SBReport.net presents more images of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad. As an added bonus, we’ll give you a few images captured at road games, with the lenses on the cheerleaders for the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Washington Redskins.
Follow me on Twitter — click here.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
SBReport.net presents more images of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad. As an added bonus, we’ll give you a few images captured at road games, with the lenses on the cheerleaders for the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.
Follow me on Twitter — click here.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
Many reports are indicating that Hue Jackson will sign on to the Oakland Raiders staff and become their offensive coordinator.
Jackson was expected to talk to the Chicago Bears on Tuesday for that same job, but that was nixed and now it appears that the he’ll depart the Baltimore Ravens to head to the Bay Area.
The former quarterbacks coach in Baltimore worked with Joe Flacco for the first two years of the passers career. Under Jackson’s tutelage, Flacco became the first rookie in NFL history to win two playoff games under center. While with the Cincinnati Bengals (2004-2006), Jackson worked with their receivers.
Chad – then Johnson – Ochocinco (1,369) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the first duo at wide receiver to put up 1,000-yard seasons for the organization. Ochocinco had his best years under Jackson and Houshmandzadeh developed into one of the better pass catchers in the AFC.
Jackson had a desire to become a coordinator in this league after stints in that same capacity in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons and with the Washington Redskins in 2003.
His biggest objective while in Oakland will be to get the most out of former number one overall pick JaMarcus Russell.
It appears that Jackson was hand-picked by Al Davis to direct an offense that ranked 31st in points scored per game, 21st in rushing yards per game and 29th in pass yards per contest.
Tom Cable was the primary play caller in 2009 and with Davis not happy with the direction of his attack and the lack of development in his prized passer; the change at offensive coordinator was imminent.
All signs point to Cable coming back as head-coach, but it appears that he had to make concessions and allow Davis to tinker with his staff in order for him to finish his contract in Oakland.
Russell struggled all of 2009 and showed little improvement. His footwork, accuracy and work ethic among many other things have been scrutinized.
Cable benched the former LSU star as the season wound down while Bruce Gradkowski helped the team increase their offensive output. Once he went down due to injury, Charlie Frye also surpassed any production Russell was able to muster up.
Both back-ups were able to absorb Cable’s playbook and give the Oakland offense more of a fighting shot.
In the other hand, Russell was unproductive, had the game plans simplified, yet he continued to play inept football.
If Oakland is pinning all their hopes on Jackson to revive Russell, it could be a risk that may cost them another double-digit losing season.
Unless Russell takes it upon himself to work harder, get into camp in shape and somehow miraculously improve many of the mechanical issues he has passing along with his accuracy, Oakland will be wasting their time trying to milk anything out him.
Davis obviously thinks Russell has more to give.
He drafted Russell with visions of John Elway.
And Jackson’s arrival may just mean that Davis wants to see if another voice not named Cable could wake him up.
“After much consideration I have decided to accept a position as offensive Coordinator with the Oakland Raiders,” Jackson said in a statement. “I will miss the fans here and I thank them for all the encouragement and support they have shown me while I called Baltimore my home. I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to Steve Bisciotti, Ozzie Newsome, Dick Cass and especially Coach John Harbaugh who brought me to Baltimore. Baltimore will always hold a special place in my heart and I’m especially thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with a world class organization, a top notch coaching staff and some of the best talent in the league.”
Is Jackson being looked at to groom Russell?
The Raiders reportedly have received permission to talk to the 24-year coach for an unspecified position.
We can assume that Oakland is looking for as much support as possible for JaMarcus Russell. Jackson worked his first season as a quarterback’s coach in 2008 with rookie Joe Flacco.
Jackson has been the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons (2007) and the Washington Redskins (2003).
Under Jackson’s tutelage, Flacco became the first rookie in NFL history to win two playoff games under center. While with the Cincinnati Bengals (2004-2006), Jackson worked with receivers.
