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ESPN has devised a new system to replace the outdated Passer Rating system. Total Quarterback Rating system, or QBR, is somewhat easy to follow and more accurately reflects a quarterback's skills. While there are some intricate formulas that only mathematicians will understand , we can follow the numbers and basics they lay out for us.  The Basics The system takes into account passing, rushing, sacks, fumbles and everything else a quarterback does. In the previous system, a QB would get a higher rating for yards after a pass, meaning the yards the wide receiver got. This has very little to do with the QB and, therefore, is not used in this system. Red zone plays will give him more points than if the same play is run in the middle of the field. Also, points will vary depending on the closeness of the game. The Scoring The QBR score is based on 100, which makes it easy to score and follow. Scores from 100 to 75 mean that the QB is an MVP candidate, which takes guess-work out of the ...

Today at 7:15 p.m. Pacific Time, I'll be joining the Sports Animals on ESPN 1420 Honolulu, Hawaii to talk Colt Brennan and possibly Samson Satele. Tune In! Satele and Brennan played together at the University of Hawai'i during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Satele attending from 2002-2006 and Brennan from 2005-2007. Brennan was added as a fifth quarterback because Bruce Gradkowski has a groin injury and Charlie Frye has an injured wrist. Brennan should see time in the preseason game on Thursday with the third string offense. The third quarterback position is up for grabs, but Brennan would have to beat out front-runner Kyle Boller and last year's third quarterback Charlie Frye. If Brennan doesn't make the team, the extra NFL game tape gives him a better chance to catch on with another team or in the UFL.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Russell will be allowed to report to minicamp and compete for the job. If Al Davis is intent on keeping Russell, this is the way to do it. Cutting Russell right now would be a favor, allowing him to potentially hitch a ride with another team. It also gives Russell time to learn the offense for that new team. Keeping Russell around allows him to compete for *a* job on the team. If the Raiders decide not to hold onto JaMarcus come cut down day, he will walk away with the $3 million and be hard-pressed to find another team. This type of maneuver gives the Raiders serious leverage in trying to force Russell to take a pay cut. If the report proves true, the Raiders are happy to keep JaMarcus around in a reserve roll or are intent on seeing how he responds to true competition. I'll call ESPN out for reporting this both ways. It is easy to float a rumor like this, the Raiders will never confirm the report and usually they don't even bother to den...