Raiders won’t go the MJD route
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 9:24 pm in Oakland Raiders.
The prevailing notion of the Raiders is a sound one. When scoring a touchdown is akin to conquering Everest on roller skates, you don’t pass up the chance no matter the circumstances.
When Maurice Jones-Drew took a dive at the 1-yard line to burn clock with his team trailing by a point, with the Jacksonville Jaguars eventually prevailing 24-22 against the Jets on a point-blank Josh Scobee field goal, it became an instant debate classic.
Offensive tackle Khalif Barnes, lauded his former teammate for being a team-player, and various analysts and pundits weighed in with similar sentiments.
The flip side is the entire mentality of passing up a touchdown in favor of a place kick, which leaves purists of physical football (some of whom have an open disdain for kickers and all they stand for) with a feeling of revulsion.
When I asked Tom Cable if he’d ever consider passing up a touchdown, he shook his head no. You take the points.
Statistics say what amounts to an extra-point would have a nearly perfect success rate, but my problem is the act of going down in the first place. It’s not something running backs practice, and if done awkardly, could cause the ball to be left unprotected where a defender could knock it loose.
Of course, if you’re the Raiders and you’ve only scored seven touchdowns in nine games, there really is no debate.
“I’ve only got one touchdown,” tight end Zach Miller said, making it clear taking a knee wasn’t an option.
Said running back Justin Fargas: “Now maybe if I was Maurice Jones-Drew and I scored about 12 touchdowns a year . . . he’s got throwaway touchdowns.”
Jones-Drew has played in 56 games and scored 52 touchdowns _ 46 rushing, four receiving and two on kickoff returns. He’s been in the end zone so often stopping at the 1 was a break from the monotony of the spike.
But apparently there’s one Raider who can see the value in passing up a touchdown to use the clock. The one in charge.
“I remember my (position coach) Skip Peete telling us about a situation where Charlie Garner had a long run up the sideline,” Fargas said. “He went ahead and scored and I guess Mr. Davis asked Skip Peete why he didn’t go down on the 1.”
Maybe Cable ought to rethink his philosophy.
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November 20th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Who cares?
November 20th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Hey
Are you guys 
going to let this guy 
get away with this 
I’m a long-time Chargers fan and I hate the Raiders regardless of their record; I give their organization no respect (as Davis is the devil). The more Oakland body parts (players and fans) I see on the field after the game, the better. Have you ever been to Oakland? It’s an armpit: The city and the Raiders deserve each other.
On the other hand, I must say that I’ve really come to enjoy the San Diego-Denver rivalry. A rivalry, however, doesn’t imply hatred. I respect the Broncos and have no hatred towards their team. Besides, while Oakland is an armpit, Denver — like San Diego — is a nice city. I am really looking forward to this Sunday’s game; I know it’ll be a good one and, frankly, if it wasn’t taken off the Vegas board I’m sure it’d be a pick-em.
Doug G
Joined: Sep 15
Points: 230 Permanent link to this commentDoug G (aka ) | 7:27 PM on Friday Nov 20
November 20th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
# Raider75 Says:
Who cares?
—-
+1
November 20th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
The Saints missed the playoffs a couple of years ago when they missed the extra point, so take six and kick it deep.
Boy, that really is a hypothetical arguement given the Raiders current offensive production. Besides, if the Raiders scored a go ahead touchdown, it would be brought back anyway.
“…personal foul, number 76 offence, because…he…was looking at me funny…still 3rd down.”
November 20th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Democrat Obama became the fourth-fastest U.S. president since World War Two to drop below majority support in the Gallup poll, following Republican Gerald Ford, Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican Ronald Reagan.
…………..
oops. lol
November 20th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
# Raider75 Says:
November 20th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Democrat Obama became the fourth-fastest U.S. president since World War Two to drop below majority support in the Gallup poll, following Republican Gerald Ford, Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican Ronald Reagan.
…………..
oops. lol
^^^^^^^^I can only imagine if an evil greedy racist lying hypocritical republican was in office now……
WW 3 would have started and the end of the world would be upon us.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
REPUBLICANS SUCK!!
JUST LIKE AL DAVIS SUCKS!!
November 20th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Face it, Gradkowski might not be good but he gives the Raiders a much better chance. We KNOW Russel will fire bullets into the dirt and fumble on sacks–at least Gradkowski will bring a little energy and who knows…
November 21st, 2009 at 12:12 am
Don’t worry DKnight, I would be laughing just as hard at a repub as well.
