Is Russell, Davis or the NFL to Blame?

 Posted by at 6:01 PM  No Responses »
Apr 282010
 

Who is to blame for one of the biggest draft busts of all-time?

 

JaMarcus Russell? Is the 300 pound quarterback to blame for his career demise?

 

While it certainly is an easy case to make, many others have blamed the Raiders organization, mainly Al Davis for drafting Russell and giving him $30 million guaranteed. Is Al Davis to blame for JaMarcus Russell being a bust?

 

Or is the problem not the pawns, but the rules of the game? The NFL setup a system in which a rookie player without one snap of NFL experience is handed gobs of cash. Are they to blame?

 

Emotions run hot on this subject.

 

Russell was drafted first overall to a team which hadn’t had a winning record in four seasons. He had a wealth of raw talent and he can throw a football 84 yards in the air.

 

We don’t sympathize with Russell, he got $39 million for nothing, right? Why sympathize with a millionaire that didn’t work hard for it?

 

Russell won the lottery and his plight isn’t a whole lot different than many lottery winners. For an interesting read on the subject check out this article from MSN money.

 

A sudden shift is wealth isn’t easy to handle, especially not for a 21-year-old poor college kid from Alabama.

 

Lump the pressures of being an NFL quarterback and becoming the savior of a troubled franchise too it and it becomes a little harder to pin the blame for JaMarcus’ failure on JaMarcus.

 

Would things be different if Russell hadn’t received all that guaranteed money? No one knows. The production may have ended up being about the same, but would people consider him a huge bust and call him lazy? Would his weight be a hot topic from week-to-week as it has been for the past three years? Probably not.

 

Things might have turned out differently for JaMarcus if he hadn’t been handed so much money. Who handed it to him? That would be Al Davis. Is he to blame for JaMarcus’ plight? Did he ignore the warning signs?

 

Partially, I think Davis is responsible for JaMarcus. The key to drafting in the NFL is not to just find the best athletes, but to find the best athletes with the best possible chance of keeping their head after being handed millions. One of Davis’ many flaws is placing too much value on the physical aspects of a player, ignoring chemistry, position fit, and everything else.

 

Now remove JaMarcus and Davis from the equation, if the Raiders draft JaMarcus first overall and the system in place doesn’t allow for rookies to make guaranteed money until they prove something on the field. If that is the case, does JaMarcus put the work needed to develop in hopes of landing the huge payday? We may never know.

 

I do know this:

 

1 –  Someone tells me they will pay me $1 million a year *if* I put in the work for three years and perform to their standard and at the end of those three years, if I do that, I will make $36 more millions. You can bet your ass I’d work my tail off. $1 million is nice, but if I work my tail off I have a chance to set my family up as well.

 

2 – Someone tells me they will give me $30 million today *if* I put in the required work *no performance required*. I can tell you I’d do whatever I was contractually obligated to do, but I can’t guarantee you I’d work my tail off. I’d like to think I would, but I’m not sure. What is my motivation to do more? Fame? I don’t desire fame. More money? I just got $39 million for nothing. Maybe I would, but I’m not in that situation. I have no idea how I’d react.

 

Russell was ill-equipped to handle what was thrown at him. He hasn’t worked out for the Raiders and for that Russell, Davis and the NFL share equal blame.

 

Russell has taken the majority of the bruising from the media and fans, Davis has taken a hit as well, enough for people to forget all that he has done for the league and the Raiders. The NFL hasn’t taken a hit nearly enough on this issue. People put it like this, “JaMarcus Russell is the reason why the NFL needs a rookie wage scale.”

 

While this may be true, it is overly negative towards Russell. The NFL needs a rookie wage scale to prevent another JaMarcus Russell.

 

It isn’t popular to defend JaMarcus Russell and I only intend to defend him personally and his position in his own downfall, not his play.

 

If and when JaMarcus is cut, I root for him. I hope he goes out and proves the haters wrong. I love the underdog and there is no bigger underdog in sports than JaMarcus Russell.

 

 

 

 

 

Campbell An Amazing Value

 Posted by at 6:00 PM  No Responses »
Apr 242010
 

It isn’t often you can get a starting QB via trade.

It is even more rare when you can get a starting QB for a fourth round pick two years into the future.

