ALAMEDA – Chaz Schilens' demeanor is that of a humble rookie. But he has been fueled by a quiet anger since the Raiders drafted him in the seventh round in April.
The feeling of being dismissed as a player after his final season at San Diego State has resulted in effort that has been praised for months. That has earned the wide receiver his first NFL start Sunday against the New York Jets.
He'll start opposite Javon Walker in place of Ronald Curry. Not bad for a player who missed four games with a stress fracture in his foot as a senior for the Aztecs and was no lock to make the Raiders' roster entering training camp.
"It was a fight for me, but I kind of use it as motivation because I felt like a lot of people had written me off," Schilens said. "And every day that I trained and worked out since I came here, I kind of had a chip on my shoulder … because I felt like a lot of people passed up on me, a lot of other teams. So when I go out there, I feel like I'm trying to prove something."
The move to Schilens is an effort to improve the Raiders' passing game, which is tied for 29th in the NFL. Schilens has just three catches for 38 yards this season but, since training camp, has shown the ability to go over the middle and use his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame to go up for the ball.
"Something that maybe wasn't quite on target, he's been able to go get those things out of the air, and the fact that he's really starting to develop," said Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable, when asked why Schilens is starting this week. "And it shows every day at practice."
Schilens called the opportunity "unexpected" but is excited. He said wide receivers coach James Lofton told him earlier this week he'd play more and then eased him into the starting role.
He also credited veterans for helping him adjust to playing receiver in the NFL. And after being overthrown by JaMarcus Russell on what would have been a touchdown pass Sunday in New Orleans, Schilens looks forward to trying to score at home.
"Hopefully we can get one of those this week," Schilens said. "That would be great."
Still ailing – Defensive end Derrick Burgess (triceps) missed Friday's practice and is listed as doubtful. Burgess has been out since aggravating the injury in practice Oct. 6.
Tight end Ben Troupe (foot) also is doubtful. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (elbow) and linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba (shoulder) are probable.
Fashion update – The Raiders will wear their black jerseys after wearing their road white jerseys in their last home game against San Diego.
Read Jason Jones' Raiders' blog at www.sacbee.com/ raidersblog.
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.