Shell tells Raider players to get out of his sight

**Nzoner** · 08-18-2006, 03:24 PM

Five hours later, Shell was so disgusted by what he saw, he called the team together in the middle of the field and told them to get out of his sight.

Shell boots team from practice early
By Bill Soliday, STAFF WRITER

NAPA — In the morning, coach Art Shell gushed over his team's practice energy, intensity and said "they met the challenge."

Five hours later, Shell was so disgusted by what he saw, he called the team together in the middle of the field and told them to get out of his sight.

Thus did a scheduled two-hour practice end 50 minutes early.

It was a sobering sight as the team traipsed off the field in subdued silence after the first and most damning chewing out of the year by its new coach.

Although the practice didn't look particularly shoddy, Shell clearly saw something disturbing.

"You've got to work out there," he told the media.

Players still appeared chastised after showering and leaving the clubhouse.

"I apologize for that (stuff) that happened today," quarterback Aaron Brooks said.

Asked what Shell said during his diatribe, defensive tackle Warren Sapp said, "It was a statement that was pretty well felt throughout the whole team I would expect. And if it wasn't, then we're in trouble."

Sapp said that to a man, player and coach, everybody "got the message."

While Sapp said he had never seen a coach call practice to a halt because he didn't like what he was seeing, quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo said he had experienced it in high school.

"We were messing around," he said. "A couple of guys got in a fight, and coach kicked us off the field.

"I don't think it was a particular play (that led to Shell's blowup), probably just the overall tone of the practice. Guys weren't going hard. They were going through the motions.

"It probably wasn't the best practice we've had. We have to practice better if we want to be better. Better (it happen) now than later, I guess."

FIGHTING MAD? Whether the tone of Thursday's afternoon practice was up to snuff or not, one thing has definitely been missing from this year's drills — fights.

There have been a few random scuffles, but no knock-down, drag out donnybrooks like the Raiders of Shell's day used to have.

Shell may not have liked Thursday's practice, but he's pleased about the lack of fisticuffs.

"That's wasted energy," Shell said. "Back then you never saw me fight, did you? There was no need to be fighting. You fight, you wrestle on the ground, and then you have to get back out there and go practice, and you're blowing like a doggone horse.

"I used to tell (guard Gene) Upshaw, who used to get into fights all the time, 'You're crazy. Why are you wasting all that energy?' I don't believe in wasting energy."

Linebacker Matt Millen, now general manager of the Detroit Lions, has owned up to actually arranging fights to get teammates fired up.

"He'd tell you guys that, (but) that was him," Shell said. "He was like that anyway. Matt liked to fight. That was his thing. Even getting ready for the Super Bowl, he said 'I'm going to pick a fight.'

"I said 'So be it. Just don't pick it with me.'"

StcChief · 08-18-2006, 03:33 PM

LOL I still smell a sweep.

**Rain Man** · 08-18-2006, 03:36 PM

I hate Matt Millen. And did I mention that he's stupid?

Calcountry · 08-18-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I hate Matt Millen. And did I mention that he's stupid?

He has a thing for Johnny Morton too.

Hydrae · 08-18-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

"I used to tell (guard Gene) Upshaw, who used to get into fights all the time, 'You're crazy. Why are you wasting all that energy?' I don't believe in wasting energy."

Isn't Upshaw the one who polices these kinds of policies for the league now? Is this a case of the fox watching the hen house or is it more of it takes a thief to catch a thief?

kcxiv · 08-18-2006, 03:54 PM

Herm needs to say the same to his team

**Nzoner** · 08-18-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

Isn't Upshaw the one who polices these kinds of policies for the league now? Is this a case of the fox watching the hen house or is it more of it takes a thief to catch a thief?

Seeing that we play each other week 1 in that yahoo league I figured when I saw your name on the reply that you'd be giving me grief for having Jordan.

Rooster · 08-18-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

Herm needs to say the same to his team

I agree. They need a swift kick in the ass.

Ugly Duck · 08-18-2006, 04:07 PM

Good! This team has needed that speech ever since Gruden left....

Raiderhater · 08-18-2006, 04:42 PM

Damnit, the last thing that team needs is discipline.

ChiefFan31 · 08-18-2006, 04:51 PM

Art Shell is one of the very few guys I respect in that organization. Hell, he might be the only one.

I think his battle is too great to win. He wont have the backing over the long run IMO and wont be given enough time.

Jon Gruden, is the only guy I have seen to be able to turn it around. He actually got the Raiders to not be the Raiders for a few seasons.

I still dont like that Son of a Bitch for what he did.

Hammock Parties · 08-18-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nm_dbf

LOL I still smell a sweep.

