Rich Gannon Out For Year

[Perfection]

Raiders' Gannon out for season

Associated Press
11/12/2003

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - Rich Gannon, last year's NFL MVP, will miss the rest of the season and have surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder.

The Oakland Raiders placed the quarterback on injured reserve Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Gannon attempted to throw Tuesday for the first time since getting knocked out of Oakland's 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Oct. 20. He was able to raise his arm to throw, but couldn't release the ball, coach Bill Callahan said.

Gannon, a 16-year veteran, flew home to Minnesota on Wednesday to be examined by the same doctor who performed his shoulder surgery after his 1993 season with Washington. He missed all of the 1994 season and then was released by the Redskins.
 
Callahan wouldn't go as far as saying the torn labrum is a career-ending injury.

"It's extremely tough to lose a player of this calibre,'' said Callahan, who hadn't yet told his team. "What he provides this team not only with his play, but his leadership and preparation, to have the MVP of the league miss almost half the season is disappointing. He feels bad. If there's anybody who wants to get back on the field, it's Rich Gannon.''

Gannon was hurt in the first half against the Chiefs following two sacks by linebacker Shawn Barber and several other hard hits.

With backup Marques Tuiasosopo also out for the year with a knee injury, Rick Mirer will be the starter for the last seven games, and Rob Johnson will be his back up.

Gannon was 125-of-225 for 1,274 yards, six touchdowns and a completion percentage of 55.6 this season. He threw four interceptions and was sacked 17 times for a subpar 73.5 quarterback rating.

He struggled this season coming off his MVP year in 2002, when he led the league's top offence as the Raiders won their third straight AFC West title and reached the Super Bowl for the first time in 20 years.

Last season, Gannon broke the NFL completions record with 418. He led the league with 4,689 yards passing, nearly becoming just the second quarterback to go over 5,000 in a season. Dan Marino threw for 5,084 yards in 1984.

Gannon completed 67.6 per cent of his attempts, had 26 touchdowns passes and only 10 interceptions. His 97.3 rating was second in the NFL to the Jets' Chad Pennington. He also threw for more than 300 yards in 10 games, another record.

Callahan is holding out hope that Gannon would be ready by spring minicamps. If not, his future with this franchise could be uncertain, because he's scheduled to make $7 million US next season.

"I feel terrible for him,'' Callahan said. "He's a quality person, a quality player, a class act. ... If there's anybody capable of coming back from injury and fighting through it and getting back on the field, Rich can do it.''

The Raiders also placed backup centre Matt Stinchcomb (shoulder) on injured reserve and elevated rookie linebacker Shurron Pierson from the practice squad. Oakland also claimed defensive tackle Terdell Sands off waivers from Green Bay.