Gradkowski set for another family reunion
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 12:28 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Bruce Gradkowski returns to the scene of his greatest triumph this weekend disappointed he won’t be starting but preparing in case the Raiders need someone with actual experience beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Gradkowski’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy capped an 88-yard drive with no time outs in less than two minutes as Oakland scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and beat the Steelers 27-24.
Playing in his hometown in front of friends and family, Gradkowski completed 20 of 33 passes for 308 yards. When the Raiders arrived in town, Gradkowski had most of the team over to his parents’ home for a home cooked meal.
Less than a year later, Gradkowski goes back to Pittsburgh as a backup to Jason Campbell, having not played in a month because of a sprained A-C joint in his throwing shoulder.
Coach Tom Cable was adamant Gradkowski would remain the starter until last week, when instead he said he was leaning toward going with the hot hand. He made it official this week, naming Jason Campbell, the starting quraterback throughout a three-game win streak, as the starter.
“It’s tough because you always want to play, especially in the big games, and this is a big game for us,” Gradkowski said Thursday. “We’re playing a good football team and you want to be a part of that. But it fell at the wrong time. But the thing I think about is it will be even sweeter and we’re playing for the AFC championship and I’m starting going into that. I’ll be prepared to play.”
Gradkowski said he is healthy enough to make every throw necessary.
“The way I feel now, I realize I wasn’t ready the last couple of weeks,” Gradkowski said.
Gradkowski’s mother will once again provide food, but this time with a twist.
“I was going to have all the guys over but we get in a little later this year, so my mom’s offering to bring the food to the hotel,” Gradkowski said. “So they’re real troopers, and she just wants to help out any way they can.
“ I love the camaraderie, though. The reason our families watch games is because they care about who you play with, and that’s how my family is. They want to see who that guy next to me is and put a face with a number. They enjoy that stuff.”
Gradkowski is enjoying the Raiders’ team success and the “next man up” philosophy, figuring sooner or later he’ll get another chance.
“I know there’s going to be a point again where I play this year, so that’s what I’ll be ready for,” Gradkowski said.
More to come . . .
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November 18th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Bo,
I hear you. I used to follow the Marines FB page and the Marines on there were mostly far right guys. FB had to take it down. You sir has just earned another notch of respect from me. Nothing like a lib with Marine Corp cred.
I’m not a fan of chickenhawks on the right nor a fan of the far left who never served either. Wolfowitz and Cheney are the two biggest Chickenhawks, but the one that takes the cake for me is Douglas Feith. What an a$$ he is.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
First?
November 18th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Poor Garbagekowski…kicked to the curb by Al Davis…errrrr, I mean Tom Cable and Hue Jackson….
November 18th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
“I know there’s going to be a point again where I play this year, so that’s what I’ll be ready for,” Gradkowski said.
But the thing I think about is it will be even sweeter and we’re playing for the AFC championship and I’m starting going into that. I’ll be prepared to play.”
—-
Dude, Grad dont say these things in public. It’s going to fuel a rift. Dont they ever teach these guys how to be PC.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Nice post Aig. Yes Feith is complete scum, and thankfully discredited like Wolfowitz.
Yes I was a pretty enigmatic person. At the time I was in the Corps I went to 20+ Dead shows, for example. The tight haircut got me a lot of looks from those who could focus.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Yo, what’s up Dakota?
Long time no smack. My work situation has changed so there’s no way for me to really get on the blog much these days. In fact, it’s been months since I last visited.
Few thoughts. . . . .
1. I was dead wrong about Jamarcus. I really, really thought the kid was going to “get it” at some point and it just never happened. Say what you want about Al Davis, but, at least unlike the Niners who can’t seem to admit they made a mistake, he realized it and cut his losses.
2. As much as I was such a fan of Justin Fargas, cutting him has obviously opened the door for your boy D-Mac. And damn! That kid is the man. I’m totally happy for him and hope he continues to tear it up. We’ll need him this weekend.
3. No more Mario! Finally. Veldeer has plenty to learn, but, he’s been a great draft pick.
4. That Niner game was a blessing in disguise. It woke up Hue Jackson and taught him to never, ever have a Neanderthal game plan again. We should have smoked their sorry A_sses.
5. To all the morons (i.e. MaddenRaider) who claimed that the “game has passed” Al Davis by. . . . . . .how’d do you like him now? Just look at the last 4 drafts and see all the nice looking players we have from those drafts.
6. Is Richochet still around here or does he go by a different Moniker?
That’s all I have time to say right now.
Go Raiders.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
But the thing I think about is it will be even sweeter and we’re playing for the AFC championship and I’m starting going into that.
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Solid.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Bo.
