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.

It won’t matter if Bruce Gradkowski can’t complete passes with any greater frequency than JaMarcus Russell, but it sounds as if the presence of a new quarterback has picked up the tempo during practice this week.

When asked what Gradkowski brought to the huddle, running back Justin Fargas was quick to answer Friday.

“One, a passion for the game, a love for the game that he shows in the way he plays, the way he calls plays. The way he works on details of nplays with players, in between,” Fargas said. “I think that’s the main thing I’m seeing with him. It’s just, he’s a `get after it’ type guy.”

Gradkowski has the boundless enthusiasm of a puppy to go along with a penchant for details which the Raiders hope can jump-start their sagging offense.

“You want to make a play for your quarterback but when he shows that type of passion for the game, obviously guys are going to feed off it and try to give him that same effort,” Fargas said.

“Bruce gives us the best chance to win right now,” tight end Zach Miller said. “We’ve got to be out there and play better football than we have the last few games here.”

Coach Tom Cable noted an increase in completions during practice

“Bruce was very good this week in terms of going out and managing and throwing completions,” Cable said. “ I think that got everybody in rhythm in timing.”

Miller agreed.

“He’s obviously a pretty smart guy, reads things well, throws a real good ball,” Cable said. “He’s a pro quarterback, so they’re all good. We feel like we’ll be able to throw it around better now.”

Gradkowski’s abilty to keep things alive when a play breaks down will keep the Raiders on their toes.

“He’s a different type of quarterback,” running back Darren McFadden said. “You can’t give up on the play when you’re out there with him. He may start scrambling and then all of a sudden just heave the ball to you, so you have to be prepared and ready all the time.”

Said Miller: “He’s definitely mobile. As receivers you’ve got to be able to adjust and be ready if the pocket breaks down, that he’ll be able to scramble and find you downfield. Receivers have to make that adjustment.”

Running back Michael Bush and wide receiver Chaz Schilens were concentrating on taking care of their own business to give Gradkowski the best chance to be successful.

“I hope it does, any time you make a big switch like that. I mean, regardless of who was starting at that spot, we’re hoping to come in, stick to our game plan and do what we’re supposed to do.”

“You really just have to go with who’s out there, be quick about it, make the adjustment, whatever that may be, and move forward with it,” Schilens said.

Cable post-practice

– WR Nick Miller, WR Javon Walker and LB Ricky Brown did not practice and are out. LB Isaiah Ekejiuba and DE Greg Ellis were limited and are expected to play. Cable said Ellis is in line to start.

– No change in kick returners. It will be Johnnie Lee Higgins on punts, Jonathan Holland on kickoffs.

Q: What were your thoughts when you heard the news?

Gradkowski: I’m excited. I’m excited to get this opportunity, go out here and start this week and try to make something happen. Our guys have been working hard. We’ve been working hard all year. So, it’s a matter of just executing and doing what we know how to do.

Q: What do you bring to the equation?

Gradkowski: I would like to say I bring some leadership and command of the huddle, a little spice to the game, maybe a little athleticism. I’m just going to do what I’m coached to do and run our offense. That’s it. And let everything take care of itself.

Q: Is that what the coaches will ask of you?

Gradkowski: Yeah, the coaches see that. They have confidence in me to get the job done. Like I said, I’m just going to do what I’m coached to do, just run the offense, put the ball in players’ hands and let them make plays.

Q: How comforting is it to hear that this move is for the rest of the season and not just for one game?

Gradkowski: Well, it’s good knowing it’s for the rest of the season. But, you also just have to take it one game at a time. In this league, you just got to focus on one week at a time and take it as it comes. That’s all I’m doing right now, if it’s this week or the last week of the season. I’m just going to take it this week and see how it goes.

Q: What are your thoughts about playing against the Bengals?

Gradkowski: Cincinnati’s a good team. They’re playing hot right now. They have a good defense and a good offense. So, we just have to take care of the football, run our offense and just play our game. We’re going to play hard. We play hard every week. It’s just a matter of coming out, executing and getting the job done.

