workouts before making a decision on whether to activate him for Sunday’s game.

The absence of guard Max Montoya, out because of a groin injury, does not signal the end of the Tilt formation in which the team employs two tackles. Shell said the Raiders will still use the formation because tackle Rory Graves, who had been inactive for the last three games, will be on the field.