I just love when crooks and charlatans are exposed.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:27 am
I’ve been to Denver……it ain’t that nice! You know why you hate the Raiders? because they’ve won the SB 3 times and the bolts haven’t, you hate them because when they come to SD all the LA fans come down and invade your stadium! Rivalry is all about hate!! I hate the bolts, I hate the doncos, and I hate Davis may be the devil, but Alex smith is an idiot who couldn’t grab his backside with both hands….LT is washed up, and Merroidman has lost a huge step since they took him off the juice. SD may win the west this year, just like last year because the doncos will give it to them. We’ll be back….so you better watch your back!
November 21st, 2009 at 5:40 am
Good Saturday Morning NATION!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 5:42 am
Well Grads will bring the fire maybe enough 4 a win
November 21st, 2009 at 5:49 am
OR RaiderFan Says:
I’ve been to Denver……it ain’t that nice!
—-
Good stay away, we don’t need anymore “outsiders” coming here. We tell the vactioners to leave their money & take a hike.hahaha
November 21st, 2009 at 6:15 am
yep been 2 coloroda a few times myself.Nice country but no where as nice as Calli
November 21st, 2009 at 6:19 am
Morning Raider Nation,
I don’t remember if anyone saw this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIfAxVSIHys
November 21st, 2009 at 6:26 am
Thankx Ex…I got a house-full and they never saw that.We be LMAO!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 6:32 am
Just got up and read the Sat sports page, which is full of betting tips, predictions and funky stats.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, is on the Raiders +9. Bengals are 0-9 all time in Oakland. Bengals have been 9 or more point favorites 3 times in the last ten years, AND LOST EVERY GAME OUTRIGHT. In Bengals game this year, the underdog is 9-0 against the spread.
One quote, “The Raiders will now get the benefit of below-average QB play. You couldn’t come up with a word to describe how bad Jamarcus Russell has been.”
The guys who get paid to predict this stuff think it will be a very close game. I’m going to ride with them.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:34 am
And Cable is a moron. You take the knee. I like the idea of just needing a 20 yard FG to win, than stopping the other team for a TD to win.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:35 am
Looks like Jerrys thread died, again.
I wonder why.
I am a little excited about the game. I actually believe Grad will lift the entire team.
He does not have to be a pro bowler. He just has to move the ball, score about 20 points and keep the D off the field, especially in the fourth quarter.
We can beat the Bengals!
Best game ever!!
November 21st, 2009 at 6:37 am
Vegas
I like the Raiders/under and the Pats/over on a 4 way parlay
November 21st, 2009 at 6:46 am
That over in the Pats game I like a lot.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:53 am
4evaRaider,
Did you get the next 2?
November 21st, 2009 at 6:53 am
I was moderated! lol
November 21st, 2009 at 6:54 am
You got 28 hours to figure a way out here and slap down some coin on your parlay. The wife is working so I am flying solo at the Hilton tomorrow. $2 beers…..
November 21st, 2009 at 7:01 am
Ex…just the 1st is all I see
November 21st, 2009 at 7:03 am
Man Vegas if I ever have a triumphant return 2 Calli I gotta stop there!!!Sounds like THEE place!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:09 am
4eva,
Nothing beats it when it come to watching all the games. Obviously, nothing beats going to a game, but when you do, you never really know what else happened that day. I get to watch every play of every game, in a theater.
It should be jumping tomorrow, with the main 1pm game being the Donkeys-Dolts game.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:11 am
Guess they have nothing better to do. Just a little comedy, nothing as offensive as JaMarcus Russell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLd2uAam0hI&feature=related
November 21st, 2009 at 7:13 am
Best Rick Roll prank ever on Bill O’Reilly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIcx_rxTstc&NR=1
November 21st, 2009 at 7:25 am
I will be at mom and dads for thanksgiving but I am afraid I wont make it tomorrow.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:32 am
Ok Ex…we got those Thank-You.Those seeing these 4 the 1st time are still LMAO
November 21st, 2009 at 7:47 am
At all Station casino’s they have $1 beers, $1 hotdogs, and good looking cocktail waitresses (Sun., Mon.) during football games!! My personal favorite Aliante Station!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 am
Back in the day Rookies sports bar and grill was the spot!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:56 am
Aliante??? That is way the hell out there. Some stations, Red Rock especially, never have any seats, if your with a group of 4, forget about it.
The Hilton theater man. Hands down, no contest. Theater seats and sound, space for 1,500. Girls of the Bada-Bing running around sometimes. Not the sports book at the Hilton, the seperate theater that’s only open Sundays.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:56 am
What leader has had a news network 1000 radio stations, a whole political party against him after they ruined the country?