Q: What do you think of your offense?

Gradkowski: We have a lot of weapons. A lot of weapons. I know our guys are young, but they’re going to make plays. They have been making plays in practice. We just got to stay on course, keep doing what we’re doing, keep working hard and things will fall into place.

Q: How much of the offensive woes is because of the receivers and offensive line?

Gradkowski: Our receivers have been doing a great job. They are guys that care and want to get better. As long as you have guys like that, with good character, you’re going to be fine. Those guys are going to make plays. It’s all of us. It’s a team effort. And that’s the one thing that’s great about football, you got to rely on the guy next to you and do your job.”

Q: Did you sign here thinking you would win the starting job?

Gradkowski: As a competitor, as a quarterback, you always view yourself as a starter. As a competitor, you want to start. So, I just came in, I knew the situation, I have JaMarcus’ back. I still do, because we’re a team. We’re in this together. He’s helping me out, just like I helped him out. Whatever we can do to get a couple wins.

Q: Do you have any extra insights to the Bengals since you played in Cleveland? “

Gradkowski: Not really. Ask Charlie Frye. Charlie’s played there for a while. Like I said, we’ve just got to keep studying, keep working and keep practicing hard and we’ll be OK.

Q: What is the mood of the team?

Gradkowski: I think the mood of the team is good. Guys have stayed positive, there’s energy at practice. Guys are still working hard, and that’s a key. That’s what you have to do. I think the outlook looks positive.”

Q: Did you talk to Russell and if so, what did you say to him?

Gradkowski: Yeah, I talked to JaMarcus. I talked to him on Sunday and throughout the week. We’re teammates. We’re in this thing together, and he said it himself. He said we’re teammates, whatever we can do to win. I think he played his best first half of football last week and we just didn’t help him out. We just need a team effort. He knows that. He’s the leader of this team. That’s the way we’ve got to go, and we just have to make plays.

Q: How about your style? Do they have to change stuff for you?

Gradkowski: I think our offense is going to be the same. There might be a couple tweaks here and there, but we’re just going to run the offense, do what we do and try to make some plays.

Q: Will you have to guard against getting to excited and amped up for the game?

Gradkowski: I’m going to be excited starting this game, but also, it’s a little different feeling when I was a rookie and I got the call. That’s what I’m most looking forward to, just being a professional about it and doing my job, doing what I’m coached to do and see what happens.”

Q: What did you learn that rookie year?

Gradkowski: My rookie year was a great learning experience. I had great coaching in coach Gruden and coach Hackett. I learned a whole lot, good stuff, bad stuff, I learned from it all. You can only move on and gain experience. That’s one thing I’ve learned and try to get better throughout the years.”

Q: Have your teammates looked at you in a different way?

Gradkowski: guys are still the same. I think they have respect for me. The main important thing is they know I’m going to prepare and work hard. If you do that, you just have to go out on game day and play hard and let the chips fall into place.” They say the most popular guy on a team is the backup QB. That changes for you now. How hungry do you think the fans are to see some performance out of the position?

Gradkowski: I think the fans are excited. We have some great fans here. We need to give them more than what they’ve been seeing. We need them this week on Sunday. It’s still a big game. It’s a big game every week and if the fans are into that game, it helps us out. They’ve been great all year. We just need to give them a little more to cheer about.

Q: Do you sense their frustration? You’ve heard the boos, right?

Gradkowski: Fans are fans. It’s like that anywhere. They just want to win. It’s football, and that’s the great thing about this game. Fans are going to cheer you when you’re winning and they’re going to boo when they don’t like something. But you just have to go with the flow and have fun and make this game fun.

Raiders coach Tom Cable, based on his response about Benson during his Thursday press briefing, is probably not surprised.

“ I think he’s a tough, physical guy that’s quick. He runs so hard but what he is is real quick, a cutback runner,” Cable said. “How much we’ll see of him is yet to be known but he’s a guy that you have to stay behind him because he’ll cut the ball back on you.”

