Article: Gannon's backup is set to go

[xRaider]

Gannon's backup is set to go
Tuiasosopo takes inspiration from Detmer's game against Niners
By Jerry McDonald STAFF WRITER


Thursday, November 28, 2002 - ALAMEDA -- Oakland Raiders quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo watched with more than casual interest as backup Koy Detmer led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 38-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers Monday night.

Here was a guy with limited regular season experience taking over for Donovan McNabb, a Most Valuable Player candidate considered the Eagles' most indispensable player.

Until he suffered a dislocated left elbow in the third quarter, Detmer played so well the Eagles -- for one night, anyway -- didn't miss the man they supposedly couldn't survive without.

"I see him play like that and I think, 'If he can do it, then I should be able to do the same thing if I'm in that position,'" Tuiasosopo said Wednesday. "Obviously, he prepared the right way."

Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon has started all 59 regular-season games since signing with Oakland in 1999, the third-longest streak among quarterbacks in the league behind Brett Favre (168) and Peyton Manning (75).

Passing at a rate which could net him all-time records in completions and passing yardage, Gannon is as valuable to the Raiders as McNabb was to the Eagles.

Gannon has been so reliable he's almost been taken for granted in terms of durability, but the reality is quarterbacks are lost every week to injury. Should the unthinkable occur, Tuiasosopo believes he is ready.

"Every week I try to prepare like I'm going to play," Tuiasosopo. "Even though I'm not getting any reps, I still get mental reps. I'm watching film with Rich, going over the game plan. I'm ready."

Tuiasosopo has had a front row seat to Gannon's 3,535 yards passing, 68.9 percent completion rate, eight 300-yard games and 22 touchdowns and believes those numbers are cultivated during the week.

"Rich is like that every day on the practice field, so when you see it in a game, it's not like it's anything new," Tuiasosopo said. "There's something pretty special about him, and hopefully if I was ever needed, I would be able to carry that over."

Coach Bill Callahan said Tuiasosopo, who got the majority of the work in minicamps and played extensively in the preseason, would get the same game plan Gannon gets.

Halfback Randy Jordan believes Gannon's well-known penchant for preparation in the film room and meeting rooms has rubbed off on Tuiasosopo, who spends much of his time on the sideline talking about defensive alignments and potential audibles.

"You know how they saw when you're married for a long time you take on the characteristics of your spouse? Tui is taking on some of the characteristics from Rich," Jordan said.


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[BK]

I think Tui will be ready to go once he is needed. During the games, he's always there, like sponge, taking everything in. I think the kid has a bright future.

[Rhode Raider]

When his time comes, he'll be well prepared to pick up where Rich left off. I see great things in his future. If Gannons work ethic and attention to detail rubs off on him he will be a great one.

[RaiderBlitz]

In a few years when Gannon retires ( After three Super Bowl Rings ) Tui will be more then ready. I have a feeling he will be great. In a way he's lucky not to be starting as a young QB. Living near Fresno I'm a bit of a David Carr fan and having to start for Huston he may never have the career he could of if he had a few tears as an understudy instead of taking the beating is getting now. In five years he may be done and Qb's like Tui will be the top in the NFL. That is one reason 1st round picks fail to meet their potential and QB's like Gannon become one of the best. Tui is on the right team and the right path.
I just wish we get we get a few big leads and let Tui show some of his stuff.

[crizpynutz]

As badly as I want to see him play and succeed, we have the NFL MVP right now at the position. Gannon only has a year maybe two left after this one so Tui's time will come, sooner that you think too. Our Superbowl aspirations this season though will hinge on Gannon.

[javdog2001]

He certainly is a big improvement over Bobby Hoying or Rodney Peete. I'm glad Gannon preparation is rubbing off on Tui. Once again I think it points to big things to come for the Raiders. All this talk about Raiders and salary cap woes are blown out of proportion.