Mario has Russell’s back
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 2:41 pm in Oakland Raiders.
News and notes from Saturday’s interview sessions:
If JaMarcus Russell is bothered by the growing national perception that he’s an underachiever and approaching bust status, he hides it well.
When Russell met with the media Friday, he talked about the demands of being a starting NFL quarterback and No. 1 overall pick and appeared to understand that some of the criticism would be over the top.
The heat Russell takes seemed to bother left tackle Mario Henderson more than it did Russell. Henderson, responsible for Russell’s blind side on the field, has his back off the field.
“I can be sitting at home watching TV and hear that, ‘JaMarcus hasn’t done this, he hasn’t done that,” ” Henderson said. “People don’t know that he has made such great strides since coming into the league, it’s amazing.
“He came into camp late, he only played the last three or four games our rookie year, last year technically was his rookie year, so the strides he has made are amazing. He’s more of a vocal leader and it’s a great feeling to see how he has matured.”
Russell conceded to being a little heavy, but Henderson doesn’t see a problem in that area, either.
“He could have been one of those guys who said, ‘Everyone’s against me,’ he could have been one of the guys who didn’t work hard,” Henderson said. “Yet, he took all the negativity a nd what people are saying and made it a positive.
“He did a great job getting his weight down. JaMarcus is a big guy. Somebody sees JaMarcus and they say, ‘Yeah, JaMarcus looks like he’s out of shape.’ He’s 6-5, you know what I’m saying? He’s a big guy but he’s not (fat).”
Wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins sees a difference in the way Russell carries himself.
“He’s more vocal. He’s more animated. He’s more into reads,” Higgins said. “If he does something wrong, he’ll say `My bad.’ If you do something bad he’ll tell you. It’s more of a relationship.”
– Ricky Brown, the terminally mild-mannered linebacker who has a bit of an edge once he’s in the middle of things, surmises things may be a little different Monday after being asked why he hasn’t gotten into any scrapes.
“I am sure when shoulder pads come on something will happen,” Brown said. “Get those chemicals mixing around.”
– Although Brown as on the field with Thomas Howard and Jon Alston during one goal line sequence, he believes he and Kirk Morrison will eventually be middle linebackers on the eventual goal line unit.
– Cable continued to stress first- and second team designations mean little during the four days of dress rehearsals
“There’s really no competition like that going on,” Cable said. “So, that’s a good question again for next weekend.”
– It was all hush-hush a year ago when Lane Kiffin warned reporters not to let on that Darren McFadden was being used in the Wildcat formation, even though it was an open secret a handful of teams were doing it and that McFadden had done it at Arkansas.
So we can probably assume there will be some Wildcat this year, but it hasn’t been shown yet.
“I think there’s a whole package of that you can do,” Cable said. “Right now what I want to do is just get our base installation in and then the situations taught, which is where we’re at right now, and then from there, that’s down the road. That’s kind of extra.”
Another solid theory _ layer in the fundamental plays and offense before getting clever.
Will check in with a brief post following the second practice . . .
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August 1st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
go Raiders!!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
kIRKS TWITTER 1 HOUR AGO:
This learning process we are doing this camp is good for us. Everybody is on the same page and understanding what’s at hand. Nap time til 3.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
yes the return of [DHB] james jett…………….
August 1st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
do you want him do be another Jett,or would you rather have a larger C.Branch.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
That’s what I’m talking about Mario! You da man! No, sorry DMAC is da man, but you aight too!
I like that Russell is noticably more of a leader in the eyes of teamates.
You can say you heard it from AZ first.
JAVON WALKER COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR!
9-7!
DRINK IT!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
he will be jett. bigger c branch?
August 1st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins sees a difference in the way Russell carries himself.
“He’s more vocal. He’s more animated. He’s more into reads,” Higgins said. “If he does something wrong, he’ll say `My bad.’ If you do something bad he’ll tell you. It’s more of a relationship.”
=======================================================
This is called a young QB maturing and developing into the position. He clearly received better coaching and was able to learn from his ON THE FIELD experience last year.
Anyone…and I mean ANYONE…saying Russell is a bust or other negatives…really doesn’t have any idea how football works and how young players develop in it.
I guess if JaMarcus spent more time on ESPN and Sirius Radio…he’d get more love from the media.
What a joke!
Keep going JaMarcus! Give’m Hell
August 1st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
WILDHOG not the wildcat!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pm
WESTRAIDER Says:
August 1st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
yes the return of [DHB] james jett…………….
