USA Today: Why Al is sticking with Russell
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 1:14 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Al Davis stressed patience with quarterback JaMarcus Russell in a conversation with USA Today NFL writer Jarrett Bell at the NFL owner’s meetings.
(Scroll toward the bottom of the notebook for the entry on Davis and the Raiders).
Davis invoked historical precendents which suggested Russell could follow the paths of other young quarterbacks such as John Elway, Troy Aikman and Dan Fouts, among others, but conceded “JaMarcus, he’s got to do better,” Davis said. “Forget the cast around him. He knows it. But we’ve got to fight through it with him.”
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October 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Well said by Big AL. In the Youth Movement you have exercise a lot of patience. I personally don’t have any and couldn’t stand this Youth Movement crap from the very beginning. But let’s try because this is what most wanted.
October 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Sam Bradford throws against Texas on Saturday. He’d look good in silver and black…
October 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Russell has to do better? Really?
October 16th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
His butt better stop growing
October 16th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Al is all about next year with a new coach
October 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I suppose it’s a $*&!% relief that Al thinks so!
October 16th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Thanks Dak
Too many hot pockets and norcs for me to click
October 16th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Perhaps someone should tell Al that the “patience” thing has gotten a little old for those of us who’ve been waiting “patiently” since 2002! 25 and 76 big guy…
October 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Thx Dakota!
You are a good Rep, if there such a thing. lol
October 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/13358.mp3
October 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Holy crap!
USA Today the first ever form of media to not be bias against the raiders!!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
newbie
October 16th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Al Davis makes some sense in the article. However, he didnt have an established offensive system around him, nor a stable environment to solidify Russell’s development. Too much coaching turnover, and too few established receivers and multipurpose players (read- RB’s who can catch).
He is sticking to his guns, but his prodigy has no grasp of what it takes to be great and little motivation to fight through it, given his guaranteed salary. At his age, how could he?
Peter King (whom I usually despise) had the right idea when he said Al Davis is going to turn over decision making to another party at the end of this season. For once, I hope King is right. Although , that may not end the futility either.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Until Al Davis figures out that the offensive line is the most important position on the football field, the Raiders will continue to suck.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Who is pushing Al around in his whelchair at the owners meetings ? I wonder if the other owners take him seriosly anymore or look at him with disdain ? Al should be embarassed to go to meetings with the product he is putting on the field !!
October 16th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
October 16th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I love Al’s take on this. Patience is vital. Eli Manning is another QB who fans wanted run out of town as far as about halfway through his 4th season.
But Al isn’t delusional. He knows JaMarcus isn’t getting the job done right now. That tells me that at some point, if things continue, Russell will get benched. Hopefully he turns it around like Eli did, but if not the Raiders will definitely have to consider other options.
I don’t know what his pro prospects are, but Jake Locker at Washington is a QB I kind of like better than the big-time stars like Bradford, McCoy, Tebow, etc. Locker has that tough, poise, keep plays alive and make a play type of game. A somewhat smaller Roethlisberger type. The other guys have flaws and I don’t feel 100% comfortable with spending a top-10 pick on any of them. Locker is a guy who, if he’s around in the 2nd round or later I’d rather take a chance on.
October 16th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Jevan Snead is another guy I totally want no part of. Totally overhyped.
October 16th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Just looked and Locker is listed at 6-3, 225, so he’s definitely pro size though not quite as big as Roethlisberger. Don’t know what his arm strength is considered as but he’s just a gritty, talented football player.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Kirk Says:
October 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Until Al Davis figures out that the offensive line is the most important position on the football field, the Raiders will continue to suck.
No it isn’t. Look at how Dallas is doing this year.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I wish Jerry MacD would look into QB heights and the lack of success with those NFL QBs over 6’something. (Can’t remember if it was 6′4″ or 6′5″ – something like that). There was an article about it I remember seeing when JaMarcus was coming out of LSU… Track record of overly tall QBs in the NFL is NOT good…
October 16th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I don’t know Bobby. What is JaMarcus, 6′6″? I believe Manning and Brady are both 6′5″. I don’t think that extra inch of height is killing JaMarcus. Probably very few QBs are that tall so there’s likely not much of a sample to go by. I think Flacco is also 6′6″.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Wow patience lol patience, next year a new coach a new system an crpt keeper will be saying the same thing. Lol 10 years from now Russell will still be learning a joke, Philly 35 faiders 3
October 17th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Marc wilson ( remember that bum ) was 6 foot 6 and he didn’t do sh%t for the raiders and big Al stuck with him for way to long.
October 17th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Patience sure did Wile E. Coyote lots of good! He kept continually sailing off cliffs and getting smashed by big rocks, pursuing the Roadrunner. Our team kind of looked like that last week, chasing after Giant ball carriers! JaMarcus had that Wile E. Coyote “I’m about to be blown up” look every time he took a snap from center — except for that one good throw he made to Todd Watkins (which was, of course, dropped!) Time to send off to ACME for a new quarterback and group of tacklers!
October 17th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Here is a solution that I believe would work for next season. Acquire Colt Brennan from Washington for cheap and I guarantee he would give our offense the shot in the arm, consistency, and heart that is currently missing. If you give this kid a shot at it, you won’t be sorry. Goodbye overpriced 1st round Russel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 17th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Well obviously Al sees something we don’t but I have never heard such unrest and hopelessness in the RAIDER NATION. Russell has got to show some heart man!
October 18th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Seems everyone wants a Russell break through (or break down) except for the man himself.
Maybe Cable needs to get some quick passes off Sunday, or else were looking at negative yardage and a shut out.