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NAPA – Marques Tuiasosopo is trying not to drop any center snaps in practice. That’s something the official backup quarterback just shouldn’t do. 

Tuiasosopo jokes about dropped snaps, but he’s serious about his new job as the Oakland Raiders’ No. 2 guy behind Rich Gannon. 

“I’ve got my goals, and I like to keep them to myself,” Tuiasosopo said. “But one thing is I want to work as hard as I can each day to get better. So far, I’ve been doing that. It’s about consistency, and that’s what you’ve got to do each day.” 

Tuiasosopo learned of his new role when the Raiders opened training camp and put backup Bobby Hoying on the physically unable to perform list. Hoying has been slow to rebound from elbow surgery last year. 

The second-year quarterback and former Washington standout got a head start on his new job over the summer, when Gannon’s contract talks kept the Raiders veteran out of many offseason workouts. 

Tuiasosopo was the man, working with receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown and running back Charlie Garner. 

“I feel like I have a better grasp of the offense,” Tuiasosopo said. “I’ve still got a ways to go, but it’s just a matter of getting my head in the playbook and continue going to meetings and listening to the coaches.” 

New Raiders coach Bill Callahan said Tuiasosopo will get about 30 percent of the snaps in training camp, while Gannon, who inked a six-year, $54 million deal two weeks ago, will get the majority. 

“The No. 1 goal for Marques is to play in the system,” Callahan said. “Don’t do more than is necessary.” 

The Raiders don’t want to rush their future into creating plays, Callahan explained. 

“He has to have a knowledge, a feel and a trust that guys are working for him,” he said.