The Raiders have added a year to Campbell’s deal making him a Raider through 2011.

Jason Campbell’s deal in oakland will pay him $3.14 million this season and $4.5 million in 2011 according to Adam Schefter.

What does this mean for JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski?

Give the reigns to Campbell or a true competition? Time will tell.

So who is Jason Campbell? Some scrub that couldn’t win in Washington?

Not exactly. Cambpbell has improved every year of his NFL career and each year has had a new offensive coordinator.

He already gives the Raiders what they want, a 60% completion percentage and 3,000 yard passer.

Clearly a great draft for the Raiders.

Al Davis reportedly called Kirk Morrison to thank him for his service. Classy move by the old man, Kirk was a fan favorite.

Gradkowski Named Starter: Can He Help?

 Posted by at 7:40 AM  No Responses »
Nov 192009
 

The quarterback play can’t get any worse and even a slight bump in production will lead to a more competitive team. Right?

Chad Ochocinco may have said it best during his media conference call. What is on the field doesn’t match production.

Will Gradkowski cure the ills of the Raiders? Does he really give the Raiders the best chance to win? The stats say no.

Lets compare Russell to Gradkowski.

Gradkowski’s career numbers:

22 games
53.1% completions
9 touchdowns
15 Interceptions
4.9 yards per attempt
19 passes over 20 yards
3 over 40 yards

Russell career numbers:

28 games
51.6% completions
17 touchdowns
21 Interceptions
6.0 yards per attempt
49 passes over 20 yards
7 passes over 40 yards

Russell in 09:
9 games
46.8%
2 TD
9 INT
5.2 yard per attempt

Using those numbers:
Approx 161 more passes will be thrown by a Raiders QB this season

Gradkowski completes: 89 for 789 yards with 3 TD & 5 INTs
Russell career completes: 83 for 966 yards with 4 TDs and 5 INTs
Russell 09′ version: 75 for 837 yards with 2 TDs and 7 INTs

I don’t see how Gradkowski gives the Raiders a better chance to win. This isn’t a defense of Russell, but a sobbering reminder that Gradkowski isn’t any good either.

The Raiders replaced Russell, with a less talented Russell named Gradkowski.

So who should the Raiders start? It is my contention that if we aren’t going to live and die (mostly die) by Russell, it should be Charlie Frye.

Why?

23 games
62.0% completions
16 TDs
25 INTs
6.1 yard avg per attempt
36 passes of over 20 yards

7 passes of over 40 yards

With 161 attempts, Frye would produce 982 yards, on 98 completions. He would also produce 5 TDs, and 8 INTs.

Compared:
Gradkowski completes: 89 for 789 yards with 3 TD & 5 INTs
Russell career completes: 83 for 966 yards with 4 TDs and 5 INTs
Russell 09′ version: 75 for 837 yards with 2 TDs and 7 INTs
Frye completes: 98 for 982 yards and 5 TDs and 8 INTs,

The concern would be those 8 INTs, but clearly the QB that would give us the best chance to win, is still, unfortunately, an improved (or even career average) JaMarcus Russell, or it is Charlie Frye.

Gradkowski is a Paul Hackett selection if I have ever seen one. Cable is leaning on Paul Hackett’s QB knowledge and he is partial to Gradkowski because he and Gradkowski didn’t think Gruden gave him enough of a shot in Tampa Bay considering Gradkowski was a rookie in the only year he had extended playing time.

This is why the Jeff Garcia signing was supposed to be so huge for this team. It would allow the coaches to go to Garcia in order to pressure Russell to do the things he needs to do.

Now the coaching staff is talking big, like this is some permanent move for the future, but when and if Gradkowski is as bad as Russell, the player making the most coin must start. The owner will make that clear.

So while I’d love to give Raider Nation some hope, and tell them Gradkowski will turn things around for the Raiders, it just doesn’t seem likely.

There is a chance that softly thrown passes no longer than 15 yards will work, it worked for Paul Hackett with Chad Pennington.

Cable said they wouldn’t change the offense for Gradkowski, but they should. Receiver screens, and shorter patterns that mean the speedy guys get the ball early is Gradkowski’s only hope.

We wont be the vertical speed of DHB and Murphy with Gradkowski at the helm.