……………………………………………..
We’ve all heard that one before and not buying it… We’re all koo-aid drinkers in here, so keep it positive West
9-7!
You heard it from AZ first!
DRINK IT!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
AZ-that would be soooooo sweet.we have to hope it happens because he is a RAIDER!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Hell ya SnB, thats what we’re talkin about in here!
9-7!
You heard it from AZ first!
DRINK IT!
August 1st, 2009 at 2:59 pm
there is a lot of kool aid drinkers around here. i personally think that 7-9 will be our record and will be very pleased with that end result.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
You can say you heard it from AZ FIRST!
9-7!
J. Walker COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR!
DRINK IT!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
SNB-if he wore a different uniform he would be treated totally different.
west,yes,a larger Branch.you do know who Cliff Branch was don’t you?
August 1st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
our patch work o line has us at an disadvantage. and the porous d line is a joke. T SANDS. E Monroe was on the board and we take the fastest ball dropper in the game. E Monroe and L Murphy in the 4th would of been an exellent draft.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Later AZ,SNB,i’m out.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
later lefty…
August 1st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Hopefully Mario Henderson can protect Jruss’s blind side and Shillens produces at WR. I say 850 yards and 6 TDs and we have a nice productive WR. J Higgins in the slot with 60-70 Receptions and 700-750 Yrds and 9TDs wins us the division. DHB 500 yds and 5 TDs with 50 Receptions and more ocassionnal drops here and there.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
DHB= J Rice. dropped the ball his rookie year to many times.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
lefty12 Says:
August 1st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
SNB-if he wore a different uniform he would be treated totally different.
=======================================================
Or yucked it up with the media and did interviews and commercials all day. The guy doesn’t need to hear himself talk. Look at how Russell and Garcia have each conducted themselves the last couple of months.
No one talks about the fact that Russell is at the facility pretty much year round….No they poke holes at him because he goes and sees to his mother after a surgery or a family member passes away….then these same shills talk about him missing a weight lifting sesssion.
Russell doesn’t come from the central casting description of a QB. He’s not a media guy, he’s not yelling and screaming and all that B.S…and he’s not doing commercials for EAS, ESPYs, G.Q, or Reebok.
Good for him. Perhaps he feels that he’ll do the commercial and media stuff AFTER he wins something.
Russell is leading this team in ways the media and fans can’t appreciate.
He will have a good year this year. If Garcia wants to keep popping off…perhaps he should move the family to Minnesota!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I’d say that’s not a bad rookie year for DHB if he scores 5TD’s and 5-600 yards recieving. Sheeeiiii, he was still raw in college. I knew if we drafted him he’d be a 2-3 year project, but damn….. With some coaching, and the physical gifts he has, whoooooee! Big Time! Chad Johnson-like Reciever, without the tude and a wee bit faster
9-7!
Yup, AZ said it first!
DRINK IT!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Na, I’m not hatin on Chads tude… He’s not nasty or anything, he’s just a different bird.
Got love for ya Chad, pay no mind, but in week 11? Oh, you know, Nnamdi and Chris gonna shut you down though…
August 1st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
if russells weight is such a problem, then way havent any reporters or espn even talked about it. you know the media a soon as you do something wrong they cant wait to bit on it. i find that odd. people here talk aobut it but not the media. seems odd.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
If I drink anymore, I’m going to need an intervention.
I’m thinking 10-6.
Pass the bottle.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Everyone is told to show up to camp at a certain wieght… If he didn’t make weight, we would have heard about it. I’ll worry about it when Cable says something.
I’d worry about Thomas Howard LOL… Here is his last from his twitter page:
“Man I just put away 2 beefy hamburgers with cheese, tomatoes, lettuces, mustard, and ketchup. I’m full and ready for a nap.”
about 2 hours ago from UberTwitter
August 1st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
There are Raiders Annonomous meetings in here all day long. Speak you mind fellow Raideralic!
9-7!
JAVON WALKER COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR!
You can say you heard it from AZ first!
