Hawks, Raiders Lose Arms’ Race Gelbaugh Versus Hobert Seems Likely Possibility For Sunday’s Showdown
Picture a season finale with Billy Joe Hobert going against Stan Gelbaugh.
Don’t laugh. That’s what Sunday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders is starting to look like. Raiders starting quarterback Jeff Hostetler was ruled out of the game because of a concussion suffered last week. Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer is still having trouble bending his left knee following last Sunday’s second-quarter backfield collision with halfback Lamar Smith.
“He can’t run right now,” Gelbaugh said of Mirer, who must show improvement the next two days in order to start. “It depends on how Rick comes around with his rehab. It’s been awhile for me, but I’ve been getting reps for five weeks now.”
Gelbaugh, the Seahawks’ third quarterback, hadn’t taken a snap in a regular-season game since the final game of the 1994 season at Cleveland. His last start was in 1992. As an NFL starter, Gelbaugh is 0-11.
“Rick can walk but he can’t move,” Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson said. “He couldn’t practice if he had to. If we played today (Wednesday), he wouldn’t play. He can’t drop back. So Stan Gelbaugh will get all the turns in his place.”
Mirer said the bruise is below the kneecap but the pain extends to his thigh to the point that bending his knee is difficult. Erickson lists Mirer as questionable.
As an NFL starter, Hobert is 0-4, starting twice this season with losses to Baltimore and Kansas City.
Last December, Hobert was the starting quarterback during the Seahawks’ 44-10 destruction of the Raiders in the Kingdome. The former University of Washington quarterback was booed when his name was introduced a month ago when he filled in for an injured Jeff Gossett as a punter against the Seahawks.
“If it were in Seattle, it would be more exciting because I’d be getting booed every play,” Hobert said. “I love Seattle. I love their fans. They can do whatever they want to me.”
Last week, Hobert shaved all the hair off his head, for no particular reason.
“The razor was just in front of me,” Hobert said.
Hobert, with hair or no, just wants to prove he can win.
“Obviously it bothers me,” Hobert said of his 0-4 pro record. “I’d like to establish myself as a winner. In the eyes of some people, I’m not. Some people may not think I’m the future, but I’m not going to stop fighting. I’m going to prove to myself I’m capable of winning in the NFL.”
Raiders coach Mike White believes Hobert is ready.
“I think at this point in his career, he’s ready to make a move,” White said.
Injury update
Seven Seahawks are listed as questionable or doubtful, although Erickson is optimistic that some of the injured players are coming back. Defensive end Phillip Daniels practiced Wednesday despite a knee injury that sidelined him Sunday. Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Sinclair, who hyperextended his left elbow, practiced but is still listed as questionable.
Starting halfback Chris Warren didn’t practice because of sore ribs and backup Steve Broussard remains doubtful with a pulled hamstring. Fullback Mack Strong is struggling with a knee injury that has limited him for weeks. Receiver Ronnie Harris is questionable with a shoulder separation.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON TV Sunday: Hawks-Raiders, 1 p.m., NBC