Every GOP member complains about every single thing he does no matter what it is.
They complained he was soft after the Maersk captain was kidnapped. He had them shot and then they complained he killed black people. LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 7:57 am
Alliante is a nice spot though otherwise, it’s the newest Station casino. Good food choices.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:09 am
I think I am going to get behind Gradkowski as our QB of the future. Seriously!
This guy is essentially took the same route most of think Russell should have taken. He’s been in the league a while, sat behind the likes of Garcia, been coached by Gruden, and actually fits the WCO and what Cable and Hackett like to do.
The fact that he didn’t cost us a draft pick and is making NO money kinda offsets the Russell pick financially.
I just don’t want to go down the road of thinking we have to take another QB next year.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:15 am
jhill Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 8:09 am
The fact that he didn’t cost us a draft pick and is making NO money kinda offsets the Russell pick financially.
*************************************
Absolutely.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:16 am
Plus he got the fire
November 21st, 2009 at 8:23 am
See ya all after the Border Battle. Go Buckeyes!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:24 am
Vegas,
But Gradkowski HAS to succeed. I don’t know a thing about him prior to him coming to the Raiders, and I don’t plan on scouting him via youtube, lol!
I think I would feel a little bit better if Frye was the #2. I think he looked the best, and Jerry said he CLEARLY looked the best this summer.
Really, the main point is having to go through the process of drafting another QB. I hated Gannon and his dink and dunk shyt. So mush so that I was happy when Collins took over, when we drafted Walter, at the prospects of a QB who had the best workout ever. I’m so jaded by our QB situation that I HAVE to get behind Gradkowski.
DAMN!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:27 am
So when our WRs drop balls, and our Oline gets a penalty, and Grads throws a few picks, I hope the crowd doesn’t turn on him. He HAS to succeed, so he should get all of this year, and all of next year to DEVELOP. He will be a first year starter, right?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:32 am
Yo smellas!
What’s shakin?? Wow J, sounds like you’re ready to kick JR to the curb for good huh?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:38 am
No at all, Saint.
I root for Jamarcus Russell the same way I rooted for Gallery and Huff, and still root for DHB, Murphy, and even Slade Norris, lol.
I want all of out kids to develop and be productive. I like the fact that Fabian and Tyler are doing well on other team.
Jamarcus just needs to grow up. I really hope he does. First sign will be him coming in to work NOTICEABLY thinner. Not saying that he needs to be 230, and I don’t even think he is really fat based upon that ESPN picture. But if that’s been his biggest knock from a perception stand point, I would be good for him to address it.
And no more gawd dame bro-hawks, white minks, or beanies!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:38 am
Jhill,
I’m not going to claim to know too much about Bruce, but we all know he put up big numbers in college throwing 40+ passes a game. He is more accurate than Russell, has a higher football IQ and it seems a bigger passion for the game.
He has limitations no doubt. He is young (2 years older than Jamarcus, and less career starts). He may be destined to be a journeyman backup who plays his best in his early 30’s, like Jeff Garcia.
But he is not talentless, and a complete scrub. He played as a rookie, and did better than Russell did in his third year.
You know as well as I, that in the NFL it is all about adjustments. Backup QB’s usually play well their first couple of games, than D’s adjust and have film and they catch up. Than Bruce will have to counter-adjust to succeed, and so the chess games continue. That’s why I like the idea of giving him the rest of the starts. See what we have.
If they give Bruce all the starts and he is better than Russell by most all accounts, Russell will get the “take a paycut or take a hike” routine in the offseason.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:47 am
“I’ve only got one touchdown,” tight end Zach Miller said, making it clear taking a knee wasn’t an option.
Said running back Justin Fargas: “Now maybe if I was Maurice Jones-Drew and I scored about 12 touchdowns a year . . . he’s got throwaway touchdowns.”
——————
So two of our most reliable players are more interested in padding their own stats than giving the team the best chance to win?
And our head coach doesn’t see the wisdom in giving yourself a 99% chance to win with a gimme FG rather than handing the ball back to the other team to drive the length of the field and beat our prevent D on the last drive of the game as they have so many times before?
That’s great.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:47 am
I hear ya man. I don’t get the whole bling thing that kids do these days but I will say that if I had all that cash when I was 22 I’d probably look like a freakin clown to anybody over the age of 30!!
I absolutely agree that he’s just not ready for the big stage. I didn’t START getting my shyt together until my mid-20’s and the only distractions I had were a bong and a girlfriend. I can’t imagine how fast his head is spinning everyday of his life right now!!
