Hobert’s Future Is Now Former UW Quarterback To Move Up To Raiders’ Second Team

The message to Billy Joe Hobert was pretty clear: Do it now or else.

Oakland Raiders coach Mike White imparted that advice to him before training camp this year, although maybe not in those exact words. Hobert is considered the Raiders’ quarterback of the future, and it’s time for him to make the move past 40-year-old Vince Evans on the depth chart.

Hobert, who shared the quarterback position with Mark Brunell at the University of Washington, apparently is heeding White’s admonition. He has been a consistently pleasant topic of conversation for White during the first week of training camp.

“Our hope is that he becomes our second-team quarterback,” White said. “It’s about time. It’s his time. It’s not shoving Vince aside, it’s about Billy Joe making a move. So far, it’s been great. He seems to know when to throw the ball and who to throw it to.”

Hobert, sort of a free spirit, decided to dedicate himself to his job in the off-season, knowing he stood a chance to be one Jeff Hostetler injury away from the starting position. Gone were the daily rounds of golf, replaced by tough workouts.

“The commitment part is tenfold this year, maybe more, over the first two years,” Hobert said. “I had always been a multisport guy, so concentrating on one thing for 12 months was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

“My first two years, all I did was develop carpal tunnel from writing on a clipboard. Usually I’m a scratch golfer this time of year; now all you guys could take my money.

“I almost disassociated myself from the football team. I knew I was only going to get into the game if the other two guys broke their legs, and I sure didn’t want that to happen, so I had to almost pretend at times that I wasn’t even on the football team.”

Hobert said there was no way he ever would have started in the NFL under his previous training schedule. Now he’s thinking pretty big.

“The only thing I can say right now is, the future is nice, but what about now?” Hobert said. “I’m still a backup, and I’m not satisfied with being a backup.”