National Football League

Boller getting loose in Oakland's bullpen;RAIDERS

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:16 a.m. ET

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Last week, Raiders head coach Tom Cable said that third-string quarterback Kyle Boller "studies everything and prepares like he is the starter."

Of course Boller did. The Cal alum was behind Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski, who have been beaten, booed, benched and banged up pretty good in the first six weeks of the season.

On Monday, with his team reeling from a 17-9 loss to San Francisco, Cable said there was "absolutely" a chance Boller would start at Denver on Sunday.

Gradkowski missed last week with a sprained shoulder and might not be ready to return. And Campbell has a sore knee, and probably sore feelings if he's hearing some of the things Raiders fans are saying about his performance against the 49ers.

Campbell went 8-for-21 for 83 yards and two interceptions for a 10.7 passer rating -the worst for a Raiders quarterback since Ken Stabler posted a 9.9 against Cincinnati in 1975.

Campbell "struggled," Cable said. "I think the plays are there. I think it shows up on film that they were there, but we're just not executing, whether it's a throw or whether it's a route."

On Monday, Campbell had an MRI exam of his sore knee, and it showed no structural damage, merely a sprain. Cable should decide on a starting quarterback Wednesday after checking with Campbell and Gradkowski, who is not wearing a sling after reinjuring his shoulder Oct. 10 against San Diego.

If Gradkowski can't go Sunday and maybe even if Campbell can, Boller is ready to take over the struggling offense.

"I always take the approach that it's your job - it doesn't matter what position you are on the depth chart - to be prepared, because you never know when your time's coming," Boller said.

"I've done a pretty good job with watching tape and staying in the game plan, because it's also our job to help out the guys that are in there."

Boller, who played for the Bears from 1999 through 2002, did a pretty good job in the preseason. He finished 26-for-43 for 360 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 102.9 passer rating.

Boller, 29, also knows offensive coordinator Hue Jackson well. The two spent a year together in Baltimore, and Jackson urged the Raiders to sign Boller.

As for Campbell, he could be benched for the second time this season. After being acquired from Washington, Campbell lasted only six quarters before being pulled for ineffectiveness.

He got another chance against San Diego when Gradkowski went down, and he led a comeback. But on Sunday, Campbell looked lost when the Niners double-teamed tight end Zach Miller.

Campbell couldn't get the ball to receivers Louis Murphy or Darrius Heyward-Bey, and he is second-worst in the NFL in yards per attempt with 5.6. Carolina rookie Jimmy Clausen averages 5.0, and he lost his starting job Monday.

McFadden update: Darren McFadden said he'll push his hamstring in practice Wednesday to "see if I can burst." The running back has missed two games.

"I always take the approach that it's your job. ... You never know when your time's coming."

Kyle Boller, Raiders QB

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