ALAMEDA - In today's media climate, athletes are usually coached or afraid to say anything that's not a cliché or safe.
So today, I give Raiders defensive end Jarvis Moss credit. He was honest and funny when discussing his former college teammate, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow.
Here's part of Moss' exchange with the media discussing Tebow:
Q: How different is your job going against Tebow as opposed to Kyle Orton?
A: "Well, the type of guy he is, you know he's going to try to extend plays with his feet because he can run well. So, you just always got to be conscious that you don't want a guy like Tebow to keep moving the chains on you with his athleticism. Another thing is, he might hold on to the ball a little bit. Orton's a guy who's been back there in pocket throwing it around for quite some time, and he's respectable doing it. I just don't see really see Tim (doing that)."
Q: Do you have a respect for Tebow's game?
A: "Yeah, at college I did."
Q: Do you see Tebow doing things to cause problems?
A: "Yeah, like I said, he can use his legs, definitely. He's a good athlete, Man. He's a strong dude. He can definitely hurt you with his legs."
Q: How about with his arm?
A: (12-second pause that included Moss fidgeting while coming up with the right answer and fullback Manase Tonga laughing at Moss thinking of an answer) "Uh. I don't want to answer that question because I really want to ... Never mind. I can't answer that question."
It's always nice when an athlete doesn't spew the basic "He's a good player" line. We ask questions to learn more, not to find out Tebow is a "good player" when at this point of his career he's not.
So thank you, Jarvis Moss.
Injury report
Out: RB Darren McFadden (foot), CB Chris Johnson (hamstring, groin), QB Jason Campbell (broken collarbone).
Questionable: K Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring), LB Rolando McClain (ankle), S Michael Huff (ankle), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring).
Probable: WR Chaz Schilens (groin), C Samson Satele (knee), FB Marcel Reece (ankle), TE Kevin Boss (concussion), DT John Henderson (lower back), S Matt Giordano (neck).
Of the four questionable players, Chekwa is the one I'd be shocked to see play. McClain and Huff were limited in practice Friday. Janikowski did not practice, but will kick tomorrow to allow coach Hue Jackson to determine if he can play.
Jackson believes Janikowski will be able to kick, but if not, the Raiders will put in a call to Dave Rayner, who filled in for Janikowski against the Kansas City Chiefs Oct. 23.
Chekwa did not practice at all this week.
Broncos
Out: TE Virgil Green (neck), CB Cassius Vaughn (hamstring).
Questionable: S Quinton Carter (concussion).
Probable: TE Julius Thomas (ankle), T Orlando Franklin (groin), RB Willis McGahee (hand).
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