Chad Ochocinco (1,369) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the first duo at wide receiver to put up 1,000-yard seasons for the organization. Ochocinco had his best years under Jackson and Houshmandzadeh developed into one of the better pass catchers in the AFC.
Sanjay Lal has not had success working with some of the young wide-outs in Oakland. Could this be an addition to boost their development? Is to help out Russell? Heck, it’s Raider-Land, so for all we know, he may be interviewing for a head coaching spot.
Or, is Jackson being looked at to groom young targets such as Higgins?
No announcement has been made about Tom Cable’s status, so its unlikely talks with Jackson will help the Raiders comply with the Rooney Rule.
All we know at this point is, Jackson has been contacted and with his expertise, the Raiders could surely have him dabble in many of the non-functional spots on this club.
Here is a link to Jackson’s profile on the official Baltimore Ravens web site:
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Coaches/Hue_Jackson.aspx
OAKLAND — Here are exclusive videos of some Oakland Raiders talking after their home victory over the Cincinnati Bengals:
Wide Receiver Chaz Schilens
video management, video solution, video streaming
Running Back Michael Bush:
video management, video solution, video streaming
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha:
video management, video solution, video streaming
Chad Ochocinco went from sore loser to being out-right bitter:
video management, video solution, video streaming
QUARTERBACK: B
Bruce Gradkowski is now 4-9 in his career while starting and 1-0 at the helm of the Silver & Black. His decisiveness, inspiring play and ability to diversify the offense with his accuracy helped the Raider offense churn out yardage when they needed it most and it got them their first second half touchdown in seven games. His nine-yard touchdown pass to Zach Miller ended a personal three-year drought (11/19/2006) and was his first scoring pass in 116 attempts. He led Oakland in a way JaMarcus Russell hasn’t. Gradkowski managed the game well with his feet, evading sacks and getting rid of the ball quickly when all his options were covered and pressure was coming. On the game tying drive, his quick release on a blitz was able to gain 19-yards on 2nd and 4. Then on 4th and 10, he hit an open Chaz Schilens to give the Raiders life. The 29-yard toss to his rookie target was one of the most clutch plays this season.
RUNNING BACKS & FULLBACKS: C –
After a solid performance last week, Michael Bush could have been a goat today with his fumble in the 3rd quarter. That turnover led to a 25-yard Shayne Graham field goal, which extended the Bengals lead to 17-10. He did average 6.8 yards per carry on his 4 attempts. Darren McFadden played a physical contest, finishing a few of his six carries with blows to the attempting tackler. He had 9 touches for 25-yards, many of them on earlier downs that helped Gradkowski into manageable down and distances in key drives. Justin Fargas led the team with 8 carries for 32-yards. Oakland did not need a powerful ground game today, something you couldn’t say if Russell was under center. Luke Lawton helped with 3 grabs for 14 yards.
WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: B –
Louis Murphy’s lone catch of the game was a 29-yard strike that tied the game with 33 seconds remaining in the game. He worked the cornerback well and was able to adjust to make the reception and bolt into the end zone. Zach Miller had another solid effort with 5 receptions for 65-yards and a score. His back-to-back catches; on 2nd and 4 for 19-yards and on 1st and 10 for 9-yards in the game tying drive helped move the chains. In his second game this campaign, Chaz Schilens hauled in a stellar 25-yard pass to start a drive, jumping to snag the football with a cornerback draped on him and a 16-yard catch on 4th and 10 with the game on the line. Darrius Heyward-Bey dropped a potential first-down on a 3rd and 4 in the 2nd quarter, but snagged a 7-yard pass on a 3rd and 3. In the 3rd quarter, the speedy rookie did draw a 19-yard pass interference flag on Leon Hall.