I think Mrs. Brown owes you an apology. I dont think she ever served. Sometimes I think the war was started to benefit 2 groups, Israelis and Halliburton/defense contractors.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Silver-n-Smac,
Nice to hear from you again….and I am glad to see that you agree that I was right all along.
lol
November 18th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Raiders getting no respect
http://www.raidernationstation.com/exclusives/exclusives_20
Frankly I’m not sure they deserve it yet. They need to beat Pitt first…
November 18th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
8. We already give Isreal $1 billion a year.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Dude…….we’re going to the playoffs??
November 18th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Sweet!
November 18th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
6. “Claim the game has passed Al Davis by…”
I know.
All these people saying that and like 12 teams passed for over 4,000 yds last year.
Yeah, the long ball is dead!
November 18th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
If we can solve our passing game, we can be a pretty scary team.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Silver,
I think Dakota is guilty of number 5. He was starting to pull me over to that side of the argument this year.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I think Mrs. Brown owes you an apology.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sista is just a mope, ignorant and easily ignored.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Al Davis has set records as the worst GM in football. Does that mean the game has passed him by? I don’t know, but I do know it means he is a very bad GM.
That is fact.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
I think Dakota owes me an apology too. No way DMAC becomes the stud he is today without constant, objective reminders of his unrealized potential… (I was the constant part).
November 18th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Practice update: Asomugha covering WRs in walkthrough and Miller, Henderson and Heyward-Bey out here as well
Twitter – 2 minutes ago
-Vittorio Tafur
November 18th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Dakota is not a fan of the Oakland Raiders. That is a verifiable fact as well.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Bo,
lmao at the Dakota/DMAC part…..you were so guilty though Bo. However, i was in the same boat as you. It’s not our fault that DMAC never took the offseason preparation serioulsy and Cable did confirm he changed his running style now.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
19. Good job!
November 18th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
22. Really? All those raves by Jerry about how awesome DMC has looked in camp and pre season?
November 18th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
21.Nnamdi21 Says:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Dakota is not a fan of the Oakland Raiders. That is a verifiable fact as well.
______________
LMAO, can’t wait to hear this….
November 18th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Dakota is a legit Raider. He just wasnt old enough to enjoy the 60’s and 70’s to offset the last 7 years. The effer was starting to get me to be sour this year too.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
“It’s tough because you always want to play, especially in the big games, and this is a big game for us,” Gradkowski said Thursday. “We’re playing a good football team and you want to be a part of that. But it fell at the wrong time. But the thing I think about is it will be even sweeter and we’re playing for the AFC championship and I’m starting going into that. I’ll be prepared to play.”
=============================================================
Bruce dont be so selfish! wow no class at all. not only is jc a better qb, he obviously has a better handle on the team concept as well. Bruce your losing respect with this ocho cinco esque garbage
November 18th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Nnamdi,
I dont ever count Jerry/Vittorio/Gutteriez as good judge of football talent. I just depend on them to report what happens out there. I try to ignore their analysis. If you notice, they all play the “follow the herd” game.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
He just wasnt old enough to enjoy the 60’s and 70’s to offset the last 7 years.
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Yeah but he pushes the Cubs and isn’t 120 years old!
November 18th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
26.aig-raiders Says:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Dakota is a legit Raider. He just wasnt old enough to enjoy the 60’s and 70’s to offset the last 7 years. The effer was starting to get me to be sour this year too.
++++++++++++
Still a lot of year left, and Cable is still in charge…don’t be too let down if it isn’t smooth sailing the rest of the way….just sayin….things are looking better, but is it really fixed? I hope this is it….but Tom Cable is still here, so there should be plenty of doubt left.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
“Bruce Gradkowski…. preparing in case the Raiders need someone with actual experience beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.”
Feisty, feisty, today, Jerry.
Now we know how you feel about the Raiders QB depth chart.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
whatt…Dakota is a Cubs fan….and he wants to be all this tough about being a Righty? That’s like being an oil guy and supporting the Sierra club!
November 18th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
32.aig-raiders Says:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
whatt…Dakota is a Cubs fan….and he wants to be all this tough about being a Righty? That’s like being an oil guy and supporting the Sierra club!
++++++++++++++++++++++
….guess it is my inner liberal
November 18th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
If you all recall, my biggest knock on DMAC was his fumblitis. No turf toe or bad Oline or weak playcalling was responsible for 3X more fumbles than most pros.
Bad ball security was all on DMAC and he changed his spots… (with help from Coach Southwick).
