Gradkowski’s performance convincing, but is it enough for Al?
The barrage of yards and points tallied by the Oakland Raiders against the Pittsburgh Steelers was quite impressive. Bruce Gradkowski totaled 308 yards passing in leading the Raiders to a stunning 27-24 victory at Heinz Field. Oakland score 21-points in the 4th quarter and the last time they compiled 20 or more points in the final quarter of a game was on October 6, 2002 when they put up 21 in Buffalo during a 49-31 win against the Bills.
Daunte Culpepper was the last Raider passer to throw for more than 300-yards when he tallied 344 against the Minnesota Vikings on November 18, 2007. Coincidentally, the last time a wide receiver donning the Silver & Black amassed more than 100-yards receiving came in that same game when Ronald Curry gained 120 yards. Yesterday, Louis Murphy ended that 33-game receiver drought by a Raider when he finished with 128 aerial yards.
“You always visualize the game going into it, and you always picture yourself winning and doing very well,” Gradkowski stated after the contest. “That was exciting, and you wouldn’t want it to end any better.”
Gradkowski’s homecoming was like a dream come true. He brought along teammates to his family’s home to share a meal and then on Sunday, he feasted on the Steelers’ secondary with a career game.
“It’s been exciting to come back and share this with my family, and how happy I saw my mom and dad after the game, that’s awesome,” Gradkowski said. “But it’s awesome for our guys, too. I couldn’t be happier for our team.”
And that is what matters most when Gradkowski is out there – how the team fares. So far, so good, as the Raiders are 2-1 with their new passer and looking like a respectable offense.
Gradkowski is fiery and when he is on the field, the Raider offense appears to have more of a bounce in its step, a rhythm that it never had with JaMarcus Russell. But more importantly, when he is manning the position, the team plays better, his cast elevates their play and the production has been noticeable.
Wide receivers all of sudden are making plays. The offense is now moving the chains and compiling yards. Oh, and the play calling – the offense now looks more modern.
Tom Cable is now able to expand on his playbook, call a more diverse game and not worry about the limitations that his passer has.
Unlike Russell, Gradkowski is absorbing the playbook, extending plays, making things happen on the football field when a specific play is called or, he is improvising, using his head and feet to give his Raiders a chance at something positive when the whistle blows or at the end of a drive.
“You kidding me? You’re coming home, his folks were in the stands, and to play the way he does, lead his team, hang in there at the end, make huge plays — big throws? Just a great job by him,” Cable noted after the contest.
Gradkowski is making this Raider offense a tougher one to defend. True he has a healthy Chaz Schilens to his disposal. Yes, Cable is finding ways to incorporate Darren McFadden into the scheme more seamlessly. But the passer who is able to help Cable run a more complex attack is what’s been the big difference.
And if this continues, there won’t be a quarterback controversy in Oakland…
Gradkowski will be the obvious choice to lead this team into 2010.
Langston Walker, who played at Guard when Robert Gallery was nicked stated, “Bruce is fiery. He’s yelling at us, screaming at us, running around like a banshee, but it’s all controlled. That’s how he gets it done. You saw the result.”
Cornell Green commented; “Bruce had something about him today. I don’t know if it was being home or just letting it all hang out, but he took control of the huddle. He’s cursing at people to hurry up. He brings that to the team. He brings that fire and that’s good.”
“When I am out there, when I am at practice, it is my offense and that is how I’m going to lead,” Gradkowski said after his 20-of-33 performance.
Gradkowski is impressing teammates, fans and opponents. But will all this be enough to astound the one man who may still believe that Russell is this organization’s future…
Yup, Al Davis will have to see more of this if Gradkowski wants to be a starter for the Silver & Black. The journey man who is the under dog is doing all the right things now.
Check that, forget about what I said earlier…I have a feeling we are headed toward a quarterback controversy in Oakland. It’s destiny.