OFFENSIVE LINE: B
This group played well at times, others they got mixed up in trying to block the varying Bengal blitzes. Gradkowski’s mobility and instant decision making kept Cincinnati from tallying a sack. Robert Gallery mauled the interior of the defensive line during Bush’s 10-yard gain on 3rd and 2 in the 3rd quarter. Most of the Bengals pressure was up the gut of the trenches and surprisingly, starting right tackle Cornell Green played a mistake free game. Samson Satele and Gradkowski had a mix-up during an exchange that was recovered by Domato Peko. Gradkowski’s interception to open a drive in the 4th quarter was facilitated by the pressure the Bengals applied. The passer floated a pass into the hands of Jonathan Joseph as Oakland attempted for a quick strike to Murphy.
DEFENSIVE LINE: B –
The run defense allowed way too many yards (177). But many times, the front-four was able to pressure Carson Palmer. Cincinnati has protected their passer all year very well, allowing a mere 14-sacks in 2009, but Oakland was able to compile three sacks. Greg Ellis had a huge sack late in the 4th quarter on a 3rd and 12. Desmond Bryant added energy to the defensive line and played well in place of Richard Seymour, who left in the opening quarter with a lower back injury. Jay Richardson played with a good motor.
LINEBACKERS: A
Probably the best game the linebackers played all season. Thomas Howard was very active, firing through the line of scrimmage on many stops and covering tailback Brian Leonard on a deep pattern to force an incompletion. Kirk Morrison had his best game of the year with 4-tackles – two behind the line of scrimmage. Sam Williams was in on a turnover that Desmond Bryant facilitated.
SECONDARY: B
This was a Jekyll and Hide game for this unit. Tyvon Branch tallied 12-tackles. He was routinely making stops around the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. On a 3rd and 6 in the 2nd quarter, Branch blitzed, sacked Palmer and forced a fumble when Cincinnati was at the OAK 27-yard line. He did get burned on an Andre Caldwell 17-yard reception in the 1st quarter, but he dove in the end-zone to break up a potential score on a 2nd and goal in the 3rd quarter – a key play as Graham missed a 37-yarder five plays later. The safety out of UCONN also saved a touchdown as the last line of defense on Bernard Scott’s 23-yard reception on 2nd and 22 in the 1st quarter. Chris Johnson was torched deep by Laveranues Coles for 40-yards, he whiffed when trying to tackle Scott that resulted in a 61-yard run, but he had a nice tackle behind the line of scrimmage and broke up a pass intended for Chad Ochocinco on a drive that the Bengals went three-and-out in the final quarter. Stanford Routt was infracted for roughing the passer on a 3rd and goal. The dumb penalty gave Cincinnati a new set of downs, but Routt redeemed himself three plays later on 3rd and goal with an 18-yard sack of Palmer that hurt Graham when he missed his field goal on the ensuing play. Nnamdi Asomugha closed the game with an interception, but on a few occasions, Ochocinco got the best of him. His blitz broke containment on Scott’s long run. Mike Mitchell played sparingly and had a couple of run stuffing tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Rookie tight end Brandon Myers had the play of the game; stripping Caldwell on the game’s final kickoff with seconds remaining and recovering the loose ball at the Bengals 17-yard line. A few plays later, Sebastian Janikowski nailed his second field goal of the game from 37-yards out with 15 seconds remaining, giving Oakland the late victory. He missed from 57-yards wide right after Cincinnati called a time-out to freeze him and missed wide left officially as time expired in the first half. Shane Lechler boomed a 66-yard punt and averaged 50.5 per kick this afternoon. Jonathan Holland continues to be hesitant during kickoff returns and a non-threat. Coming into the game, the Oakland special teams had the fewest number of penalties called on the in the NFL (4).
COACHING: B
The play calling was significantly different with Gradkowski at quarterback. Oakland tossed the ball 34-times and the offense was pass happy on many drives. Tom Cable’s club looked impressive out of the gate in the 2nd half, putting together a 10-play drive and cutting the Bengals lead to 14-10 after intermission. The blitzing defense was a similar attack they installed against the Eagles, and it kept the often-stationary Palmer moving in the pocket. The team played motivated even after falling behind and they came from behind in front of an empty building. It was disturbing to see the Bengals shoot themselves in the foot consistently, but with the upper hand regardless at times. In the opening drive, Cincy had 3 flags and converted on two long down and distances and after they took a 14-0 lead, they led Oakland 217-to-14 in total yards, had tallied 15 first downs as oppose to the Raiders one, and had a time of possession lead of 19:48 to 3:00. But Oakland forced turnovers and pressured the over confident Bengals, who came into the contest undefeated on the road and looking to put away their division after the Steelers were upset by the Chiefs earlier in the day.