Coaches normally assume a player will play, avoiding at all the suggestion they might not.

It remains to be seen how much the Bengals will turn to recently-signed Larry Johnson if Benson is out.

– Most interesting sight following practice _ JaMarcus Russell, still on the field, doing some extra throwing, as Cable began a short session with the local media.

If that has been the case even once all year, I don’t remember it.

– No sellout. The Raiders will be blacked out for the fifth straight time since their Week 1 sellout.

– Defensive end Greg Ellis increased his practice reps but did not finish practice, classifying him as limited. Cable said he thought it was possible Ellis would make it through the Friday practice in its entirely and start against Cincinnati. Also limited but expected to play is special teamer Isaiah Ekejiuba (shoulder).

– Free safety Hiram Eugene, out with a shoulder injury Wednesday, made it through practice and should be available to play as a reserve and on special teams.

– Still out of practice and out of the picture for Sunday _ WR Javon Walker (hamstring), WR-KR Nick Miller (tibia) and LB Ricky Brown (ankle).

Brown said he has been running on the field recently but his return isn’t imminent.

– Cable’s review of Gradkowski’s practice session: “Good. He’s got good command, leading the huddle and throwing a lot of completions.”

– Gradkowski is the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet and is adept at cliches as Crash Davis in “Bull Durham.”

A condensed version of the Gradkowski interview: “Just a matter of executing . . . as a competitor you want to start . . . one day at a time . . . one week at a time . . . we just have to stay the course.”

A transcript of Gradkowski’s media session will be posted later . . .

– Cable could only smile when asked if the Bengals’ resurgence this season after going 4-11-1 last year was a payoff for staying the course instead of making dramatic changes.

“You look at how they rebuilt that offensive line, and they’ve got some guys plugged in on defense,” Cable said. “They’ve had two first-round picks at linebacker that have worked out great. They’ve kind of stayed in there with Marvin (Lewis) and all of a sudden they’re playing pretty well.”

– Gradkowski played with Jeff Garcia in Tampa, has comparable dedication to preparation and also has a similar style, as Tollner noted in his media session.

Perhaps Garcia wanted no part of the Raiders _ his demeanor in training camp suggested he regretted ever signing the contract _ but you wonder if he’s regretting requesting his release. He would not only be the starting quarterback if still on the roster, but his presence may have forced the issue with Russell even sooner.

– You think it’s easy being Cable? Forget the concern over whether Gradkowski will make things better on Sunday. Instead, you worry about making it that far and without getting a phone call from the boss that says, “I changed my mind. JaMarcus is starting.”

Q: What can you tell us about Bruce Gradkowski?

Tollner: Well, first thing I did was watch a lot of the Tampa film before he came here just to get a feel for him, because he had some game time experience when they had some injuries. He played well. He hasn’t played a lot in the NFL, but he played well, and we were excited about bringing him here to compete for some backup playing time, and he’s worked hard, and done a lot of good things, and we’ve been struggling, so we’re really looking to see whether he’s going to bring a spark, and he’s going to get an opportunity.

What happens out here in practice versus what happens on Sunday can be totally different, so we just want to see what he can bring to the table. Obviously we’re not happy with where we are for a lot of reasons, and not just JaMarcus, for a lot of reasons, so you make, Tom’s talked to you about that, now he gets an opportunity, and we’ll see what he brings to the table. I mean, out here, he’s got composure and command of our system, even though he hasn’t got nearly the number of snaps JaMarcus has to this point, but he understands it, and he’s anxious to see what happens on game day.

Q: Run the same offense as if JaMarcus was on the field, or use plays that accentuate Gradkowski’s specific strengths?

Tollner: Well, it’s pretty much the same, but, obviously, we talk to them tall the time, within the package, where’s your comfort zone based on how they handle it out here, and each of them, have, within the system we haven’t changed anything, it’s just you might draw a little bit more here, one guy may like this on third down, one guy may like that. As long as it complements what we’re trying to do and it’s in our system, then we would try to, that’s the way, if we’re going to, if we swing it one way or the other that’s how it would be, but it wouldn’t be to change dramatically anything.