He should have never been thrust out there just for the sake of getting him out there(of course I’d take a horrible JR over a Josh McCown anyday!!).
I guess the big money machine doesn’t allow for development anymore, so here we are.
Go Raiders!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:49 am
Vegas Raider,
Raider’s ask JaMarcus to take a pay cut and he will refuse. He won’t make a stupid mistake and restructure like Walker. Why would he give back guaranteed money, more money than he will ever earn in the NFL. No, he hit a 1 time lottery. He can take a hike and still get paid. Only it will not be a cap hit next year.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:51 am
Outta here!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:57 am
Ex,
Salaries are not guaranteed in the NFL. He gets cuts, he will get some type of money (pro-rated bonus’, roster bonus and such), but it will be nowhere near what his yearly salary is.
Walker got guaranteed money for two years, which we will be more money in his pocket total, than if he would have got cut, although he would have got more in year 1. You don’t really think Walker just did the Raiders a favor do you? He and his agent knew the number if he got cut, and this 2 year revision was more total dollars than the cut scenario, but spread the money out and gave the Raiders salary space.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:01 am
Exla,
Walker didn’t give up guaranteed money. He was either going to get cut and get nothing more than the guaranteed money he already got (which was a lot) or he could stick around for far less than the original contract was going to pay him in years 2 and 3 of the deal (while still keeping his guaranteed signing bonus money). The reason it made sense to the Raiders is because it allowed them to spread out the cap hit of the signing bonus over two seasons rather than having to absorb it all this year if they had just cut him.
Players generally don’t restructure just to help the team. Usually it either helps both them and the team’s cap situation or it helps the team’s cap situation while having no real negative effect on what a player is going to make in the long-term.
I don’t know Russell’s contract terms but if all his guaranteed money has already been paid he may indeed have to restructure for next year. Especially if it’s an uncapped year and the cap ramifications of flat-out cutting Russell are not an obstacle. No one is going to pay JaMarcus the 5, 6 or $7 million he’s probably due to make next year. The Raiders could say: ‘Listen, we’ll give you $3 milllion or so for this season with some big performance incentives that could drive the money back to or above the original amount you were supposed to make. Take it or leave it. Leave it, and good luck finding a better deal elsewhere.’
November 21st, 2009 at 9:04 am
talk is cheap. the oline isn’t going to magically get better. the receivers won’t magically run better routes or catch better. grads played a whole half & led the raiders to zero points against a worse defense than cin. so he’s magically going to transform every player by spouting cliches on friday? if the same plays are called, expect the same results & lots of post-game excuses. what the raiders have don is given in to paul hacketts wishes & hackett set russell up to fail from the get-go.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:09 am
my money is on russell jetting to another team that actually has an infrastructure in place that will help him to succeed. honestly, getting cut from the worst organization in the NFL is not a bad thing. a coach that doesn’t like you (hackett), fans that don’t like you & an owner not committed to surrounding you with the pieces necessary for success…as I said, it won’t be bad for russell at all. don’t think for one second that the league has given up on this guy the way you all have. his agents are smart, if he leaves oakland, hell have another job in no time. book it.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:15 am
I look at it as a second chance for JR.
While I hope Bruce does great, I hope JR gets his head out of his JaArse and wins the job back.
By the way, do you really believe this?
**********************************************
what the raiders have don is given in to paul hacketts wishes & hackett set russell up to fail from the get-go.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Dam that was a strange play.
Mich QB was about to get sacked in end zone but he fumbled, ball went onto play of field, Buckeye laying on ground picked it and “moved” the ball across the plane. TD for the suckeyes.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:23 am
I KNOW it. hackett has been against jr fm day 1. wanted garcia, grads & jr before one snap in training camp. didn’t want to and has not coached russell. didn’t even want to give him a chance to win the job. their relationship is damaged beyond repair so one of them has to go.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:28 am
We heard the same thing about Andrew Walter, he will succeed somewhere else with a better structure….I guess New England wasn’t stable enough place either.
Russell will be out of the league in 3 years or less. Book it.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:33 am
whatever u say vegas. this guy is a better player than walter & you know it. you don’t have to believe it, but in actuality there is already interest in the guy. you are entitled to your OPINION but I know the facts. other teams are already sniffing around…but for fear of tampering charges, I won’t say who.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 am
and even if he is out of the league in 3 years…hell still be richer that you could ever hope to be. book that.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:35 am
And the reason why he will be out of the leauge and not giving a lot of a 2nd chance, is that he brings no value as a backup. He is not a hard-worker or someone with a high football IQ or a hardcore film guy. Expecting him to run with that starting next year at 25 years old as quite the reach.