GAME NOTES
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
OAKLAND, CA — Oakland showed that it was not going to allow the Bengals to run on them from the outset. With the Bengals going on offense first, the Raiders looked stout against the Bengals’ run attack. Even Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha got in on the action with a 5-yard loss of a tackle. But that would be the only thing the Raiders could stop on the opening drive. Cincinnati would gash the Raiders for 23-yards, 32-yards, and 21-yards. Cincy QB Carson Palmer would punctuate the drive with a 1-yard dive to put is team up 7-0.
Oakland would get it’s shot at playing offense, but after a couple of modest runs and an incomplete pass, they were forced to punt the ball away. The Raiders would catch a break when Carson Palmer was sacked and fumbled by safety Tyvon Branch. The ball was initially scooped up by Raider LB Kirk Morrison, but he too was stripped while carrying the ball carelessly. Thankfully, Raider CB Chris Johnson shoved a would-be recovering Bengal out of the way to allow a fellow Raider recover it instead. Oakland QB Bruce Gradkowski would fumble the snap (more like a botched snap by the center, but the QB gets the credit for the fumble). The Bengals would recover the ball.
In the fist Cincinnati drive, they beat the Raiders defense with the pass. This next drive, the Bengals would beat the Raiders’ defense on the ground with a series of 15, 11, 10, 9, and 6 yard runs culminating in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by QB Carson Palmer to extend their lead to 14-0.
Oakland showed some resilience with Gradkowski under center; managing a drive of his own. WR Chad Schilens kicked off the drive with a 25-yard reception. That play would be followed up by a combination of smart running by Darren McFadden for 9-yards and Justin Fargas for 12-yards. Gradkowski would then find an open Zach Miller in the endzone for a touchdown to bring Oakland to within 7-points with the score of 14-7.
After Oakland forced the Bengals to punt on their following offensive drive, Gradkowski would put his team into field goal range, but not without TE Zach Miller being the beneficiary of a 19-yard pass from Gradkowski. Unfortunately, Jano missed he field goal (wide left). The moment prior to the attempt, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis called a time out to ice Jano. Jano had kicked it anyway and the ball was wide right. And that’s how the half would come to an end; with a score of 14-7.
In the third quarter, Oakland would receive the ball first and would see Janikowski successfully kick a 52-yard field goal following a balanced attack of runs and passes. Even WR Darrius Heyward-Bey got in on the reception party with a 7-yard catch. Jano’s field goal made the game 14-10.
The Bengals mustered a drive of their own to get their kicker into field goal range since they could not get into the endzone, but to the Raiders delight, their kicker missed a chip-shot of a 37-yard attempt to keep the Raiders hanging around.
The Raiders would give the ball right back however, after Raider running back Michael Bush fumbled the all and Cincy ran the ball back 38-yards to the Raiders’ 13-yard line. The Raider defense flexed it’s muscle by keeping the Bengals from scoring a touchdown. This time, Cincy kicker Shayne Graham would not miss from 25-yards out as the Bengals got a tad bit of breathing room with a 17-10 lead with 3:29 left in the third quarter.
The two teams defenses would trade offensive stops; playing the game of field position by forcing each other to punt up until 2:12 to go in the 4th quarter.
The veteran savvy of QB Gradkowski would rise to the occasion as he lead his offense 80-yards in a classic two-minute drill; a pass to McFadden for 6 yards, Miller for 19 yards, Miller again for 9 yards, a 1-yard run from McFadden, Schilens for 16 yards, and then finally…a great 29-yard pass and leg-churning run after the catch to WR Louis Murphy who willed himself into the endzone with a lone defender trying desperately to keep him out for the 17-17 tie (with the subsequent PAT).