Each guy brings a little bit something else to the table that he likes to do, certain routes he likes, certain kinds of movement he likes, protections, and you try and give that to him within the system. So, to answer you, there’s no real dramatic changes but you may pull a little heavier from one area than the other.

Every week we go into it with a dropback plan, a playaction plan, a movement plan, a screen plan, a third-down plan, a red zone plan, and then within that there’s a group of plays, and we’re always, we like them for a reason, but you always want to get a feedback from them, what do you feel good about. Normally my experience, certain things they like, and they kind of take ownership of it. They want that called more often, so that’s the only way that would be affected.

Q: Cable says getting ball to wideouts was key . . .for whatever reason wasn’t happening with JaMarcus, will it get better with Gradkowski?

Tollner: There’s no question we’ve got to get them involved, but last week, we had some opportunities for them, and JaMarcus made some beautiful throws. I mean, you think about the one down the boundary that was called back for kind of a tripping call, that if you looked at it, it was a hell of a throw that he made. And the deep one he made that was dropped, so he made some plays, but that’s kind of been what happened for us this year. When one guy makes his part of it, somebody else doesn’t.

Or sometimes we made a play and we had a penalty, so both guys, as far as the thrower and the receiver made a play, but there was a penalty somewhere else. So the combination of all that, but the bottom line is what Tom did say, we need to find a way to get our receivers involved in a consistent basis so they don’t gang up on run and Zach.

Q: Might be a good thing as a young QB to sit back and watch?

Tollner: I don’t think there’s any question that that’s accurate. Even a veteran sometimes, the game, there’s so much stress and pressure every week, and all of it, in that position, is more than probably fair, falls on that position. We all know how that goes.

Sometimes to step back, and watch and see, can be very positive. I’ve seen where it happened to veteran guys where it turned out being positive, but it definitely can help a younger guy who hasn’t really gotten that many years and that many games behind him to stand back and watch the game and look a it from that perspective. That’s what we’re hoping for.

Q: Is it a similar situation to your time in San Francisco with No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, with Shaun Hill a career backup?

Tollner: I think to some degree there is. Now when I was with them, Shaun was competing and he kept getting hurt so he was kind of eliminated through the injury but he was able to stand back and watch. Shaun did some things that maybe Alex didn’t do and now Alex’s getting a turn.

I haven’t studied it but I guess he’s performing pretty well right now so I think that would be a fair example of what you hope happens when a guy steps back. They’re kind of in the same role, first pick in the draft and you hear all the controversy about all the things that are said and they have to be strong willed because they hear so much negative. I know Alex went through it and JaMarcus goes through it but I do think stand back, evaluate and when you do get that next chance, make that be a positive experience that you stood back.

Q: What does Bruce bring what to the table?

Tollner: The thing you have to be careful of is he’s played and he’s come in when the we were behind so you get out of your normal in-sync rhythm of what you want to do to mix run and pass, now he’s going to start a game, and we get a chance to see him in that condition instead of throw every down. But what I did see when he got a chance to play in Tampa is that he can do that. He can handle the run, the play-action pass, the two-minute system, pretty much he’s been kind of in a two-minute role, when he played, and that’s totally different. When it’s a two-minute and you’re behind, you’re going to complete some balls, and he’s done well when he’s in that roll. Now you start the game, there’s an altogether different pressure on you to perform and he’s excited about the opportunity and we’re anxious to see how he does.

Q: Way he moves, similar to Garcia? Similarities?

Tollner: To some degree there is, and he admires Jeff Garcia from their time at Tampa together and they were good friends, and yes, he does have some of that stuff, that make it happen if it gets out of rhythm, you’ve got a rhythm to every pass, and some guys like it when the rhythm isn’t there and they push and they scramble and they find a third guy and they check it down, and he likes to do that, and that sometimes gives you a real bonus play. We’re anxious to see if that happens now, because the way he’s in a game to this point for us, he couldn’t do that because we needed to make bigger plays and score points because we didn’t have that much time left in the game.