Look around the league, back-ups and 3rd stringers are mostly brainaic, future QB coach’s and such. Guys with impeccable work ethics, but not as much talent. Jamarcus is the complete opposite. If he’s not starting, he just doesn’t bring much to the table.
I think his next paycheck after the Raiders will be paid in looney’s.
Got to run to the office for a few, catch up later.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:35 am
knowing the MGD route as I do ’tis better to bend the elbow than to take the knee.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 am
DownTheBayMOG Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 am
and even if he is out of the league in 3 years…hell still be richer that you could ever hope to be. book that.
***************************
No shyt. Thanks captain obvious. Awful protective of Jamarcus aren’t you? You know people, I know people, my people tell me Jamarcus does not place a priority of football, missed a day of practice in the preseason because he got a tattoo on his throwing hand and blew off OTA’s.
But I’m sure teams are risking tampering charges to position themselves for the great Jamarcus Russell bidding war that is going to take place. Sure pal.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 am
last post…was walter even given the chance to earn the job in NE? now, what about Kerry Collins? been to the super bowl with NY & deep in the playoffs with Tenn…raiders have no structure in place to develop a QB…I agree with kool kell, when was the last time the raiders developed a serious candidate at QB?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:41 am
Where is BSJ?
Go Buckeyes!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 am
e is not a hard-worker or someone with a high football IQ or a hardcore film guy.
you don’t know that. you really don’t. you are speculating off of someone elses words. I know the guy is bustng his butt & he will get another shot somewhere else.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 am
Deep in the playoffs Collins went last year. Scored 6 points and lost their only game, than started this year 0-7.
We all know that he is not a hard-worker with a high football IQ. His coach says so, and you know he gets his orders from the top.
Maybe he will turn it around this off-season, but we had that some hope last year and he showed up “a little heavy” (his words) and was a complete disaster through 9 games.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 am
issed a day of practice in the preseason because he got a tattoo on his throwing hand and blew off OTAs.
did he get the tat before or after his uncles funeral? you are clueless. he doesn’t blow off otas. not to mention that’s VOLUNTARY. the guy will play somewhere else and prosper. oakland has not won in 6 years and will not win until they get some stability in the organization. we could go on 4 days but I’m not going to waste my time. teams are interested in him as a starter, not a backup. teams that have good evaluation ability. say what you will but his future is not in your hands, thank God.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:48 am
And yes Walter was given a chance to earn the 3rd QB spot this year in NE. He lost to some late-round rookie, and nobody else picked him up, not even the UFL.
Now I gotta go
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 am
We all know that he is not a hard-worker with a high football IQ. His coach says so, and you know he gets his orders from the top.
you believe that he’s not a hard worker. you believe that he doesn’t have a high football iq…you don’t know anything & cable has never questioned his football iq. show me when he did. like I said, getting out of the crap hole will be the best thin that ever happened to him.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 am
My boy did not last one week in NE and they were looking for a backup, not a starter. He must have been pathetic or the Pats would have worked with him.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 am
Craphole?
Down, Are you having a bad day, are you really that mad about JR being benched (should have happened earlier) or are you letting all the Raider hate here get to you?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:02 am
Down, Are you having a bad day, are you really that mad about JR being benched (should have happened earlier)
not having a bad day…but the poor play of the raiders cannot be squarely placed on this guy. has cornell green been benched for false starts and plays being called back? what about the play of the receivers? yes I said it…that place is just not good for a player’s psyche & you know it. I’m looking forward to seeing my man in a different uni…i won’t hold my tongue on that. I am mad because I know that this is bogus, premediated and calculated. it is not all on him but he gets the harshest sentence. that’s bs.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:03 am
“if he leaves oakland, hell have another job in no time. book it.”
====================================================
And he’ll fail just as miserably as he did with the Raiders. Book that.
The truth is JaMarcus Russell is an inarticulate moron, who quite frankly, is too dumb to succeed at the NFL level.
The man is incapable of putting together a cohesive thought or sentence. I can only imagine what it’s like being in a huddle with the moron and listening to him blabbering trying to quickly and clearly call a play.
He’s also incredibly inaccurate, has no pocket presence, and can’t read a defense.
True, he hasn’t had a stellar supporting cast around him. But if you’ve watched his play when opportunities have presented themselves, only to seen him miss open recievers with incredibly bad and off target throws, then any observer can only conclude that JR is never going to make it in the NFL.
