Gannon One of the Discards

For all the talk about kid quarterbacks and the rise of the African American quarterback, it turns out to be the year of the discarded quarterback.

Three of the four quarterbacks in the conference title games were dumped by other teams, including both starters in the AFC championship game.

“In ‘94, I was out of football,” said Oakland’s Rich Gannon, who also played for Minnesota, Washington and Kansas City.

“I had shoulder surgery and really did not know if I’d ever get an opportunity to play again in the National Football League. I took a job with the Kansas City Chiefs, went back to making league minimum and tried to work my way back and get a chance to play again.”

Baltimore’s Trent Dilfer spent six seasons with Tampa Bay before the Buccaneers opted for Shaun King, who took over for the injured Dilfer and led the team to the NFC title game last season.

In the NFC, New York Giant quarterback Kerry Collins’ early success was affected by his struggles with alcohol, and he was waived by Carolina and New Orleans.

Only Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper, a second-year pro, is with his original team.

“Who knows?” Dilfer said. “In my experience, the adversity in my career has helped make me a better person and a better football player.

“Maybe the adversity hardens you to deal with the things you have to as a quarterback.

“Maybe we’re lucky and landed on good football teams.”

Or maybe, as Coach Brian Billick suggested, the changing of the guard as such players as John Elway, Dan Marino and Steve Young retired put a premium on experienced quarterbacks until the next wave matures.

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The Raiders probably will be without a member of the running back committee that combines to form the NFL’s top rushing offense.

‘[Napoleon Kaufman] is still doubtful for this game,” Coach Jon Gruden said. “He has a lingering knee injury. We won’t know until game time.”

Fullback Jon Ritchie is expected to return after missing the last month because of an ankle injury.

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Gruden has spared no praise for Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, the NFL defensive player of the year.

“I don’t call him Ray Lewis. I call him Lennox Lewis. He’ll knock you out,” Gruden said.

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Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe did not travel with the Ravens to Oakland because he attended a funeral, but he is expected to join the team today.