November 18th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Dakota,
I will not let you derail me again on TC. I took a lot of ribbing for my support of Tom Cable and trying to relate to him. You sir almost made me lost faith in TC and Al Davis. Now that you are revealed as a Cubs fan…you are officially no longer legit.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
what up peeps. aient nothing wrong with bruce wanting to start. i would rather have him in jason. before fools start getting butt hurt, i do like jason. he has made some nice throws but he has also made some dumb one. the chiefs game would have been a loss if it werent for ford. i just feel more comfortable wit bruce in, but im down with numner 17 as long as he is winning. And it is better for the raiders if jason does does end up being the long term for us, he has all the pysical tools to be great, mabey has he learns the new system in and out he might be able to limit dumb throws. I just hope one of these qbs starts playing at a high level tired of playing with a 79 overall rated qb in madden. lol
November 18th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
35.aig-raiders Says:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Dakota,
I will not let you derail me again on TC. I took a lot of ribbing for my support of Tom Cable and trying to relate to him. You sir almost made me lost faith in TC and Al Davis. Now that you are revealed as a Cubs fan…you are officially no longer legit.
+++++++++++++
I won’t have to…the odds are Tom will screw this all up himself. He will soon get into it with his meal ticket…Hue Jackson….
November 18th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
my bad for mispells, in a rush got to go back to work on luch right now.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
i mean lunch
November 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
you guys have fun….off to the gym to tear to my back and bicep….peace
November 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
*off my back and bicep
November 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
raiders
November 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
all
November 18th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
day
November 18th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
dont pull a hammy
November 18th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
“Choppa on da floor, pistol on da couch, hood rich so I never had a bank account……junkies going in, junkies going out, made a 100,000 in my trap house”
YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH
November 18th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
aig-raiders Says:
November 18th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
You sir has just earned another notch of respect from me. Nothing like a lib with Marine Corp cred.
……………
Most WW2 veterans were Democrats, my grandfather included. He hated Bush. He died in 2004. His last 4 years on this planet he wore a hat every day that said, “Selected, Not Elected”
November 18th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
So, RMR
1 more win by the Raiders and you will have been wrong AGAIN!
I told you I would mail you $100 if Jamarcus was named the starter to start the season like you said OVER AND OVER AND OVER again, but you were wrong.
Now, I was going to go back and copy EVERY post you ever posted which stated that the Raiders will NEVER win more than 5 games in a season as long as Al Davis is alive.
I am pretty sure I said I would mail you $100 if the Raiders did not win at least 6 games this season. Are you ready to say you were WRONG again?
Ah yeah, that’s right
The Judge- 2
RMR- 0
and on a side note, anyone else here go to one of the California Golden Seal games? I went to 1 in 1972 I think
November 18th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Bauce,
I read yesterday that your dad coached in Carson. Is that where you are from?
November 18th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
“It’s tough because you always want to play, especially in the big games, and this is a big game for us,” Gradkowski said Thursday. “We’re playing a good football team and you want to be a part of that. But it fell at the wrong time. But the thing I think about is it will be even sweeter and we’re playing for the AFC championship and I’m starting going into that. I’ll be prepared to play.”
=========================================================
Bruce’s best asset is his leadership ability. this is not leadership, this is pouting.
Bruce even randy moss is telling you not to be a cancer
November 18th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Bauce 2 Dope Says:
November 18th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
“Choppa on da floor, pistol on da couch, hood rich so I never had a bank account……junkies going in, junkies going out, made a 100,000 in my trap house”
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Brien the inside sales exec, lol.
November 18th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Bruce is right. He’s only saying what he knows is true.JC can have all the physical attributes in the world and that won’t give him the head for the game(Russel). I would’nt be surprised at all to see Campbell pulled before halftime if he does’nt play well.
November 18th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
[...] “The way I feel now, I realize I wasn’t ready the last couple of weeks,” Gradkowski said (via Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune). [...]
November 18th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
[...] “The way I feel now, I realize I wasn’t ready the last couple of weeks,” Gradkowski said (via Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune). [...]
November 19th, 2010 at 6:36 am
ok guys coach cable has asked me to relay this to you bloggers ,we all know this is a pro raider blog,for those of you unsure that means we like them,he told me the fans are pretty damn important not like players since we dont actually play or have a say on what goes on or who plays or pretty much anything for that matter but without our support its like taking away 2 player,instead of 12 on 11 it drops to 11 on 11 when that happens the team sees it and there level of play drops also now its 10 on 11 get what im saying .and coach cable also told me to say that they cant play with a divided locker room ,much like this blog post thing whatever it is ,when we are divided with silver blood on one (jc)and black blood on the other (bg)the team feels it and it hurts and they cant take a shot to make the hurt go away cause its in the heart get my drift so that being said my blood is silver and black and always will be no matter if they play kb jc bg or that other guy last year russel simmons mmk when they went to la how many of you called them bad names ,shame on you .now how many of you have moved yourself from one block to another or from one side of town to the other and your still the same right get it.so what coach cable said was you are a fan or your not whats it gonna be just like your ole lady or your dog its unconditional on or off ,in or out silver and black or yellow n black n blue ..nobody wins if we are divided on the field or off ,now lets go out there and win this one for the gipper