On the subsequent kick off with 33 seconds left on the game clock, Raiders special teams would hit the Bengals returner and cause a fumble. Oakland quickly jumped on the ball to recover it on the Bengals’ 17-yard line.
The Raiders, now in the driver’s seat with the ball on the Bengals’ 17 yard line and with 19 seconds left on the game clock. Cincy would use all of it’s remaining timeouts to stop the clock each time the Raiders would take down the ball. Sebastian Janikowski would kick the 33-yard game winning field goal with 15 seconds left on the clock for a score of 20-17 Raiders.
After a minimal kick off return, Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer would throw a Hail Mary, but to only have it intercepted by CB Nnamdi Asomugha to end the game, keeping their home game dominance over the Cincinnati Bengals.
*It should also be noted that Chad Ochocinco was rendered relatively inefective. 4-for-67 yards. Earlier in the week, Ochocinco was quoted as saying to Contra Costa Times Writer Jerry McDonald, “Oh, man, I’m just coming to give the Black Hole the best show they’ve ever seen. I’m not sure if they’ve really had much to look forward to this year but, man, we’re coming to town. It will for damned sure be a circus.” Ocho DID give the Black Hole the best show they’ve seen…at least since the Eagles game, by losing to the Raiders and shutting down Chad…and his mouth. Then on his Twitter page, he tweeted a post saying, “I’m scoring touchdowns for my man Ryan Hall’s fantasy team this weekend.” Gee…that worked out well for him.
With a new quarterback at the helm, the Oakland Raiders (2-7) will take on the first place Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Bengals have surprised the league with a 5-0 record within their division and last week, they swept the Pittsburgh Steelers for the season. The contest will be the 26th between the two clubs, with the Silver & Black holding a 17-8 advantage. In their last meeting in 2006, the Bengals beat the Raiders at Cincinnati. Last time they met in Oakland, the Raiders won 23-20 in 2003.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
On Offense:
Bruce Gradkowski takes over for the beleaguered JaMarcus Russell. Oakland made the move this week after Tom Cable stated that the team needed to go in a different direction, which he felt could give the team a better chance to win. But don’t expect Oakland to alter their play calling much per the new passer under center.
“There might be a couple tweaks here and there, but we’re just going to run the offense, do what we do and try to make some plays,” Gradkowski said yesterday. “We have a lot of weapons. We just have to stay on course, keep doing what we’re doing, keep working hard and things will fall into place.”
One of those weapons, receiver Chaz Schilens, had 3-catches for 27-yards in his 2009 debut against the Chiefs. Darren McFadden came back from his injury last weekend and the Raiders implemented their version of the ‘Wildcat’ – named the Wildhog – on back-to-back plays on Sunday.
What to Expect:
The Raiders ran for 182 yards last week. And that support on the ground is what Cable would like for Gradkowski. If the Raiders can have success with their trio at running back, their new quarterback will be able to use his legs in play action, bootleg and add a different dimension to the Oakland offense. Cable has stated that they’ll run the same plays that Russell had to his disposal. But will Gradkowski’s confidence and decisiveness in the pocket increase the offenses’ output? We’ll see on Sunday…
On Defense:
Matt Shaughnessy started last week in place of Greg Ellis at defensive end and shined with one-sack and solid play versus the run. Cable stated this week, “Played outstanding he has, I have said this before, but every week he just gets better and better and better. Defended the run extremely well, one sack and a couple other hurries, the guy just gets better he is coached really well. His coached has raised his level and he comes to work every day and he is learning from Richard [Seymour] and Greg [Ellis] those guys have been good in terms of teaching him and he is a good football player.”
The Bengals 11th ranked rushing attack could have a familiar face on Sunday. With leading rusher Cedric Benson (205 car. 859 yds. 6 TD) likely out with a hip injury, former Chief Larry Johnson could see his first action as a member of the Bengals.
