Raiders TE Boss ‘surprised' he didn't play much vs. Broncos

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ALAMEDA -- Tight end Kevin Boss was cleared medically to play on Sunday for the Raiders and was indeed active after suffering a concussion two weeks prior.And yet, Oakland's biggest training camp acquisition saw limited time on the field in the Raiders' 38-24 loss to Denver and then, only on special teams.So was he surprised he didn't get much run, or did the guy who signed a four-year, 16-million free-agent contract know that was the gameplan coming in?"Uh, no, I was surprised," Boss said Monday in the Raiders' locker room. "Yeah. Coach's decision, but, yeah. Surprised."Immediately following the game, rookie coach Hue Jackson said Boss and leading receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey did not see much action due to "certain sets" with multiple receivers and two running backs.Still, Boss entered the day averaging 20 yards per catch on eight catches, including a 35-yard touchdown reception on a fake field goal against Cleveland.Think the Raiders and new quarterback Carson Palmer could have at least used the threat of that against the Broncos?"Yeah, I think so," Boss said." I mean, I've got a lot of confidence in myself and feel like I can help this team but, you know, that's something I can't do when I'm not playing. But I think that things will work itself out and I feel confident that I'll get back out there and continue to do what I've done in the past and that's make plays and be a solid tight end."Rumors have been flying that Boss and Heyward-Bey were being punished by Jackson because they did not stick around during the bye week to work with Palmer. But Palmer discounted that notion."I'm not sure of any specific reason," Palmer said. "They were here just as much as everybody else."Boss, meanwhile said he would follow up on his lack of playing time."I'll probably just talk it over with my tight end coach (Adam Henry)," Boss said, "and see what's going on."There are obvious chemistry issues on offense, Boss calling it all "a work in progress."Not only as a unit, but with Palmer as the new QB. "It's still a work in progress, too," Boss said. "You know, haven't had a lot of time on the field and a lot of what we've been doing is three-wide receivers and two-backs, or four-wide receivers, so that's something that's going to need to be worked on, too."Boss was asked if all the different packages and schemes contributed to the seeming confusion on offense and the preponderance of penalties."I think it is difficult sometimes," he said. "You get those 12-men-in-the-huddle penalties just because we do have a lot of guys coming in and out of the game in the huddle so, it (could) cause some confusion and some penalties."It also hurts a player's ability find a rhythm, not only if he's not playing, but if he's in and out with abandon."That's part of the game," Boss added, "and whatever the coach decides to do, you've got to kind of roll with the punches there but I can see what you're saying -- as an athlete playing any sport, you do want to get in a rhythm and that sometimes will not allow that."

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