ALAMEDA - It wasn't that long ago when Ashley Lelie appeared on his way to becoming a star.
Lelie averaged 20.1 yards a catch in compiling 1,084 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2004, his third season with Denver.
Then came frustrating stops in Atlanta and San Francisco.
The Raiders became Lelie's fourth team Tuesday when he signed a one-year deal after being cut by the 49ers on Saturday.
What happened to that promising career? Lelie said injuries hurt his play in Atlanta and San Francisco. After battling a quadriceps injury in 2007, Lelie missed most of the 49ers' recent training camp with a calf injury.
The Raiders hope Lelie can stay healthy and find his old playmaking ability before the season opener Monday night against Denver.
"When you kind of stop making plays, then the league keeps going and forgets about you," said Lelie, who caught 10 passes for 115 yards with the 49ers last season. "So this will be a prime example Monday night, to kind of showcase what I can do, and what I can do to help the team."
The Raiders will give Lelie the chance to do that.
Javon Walker, another former Denver Bronco, has been slowed by a hamstring injury that limited him in practice Wednesday.
And beyond veteran Ronald Curry, the Raiders are short on experience at wide receiver.
Lelie played under Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp in his lone year with the Falcons, and the Raiders' offense is similar to the one Lelie played in with Denver.
"What I've got to do is get in my books and study," Lelie said.
Lelie is learning the "X receiver," or split end - Walker's position. Coach Lane Kiffin said it's the easiest to learn because there's less movement before the ball is snapped.
Kiffin isn't putting high expectations on Lelie after one day of practice. Kiffin said whether Lelie plays against the Broncos would depend on his ability to absorb the playbook.
"He looked good in his workout, so we signed him," Kiffin said. "We'll give him a chance to make the team, first of all, and then we'll give him a chance to play."
Raiders receivers have been inconsistent catching the ball during practices and in the four exhibition games. Lelie flashed the ability to hold on to the ball Wednesday, which impressed one very important teammate.
"You put footballs on him and he catches them," said quarterback JaMarcus Russell. "This was new for both of us, and I think the ball caught up to him a little fast. But he did a good job of using his hands to get them."
Lelie likes the fact his first Raiders game will be against the Broncos, who made him the 19th overall selection in the 2002 draft (one spot ahead of Walker).
After a holdout before the 2006 season, Lelie was traded to Atlanta.
"I'd be lying to you if I didn't say I had something else extra in the tank for Denver," Lelie said.
Lelie spent four seasons playing for Denver coach Mike Shanahan, who despises the Raiders about as much as any coach in the NFL.
Lelie said coaches warned players not to let family members wear orange at the Coliseum.
"Everybody knows how much (Shanahan) doesn't like this place," Lelie said. "And with all the ex-Broncos being on the team, I'm sure he doesn't like us either."
Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee. com/raidersblog.
