Oakland’s Bid Is Not So Super

The board overseeing the Oakland Coliseum has rejected plans for a privately financed Super Bowl in 2005, severely undercutting the city’s bid to play host to the game.

The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority, which is in a protracted legal battle with the Raiders, cited legal and financial risks as it refused to endorse plans for the game.

Oakland is competing with Miami and Jacksonville for the right to stage the 2005 game. The winning city is expected to be chosen Wednesday in Atlanta by the NFL’s 31 team owners.

The Oakland bid has been put together during the past year by a nonprofit group consisting mostly of businessmen.

County Supervisor Gail Steele asked the authority for a one-paragraph endorsement that the bid group could present to NFL owners. But the authority refused to give its endorsement, and questioned the plan.

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Seattle quarterback Brock Huard will miss the Kansas City game because of a concussion. Jon Kitna, who suffered a mild concussion last week, will take Huard’s place. . . . Linebacker Zach Thomas, Miami’s leading tackler, will not play against Green Bay. Thomas has been fitted with a cast for a sprain in his right ankle, and his availability for a Nov. 5 game at Detroit is also in question. . . . Tennessee running back Eddie George, who practiced without a brace on his right knee, said he still doesn’t know if he will be able to play Monday against Washington. George has a sprained ligament in the knee. Middle linebacker Randall Godfrey practiced for the first time this week after X-rays on his foot and heel revealed no serious damage. Receiver Yancey Thigpen was pulled out of the workout after he experienced tightness in a hamstring.