First, he is the left cornerback, and most right-handed quarterbacks move to the right and throw to the right. Second, he is opposite Nnamdi Asomugha, who happens to be one of the best cover corners in the NFL.

Kiffin said flopping corners to face specific receivers isn't a likely scenario because of the problems it causes with regard to communication and assignments.

However, if teams continue to go at Hall and he doesn't respond by making plays, the Raiders may look to roll coverages his way and leave Asomugha even more alone on the island.

PLAYER NOTES

--SS Gibril Wilson missed practice with an elbow injury, but is expected to face Kansas City, where part of his job will be to guard Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez.

--T Kwame Harris missed practice for the second consecutive day. Lane Kiffin hoped he would practice Thursday. If Harris can't play, Mario Henderson, inactive for Week 1, would start.

--S Tyvon Branch practiced Thursday after missing the previous day with a shoulder injury and should play on special teams and as an extra defensive back.

--CB DeAngelo Hall practiced after missing Wednesday with an elbow injury and will start against Kansas City.

--WR Javon Walker practiced for the second consecutive day, but coach Lane Kiffin said he doesn't have his burst back yet and if he plays, he may not start. Ashley Lelie would be the starter.

--DE Derrick Burgess did not practice with a shoulder injury but is expected to face Kansas City. Rookie Trevor Scott is the backup right end.

--T Seth Wand worked at right tackle after being re-signed to the roster. Paul McQuistan was placed on injured reserve and will undergo knee surgery.

--T James Marten practiced for the first time with the Raiders after being claimed off waivers from Dallas. He worked at right tackle.

GAME PLAN: Offensive game plans will be fairly consistent for the Raiders this season -- run the ball enough to minimize the amount of potential mistakes by QB JaMarcus Russell. Have him throw shallow and intermediate routes, striking deep about once per quarter. There could be a more concerted effort this week to get RB Darren McFadden to the outside, either on quick pitches or swing passes. Defensively, the Raiders paid dearly for being so vanilla against the Broncos and were cut to ribbons. They would be wise to be aggressive in a road venue against a mediocre opponent, keeping eight in the box to slow RB Larry Johnson and sending the occasional blitzer at QB Damon Huard.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall vs. Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe. Hall was put on a rotisserie and roasted for three and a half hours in the opener. Broncos QB Jay Cutler, looked almost exclusively to his right, and attacked one of the Raiders' most expensive acquisitions without mercy. Rookie Eddie Royal finished with nine receptions and 146 yards, much of that against Hall. Hall played soft, lost his footing, basically did just about everything wrong. Bowe, the Chiefs' go-to wide receiver, averaged just 9.8 yards per catch and had a touchdown, but also a key drop against New England. He won't be as elusive for Hall as was Royal, but his size and post-up ability presents a problem.

Chiefs DT Glenn Dorsey vs. Raiders LG Robert Gallery. The Raiders love Darren McFadden, but will still be watching this matchup closely -- the man the Raiders could have drafted against one that they did back in 2004. Oakland's middle was pounded all last season and the Broncos went for 5.0 yards per carry in the second half in Week 1. Dorsey was the top interior defender in the draft, and Oakland passed and went for McFadden although they were already deep at running back. The Raiders' line was sub-par against Denver. Dorsey had just two assisted tackles against New England, but plays his first home game in the deafening roar of Arrowhead. Things have been quiet on the Gallery-is-a-bust front since he moved to guard, but if he is worked over by Dorsey, the theme will regain steam.

INJURY IMPACT: Should LT Kwame Harris be unable to play or be hurting in any way, the Raiders, already having difficulty protecting the passer on the edge, would be susceptible not only to Chiefs DE Tamba Hali but blitzing from that side. A conservative Raiders offense could be even more conservative, with running the best way to slow a pass rush. That could mean more of a role for power runner Michael Bush, who didn't get a carry last week against Denver but could be utilized on short yardage and in a more plodding attack.