DRINK IT!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:35 pm
i know who C.BRANCH is i meant u think dhb is a larger version of him. really
August 1st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
it is all the same every year at the start we gonna do this we gonna do that. dont set your hopes so high cuz it is gonna hurt when u fall. i love the RAIDERS i will belive it when i see it on the field.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Andrew Walter’s last words as a Raider: Free at last. Free at last. Lord God almighty, we’re free at last!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Maybe J.L. Higgins and DHB can have a pass dropping contest this summer camp. My money’s on DHB.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Maybe the slow pace for the first few practices are worth it-
MANKATO, Minn. (AP)—Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson(notes) sprained the MCL in his left knee after getting tangled with a defensive lineman in practice on Saturday, according to a person with knowledge of the injury.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
RAIDERS ARE THE GREATEST TRAM EVER ANYONE WHO DISAGREES IS AN ENEMY WHO WILL BE DEFEATED AND DESTROYED LOVE YOUR TEAM IF NOT ROOT FOR THE PATRIOTS THERE THE NFL’S FAVORITE YOU COULD TALK SHIT TO EVERYBODY ELSE THEN AND WHEN WE ARE GOOD ROOT FOR THE RAIDERS AGAIN. DON’T SAY YOUR BEING REALISTIC IF YOU DONT SEE THAT WE ARE BRINGING THE GREATNESS BACK WITH ALL THIS YOUNG TALENT AND THEN MOLDING IT TOGETHER. ESPN ATES ON THE RAIDERS ENOUGH I WOULD THIN THAT THE FANS SHOULD SUPPORT ANY FAN WHO TALKS SHIT ABOUT DHB OR MM FIND THEM, OUT TRY TO PLAY EM. YOU WOULD GET SMASHED SO SHUT YOUR FAT STPID MOUTHS AND ROOT FOR THE KIDS CUZ THATS WHAT THEY ARE AND HOPE WE RETURN TO GLORY. RAIDERS BITHCHES 9-7 AZ SAID IT FIRST!
August 1st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
RAIDERS ARE THE GREATEST TEAM EVER SORRY TO MANY BEERS AFTER WORK
August 1st, 2009 at 4:15 pm
if u expect chazz, miller, mcf, to receive 40+ balls, then expect dhb to catch 15-20 balls 1-2 td’s at best.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
You guys are nuts. We’ve been saying 9-7 or 10-6 for 6 years. How about 6-10 until we prove that we can be a 9-7 team?
JR..Question mark.
McFadden..Question Mark
Any WR..Question Mark
Offensive Line..Question mark
Defense..Question Mark
With all these question marks, how can anyone expect playoffs until they prove they can actually do it? Is this team filled with talent? Absolutely but that doesn’t always translate onto the field.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
if we run the tihs out the ball and play fundamental 4 quarters d then we got something.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Can’t wait until the hitting starts on Monday.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
its true 24, till we get wins then we can’t expect much.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
the passing game and obviously the o-line will be a big factor once again.any improvement there will be huge.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Lefty,
I don’t like him, and my reason aren’t phony!
phony!!!!
4/5 knee surgeries is Phony?!
Wanted to retire, was that Phony?!
Starts the season on PUP, is that phony too?!
August 1st, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Lefty,
I like you bro, but I don’t like Yavone. Get over it!! lol
August 1st, 2009 at 4:45 pm
sup NATION?
cant wait 4 the hitting to start… 2 weeks till preseason.. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go RAIDERS!!
August 1st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
raider o how is 4-5 knee surgeries phony? al davis yalked him out of retirement so blame al for that. the raiders put him on the pup list not javon. he also offered to give back 11 mill when wanted to retire but i gues u forgot that.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
408 in the houuuuuuuuuuuuussssssssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeee!
August 1st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
sup brien.. where the party at???
August 1st, 2009 at 4:53 pm
man bruh i cant even tell ya for tonite. im bout to do a solo bolo mission yaddamean? i know the party start aug 13th in Oakland though!
August 1st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Armond you know a guy like me gotta do what he has gotta do. This site was garbage without me and a few others. Jerry wants pu$$y ass blog chat with pu$$y ass questions in live chat. Raiders are for real men not punks.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
thats what im talkin bout… Hey is narco bob ok?? 1 of his haters was sayin he died
August 1st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
yo I got banned 4 callin jerry l@zy… WTF is up with that???
August 1st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
anyhow im gone. purple and colt 45 time
August 1st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
i am cautiously optimistic…
i still say Russell reminds me of Elway…
i think we’re goning to be fine on offense… especially if Fargas starts the year as our number 3 back…
i think our defense against the pass will be very good…
but…
who is gonna stop the run???
August 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pm
real talk?? Wanna Laugh?? My daughter and niece (7 year olds) go dumb when ever Hammer’s cant touch this comes on… Thats their slap… its hella funny..
