Dec. 30, 2010
RAIDERS PAGERAIDERS VIDEO
Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.com
ALAMEDARunning back Darren McFaddens sore left big toe might make him a gametime decision Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
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McFadden, whose 1,157 rushing yards represent the fifth-highest totalin franchise history, also had painful bouts with turf toe as a rookie.
NEWS: Raiders Injuries
Id say its similar to it, but not near as bad at all, McFaddensaid. It brings back memories, but at the same time its something youlearn to deal with. You know how to approach it.
Im going to do my best right now. I have full intentions on going out there and playing, so Ill see how it goes.
NFL
McFadden also spoke of being named an alternate for the Pro Bowl,behind the likes of Jacksonvilles Maurice Jones-Drew, Houstons ArianFoster and Kansas Citys Jamaal Charles.
STATS: NFL leading rushers
I looked at the year those guys had, he said. They all had greatyears. I couldnt be disappointed. If anybody deserved to go, it wasthose three guys.
Placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, though, was a bit miffed over being passed over for the Pro Bowl. Again.
Its the same story every year, he said.
Asked whats keeping him from going to Hawaii, Janikowski shrugged.
If you can answer that question for me, that would be great, because Ihave no idea. I lead the league in field goals, scoring. Its happenedbefore. Same story.
Its disappointing but, hey, Im going to move on. Im not going to(worry) about it. We got one more game to go and were going to try tobeat Kansas City.
With 135 points, Janikowski has set a Raiders single-season scoringrecord and his 59-yard field goal last week against Indianapolis is thesecond-longest in franchise history, behind the 61-yarder he kicked atCleveland last season.
RELATED: Sebastian Janikowski career stats
But any conversation about Janikowskis season has to include his threemisses at Arizona, including a chip-shot 32-yarder that would have wonthe game for the Raiders in a 24-23 defeat to the Cardinals in Week 3.
I wanted to get some more wins but, hey, if we can finish 8-8 and come(rolling) in next year, he said, were definitely going to be aplayoff team.
Tight end Zach Millers road to the Pro Bowl may have opened up withSan Diegos Antonio Gates being placed on season-ending Injured Reservetoday. Jacksonvilles Marcedes Lewis was the second tight end selected,but Miller was the first alternate.
It would be great, Miller said. Its always been a goal of mine. Imjust happy that I was still voted as high as I was, even though I wasplaying through a lot of injury, missing a lot of time with the tornplantar fascia.
Miller has a team-leading 55 catches for 654 yards and a career-best five touchdowns in 14 games.
Obviously, I want to be one of those guys picked on the roster, butwith the injuries this year and missing time, I feel like I ended upwith a pretty good season, he said.
According to a Tweet from the Chargers, Gates would be eligible to play (in the Pro Bowl) if healthy by January 18.
Besides McFadden, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour (hamstring)was the only other Raiders player to not practice Thursday.
Hes improving, coach Tom Cable said of Seymour, but again, that onewell have to see where hes at tomorrow and then maybe Sunday.
The Raiders fly to Kansas City Friday.
The Chiefs will induct former coachnoted Raider hater Marty Schottenheimer into their Hall of Fame on Sunday.
REWIND: Marty draws Raiders' ire
Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson was brought into the NFL from USC by Schottenheimer when he was in Washington.
He put me in this league so I have a lot of respect for him, Jackson said. He taught me a lot of football.
Reminded of Schottenheimers disdain for the Raiders, Jackson laughed.
He does hate the Raiders and on Sunday, Im going to hate him, Jackson said with another laugh. Thats part of the business.