Russell sucks, plain and simple.
I don’t care if he loses some weight. I don’t care if he develops a fantastic work ethic and dedication to the game. He’s always going to be too dumb and too inaccurate to be a winning QB in the NFL.
And to top it all off, who in their right mind wants to see this idiot with his mohawk and ridiculous beanie sitting on the Raider bench looking dumbfounded after yet another in an endless string of 3 and outs by the offense ?
Lord knows I wish this weren’t true, but JR will go down, as one of, if not THE BIGGEST bust, in NFL history.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am
I dont think he is getting ALL the blame.
The team sucks and JR has really really sucked.
But its partly his fault for not putting in 100%
Look at the bright side. I hope this lights a fire under his butt and he starts working harder, eating right, watching film, etc.
We will see what he is made of. When tough people get put under pressure they shine, they dont fold. I am hoping JR shines and earns the QB spot next year.
You can bet money Al will fire Hackett over JR next year if thats the problem.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:20 am
99, that’s your opinion. you are basing your opinion of him on what you see. what does his haircut or the hat he wears have to do with anything.? absolutely nothing. everything is personal attacks with this guy. he’s college educated & made good grades in college dude. you have something personal against him & that’s your choice but biggest bust ever? not even close. you do realize that his numbers last season took him out of the running for that dubious distinction? one again, that is your PERSONAL opinion & has no bearing on reality, period. every qb has had detractors and russell is no different. like I said, thank God his future is not in the hands of man & there is nothing that you can do about that. have a great afternoon.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:24 am
But its partly his fault for not putting in 100%
this is the part that irks me the most. how do you know that with certainty? no one does. we just have that belief because of how the guy is portrayed by the media. I know he works hard but its like running in quicksand in oakland. good day & stay positive. that’s refreshing.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:39 am
Its not so much what is actually being said. Its what is not being said. Cable telling the infoheads that Bruce and Fry are there all the time, working hard, last to leave, first to arrive speaks volumes.
Plus there are numerous examples of others, outside the Raiders saying the same thing.
If anything JR is “being protected”. Face it, he does not put in the extra time that it takes to be the best.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:42 am
# DownTheBayMOG Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 am
what about Kerry Collins? been to the super bowl with NY & deep in the playoffs with Tenn
*************************************
Nothing against Collins, but ‘deep?’ They lost their first game! True, they had a first round bye, but that’s quite a spin.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:47 am
I judge Jmac on the throws he misses.4 some reason he cant complete a simply dump-off.2B fair his receievers have dropped some balls.But as a QB,and a #1 1st OVER ALL PICK OF THE NFL…You are EXPECTED 2 make every single 1 of those,imo.The whole NFL see’s Jmac can not do this.I am not baseing this on anything else besides my eye-sight.With my own eyes I have seen Jmac NOT MAKE THESE THROWS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.He isnt ready 4 this,imo
November 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
DownTheBay, I hear far too much “I know…” from you to take you really serious. Unless you are actually sitting in in those meetings and/or have a football job in the organisation, I consider you just as clueless as anybody else here, me included.
You can defend JMR all you want, fact is he is out of football right now, and he himself is largely responsible for that. And it was not only his game time performance that led to that decision, this much is certain.
Now, will he stand up and get serious? Again, it is entirely up to him. His future is what he decides to make of it. Based on what he’s shown so far, I severely doubt that he will ever be a starter on another NFL team again. The JMR up until now is definitely expendable and not worth the risk picking up.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:55 am
BSJ,
The OSU 14
Mich Sucks 3
November 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am
Every former player that has anything to do with breaking down film has went on record about Russell’s poor play. The guy is just not getting it right now.
I have said for weeks that he will get a shot somewhere else.
Plenty of people out there arrogant enough to think they can succeed where Al Davis failed in getting the most out of Russell.
Name me one player who has failed in Oakland and went on to be a SUPERSTAR on another team?
Some decent players have left here as FAs and had decent careers elsewhere, but no garbage player has left here and suddenly blossomed on another team.
Oakland has got decent players through FA who underachieved here and then left and put up decent numbers elsewhere, but no draft pick of Oakland has failed here and then went on to be a SUPERSTAR elsewhere.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:59 am
You should be a Score announcer Raider O lmao!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
Of course I’m basing my opinion on what I see.
I don’t care what kind of grades he got at LSU or if he earned a degree.
I’ve listened to interviews with him. I’ve read verbatim quotes from him in the press.