Q: See different energy today with a QB change?

Tollner: Well, from Bruce, but no, our players are good, they’re going to support who’s in there. They want to win, and if Tom made the decision to look a different direction right now, all they want is like any player, they want everybody to do their job and perform and they hope that Bruce will bring something to the table that will give us a chance to win, and that’s the whole purpose of it. So to say it’s a different energy, no. They were the same way with JaMarcus in my opinion, and they wanted him to be successful. He’s their quarterback, we want to win. I don’t know what was said behind closed doors but I know what I see on the field and they’re supportive of the guy that’s playing.

Q: Can he make all the throws?

Tollner: He does, what little bit, I think he got 15 starts or so at Tampa, and he’s done those kind of things, on our practice field, he has, now we have to see in this situation, with our players, can you do it. He can physically do it, but when you get the competition on the field, especially a good Cincinnati team that’s playing good defense right now, you get to really evaluate it, is he ready for it or not? We obviously believe he brings that to the table now or Tom wouldn’t have made the decision to look at him this week. Now he’s going to get the opportunity to prove it.

Q: Expand playbook, keep the same . . .

Tollner: We talked about that earlier. It’s basically the same but you may draw different parts on it based on what they like and what we think they do, so there may be some, but as far as the overall plan, no. We just need to execute it better. That would be a more accurate assessment.

It’s just that they didn’t feel much like talking about it on Thursday.

During the 45 minutes allotted the media for an open locker room session, players were few and far between. Most were practice squad players and non-starters. Slade Norris seems like a nice enough guy, but his opinion on the quarterback switch isn’t particularly relevant.

Justin Fargas quickly came through the door, made his way to his locker, grabbed something then bolted toward the off-limits area near the equipment room.

With Gradkowski and Tollner talking to the media outside the locker room, it gave players plenty of time make quick stop at their lockers to drop off equipment and then stay hidden from view.

That included JaMarcus Russell, who is no longer obligated to speak to the media by virtue of his new status as the backup quarterback.

Wide receiver Chaz Schilens walked toward the open area, only to see media members, do a neat reverse pivot and then recede from view. Hopefully he didn’t blow out another metatarsal. Richard Seymour strolled past in a hallway, took a quick look and kept walking.

Defensive linemen came in after a short meeting and most quickly exited.

Left tackle Mario Henderson was an exception, taking off his headphones to ask a few questions. During training camp, Henderson took exception to criticism of Russell and stories of about his weight and lack of a work ethic. He said they weren’t true then, and he sees the same teammate now.

“He hasn’t changed. You couldn’t really tell if he’s playing or not playing, that’s a good thing,” Henderson said. “He’s still keeping a positive attitude, nothing changes with him when he comes in during practice. He’s keeping the same demeanor, the same attitude, so everything has pretty much been the same.”

On most teams, a media relations staff has a plan of action after things such as a quarterback change. They’ll send out a few players perceived as leaders, who will vow their support for the new starter while at the same time back the former starter and remind everyone that it isn’t all his fault.

The deposed starter is advised things will go a lot better in the court of public opinion should he answer a few questions, even if he does little else but say he’s disappointed and will keep working to get better.

That isn’t how the Raiders roll.

Good or bad, the less said the better.

For whatever reason, things tend to loosen up a little on Friday.

More to come from Gradkowski and Tollner sessions as well as post-practice briefing from coach Tom Cable . . .

– Considering the state of the economy and the Raiders current state of affairs, it’s no shocker that the club and the Joint Powers Authority reached agreement on a three-year extension.

It’s also an indication that for whatever rumors exist about the financial instability of the franchise under Al Davis, there isn’t a buyer lined up to purchase the club and move it to Los Angeles in the foreseeable future.

Also guessing the current rock-bottom status of the team in terms of butts in the seats somehow benefitted the Raiders in this deal.

