Raiders keep hush

For an organization that prides itself on secrecy, the Oakland Raiders are having a fun time keeping their starting quarterback from the public.

Coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday he will keep the Detroit Lions guessing whether Josh McCown or Daunte Culpepper will start in the opener Sunday.

“It’s simply a matter of always trying to gain a competitive advantage,” Kiffin said.

Kiffin said he told the quarterbacks who won the job on Tuesday and that the rest of the team found out during practice Wednesday. Like many NFL teams, the Raiders close most of practice to the media, leaving it up to his players to keep the big secret.

“JaMarcus,” receiver Jerry Porter said when asked who would start, referring to No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, who is holding out.

Hamilton will sit

Ben Hamilton’s streak of 5,407 consecutive snaps since becoming the Denver Broncos’ starting left guard in 2002 is about to end.

Chris Myers will get the start Sunday at Buffalo because doctors have ordered Hamilton not to do any type of physical activity for two weeks in hopes his post-concussion symptoms will finally fade.

Around the league

Commissioner Roger Goodell has no knowledge that any other NFL personnel are involved in an Internet drug operation being investigated by the Albany (N.Y.) District Attorney’s office. … A judge in Cincinnati ruled that suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman can remain on probation for a drunken driving conviction. … Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden was arrested after driving backward and the wrong way outside Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and refusing to comply with police orders. … Todd Collins is the No. 2 quarterback for the Washington Redskins, with Mark Brunell (UW) demoted to No. 3. Jason Campbell will be the starter.