Week 3 Broncos @ Raiders

[MancSilverBlack]

According to David White, Russell thinks both picks were pass interference and (get this) thinks he's playing fine...................
......WOW 

[Other Porter]

I think it's time to bench him, even if for a game or two. Give Gradkowski the nodd, at least he is passionate about wanting to play. Russell was cvaught on TV laughing and joking at the end of the game, despite having played like a complete idiot.

[Raider Dee]

i wish we had Garcia still

Bama Boy just isn't gonna cut it IMHO

 

[Aeyjay]

The thing I find frustrating with Russell is there is always an excuse for his poor play

the blocking
the route running
the drops
the playbook
the playcalling
the coaching changes
the holdout
the referees

good players can overcome this but he holds himself back with his attitude, work ethic, his fitness and so it comes a morass of small problems which ultimately leaves him a very poor qb indeed.

I think we are giving him (the raider organisation) are giving him too much space to resort to the excuses rather than the hard fact he isn't getting it done.

However the other options aren't great either

Grad and Frye aren't starting QB's they are servicable backups, Garcia is a frustartion but he played so little in preseason and I think he talked himself out of the job. In the end I think he quit on us rather than the other way round.

All in all we are a hostage to Russell's contract and Al's stubborness to see him succeed. Short term it's going to be a lot of pain without any signs at the moment that the long term gain is going to beworth it.

[Aeyjay]

Taken from PFT

Parker will be a key figure in the tampering case, too
Posted by Mike Florio on September 28, 2009 10:59 AM ET
We mentioned on Sunday the report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen regarding the possibility that the Michael Crabtree tampering investigation will include an interview of Deion Sanders, a league employee (via NFL Network) who created the current mess by talking on the air about the notion that two teams are willing to pay Crabtree twice the amount that the 49ers have placed on the table.

There's another key figure in the tampering investigation:  Agent Eugene Parker.

Parker isn't required to cooperate, and he likely won't.  But, if he doesn't, he won't be able to rebut any information that the 49ers might provide regarding things that Parker said to them about, for example, the Jets' interest in Crabtree.

The Jets surely will deny making any such statements -- and that's why, as Michael Lombardi pointed out last week on Inside the NFL, tampering is so rampant. 

Basically, they all cheat, and then they all lie to cover up their cheating.

In this case, however, it'll be interesting to see how the league handles the conflicting information.  If, on one hand, the Niners says that Parker said something that would indicate tampering by the Jets and if, on the other hand, the Jets predictably deny it, how will it be resolved?

By choosing to remain silent, Parker could be giving credence to the Niners' position.  If, after all, Parker had nothing to hide, he'd talk.  Moreover, if the Jets truly are a potential suitor for Crabtree's services, Parker would want to avoid doing anything that might remove them as an option.  Needless to say, if Parker were to snitch on the Jets, they probably would lose interest in his client.  (And, possibly, in some of his other clients.)

Meanwhile, we're hopeful that the ongoing CBA discussions (the next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow) will include negotiations regarding a joint mechanism for securing mandatory cooperation from agents in cases like this.  Though the NFL has no power over any of them, the NFLPA exclusively regulates their work.  So while Commissioner Roger Goodell can't force Parker to talk, De Smith can.  And Goodell and Smith need to realize that an atmosphere of brazen cheating does nothing to advance the long-term interests of the game, even if it sometimes helps a player finagle more money in the short-term, or a team to get a player that it covets.

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Cable never considered taking out Russell
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 28, 2009 10:43 AM ET
With the Raiders trailing 23-3 in the fourth quarter Sunday at home, and the boos raining down on JaMarcus Russell, coach Tom Cable never considered taking his starter out of the game.

"I just feel like we have to keep moving forward, trying to figure out what is going to help him be at his best," Cable said.

It's hard to say what Russell's best would look like right now.  Since Cable didn't take him out, Russell got three drives in the fourth quarter to try to put something positive together.  The team recorded one first down in those drives, and that came on a penalty.

Part of Cable's problem is that he doesn't have any alternatives, even if he wanted to make a change.  (Or if he was allowed to.) 

In my ride home last night from NBCSports.com international headquarters in lovely Stamford, Connecticut, an extremely knowledgeable Raiders fan co-worker of mine said he wanted to see what Bruce Gradkowski could do. 

But playing Gradkowski is a no-win situation.

The journeyman with worse career numbers than Russell will either play like he's always played on Sundays (poorly) or he'll outplay Oakland's prized number one overall pick.

Neither option is appealing, especially since Gradkowski  is very unlikely to turn the Raiders ship around.  Russell is still young, but his struggles are a good reminder of how much the wrong high pick at quarterback can set back a franchise.

The 2009 Raiders have a better roster than they have in last five years, but the quarterback position is preventing a chance for them to contend.  Even a serviceable starter like Kyle Orton -- who led the Broncos to another road win Sunday -- would give them a fair shake.

Instead, they will continue to wait for their scattershot quarterback to develop some accuracy that may never come

[MancSilverBlack]

Well its the morning after the night before and in the cold light of day, it doesn't get any better, and it isn't only Russell. Mcfadden had three fumbles last night alone and just seems incapable of making a big play. Now the question is who's fault is that? Is it McFadden's or Cable's? Everytime I see a running play it seems to be down the middle. We hardly ever try and run outside, or is it just me?

[R8RMR]

To say that this is disappointing would be the understatement of the season so far. What is the thinking behind the possible benching of Russell? Would it force him to re-evaluate his position and perhaps come out fighting for his place? Or would he remain passive and chilled about it all?

The problem is that if he is benched, you never know, he might never make it back. However, it's no good being talented if you are never able to exercise, display and hone your skills.

[Other Porter]

Get a cheap, second tier QB in who has played with some success.

Someone like Patrick Ramsey or Chris Simms that has won games and served as a back-up.

Anyone know any QBs that are due to be UFA next year?

[draft jedi]

Ramsey & Sims no. Rmasey has not started for long time for a reason. This was not all russell this time. Our was defence sucked. Denver's punter was used twice sunday twice. We gave up 215 yards rushing from ave rbs, no sacks, no ints. That is what lost the game

[Gazzara]

It doesn't help fella when Russell is caught on the sideline laughing and having a giggle when we are 23 - 3 down with not a care in the world.   Is this the sort of person to lead a football team??  I think not.  Yeah, we were exposed all over the field but the money we pay him and the qualities he is meant to have he should no better by now.

He reminds me of Ryan Leaf.

[Other Porter]

exactly. I'm not saying someone like Ramsey (or Simms) are better long term but I would sure as hell trust em more than Russell at this point, hell... where's Gus Frerotte? ...... get Jon Kitna in here? Someone that can steady the ship as a starter til season's end.

Russell is fast running out of friends. This isn't just about ability.

Hell, I have an authentic Russell jersey - those things cost a damn lot of £ - do you think I wanted to see him fail?

Of course not but at the moment, as a QB he makes a good stair case.

 

[R8RMR]

It doesn't help fella when Russell is caught on the sideline laughing and having a giggle when we are 23 - 3 down with not a care in the world.   Is this the sort of person to lead a football team??  I think not.  Yeah, we were exposed all over the field but the money we pay him and the qualities he is meant to have he should no better by now.

He reminds me of Ryan Leaf.

He used the LEAF name!!!!!!!!!!! 

We can only hope that he isn't like him and can show some character on the pitch and sidelines. But as the games go by, it would seem less and less likely that he will. How long can we wait for the real QB to show up?