Welcome to the NFL Tuiasosopo

By Anthony Carroll  |   Thursday, December 08, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Oakland Raiders
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Welcome to the National Football League, Marques Tuiasosopo. It's time to take off the headset, put on the helmet, and make plays-not transmit them.

Marques Tuiasosopo has been an Oakland Raider now for 76 games. In his career, he has seen playing time in just eight of those games. Of those eight appearances, only one has been a start. In that sole start, he completed just six passes on 11 attempts for 65 yards and an interception. In his career, "Tui" has tallied up 358 yards, zero touchdown passes, and three interceptions. Despite this far from dazzling statistical breakdown, Tuiasosopo might just be the answer to the Oakland Raiders late-season dilemma.

Above all, the move will send out a signal to the entire ballclub: The Raiders are a team focused on the future. The days of Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Rich Gannon, Rod Woodson, and-now Kerry Collins-are over. With a chance at the postseason now entirely out of the picture, the Raiders new focus has been shifted onto next season.

With four games remaining, Tuiasosopo will have the chance to set a foundation for next season. If he demonstrates unstable grounding, then Oakland will have the chance to make a move in the offseason-or perhaps look to 2005 third-rounder Andrew Walter. Regardless of the outcome, allowing Tuiasosopo to navigate the team and, with that, his own career is a move that has been long overdue.

When commenting on the recent opportunity he has been given, Tuiasosopo stated, "I am not worried about the future now. I am worried about getting ready and helping this team by having the best chance of winning."

Well, everyone else is worried about the future. And whether Tuiasosopo wants to believe it or not, he has the chance to become the future. No pressure though.

Any comments on this article? Contact Anthony Carroll at acarroll@realfootball365.com
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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