Wednesday, February 6, 2002

DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Raiders QB Rich Gannon gives his 6-year-old daughter Alexis a hug after practice yesterday.

It’s business as usual
for Gannon

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

There's no pressure at the Pro Bowl. Even when you're the reigning Most Outstanding Player.

Rich Gannon, quarterback of the Oakland Raiders, tossed footballs around for an hour yesterday at the Ihilani Resort and then got ready to take his family to the beach.

"I'll just try to have some fun ... and win the game," Gannon said. "You always hope to go out and play well."

If Gannon plays anywhere near as good on Saturday as he did last year, the AFC should fare well. Gannon completed 12 of 14 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns as the AFC beat the NFC 38-17 in the 2001 Pro Bowl.

While Gannon seemed relaxed yesterday after practice, he is a bit concerned about the Raiders' future. Oakland coach Jon Gruden's name keeps coming up in rumors and speculation about moving on to another team. Gruden has one year left on his contract, and his agent says Gruden won't re-sign with the Raiders.

The latest is that he might go to Tampa Bay. But would that be right away?

There's also been talk that Raiders owner Al Davis might try to trade Gruden to the Bucs for star defensive tackle Warren Sapp, or other compensation.

After 14 years in the NFL, Gannon is one of the senior members of a veteran-laden Raiders team. So he is somewhat in the loop on what's going on around the franchise's executive offices.

"I talked to both (Gruden and Davis) about the situation before I left," Gannon said yesterday. "As far as I know (Gruden) will be back and it will be back to business as usual. From Jon's standpoint I don't think anything will change. He will coach the same way he always has and hopefully the team's performance will indicate that. Mr. Davis might have a different viewpoint. But when I talked to him it sounded like it would be OK.

"I have a lot of respect for Jon and what he's done for my career."

Gannon said he doesn't see that career ending anytime soon.

He turned 36 in December, but Gannon's best seasons -- for touchdown passes, yardage and quarterback rating -- have been his last three. By far.

Gannon's overall rating of 95.5 this past season was the best of his career. He had better totals for TDs (27) and yards (3,828) only once.

"I feel pretty good," Gannon said. "I'll keep going until they tell me to stop."