PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Hostetler to Start Again, Shell Says

A Raider quarterback controversy?

Don’t even think it.

Coach Art Shell made it plain Monday that nothing has changed since day one of training camp. His starting quarterback was, is and will be Jeff Hostetler.

Hostetler was forced to give way Sunday to backup Vince Evans after falling behind the New York Jets, 14-0, early in the second quarter. Hostetler, bothered by a sprained ankle, threw two interceptions and also lost a fumble.

On came Evans to throw two touchdown passes and lead the Raiders to the winning touchdown with four seconds to play as the Raiders beat New York, 24-20.

But Shell expects Hostetler to practice this week and plans to start him Monday night against the Denver Broncos.

“I felt he was healthy enough,” Shell said of his decision to start Hostetler against the Jets. “He practiced well last week. But in the heat of battle, sometimes you’re not as healthy as you think you are. Practice and the game are two different things.”

Shell pulled Hostetler with 11:09 remaining in the second quarter. He said Monday that he had considered pulling Hostetler on the previous series. Instead, he left him in and the quarterback threw his second interception, which Brian Washington ran back 62 yards for the Jets’ second touchdown.