Gannon's career nears end

NAPA - While the next generation of Raiders signed the guest roster at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel on Thursday, the most prominent symbol of the last generation moved another step closer to retirement.

Rich Gannon, the former MVP quarterback who fractured a neck vertebra last September, has signed a deal for TV work this fall. CBS announced that he will team with Craig Bolerjack on "The NFL on CBS."

The Minneapolis Star Tribune also reported that Gannon will be part of the pregame package on KSTP, Channel 5 in the Twin Cities, and also will be a regular on the local "Sports Wrap" on Sunday nights.

"It wasn't a hard decision to make," he told the Star Tribune. "When I suffered the broken neck, the decision was made for me. It wasn't a situation where I would be able to play anymore. But I have no regrets."

Officially, Gannon remains a member of the Raiders. Senior personnel executive Michael Lombardi said Thursday that Gannon would take the mandatory team physical - presumably, a technicality - and that the Raiders would not cut him in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Star Tribune reported that the Raiders' all-time leading passer would make his retirement official "next Saturday in Oakland" and team spokesman Mike Taylor confirmed that Gannon will make an announcement Aug. 6.

Though the head count won't be revealed until today, the rest of your 2005 Oakland Raiders appeared to pass through the back entrance of the Marriott, ready for today's start of training camp. The Raiders signed the last of their uncommitted draft picks, defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne, Thursday, ensuring that their entire rookie slate would be on the field for the start of camp.

Cornerback Fabian Washington, the team's first-round draft choice, signed a five-year, $7.8 million contract Tuesday for a $5.3 million guarantee.

Wide receiver Randy Moss, the most scrutinized Raider these days, pulled up at 2 p.m. in a chauffeured black Lincoln Town Car. Wearing a dark blue sweatsuit, purple do-rag and diamond-encrusted mega-cross necklace, Moss responded to a photographer's plea by saying, "Forget it, man. You're gonna get all that tomorrow."

Moss soon clarified his position, saying he'd speak at the beginning of next week.

Players trickled in until 3:30 p.m., when two buses lumbered into the parking area and unloaded the several-dozen players who hitched a ride from the Raiders' facility in Alameda.

Today, the entire squad will be a cohesive unit, all wearing the silver-and-black helmets of the Raiders. On Thursday, though, individuality reigned. Center Jake Grove wore a John Deere T-shirt, while linebacker Tyler Brayton favored Napoleon Dynamite and backup quarterback Bret Engemann honored laugh-rappers Tenacious D.

Wide receiver Jerry Porter, for reasons not made clear, wore a complete FedEx airport uniform, including built-in lumbar support.

While flashing a smile, Porter didn't attempt to hide his disregard for training camp. "I don't play two games in one day," he said. "Why should I practice twice in one day?"

Still, most of the Raiders seemed eager to put to rest all the talk about Moss, running back LaMont Jordan and a potentially explosive offense, and get down to the business of actually making it work.

"Everything looks good on paper," Jordan said. "Having been a football fan my whole life, I know there are plenty of teams out there that look good on paper and don't get it done on the field. I don't want to be one of those teams."

Tickets for all Raiders games are now available at www.ticketmaster.com, 510-625-TIXS or at any Ticketmaster ticket center, including Tower Records, Wherehouse Music, select Ritmo Latino, FYE and SaveMart Supermarkets. Handling fees apply.

Fans also can buy single game tickets at the Oakland Coliseum box office without a surcharge. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets range from $47 to $91.