**grandllama** · 08-18-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefFan31

...Art Shell is one of the very few guys I respect in that organization. Hell, he might be the only one...

Agreed. It damn near broke my heart that he needed a job so bad he went back to that shithole organization. The man is class.

**Rain Man** · 08-18-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Good! This team has needed that speech ever since Gruden left....

I think Callahan gave them that speech, but he ended it by calling them a bunch of dummies.

Hammock Parties · 08-18-2006, 05:22 PM

Speeches don't really matter at this point. The Raiders have one of the least-talented rosters in the league.

08-18-2006, 03:24 PM
Nzoner a haw haw haw Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: MIZZOU Casino cash: $26365802	Shell tells Raider players to get out of his sight Five hours later, Shell was so disgusted by what he saw, he called the team together in the middle of the field and told them to get out of his sight. Shell boots team from practice early By Bill Soliday, STAFF WRITER NAPA — In the morning, coach Art Shell gushed over his team's practice energy, intensity and said "they met the challenge." Five hours later, Shell was so disgusted by what he saw, he called the team together in the middle of the field and told them to get out of his sight. Thus did a scheduled two-hour practice end 50 minutes early. It was a sobering sight as the team traipsed off the field in subdued silence after the first and most damning chewing out of the year by its new coach. Although the practice didn't look particularly shoddy, Shell clearly saw something disturbing. "You've got to work out there," he told the media. Players still appeared chastised after showering and leaving the clubhouse. "I apologize for that (stuff) that happened today," quarterback Aaron Brooks said. Asked what Shell said during his diatribe, defensive tackle Warren Sapp said, "It was a statement that was pretty well felt throughout the whole team I would expect. And if it wasn't, then we're in trouble." Sapp said that to a man, player and coach, everybody "got the message." While Sapp said he had never seen a coach call practice to a halt because he didn't like what he was seeing, quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo said he had experienced it in high school. "We were messing around," he said. "A couple of guys got in a fight, and coach kicked us off the field. "I don't think it was a particular play (that led to Shell's blowup), probably just the overall tone of the practice. Guys weren't going hard. They were going through the motions. "It probably wasn't the best practice we've had. We have to practice better if we want to be better. Better (it happen) now than later, I guess." FIGHTING MAD? Whether the tone of Thursday's afternoon practice was up to snuff or not, one thing has definitely been missing from this year's drills — fights. There have been a few random scuffles, but no knock-down, drag out donnybrooks like the Raiders of Shell's day used to have. Shell may not have liked Thursday's practice, but he's pleased about the lack of fisticuffs. "That's wasted energy," Shell said. "Back then you never saw me fight, did you? There was no need to be fighting. You fight, you wrestle on the ground, and then you have to get back out there and go practice, and you're blowing like a doggone horse. "I used to tell (guard Gene) Upshaw, who used to get into fights all the time, 'You're crazy. Why are you wasting all that energy?' I don't believe in wasting energy." Linebacker Matt Millen, now general manager of the Detroit Lions, has owned up to actually arranging fights to get teammates fired up. "He'd tell you guys that, (but) that was him," Shell said. "He was like that anyway. Matt liked to fight. That was his thing. Even getting ready for the Super Bowl, he said 'I'm going to pick a fight.' "I said 'So be it. Just don't pick it with me.'"
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08-18-2006, 03:33 PM	#2
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	LOL I still smell a sweep. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

08-18-2006, 03:36 PM	#3
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-652449 VARSITY	I hate Matt Millen. And did I mention that he's stupid? __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,466

08-18-2006, 03:54 PM	#6
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	Herm needs to say the same to his team
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08-18-2006, 04:07 PM	#9
Ugly Duck MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Petaluma, CA, USA Casino cash: $9955920	Good! This team has needed that speech ever since Gruden left.... __________________ “In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.” ― Carl Sagan
Posts: 10,146

08-18-2006, 04:42 PM	#10
Raiderhater Tried it on and it fit Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: A Webb of chaos Casino cash: $-1577979	Damnit, the last thing that team needs is discipline. __________________ "Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, and disregard of all the rules." -- George Orwell, Shooting an Elephant
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08-18-2006, 04:51 PM	#11
ChiefFan31 Keeping a close eye Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $10004900	Art Shell is one of the very few guys I respect in that organization. Hell, he might be the only one. I think his battle is too great to win. He wont have the backing over the long run IMO and wont be given enough time. Jon Gruden, is the only guy I have seen to be able to turn it around. He actually got the Raiders to not be the Raiders for a few seasons. I still dont like that Son of a Bitch for what he did.
Posts: 1,596

08-18-2006, 05:22 PM	#15
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $830478	Speeches don't really matter at this point. The Raiders have one of the least-talented rosters in the league. __________________ Chiefs game films
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