Expect many more targets to go to Schilens and Zach Miller.

I am going to the game this Sunday. If the Raiders don’t entertain me, I am hoping Chad Ochocinco will.

Game 5 Preview: Raiders @ Giants

 Posted by at 5:50 AM  No Responses »
Oct 112009
 

The Raiders are 1-3. A single win that came against a bad team in a game in which the offense played poorly except for on the final drive.

Embarrassed against the Broncos at home and on the road in Houston, the Raiders seek redemption.

Typically you would hope for a game against the Rams or Chiefs coming off two blowout losses.

Wouldn’t you know it, the Raiders play the terrible Giants. Whoops. The 4-0 Giants.
1-4 and the season is basically over for the Raiders. The Giants haven’t really played tough teams, but the Raiders don’t qualify either.

Sure no one expected the Raiders to contend, but I am sure the players feel like they should. Al Davis and Tom Cable feel like they should. If the players don’t give it everything tomorrow, the playoffs are no longer even an option and that puts Cable’s job on the line.

Keys to the game:

1) Offensive line play: They must win the battles at the line of scrimmage, execute the zone blocking scheme effectively, avoid penalties and protect JaMarcus Russell. If the line can do these things to give the offense a chance, the Raiders might have a chance as a team.

2) Front seven play: Brandon Jacobs is a power back that can hurt you. The Raiders have actually been able to contain the power back for the most part, but the Giants offensive line is also very very good. The defensive line needs to beat up on the Giants’ offensive line and not only make life hard for Jacobs, but either make Eli move around or rattle David Carr. The linebackers need to make solid tackles. Watch out for the speed backs the Giants also deploy. The Raiders have had problems with the speed backs this season.

3) JaMarcus Russell’s play: He actually did look better last week, but the receivers all forgot how to catch. It hasn’t all come together for Russell yet this season. He has taken the largest burden when it comes to the scorn of Raider Nation and deservedly so, but he is making the correct reads, he just needs to execute. The game hasn’t slowed down for him yet, you can tell he is thinking on the field and plays faster and better when he doesn’t have the time to think. Thinking too much could be effecting his timing and accuracy. When the game does slow down for him…maybe he will prove everyone wrong.

4) Rookie Wide-receivers: This is one of the hardest positions for a rookie to step in and do well at the NFL level. The Raiders have boldly put two rookies in that situation. Results: D+ The Raiders need to put these speedsters in the position to make a play. Keep things short, only go up top occasionally if the run is working. Reverses, quick slants, screens and screen and go routes could prove useful. They must make up for the drops last week and make plays.

5) Run the ball: The Raiders greatest strength has been a weakness through four weeks. The Raiders need to wear out the excellent Giants defense with the running game. The offensive line has a lot to do with the success, but Michael Bush and Justin Fargas need to punish tacklers. If they do this, late in the game, the defense may not want to tackle them anymore. These little things can help teams win big games.

Teammates Defend Russell

 Posted by at 2:41 AM  No Responses »
Oct 102009
 

Earlier today I posed the question via Twitter, “Mr. Russell: Are you or aren’t you doing the things it takes to be good and win?”

I asked the question amid a flood of information regarding Russell missing and/or being late to meetings. Raider Nation would quickly give up on him, if they haven’t already, if he wasn’t putting in the effort.

So what happens? I just so happen catch a clip on Fox Sports Radio where Petros and Money interviewed ex-teammate Dwayne Bowe.

Bowe said missing or being late to meetings wasn’t the JaMarcus he knew at LSU and that he hadn’t heard that to be the case and didn’t think it was true.

Then comes this excerpt from Mario Henderson’s Blog date October 8, 2009.

I’ve had reporters coming up to me all week asking about JaMarcus and why he isn’t playing better and all this stuff, but I tell them that the guy is doing everything right in order to try and get better. He gets there early, works hard, watches film and leaves later than everybody else. When a team struggles everybody looks at the quarterback, but at the same time we aren’t doing much to help him out right now.

This becomes one of the areas where I have a problem with some of the national media. They are quick to report rumors and comment on Russell’s struggles, but aren’t willing to put up any information that is contradictory to those reports.

So while Russell has struggled statistically and Raider Nation has grown frustrated, I believe a breakthrough could be around the corner.

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