Oakland needs to win some games and give Charlie Frye a start. Matt Bowen
It isn’t often that the quarterback position on a 4-9 football team in the middle of December is news. We’ve all moved on to the wild-card races in the NFC and the AFC and find ourselves tuning in to games that have meaning come Sunday.
But when that quarterback is the Raiders’ JaMarcus Russell — again — we should take notice.
Because if we see the former No. 1 overall pick benched — for the second time in ’09 — this week, possibly for third-string QB Charlie Frye, according to some reports, we have to start asking our own questions about what Russell has to offer.
And, more importantly, if we’ll see him in Oakland next season.
Sure, that’s all speculation, but if you read the report from the Contra Costa Times, coach Tom Cable doesn’t sound so sure about Russell after his performance on Sunday when he replaced the injured Bruce Gradkowski.
And I’m wondering how you can put Russell back in as your starting quarterback after this last performance: 74 yards passing, one INT, and he was sacked a shocking six times — all in a relief appearance.
Cable responded to the media about Russell’s performance, saying Monday, “You know after looking at it on film, I see some things that are the same. I think that there’s a couple things he did that were good. Again, I’ll look at all that here in the next 24 hours because if we’re heading towards a decision at the quarterback spot, then I pretty much do diligence in all those things and I’ll sit down and look through everything again.”
Reading between the lines, it sounds like Cable isn’t too hot on Russell and we might see a move made — if he hasn’t already made up his mind to do what we’re all thinking.
Because as much as we like to talk about teams that pack it in for the season at this time of year, Cable does owe it to the 52 other guys on the roster who are not only still playing to win football games, but most likely are playing for their jobs as members of this team in 2010. And they need a QB to do that, to run their offense, to not put their defense in adverse situations time and time again and to work within the game plan to win games on Sundays.
Cable has to give them a chance, and that chance isn’t going to happen with Russell — a player who comes off as almost delusional when asked about his performances. Because these players know what’s going on; every locker room in this league does when it comes to the quarterback. They know the struggles that JaMarcus is having, and they know they’ll have to play nearly mistake-free ball to compensate for his faults on game day.
As a player, that’s a very awkward situation to be in. You take the field knowing that your QB doesn’t give you the best chance to win — and you’ll have to find another way to grind out a victory.
That’s bad football in the NFL.
And that’s just it. Putting Russell back in a starting role will set this team back — a team that was playing football at a pretty high level with Gradkowski. They were efficient, they moved the ball through the air, and that game against the Steelers on the road, well, I just couldn’t see it happening with JaMarcus in the game. Because the Raiders do have talent on their roster — but it takes a QB to put it all together on game day.
Yes, he’s still very young, and we all know that. And, yes, he’s still adjusting to the pro game. But how much of a leash to you give a player before you have to pull him back? Because as much “talent” as we hear people say JaMarucs has, we don’t see it on Sundays. Two TD passes and 10 INTs on the season, along with a lowly QB rating of 47.7 tell us that. We don’t need to see the film, and we don’t need to be told that he’s starting to get it, because those numbers from a pro quarterback are what they are — unacceptable.
I understand that he’s one of Al Davis’ first-round picks, and I also understand that first-round picks are granted more chances than anyone when it comes to the NFL because of the big money invested in them. We all do. But you can also cut your loses and do what’s best for the franchise.
Time to move on, Oakland, and give the ball to someone who can direct this team to a win on Sunday and allow the rest of these players to finish strong down the stretch.
And then make a major decision about Russell’s future in a black and silver uniform.
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As an NFL QB, how to you bounce back if you lose your job to C Frye? Maybe, a change of scenery would help this young kid out next season.
What's the historical precedent for a QB being this much of a head case and then "putting it together" later? I think Gradkowski has proven you need head and heart at that position, more than a giant arm. Russell just has the arm. A well-run team would turn the page on this guy.
I don't think Cable gets enough credit for the job he's done coaching this team. Given the situations he's had to deal with, keeping this team competing, he really seems like the right man for that job.
"Because as much “talent” as we hear people say JaMarucs has, we don’t see it on Sundays."
He's really talented at mixing Sprite and Codeine, to hear bay area bartenders talk. Might explain some of the deulsional outtakes that his interviews produce.
"We don’t need to see the film, and we don’t need to be told that he’s starting to get it, because those numbers from a pro quarterback are what they are — unacceptable."
Can he be fined by the kangaroo court? That locker room will erupt if he's put in again.
The Frye guy is a gym rat, give him a shot. Let Russel go play pick up somewhere, instead.
Besides, we could see some really good ATHF costumes in the crowd if Frye starts. You know the Raider Nation will come up with crazy stuff if Charlie ever develops a following, let's start by putting competitive types in there. Too bad GB kept Matt Flynn over Broughm, it would be nice to bench Russel with the guy who did the same to him in college.
I understand Russell has been terrible this year, but he was basically thrown to the wolves Sunday. He had zero protection. The Redskins were getting to him with a four man rush. I'm not sure anyone would have been effective. He reminds me a little of Jason Campbell. He seems slow with his reads, no pocket presence, gets the ball out late, plus he's so heavy he lumbers around back there and can't avoid anyone. Campbell finally is showing signs of getting better, and there's no reason Russell can't either, provided he wants to.
Doc- Good point on Cable. Looks like his team comes to play every Sunday, but to continue that, Fat JaMarcus needs to go.
Will the owner allow it, however?
Russell just doesn't get it, so the Raiders need to admit their mistake and get rid of him. But I don't think that Al Davis will do that. If they bring him back next year they will only be wasting another season. Maybe releasing Russell would be a wakeup call for him, but I doubt it. He's getting paid, and he doesn't care enough about the game.
I say release him this offseason. Time to realize that a mistake was made and move forward. Who cares if he goes on to "get it" somewhere else and have some success. He's not helping the Raiders now.
Sure he was thrown to the wolves on Sunday. That's because the team basically gave up once he entered the game. That's unacceptable but it tells you a lot about what the rest of the team sees on a regular basis from this kid. It's obvious he doesn't get it and may never figure it out.
We've suffered long enough. Time to move forward and cut your losses before another season goes down the drain waiting for Russell to figure it out. I read somewhere that when asked before the draft who he wants to play for Russell said, "Whoever pays the most." I think that says it all, he's got his money and he's checked out. No desire to be a successful NFL QB.
A skilled QB?
Primary skills at QB are recognition, reaction, leadership and accuracy. Arm strength, though not from a kneeling posiiton, is important but means nothing without the other skills. Which of the other skills does Russell possess? None that I am aware of.
Throwing from the knees was a PR stunt the Ravens did to justify taking Boller. Don't believe the hype.
Jamarcus will be a good QB as soon as medical science perfects the brain transplant.
He's a gigantic Dodge Viper with the smarts of a Canned Ham behind the wheel.
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Dec 15, 2009
08:46 AM
The Biggest "Bust" debate should continue when JaMarcus is benched this week,
Leaf or Russell. And I have to say Russell right now.
Just awful to watch.