The man is an idiot.
He can not express himself or convey a coherent thought.
It’s not the southern drawl or twang. It’s not his style of speaking.
It’s the content of what he says.
He’s literally incomprehensible.
He comes off as an idiot, because he is an idiot.
As for Russell not being among the biggest busts ever…time will tell. But as of right now, assuming his career doesn’t progess from it’s present abysmal status, one would be hard pressed to come up with the names of any bigger busts.
You ask what his haircut and hat have to do with anything.
On the field, they have nothing to do with anything. They have absolutely no bearing on objectively analyzing his play.
But in the overall scheme of things they do have a bearing and some significance to me as a Raider fan.
On a personal level, I don’t like Russell’s appearance or the way he represents the Raider organization. I don’t like the mohawk. I think the beanie wearing on warm, pleasant days is absurd. I think the diamond earrings and white minks are ostentatious and audacious. But most of all, I don’t appreciate an inarticulate, blathering idiot representing the team.
Russell has his millions and he’s set for life. If you’re his friend and that makes you happy, good for you.
As a Raider fan, I take no joy in knowing he’s financially secure. Means next to nothing to me. My concern is the ramifications Russell’s failure to develop into a franchise QB will have on the Raiders.
And unfortunately, while Russell is counting his millions, it’s likely the Raiders will continue to flounder — since you’re apparently a Russell fan, and not a Raider fan — I’m sure this doesn’t concern or dismay you.
But I’m a Raider fan, and I can unhesitatingly say I wish the Raiders never drafted this turkey.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:09 am
Jmac is the poster child of why there needs 2B a salary cap 4 rookies,imo…think about it you already got paid 4 your whole future.If he never made another penny,he still dont have 2 work AT ALL.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:15 am
Look I think there should be a rookie salary-cap as well, but that shouldn’t be an excuse.
Matt Ryan got paid and is putting in the work. No blowing off OTA’s and passing the blame in the media for Mark Sanchez.
Some guys get it and some don’t.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am
And I don’t think Mark Sanchez is going to be that good, but it won’t be for a lack of effort and inability to take the time to learn the little things.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:21 am
I think thats a very compeling REASON,Vegas…Clearly some people act different than others but 30,20 10 hell even 1 mill in the hand…
November 21st, 2009 at 11:22 am
BTW, Jim Fassel has got his Las Vegas Loco’s in the UFL championship game. They had already clinched that spot and had a meaningless game last night. But Fassel said he rode the backups hard in practice this week, and they won 41-7.
That’s what a good coach does. Has his team ready to win every week.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:24 am
could you imagine 20 or 30 players in the nfl,say 1 per team at any starting position,get a Jmac contract and conduct himself like jamc has???? The league would be BROKE in less than 7-10 years,imo
November 21st, 2009 at 11:29 am
Trestman’s name surfaces in connection with the Raiders
Posted by Mike Florio on November 21, 2009 2:12 PM ET
Eyebrows were raised this week when word surfaced that Montreal Alouettes coach Marc Trestman has landed on the early list for the coaching vacancy in Buffalo.
The fact that Trestman’s name is churning in the Raiders rumor mill is less surprising.
Trestman spent three years with the Raiders, first as quarterbacks coach in 2001 and then as offensive coordinator in 2002 and 2003. In his first season as offensive coordinator, the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl.
Trestman next served as quarterbacks coach for the Dolphins in 2004, and then as offensive offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at North Carolina State in 2005-06. For the past three years, Trestman has coached the Alouettes.
This year, Trestman’s team has won 15 and lost only three. On Sunday, the Alouettes host the B.C. Lions in the CFL’s East Division final. (We’re not sure why the B.C. Lions would be in the “East Division” of any football league other than one headquartered in Russia.)
And though Trestman is better known (relatively speaking) than Lane Kiffin or Tom Cable when each became head coach of the Raiders, Trestman fits the “no other NFL options” profile that owner Al Davis currently applies when hiring head coaches, since men with other NFL options will opt not to coach the Raiders.
………
Interesting, but never explains how Trestman’s name is linked. Who said it? In what context?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:41 am
It’s the……LOUUUUSY RAIDERS!! LOL
Wake me up when Al Davis is NOT making all the decisions….then I will start to care again.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am
I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s game. I hope Gradkowski does well. Will JaMarcus still be on the bench with his beenie and his diamond earring?
November 21st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Will he be eating hot dogs?
A better question is
How many hot dogs will he eat?
