PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Former USC Linebacker Gee Signs a Contract

Matt Gee got the call Tuesday from George Karras, the Raiders’ scouting director.

“Want to come out?” Karras asked the former USC linebacker.

“You’re kidding, right?” Gee replied. “I can be out in about an hour.”

Gee, his chances of landing an NFL job growing dimmer by the day, quit working out a week ago.

But he was one of three players signed by the Raiders on Wednesday. The others are Clarence Siler of Cal State Fullerton and Nick Oleson of Maryland, both defensive ends.

To make room, the Raiders cut former USC defensive back Darrel Hopper, defensive back John Diggs and running back Myron Jones.

With two defensive linemen, Greg Townsend and Scott Davis, and linebacker Winston Moss still sitting out over pay disputes, and several other players banged up, the Raiders decided to get some help.

“We need bodies to work,” Coach Art Shell said.

Gee figures that any chance he has of keeping his spot, however slim it may be, depends on his versatility. He can serve as a backup center on deep snaps and as a member of the special teams, in addition to his role as a linebacker.

Although he doesn’t know too many people in the Raider camp, Gee found one friendly face--quarterback Todd Marinovich, his college roommate.

Marinovich, his playing time in Saturday’s Coliseum exhibition game against the Washington Redskins threatened by a sore arm, returned to practice, throwing the ball in both the morning and afternoon sessions of the final two-a-day workout of training camp.

Marinovich was forced to curtail his throwing the past two days.