It’s Hostetler To The Rescue Raiders Quarterback Returns In Time To Meet Seahawks

Cue the theme to Bonanza.

Because “Hoss” is back in the saddle and ready to ride to the rescue.

Hoss, of course, is Jeff Hostetler, quarterback of the Oakland Raiders, whose absence because of injury coincided with the team’s four-game losing streak.

Consider that a direct cause and effect because Hostetler’s replacements - Vince Evans and former Washington Husky Billy Joe Hobert - were responsible for four turnovers in each of the last three games.

But Hostetler’s injured left (nonthrowing) shoulder has healed sufficiently that coach Mike White announced Wednesday that Hostetler will be the starter in Sunday evening’s game against the Seattle Seahawks in the Kingdome.

“Jeff is back in the starting lineup and he’ll take all the snaps today and right on through the week,” White said Wednesday. “We have every reason to think he’ll start, which will obviously be a positive for us since we’ve been without him for four weeks. It’s had its effect.”

The Raiders were 8-2 and challenging Kansas City for the AFC West title when Hostetler went down in the Nov. 19 Dallas game.

The 34-21 loss to Dallas was followed by defeats against San Diego, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

Now, they’re fighting to stay ahead of the surging Seahawks (7-7) in the AFC wild-card race.

“When Hostetler is at quarterback, they operate much better,” Hawks coach Dennis Erickson said. “What people have done when he’s not in there is to put eight guys (on the line) to take the running game away from them.”

Pittsburgh, in fact, mastered that ploy, limiting the Raiders to a scant 28 yards of rushing in a 29-10 decision last Sunday.

Hobert tossed four interceptions in that game, although White suggested that three were not entirely his fault.

“As the game went along, Billy Joe attempted to do too much and tried to make up for the fact that we weren’t functioning well,” White said. “And he had a couple unfortunate things happen. Let’s say that our starting quarterback is back and we’re happy to have him.”

Erickson isn’t so happy about it, seeing that Hostetler passed for 333 yards and two touchdowns in Oakland’s 34-14 thrashing of the Hawks in California in October.

“Experience, the ability to make big plays, the ability to know where to go with the football, toughness, leadership - he has all that,” Erickson said. “The timing between him and the receivers is so good; they might throw a comeback route, for instance, and the ball is always right there as they come out of the break.”

Hostetler, who has thrown 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season, is eager to return.

“We’ve lost four in a row and we’re fighting for our lives,” Hostetler said. “I’m hoping to be a little spark. Everybody else has to do their job. I can’t go out and win a game by myself.”

He’ll have more help, though, as starting left tackle Gerald Perry is expected to return for the Seahawks’ game, as well.

Perry broke his arm in the seasonopener and has not been active since. Third-year pro Rich Stevens, who had started only one previous NFL game, manned that post last week and the Raiders did not yield a sack to the Steelers’ defensive front.

Also, former Huskies running back Napoleon Kaufman is expected to be at full strength after being slowed with a case of turf toe.

Kaufman played only on kick returns last week, but should also see action at tailback against Seattle.

, DataTimes