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October 24, 2007

Why the rookie started again

ALAMEDA – The mystery of why Jay Richardson ran unto the field late to start at defensive end against Kansas City has been solved.

Richardson told me on Monday I had to ask Tommy Kelly about that. Lane Kiffin said Kelly “disappeared” on them and to ask Kelly about it.

Now Kelly isn’t one to speak to the media. But as he walked by today I was talking to Richardson when Kelly said the media needed to stop interviewing Richardson.

I told him if he spoke, I’d leave Richardson alone. Of course, he said no and reminded me Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess were spokesmen for the defensive line.

But I told him Richardson said it was his fault that he’d run on the field late.

Not true, Kelly said.

Without going into too much detail, when nature called and with an upset stomach, he couldn’t make it back to the field on time.

Bubbly guts, is the term I believe was used.

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Linebacker Kirk Morrison has a home in San Diego that he said is being watched by a friend as wildfires have forced thousands to be evacuated in the area.

Morrison said his home is closer inland and not threatened right now. He’s familiar with fires impacting game preparation because fires did the same to him while at San Diego State in 2003.

He said he’s been besieged by phone calls by those checking on him and friends in the area.

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Coaches gave tackle Cornell Green (knee) and center Jeremy Newberry (ankle) the day off.

Kiffin is “disappointed” defensive tackle Gerard Warren isn’t practicing yet. He hurt his quadriceps in the last practice of the bye week and has missed two games.

Chris Carr (calf) and Sam Williams (shoulder) were limited in practice.

--Jason Jones

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 3:04 PM | Comments |