JaHotdog
November 21st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
U of Minnesota DT’s are like 6-2 320 and 1 of em’s a freshman
November 21st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Always liked Fassel as a coach since his days with the Giants.
I can remember his tough, hands on, take charge demeanor when he insisted on personally calling plays when the Jint’s offense was sputtering. Seemed to have an immediate positive effect.
Additionally, the Giants always seemed well prepared under his command.
If Cable goes, I’d be very happy to see Fassel take the reigns. From what I’ve heard he gets along with Al and actually wants the job.
I’m not terribly negative about Cable. On the other hand, I’m not too enthralled either. There’s been some suspect play calling, but with Russell at QB, what the heck are you gonna call that’s going to work ?
No, my problem with Cable is personnel evaluation and fitting players to scheme.
How much input Cable has in these matters is open to conjecture, but I think it’s a greater amount than one would suspect.
DMac, though injured, has been run between the tackles too much. Who can forget the Kwame Harris debacle ? When’s the last time the Raids threw an option pass with former QBs DMac and Bush on the roster ?
Also, one other thing I don’t like about Cable, and I’m pretty sure Al doesn’t like — the zone blocking offensive line.
Give me the good old smash mouth, straight ahead power running game any time.
I tell ya, the Raid offense is so incredibly inept, it’s almost impossible to watch one of their games without wanting to puke.
Scoring touchdowns is out of the question. A sustained drive with a few first downs along the way is unimaginable.
Maybe we’ll see some improvement now that Russell has been benched, but I wouldn’t count on a dramatic change for the better. We’re still way too inexperienced at WR, and most importantly the offensive line is crap. Since that was Cable’s area of expertise, that’s an indictment against him. But to be fair he can only coach the players he’s provided.
Ultimately, it’s about Al putting together a better squad. There’s just been such horrendous decisions made on draft day and in free agency and trades, that this once proud franchise is now a disaster area. I don’t think any coach could prosper with the current roster, but it’s likely the Raiders could be better prepared and more competitive with a different coach.
The Raids might very well be starting all over again.
New QB. New head coach. And better players up front to make the offense go.
The good news is things can’t get much worse.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Wow so Fassell is the only guy, how long ago did he get fired from NY and wasn’t he so bad at calling plays that his best friend Billick fired him from his last job no thanks rather a young and upcomng nobody than a mediocre guy like fassell. Hey but im sure if he wins thats UFL title his price will be go up.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
“I remember my (position coach) Skip Peete telling us about a situation where Charlie Garner had a long run up the sideline,” Fargas said. “He went ahead and scored and I guess Mr. Davis asked Skip Peete why he didn’t go down on the 1.”
————————————————————
Haha. That’s rich! Whatever the wrong instinct is, you can bet it’s going to coincide the old man’s philosophy. It’s a complete 180 from how things used to be with him. And, it just so happens that the Raiders record is also a complete 180 from what it used to be. P.S. That article about Trestman should just delete all of those CFL stats. I was in Montreal this summer, and I watched the mighty Alouettes play the B.C. Lions (An ancient rivalry) just as a goof. And, I gotta tell you, that aint Football. I don’t what that is up there, but it doesn’t even compare to Division 3 college ball. Hell, I bet Chabot or Laney can beat Montreal.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Oh man….it’s freakin depressing thinking about how the stubborn old man has ruined this franchise and team with his mis management and crappy personnel and coaching decisions.
What happened during the last draft just proves how out of whack the owner/gm/personnel man Al Davis is.
He need to freakin go away!!! Arrrrghhhhhhhh
November 21st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Newsflash Jerry, Maurice Jones-Drew reported on the Herd to Colin Cowherd of ESPN two seasons ago that he should be referred to as Mojo-D, NOT MJD.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Actually, it was more like an answer to a question than a command or request. If I remember right Colin asked him what his teammates and friends called him and he replied that his nickname was/is “Mo-Jo-D” (obviously I am unsure of the spelling).
November 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Mo jo d fits the man better then MJD.
He has earned an ultra cool nick.
MJD sounds like a Chinese food peservative.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
He gets MJD and he will like it!
Just like AP is AP…and not the silly “All Day” nickname….
November 21st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Mojo-D…
Sounds like a stupid character from “Star Wars”!
November 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
or a wannabe rap artist…
Yo, yo homie.. That be mofucan mojo-d boyiieee!
November 21st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
The best nick for him would be Stumpy
November 21st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Weis is done.
Notre Dame falls to UConn in double OT.
November 21st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
So, Jhill, you’d take Al’s long ball futility over the results Gannon got for us? You’re an idiot, dude.