Coach Tom Cable on the lease extension: “I think it’s important any time you know your hometown team is going to be there. As I mentioned when I got this job, we need to get this team going to give something back to Oakland so they have something to be excited about, for people to come to the games and buy the tickets and do all those things that you want as an organization. So I think it’s very important.”

Unless the Gradkowski news prompts a flood of ticket requests, blackout No. 5 should be announced Thursday.

– Read Cable’s words closely and while he won’t come out and say it, is there any doubt that all the talk of JaMarcus Russell’s poor work ethic is far more accurate than his passes on a given Sunday?

Cable’s been hinting at it all year and has never come out and say it. Given the way he’s talked up the dedication of Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye, he never had to. His message is clear enough without taking on Russell directly in the media.

Davis also thinks a crisis point has been reached, otherwise he would have never either reccommended it or gone along with it. It also gives him a chance at a future press conference to say how Cable erred when he benched Russell.

– Insteresting to see how Russell handles the situation. Ideally, he’ll stand tall, take some responsibility and vow to get better. If he gets good advice, he’ll do exactly that.

– Chaz Schilens will start at wide receiver in place of Louis Murphy, and not Darrius Heyward-Bey. The rationale is is Murphy and Schilens play the same position, although passing game coordinator Ted Tollner said the positions are essentially interchangable.

Russell has never had any sort of chemistry with Heyward-Bey, at least not during training camp or any regular-season games. He and Murphy seemed to have something going early, but in the last few weeks Russell couldn’t develop any timing with either man.
– Last week, cornerback Chris Johnson told media members not to forget that if the Raiders went unbeaten in the second half, they would finish 10-6. His sights were still set high on Wednesday when discussing what the Raiders must do on defense in light of the struggles of the offense.

“The defense is fine,’’ Johnson said. “What we have to do is with the turnovers we get, we’ve got to make sure we try to get in the end zone. Or not let the offense in the end zone and we win 3-0. that’s our mentality now.

“If not score, then set up a score. If we do that the rest of the seven games, I think we’ll be all right.’’

– Heyward-Bey has no plans on going Ochocinco on the Raiders in terms of being a flamboyant personality, but conceded the Bengals wide receiver has at least one fan who is also a Raiders fan.

“ It works for him. I know my mom likes it,” Heyward-Bey said. “So, whatever works for him, that’s good, because whatever you got to do on and off the field to make your play good, that’s what you got to do.”

– Still no sign of LB Ricky Brown or WR/KR Nick Miller, who didn’t practice. Nor did free safety Hiram Eugene, who had a shoulder injury.

The good news is veteran defensive end Greg Ellis was limited and could possibly play against Cincinnati, Cable said. Also, Michael Huff’s ankle which necessitated an MRI, is apparently fine. He made it through the entire practice.

Q: Why make the change?

Cable: Just felt like he would give us the best chance to win, and we need to get to playing better offensively and win football games.

Q: Is this a long-term switch or something that is week to week?

Cable: No, I don’t want to be like that. This is where we’re headed and what we’re going to do, and he’ll take this team and go with it.

Q: How did JaMarcus take the news?

Cable: Disappointed, as you would expect him to be. But explained to him why and the reasons behind it, and the decision’s final, and this is where we’re going to go. And he came out today and worked hard and did what he needed to do.

Q: What do you want to see from Russell when he’s not starting?

Cable: I really think it’s all those things, still prepare as a starter, just as Bruce and Charlie do. Really get yourself ready to play on Sunday. He’ll be the No. 2 guy. So if something happens or he’s needed, he’s got to be ready to go.

Q: What does Bruce bring to the table?

Cable: I just think his leadership, his management, understanding of what we’re trying to do… accuracy. Just a lot of those intangible-type things, and give him a chance to get all the reps and go out and build some chemistry with the receivers.

Q: Does the offense change for Gradkowski?

Cable: No, I don’t think so. I think we stay the course, look for getting more completions, those kinds of things.

