ALAMEDA -- Today's conference calls were with Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards and safety Jarrad (I like to make interceptions that end the Raiders chances of winning) Page.
The Chiefs started six rookies and played 11 in their 17-10 loss at New England last week.
The Chiefs had just two penalties and one turnover.
"When you look at game for us we didn't look at it like those guys were out of place they just played," Edwards said. "They had a good mindset how to play and how we wanted to play and that's a good sign."
It's also a sign the coaching staff is doing it's job.
Coaching so many players that are young could be an excuse to allow sloppy play. Edwards isn't going for that.
He emphasizes no turnovers and penalties as ways to win games. It's the same message Lane Kiffin is trying to get through to the Raiders.
"I'm not saying you have to win that way," Edwards said. "... I just think if you can stay away from that it's going to help you. Last year we didn't do that. We didn't do a good job of that last year. My first year here we did and we've got to get back to that. It's about poise."
****
Here's Edwards on JaMarcus Russell:
"Yeah, he's a good player. Yeah, he's a good player, there ain't no doubt about that. He's a good player. There's no doubt about that. He's a good football player."
****
Edwards isn't putting too much into the Raiders' loss on Monday night. He's said in the NFL, games like that happen.
He's anticipating another close game with the Raiders.
****
Page has for career interceptions against the Raiders in three seasons.
His interception in Oakland last year ended a Raider comeback. He picked off a pass in the end zone with 32 seconds left in 2006 in Kansas City to preserve a win.
"I really can't explain the plays that I've had before against the Raiders," Page said. "But I am from Oakland, so when we play against the Oakland Raiders, I definitely want to have a big game."
Many of the Raiders don't buy much into the old rivalries in the AFC West. Kiffin is on the record for not believing that a coach should put too much into a game just because it's a rivalry game.
That's not the case with the Chiefs.
"They make us understand it," Page said. "They let you know it's an important game. They let you know that the Raiders-Chiefs is a game that's a rivalry. They put it up all around the facility, it's Raider week. They let you know that it's a big rivalry so that's our game, to let younger guys know what it means."
****
The Raiders added OL Brandon Torrey back to the practice squad after releasing him on Monday.
--Jason Jones
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.