'Ready to go'

Raiders confident after Saturday's 40-minute walkthrough

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SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders held a 40-minute walkthrough Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium after which head coach Bill Callahan pronounced them fit for the Super Bowl.

The only question mark for the Raiders in the hours before Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers involved wide receiver Tim Brown, whose wife is expected to deliver twins at any time.

"We're prepared to help him in any way possible," Callahan said, adding a private plane would be available to Brown if needed to use in the hours before or directly after the game.

"It's totally Tim's call if something comes up," Callahan said.

Callahan said Charles Woodson and Tory James, the team's starting cornerbacks, would work out on the field in the hours before the game to be sure they can play.

Both have metal plates to stabilize fractured legs.

Callahan said he is virtually certain all active players will play.

"Our players are ready to go," he said. "Let's play the game."

The Raiders had an 11 o'clock curfew Saturday night.

The Professional Football Writers Association pool reporter was not allowed to watch a majority of the short practice because of an apparent misunderstanding over on-field access by a security firm at the stadium.

"We're going to have to fine you for missing practice," Callahan said to the reporter, who has watched the Raiders work out all week.

 

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