Q: How did Gradkowski look today and how much will he benefit from first-team reps?

Cable: Well, I expect him to benefit greatly, getting all that work, and he looked really good today.

Q: Gradkowski said he began to get more reps last week. Why?

Cable: Just really come out of the bye week having as much preparation time, with extra time, getting more guys work.

Q: How much of this decision has to do with Russell’s inability to get wide receivers involved in the offense?

Cable: Well, I think that was the primary concern. Just feel like we’ve got some guys out there, albeit had a rough day on Sunday, dropping the ball. But we’ve got guys open, and I think we’re getting better in understanding what we’re doing. So we’ve got to put the ball in their hands and find a way to do that, and I think this will give us an opportunity to do that.

Q: Can simply switching quarterbacks do something to spark the offense?

Cable: Well certainly. You know, certainly. I think everyone right now wants to have something to hold onto and believe in and I think that this is a step in the right direction.

Q: How did Bruce handle the backup role?

Cable: Very well. I mean, he and Charlie are absolutely pros. I mean, they’re here all the time. They’re here early. They’re here late. They study. They watch film. They talk about it. They draw it up. They involve they’re teammates to a great degree. Just what you’d expect.

Q: All those characteristics you speak of, is that where JaMarcus is coming up short?

Cable: Well, I think this – I think those guys helped him in that area, in terms of putting in the time and what it takes to be prepared.

Q: What did Al Davis say about the move, and did you go back and forth on it?

Cable: No, no. He left this up to me; this is my decision. We talked about it and he supported it.

Q: How much does it help to have the autonomy to make that kind of decision?

Cable: Well, I think it’s important. At the same time, as we all know, it’s important to include him in everything so he knows what’s going on with this football team.

Q: Do you still see JaMarcus as the future of this team?

Cable: That’s my hope. This is in no way giving up on the guy. This is just trying to jumpstart this team and really break it down and make a decision based on what gives us the best chance to win.

Q: How much help do you need from the receivers to make this work?

Cable: We have to catch the ball. We can’t have any drops. Between them and the running backs, we have to catch it and I think we will. We can’t emphasize catching the ball more than we do, really. We do it before practice, after practice, during practice. So it’s just a matter of believing you’re going to do it and getting it done.

Q: Is JaMarcus your No. 2 quarterback now?

Cable: Yes.

Q: Did you agonize over the decision to bench JaMarcus?

Cable: It was an easy decision because I feel the responsibility for this football team to give them the best chance to succeed.

Q: Is Charlie Frye in the mix at all?

Cable: Sure he was. I think you have to look at the whole picture in order to make the right choice.

Q: Was JaMarcus benched for any reasons other than what took place on the field?

Cable: No at the end of the day it’s what we do on game days that matter and that’s all I based it on.

It’s hard to look at the schedule and conclude we’ve seen the last of Russell this season.

Over the next three weeks, the Raiders host Cincinnati (7-2), travel to Dallas (6-3) on short rest for Thanksgiving and then play at Pittsburgh (6-3).

It makes for a nice story to see the underdog quarterback jumpstart a sagging offense, delivering the ball smartly to wide receivers and engineering some competitive games and maybe even a win or two.

Let’s keep in mind Gradkowski has yet to lead the Raiders to a touchdown, and in his last start _ for the Cleveland Browns last season against Pittsburgh _ completed 5 of 16 passes for 18 yards, was sacked three times, intercepted twice and had a quarterback rating of 1.0 in a 31-0 loss.

That’s not meant to be critical of Gradkowski so much as illustrate he hasn’t exactly played for NFL powers of late, having bounced from Tampa Bay to St. Louis (he was cut before playing a game) to Cleveland last December before joining the Raiders.

If the offense continues to struggle over over the next few games, which end in one-sided defeats, look for the company line to be that Russell has cleared his head, improved his work ethic and is ready to return.

On Dec. 13, the Raiders host the Washington Redskins before road games at Denver and Cleveland, allowing Russell a chance to pull out of a tailspin much as he did last season.