PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Shell Is Not Afraid to Make the Switch

It’s a tiny crack in the stonewall, the smallest of breaks from the solid stance of the past.

But for the first time Wednesday, Raider Coach Art Shell conceded that he has two options at quarterback.

“We have two capable quarterbacks,” Shell said. “I would not be afraid to pull the trigger if I feel there’s a need. If we’re struggling and we need a boost, I would go to Todd (Marinovich) because I think he’s come along enough not to have that fear of using him.”

That might not seem like a large concession on Shell’s part, but it is a marked difference from the past.

Since the opening day of training camp, Shell has declared Jay Schroeder is his starting quarterback, Marinovich is the backup, and ended the discussion there.

Schroeder will start Sunday in Cincinnati, but, if he does not have a good first half, he might not get a second one.

The Raiders are expected to activate defensive lineman Greg Townsend for Sunday. Shell says he wants to see how Townsend does in practice this week before making a decision.

Townsend ended his holdout last Friday, two days before the opener, reporting out of shape.

“I feel good,” Townsend said. “I’m always in shape. I’ve got a few extra pounds, but, what the hell, I’ve been growing ever since I came in here (nine years ago) at 235 pounds.”

Observers figure Townsend’s current weight at close to 50 pounds above that.