ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Jeff George's attempted comeback into the NFL is
over for now. George, who has not played in an NFL game since 2001,
was among 20 players who were released or placed on injured reserve by
the Oakland Raiders on Saturday.


The No. 1 overall pick by Indianapolis in 1990, George signed with the
Raiders last week and was with the team in Seattle for Oakland's final
preseason game but did not play.

"Jeff knew that we wanted to bring him in and take a look at him for a
week," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "As I said when we first brought
Jeff in here, it was a precaution."

George hasn't played since 2001, when he was cut after two games with
the Redskins. He was signed by Seattle as insurance midway through the
2002 season, but didn't play. Chicago signed him late in the 2004
season, but he never played for the Bears, either.

But the release of George might not necessarily end his comeback
attempt and, in fact, may have simply been a procedural move by the
Raiders, aimed at not having to guarantee his full salary.

Because George is a "vested" veteran, with more than four seasons in
the league, the collective bargaining agreement stipulates that his
entire base salary is guaranteed if he is on the opening day roster.
By cutting him now, the Raiders avoid that guarantee of $810,000 and
can re-sign George after the opening game. If that happened, and he
were released for a second time, Oakland would owe George just the
prorated share of his base salary, not the full $810,000.

Oakland signed George on Aug. 28 because of concern over the health of
backup quarterback Andrew Walter, who has been nursing a sore right
shoulder. But Walter, a third-round pick in 2005, played in the
preseason finale against the Seahawks and showed no lingering effects
of the injury, persuading the Raiders to part ways with George.


"Having Andrew like he was, we weren't sure so we wanted to make sure
we took a look at a veteran quarterback we liked for our football
team," Shell said. "He'll be on speed dial."


Earlier in the day, the Raiders traded starting wide receiver Doug
Gabriel to New England for an undisclosed draft pick. Gabriel, a
fifth-round pick in 2003, caught 37 passes for 554 yards and three
touchdowns last season. He had just four receptions for 51 yards and a
touchdown this preseason.


Oakland also cut veteran cornerback Duane Starks, linebackers Danny
Clark, Ryan Riddle and Ricky Brown, defensive end Bryant McNeal,
running back Rod Smart, fullback Zach Tuiasosopo, wide receivers Will
Buchanon and Kevin McMahan, center Chris Morris, guard Kelvin Garmon,
tackles Jabari Levey and William Obeng, defensive tackles Donnell
Washington and Rashad Moore.


In addition, the Raiders placed tight end O.J. Santiago, wide receiver
Carlos Francis, linebacker Darnell Bing and safety Alvin Nnabuife on
injured reserve.


While the decision to part ways with George was somewhat expected,
Oakland's move to release Clark and trade Gabriel sent mild shockwaves
through the Raiders' locker room. Gabriel was expected to start this
season opposite Randy Moss while Clark started 31 games for Oakland
over the last two seasons and was defensive captain in 2005.


"That one was hard on me, that one was the hardest," Shell said of
releasing Clark. "He gave us everything he had, worked hard. Not to
say the rest of them didn't, but this kid was demoted to the second
team and he worked his tail off and never said a word, just kept
working. Hopefully he'll catch on with somebody."


In another note, center Jake Grove returned to practice Saturday after
sitting out the final two preseason games with a shoulder injury.
Shell said he wasn't certain whether Grove would play Monday night
against San Diego in the season opener.