Passing Raiders still look to run

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 10:04 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Oakland Raiders coach Norv Turner built his reputation around the belief that a physical running game sets the stage for the deep pass. That's still his philosophy, though it might be difficult to decipher.

The Raiders are tied for second in total offense this preseason, averaging 393 yards a game. Oakland is second in passing offense but is just 21st overall in rushing offense.

"I have a history of, in the preseason, throwing the ball more than we run the ball," Turner said. "But that doesn't mean we're not going to throw it in the regular season. We are. We want to have balance."

The Raiders have been anything but balanced offensively in the preseason. Oakland has run the ball just 42 times in two games. Only St. Louis and Miami, with 41 rushing attempts apiece, have ran the ball less in the preseason.

Conversely, the Raiders averaged 34 pass attempts in their two preseason games, tied for sixth-most in the NFL.

Carter, who started every game for the Cowboys last season, was released suddenly on Aug. 4. Reports said he failed a drug test, and the NFL Players Association has filed a request for arbitration in the case.

Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, told the Associated Press that the NFLPA will continue to press the case. "We have to," he said, adding that part of the grievance involves potential salary loss to Carter.

The Bills must now decide whether to place Losman on injured reserve, a move that would sideline him for the season.

Losman, the second of Buffalo's two first-round picks, was hurt an hour into practice as he finished a run. As Losman was pulling up, cornerback Troy Vincent laid a shoulder into his upper body, knocking the quarterback over.

Losman immediately started limping and fell to the ground. Trainers attended to him for about five minutes on the field, and Vincent came over and shook his hand.

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said if Rivers has a strong week in camp, he may see playing time in Friday night's exhibition game against the Seattle Seahawks in San Diego.