August 1st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
good to see u back on. thats meesed up 408 got banned for callin jerry lazy.its been the same ol sheit. people bitchin about the same thing. thats why these games gotta hurry up and start. u lookin more right about that draft ish man. i thought u was crazy for callin craptree fools gold but u look like u were right. will the punkass media get on the 9ers with his holdout like they did us with jamarcus? he aint practiced and he wants top 5 money at #10. he actin like a biotch already. to think i wanted us to draft him too.
August 1st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
hey pete Ill make my yearly Super Bowl prediction.. Ok seriously I think we will shock teams that sleep on the Big Bad Oakland RAIDERS!!
August 1st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
i wouldnt worry about the run defense too much. it is what it is until we see improvement. im lookin forward to the offense more. i want to see mario get stronger on running plays. im more confident with his pass blocking that some on here.
August 1st, 2009 at 5:35 pm
This is what its all about. Training Camp. All offseason all this yapping Fat Jruss….He cant throw short passes out of the backfield, he lacks touch. All this yadda yadda for nothing. The Results of our beloved Raiders starting budding on Monday when the pads hit. Its time for everyone to get on the bus with JRuss he has a str8 CANNON if he can harness it which is a possibility I dont wanna here any MF jocking him for his newfound greatness. The kid is for ONCE getting a chance and the TEAM is actually building a team around HIM. So I say wait for all your belly aching and give him some rope to hang himself or to lasso opponents on Sundays. Its time we think better of our organization although weve fallen greatly!!! LETS GO RAIDERS PHUCK ALL THE REST!!!!
August 1st, 2009 at 5:42 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
August 1st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
nice pics of matt stafford and no media is talking about that. skanks everywhere and hes sporting a nice middle finger for the camera. even has a nice lil gut growin there. jruss haters whatcha think about that?
August 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I think Stafford will be a star qb in about 3 years,…hes got it all, I watch alot of SEC, he was way better then Tebow, not even close.
August 1st, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Im with AZ! post #9
Here i go!!
chug chug chug chug GULP!
whats happening to my body… ??? What ????grrrrr….$%^^$%!! RAIDERS!!!!!!!!
SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!!!
August 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm
anyone who wants to trash heyward bey as a reach just look at jarvis moss with the donkeys. dude is already considering retirement afte a couple of seasons. 3.5 sacks in 2 years. they traded up to take him and now this. guess al davis isnt so bad after all. wonder how the media will spin this. they make a big deal out sulak getting cut but theyll let this slde.
August 1st, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Truth be told, the Raiders NEEDED this type of foucs on fundamentals.
Hope it pays off…
August 1st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Bey looks really fast, especially off the line.
August 1st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Raiders 10-6 walker cut before season starts!!!!
August 1st, 2009 at 9:36 pm
JR is not a media darling. Maybe if he sucked up to the press more, they would show him more love. He has a Nike contract but turns down commercials because, according to him, “commercials ain’t gonna make me a better ballplayer.” He could be plastered all over the tube, but that would only make people hate him more. Once the wins start flowing, then he will get his due.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 am
“As tedious as it can be to watch for an outsider (and for you to read about)”
Hey Jerry, you just keep calling it as you see it.
If a practice is dull and boring?, so what. I dont need sensationalism, I read regardless. As a reader, I dont want you to feel like you have to make nothing into something. This is the process of Cables training camp. Im ok with that as a fan. Soon we’ll be hootin n hollerin about wins, this is just the start. Keep bloggin Bro.
August 2nd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I am a long time Raider fan. So much to the point I am a Raider. Here is what I suggest… Al. If your listening. Go after Mike Vick. Put him in the back field with either of our other 2 good running backs. Play him as a halfback option passer. This would cause all kinds of trouble for opposing defenses.
Trace Vittitow
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
so very nice to see postive raider fans thats what i call real fansJRuss is young has long has he keeps progressing like at the end of last year im goofd with him tom cabl could be the blessing in disguise,been a raider fan since 1990 and its always been the same thing stupid mistakes and dumb penalties, i think this will be a well discipline team
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
To all the russell haters :qb class of 2007
2008 stats
russell 13tds 8ints
edwards 11tds 10ints
quinn 2tds 2ints
beck 1td 3ints(career stats)
stanton 1td 0ints
kolb 0tds 3ints not hating on any of these QBs but i’ll take JRuss any day