ESPN-->QB pays steep price for running with ball

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Monday, September 27, 2004
QB pays steep price for running with ball

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Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon has a broken vertebrae in his neck that will sideline him at least six weeks.

Gannon had an MRI exam Monday morning and was taken for further tests. Coach Norv Turner didn't believe Gannon was at risk for paralysis and said Gannon was walking around the team's training facility before receiving the news about his neck.

"He will be out an extended period. A six-weeks deal, or maybe longer," Turner said. "It's disappointing."

Turner said it would be premature to speculate whether Gannon, the 2002 NFL MVP, would end up on injured reserve for the second straight season.

The 38-year-old Gannon left in the first quarter of Oakland's 30-20 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday night after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from linebacker Derrick Brooks.

Gannon ran 2 yards on third-and-goal during the Raiders' first offensive series, and was stopped at the 5 by Brooks. Gannon grimaced in pain on the ground, but walked off the field on his own, looking groggy.

He was examined by trainers, then left the field as backup Kerry Collins warmed up. Gannon was taken to the locker room for examination of his back, then returned to the sideline in the second half wearing a jacket and cap and his uniform pants.

"One comment Rich made to me this morning was, 'I know better,' " Turner said of running in that situation. "It was a heck of a hit."

Gannon was hurt in a 17-10 loss to Kansas City last Oct. 20 and had shoulder surgery in November. He has said this offseason was one of the most productive in his 17-year career as he worked his way back after surgery.

Collins, 31, joined the Raiders in May after the New York Giants released him when they acquired No. 1 draft pick Eli Manning. Collins had an impressive preseason and directed the Raiders on four scoring drives Sunday night, completing 16 of 27 passes for 228 yards and one touchdown -- a 19-yard TD just before halftime.

"This is a big reason we did what we did during the offseason," Turner said of signing Collins just in case Gannon got hurt.

[Roughneck]

Boy that Collins signing looks really good right about now.

[coach316]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Boy that Collins signing looks really good right about now.

Yep. It looks genius.

And the way he played makes it even worse that we didn't sign him and then cut Quincy.

Although I'm not displeased with the way Vinny is playing. In fact, his play is the main reason I haven't been wringing my hands over this non-signing.

[Madzo]

I saw the replay, and it surprises me that Gannon would slide like a rookie. He ducked his head and took on that massive hit that broke his neck. Just moronic, coaches teach QB's since highschool to slide feet first. I know there's an act of bravery, and you can show grit and fire by sliding like Elway did in the Superbowl, but look at him now, probably lost for the whole year. There's a difference between sliding head first in the superbowl and during the regular season. That's why I truly believe Michael Vick will have a short NFL career if he keeps acting like a RB. Rush for the necessary yardage, run out of bounds, or slide feet first and you'll thank yourself for doing it.