PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Shell Stresses Teamwork

Without quarterback Jeff Hostetler, the offense would sputter. Without defensive end Anthony Smith, the pass rush would fade. That was what people assumed before the season and, sure enough, when Hostetler and Smith struggled in the first few games, so did the Raiders.

Coach Art Shell is trying to change that mind-set.

“I keep saying that the worst thing you can do as a team, “ he told reporters, sounding more like he was addressing his players than the media, “is to wait for one or two individuals to make something happen. . . . Don’t wait for your teammates to do it. That’s the easy way. Don’t be a follower. (Don’t say), ‘I’m going to wait and see what he does. If he does good, then I’ll do good.’ No, no. (Instead say,) ‘I’m going to do good because I know he’s going to do good.’ That’s the attitude you’ve got to have.

“Hostetler had a tough day last Sunday (three interceptions against the New England Patriots in a 21-17 Raider victory). To listen to you guys talk, the team goes as Hoss goes, but I think Sunday proved Hoss can have an off day and this team can still win.”

Shell equated the situation to his own playing days as a Hall of Fame offensive lineman for the Raiders.

“I never said (quarterback Ken) Stabler’s got to make a play,” Shell recalled. “Hell, if I don’t block, he ain’t going to make a play. Do my job and my teammate will do his. You’ve got to believe that.”