What to Expect:
Whether its Johnson or Bernard Scott, the Raiders will have to key on the rush attack. Carson Palmer is in his prime, and with targets like Chad Ochocinco, Andre Caldwell, Laveranues Coles and Brian Leonard, the linebackers and defensive backfield could be kept very busy. Oakland’s 23rd ranked defense will have its surprising moments on Sunday. Palmer is not very elusive, but he makes quick decisions. He’s only been sacked 14 times in 2009, but if the Raiders can apply pressure with their defensive front, they’ll be able to stay close and not allow Palmer to pick them apart.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Asomugha breaking up a pass intended for Ochocinco
On Offense:
During Ochocinco’s conference call earlier in the week, the boisterous target hyped his visit to Oakland stating, “Oh, man, I’m just coming to give the Black Hole the best show they’ve ever seen. I’m not sure if they’ve really had much to look forward to this year but, man, we’re coming to town. It will for damned sure be a circus.”
As for his match-up against Nnamdi Asomugha, one the elite cornerbacks in the league:
Everyone says he’s the best defensive back in the NFL, so I just go along and I agree with everybody else and then I will permit to go out there Sunday and have my fun, like I usually do every week. So, it’s no different. He’s an awesome, awesome defensive back. I watch him on film. I’ve dissected every single technique that he does. Every single one. So, he’s really awesome and he’s one of the few cornerbacks, where any defensive coordinator, I don’t care what team he played on, he makes a defense that much easier when you can leave somebody like that on an island by yourself and you can actually lock down one side.
What to Expect:
The Bengals will try to exploit the Raiders 29th ranked rush defense (155.6 yds. allowed). And if they can run it consistently, keeping the rest of the defense un-balanced will not be difficult, especially with Chris Johnson’s struggles allowing big plays playing opposite Asomugha.
On Defense:
This side of the ball has been the biggest reason why the Bengals are challenging for a top spot in the AFC playoffs. They are allowing a measly 83.4 yards per game on the ground (2nd in the NFL). And last week, they stifled the Steelers with four-sacks and 10-passes defended, while clamping down on 10-straight 3rd down stops to end the game.
Palmer had lofty comments last weekend about the defense, stating, “The way our defense played and just teed off on [Pittsburgh] all day and dominated the line of scrimmage and dominated the backfield, dominated downfield in coverage. It was a team win, but you can’t say enough about our defense. They’re playing like they are the best defense in the league and they believe that.”
What to Expect:
Linebackers Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers and rookie Rey Maualuga will spearhead a unit that will be primed to stop the three-headed monster at running for the Raiders. The key though will be whether or not the front of Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, Tank Johnson and Jonathan Fanene can pressure Gradkowski into mistakes.
GAME NOTES
KEY MATCH-UPS
Which CB tandem prevails? Asomugha/Johnson vs. Hall/Joseph
Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph have played well enough to gain consideration as one of the best tandems in the league. Oakland thinks their man-to-man covering tandem is just as good. With Palmer at the helm and facing a team that allows big yards on the ground; the Bengals will be able to mix the run and pass enough to get big chunks with their aerial attack.
The Gradkowski Effect
Can his mobility and decisiveness add another dimension to the Raider offense? Will his accuracy change the complexity of the passing attack? If the answer on Sunday is yes to both, we wont see Russell for the rest of the season.
PREDICTION
Bengals 27 – Raiders 22
TV & RADIO
The game will be televised on CBS with Kevin Harlan providing play-by-play and former NFL player Solomon Wilcots handling color analysis. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5 and in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 12th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited from the Official Oakland Raiders web site)
GAME INFO
Sunday, November 22, 2009, 1:15 p.m. PT | Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, CA
Road Team: Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) Home: 3-2 Road: 4-0
Home Team: Oakland Raiders (2-7) Home: 1-4 Road: 1-3
Point spread: Bengals favored -9.5
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
When the Oakland Raiders face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, their starting quarterback will be Bruce Gradkowski, not JaMarcus Russell.
