ALAMEDA – Ashley Lelie saw Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan's disdain for the Raiders up close for five seasons.
Lelie thinks Shanahan might have a rival in Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable when it comes to dislike for his AFC West rival.
"There's really a lot of – I don't want to say hatred – just a lot of animosity between the organizations and the teams," Lelie said. "It almost felt like it was Shanahan up there in a way when (Cable) was talking with how intense he was, and how passionate he was."
Former coach Lane Kiffin told the Raiders division games weren't any more important than the other 10 games on the schedule.
Cable grew up a Raiders fan and looks forward to division games with a little more intensity. Sunday's game in Denver is the first of three in a row against AFC West teams.
"I love it," Cable said of the rivalry. "Anything that's in your own division is just a little bit more special. If you're ever going to get to the point where you can win your division and kind of be the king of your division, if you will, you have to make it really, really personal."
Shanahan is 21-6 against the Raiders after going 8-12 as head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1988 and '89. A win Sunday in Denver would give Shanahan a season sweep over the Raiders for the ninth time in 14 seasons.
Back for the first time – Lelie has no intention of checking on any of his old teammates before Sunday's game at Invesco Field at Mile High.
"They won't hear from me until the game," Lelie said.
Lelie was a first-round pick of Denver in 2002 and had his best seasons for the Broncos, including his lone season with more than 1,000 receiving yards (1,084) in 2004. Since being dealt to Atlanta in 2006, Lelie has battled injuries. He also played for the 49ers last season.
"It's exciting," Lelie said. "It's going to be my first time back since I left. It's going to be fun seeing the fans again."
Lelie has seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders this season.
Injury update – Center Jake Grove (calf) and linebacker Ricky Brown (groin) are out for Sunday's game. John Wade starts his second game in place of Grove, while Sam Williams starts his third in a row for Brown, who will have missed four consecutive games.
Ronald Curry starts for Chaz Schilens (ankle) at wide receiver. Schilens was limited in Friday's practice.
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell (ankle) was limited and is probable. His backup, Andrew Walter (knee), is questionable.
Cable said there's a "slim" chance Walter will be the No. 3 quarterback for a second successive game behind Russell and Marques Tuiasosopo. Cornerback Chris Johnson (knee) practiced after sitting out Thursday and will start.
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.