Quarterback Andrew Walter was replaced but not demoted.
Walter, the second-year quarterback for the Raiders, was removed with
just over 10 minutes to play Sunday in a 34-20 loss to the 49ers after
throwing two interceptions and a lateral that was returned for a
touchdown in successive possessions.
Marques Tuiasosopo came on in relief and promptly threw an interception
on his first throw, threw a touchdown pass to Courtney Anderson and then
another interception.
With Aaron Brooks apparently not ready to play due to a pectoral strain,
coach Art Shell said Monday that Walter would start against the Broncos
on Sunday night at Invesco Field.
Walter was coming off his best half of football when the Oakland offense
disintegrated. In the first half, Walter was 10-for-15 for 138 yards and
a touchdown. He was 4-for-8 for 26 yards and the three turnovers in the
second half, during which time a 13-7 lead ballooned to a 31-13 deficit.
"I wanted to stop the bleeding for him because he had made three
mistakes that were crucial and I didn't want to compound it on top of
that," Shell said. "So let's put Tui in the game and see what happens.
It's not to take away from Andrew. His growth has to continue."
Shell's dilemma was to determine which scenario is worse for a young
quarterback -- hurting his psyche by pulling him from the game, or
destroying his confidence by leaving him in for what promised to be even
more turnovers.
"He was pushing, trying to do too much," Shell said. "On the lateral
play, we told him that was not a good throw. There were other options
for him."
If Walter was upset at getting the hook, he hid it well.
"It's a coach's decision. I'm not going to worry about that," Walter
said. "Was I surprised? I didn't play great. If you don't play great,
you can't expect to be out there all the time, I guess."