Tom Cable stated today, “Just felt like he would give us the best chance to win, and we need to get to playing better offensively and win football games.”
Wow, it took Cable and the Raiders this long to come to that decision?
Russell has led the Silver & Black to a 2-7 record and has been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league in 2009. He has displayed difficulties all year hitting his targets, showing poor pocket presence and leaving opponents salivating at his inability to scan the field. “Obviously, he’s been struggling a little bit. He’s turned the ball over more than any quarterback in the league,” Chiefs Safety Mike Brown said last week. “That’s something that we talked about. And usually he only looks at one side of the field. He doesn’t read the whole field.”
And he hasn’t been able to pilot the team either. Russell’s leadership is in question, along with his work ethic and accountability. After his first benching during a thrashing versus the New York Jets, the former first overall selection stated, “I’ve never been in that situation. It was kind of shocking to me at first.”
And he continued, shedding any responsibilities regarding his ineptness, “I don’t think it’s me personally, I really don’t.”
Two losses and futile performances later, along with another yanking by the coach and Russell declared, “Things were going OK.”
The time to sit him has passed. It’s the right move, but it needed to be done earlier.
Russell has been overwhelmed. And at this point of his career, he does not grasp the enormity of his presence nor the degree of importance his growth is to this organization.
He is 7-19 as a starter for the Silver & Black. But more importantly than the wins or losses – he has not gotten better. There is no tangible evidence in his play that leads you to think that he is the franchise passer this organization needed when they selected him.
The physical tools that make your jaw drop in a sterile environment or a practice facility on a pro-day are not translating onto the football field. What is needed out of a quarterback when they are taken that high; the ability to make teammates better, leadership, accountability and a fire to excel and achieve greatness are all lacking in Russell.
The wake-up call that was needed earlier may have been postponed because of the owner.
Al Davis has proclaimed that Russell is his man. And that conviction is probably still there. Because of that certainty, the owner has probably kept the head coach from doing this earlier.
A move that would have kept the Raiders afloat, or at least more competitive in a weak AFC West instead of being cellar dwellers once again.
As Cable proclaimed today, “It was an easy decision because I feel the responsibility for this football team to give them the best chance to succeed.”
That reservation and not believing that Russell can lead this team at this point can be damaging to the immature passer.
Now the question will be how will Russell come out of this situation?
When asked if he still sees the LSU product as the future of this club, Cable stated, “That’s my hope. This is in no way giving up on the guy. This is just trying to jump start this team and really break it down and make a decision based on what gives us the best chance to win.”
Cable probably hopes himself he can be in the future plans of this organization, especially after the off the field issues he has had in 2009. But with what we’ve seen of Russell so far and how he’s confronted adversity since he arrived to Oakland, this benching leads me to believe that this is just the beginning of the end.
“No at the end of the day it’s what we do on game days that matter and that’s all I based it on,” stated Cable.
What matters also is how a quarterback approaches his craft. And Russell leads you to believe that he is not from the Peyton Manning school of immersing yourself completely into your job.
That is why he is in this predicament along with his inaccuracy, poor footwork, lack of leadership and failure to show progress, improvement or any bit of maturity in his game.
This benching, sitting him the rest of the season over a underdog and keeping him on the sidelines is a time out; a chance for him to exhale and recover from the mess that has been the start of his career.
The years and money remaining on his deal will keep him in Silver & Black for a few more seasons. And the stubborn owner will try to make it work with his prized passer. So he’ll get many opportunities to turn his career around.
But some things just can’t be fixed. And all the traits Russell has displayed make up the blueprint for a bust.
With this rabid fan-base ready to label him the next Ryan Leaf and sick of the losing, next time he steps onto the field, he’ll feel the pressure all over again.
And if that is next season, will Oakland pull the trigger earlier to salvage a season or let their quarterback struggle and drag the team back into the depths of the league?
If it is next year we see Russell again, that version better be completely revamped, because this one has no future in the NFL.