Madden Says Team Belongs In Oakland

The Raiders’ move back to Oakland after 13 years in Los Angeles pleases at least one old coach of the Silver and Black - John Madden.

Madden, who coached the Raiders 1969-78, including a Super Bowl championship in 1976, always said it was a bad move to leave Oakland.

“I always felt the Oakland Raiders were the Oakland Raiders even when they were in L.A.,” Madden said. “I never felt they should move. When football needed Oakland, Oakland was there - every game was a sellout for the 10 years I was there. Now that Oakland needs football, it’s back. The Raiders are back where they belong.”

Madden said he expects an existing team to move to Los Angeles soon.

“The problem is they don’t have a place to play,” he said. “The L.A. Coliseum in the 1990s is not what teams are looking for. When they build a stadium, teams will come there.”

McGee may quit

Cincinnati receiver Tim McGee, whose hands and feet are still numb after he was knocked unconscious in an exhibition game, says he is unsure if he will play football again.

“I haven’t even thought about it. That’s secondary to my health,” said McGee, who collided head-on with Tampa Bay defensive back Melvin Johnson on Friday.

McGee, 31, suffered a concussion in the 31-7 loss. He was able to move his hands and feet when he regained consciousness on the field.

Bears stockpile backs

San Francisco and Tampa Bay have made inquiries about Chicago running back Lewis Tillman, the former Giants backup.

But Chicago isn’t biting because Tillman may be a starter at the beginning of the season. First-round running back Rashaan Salaam has gotten off to a slow start since reporting last week after a contract holdout.

49ers 17, Chargers 6

At San Diego, with nothing at stake, San Francisco still dominated the Chargers.

The highlight came nine plays in when Steve Young scrambled for 9 yards without his helmet. The left-handed Young dropped back to pass on third-and-10 from the Chargers 19, and safety Rodney Harrison ripped off his helmet on a blind-side blitz. Young nonetheless scrambled through the left side, covering his head with one arm as he dove head-first to end the play.

Packers 36, Steelers 13

At Pittsburgh, Brett Favre and Kevin Greene led a long injury list as Green Bay beat Pittsburgh in a preseason game played in 93-degree heat and uncomfortable humidity.

The Packers lost Favre, their two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, to a concussion when he was leveled by a second-quarter blind-side hit by All-Pro linebacker Greg Lloyd. Four other Packers left with various injuries, and Greene, the Steelers’ All-Pro linebacker and the 1994 NFL sacks leader, broke his left hand in the first half.

Notes

Kicker Chip Lohmiller, who was cut by Washington last week, signed a one-year contract with New Orleans… . Cincinnati released four players, reducing their roster to 68 in preparation for the 60-player deadline on Aug. 22. Wide receiver Jeremy Patterson of Miami of Ohio, linebacker Steve Shine of Northwestern, tackle Sherrard Joseph of Connecticut and defensive back Donald Toomer of Utah State were cut… . Denver is shopping around fourth-year defensive end Shane Dronett, the team’s second-round pick in 1992… . Quarterback Andre Ware continues to struggle with Jacksonville. Ware, the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner, completed 1 of 3 passes for 5 yards and fumbled a snap Thursday against Detroit.

Oilers owner Bud Adams met this week with officials from Nashville, Tenn., about moving his team to that city. Adams made overtures to Jacksonville, Fla., in 1987 before deciding to keep the team in Houston. Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar says Chicago should consider building a domed stadium. Current plans call for construction on a $285 million, open-air stadium to start by the year 2000.