Amazing, must read article about Russell and the Raiders

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports has written what I believe to be the most honest, balanced, accurate and fair-minded assessment of JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders organization in a long time.

It's a long read, but well worth your time, I assure you. In short: People looking just to point the finger at Russell or Cable or Davis or whoever have got it wrong. It's everyone's fault. Russell's for not being ready or working to make himself ready, Cable's for not giving him the coaching he desperately needs, and Davis' for not creating an environment where Russell can succeed.

I came away with a much better understanding of why we are where we are with JaMarcus and how we got here.

3 months ago Raybin 7 comments 0 recs |

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Everyone?

Fine if you want to blame everyone. I have no problem with that. But Al Davis is the one who got us to this point. Below is the list of reasons why Russell is struggling, and the Raiders, according to the article you referenced.

• The owner
• The coaching staff
• The personnel
• The culture
• The expectations
• The scheme

Owner – Al Davis
Coaching staff – Al Davis makes the coaches play who he wants, and the plays that he wants.
Personnel – Al Davis does the drafting and FA signings.
Culture – It starts at the top with Davis
Expectations of Russell Again, Davis does not give him the proper coaches to learn the QB, or Russell was just overrated, and is a bust for anybody
Scheme It has been confirmed that Rob Ryan was not the problem, it was Davis running the antiquated man to man defense, and the stupid vertical offense.

Sorry, but all signs point the the real reason we continue to suck. AL DAVIS

by NERAIDER on Oct 13, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the link Raybin

interesting story about JaMarcus and the Raiders. One thing is for sure Phil Savage won’t be the GM that Al Davis talked about bringing in last year.

The one thing this story makes perfectly clear as that right now the Raiders are not a professional organization and it’s hard to see them improving until that changes.

by sirbed on Oct 13, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BOO-HOO

I think someone needs to wake up Big Al from his nap,give him his soup,change his diaper and convince him(at gunpoint if necessary) that Russell’s run in Oakland is over and he should trade him straight up for Brady Quinn who given a second chance could be a pretty good qb.I am convinced that the Raiders need a qb who is a leader and is willing to put in the time on and off the field to improve.Russell probably has more talent than most but he just doesn’t seem to care and I think other players are starting to see that.Maybe a change of scenery is what both of these guys need and I for one would welcome Quinn to Oakland because I can’t stand watching Russell go 3 and out all the time then sit on the bench eating sunflower seeds with those stupid looking earrings on.I don’t know maybe its just me but i just can’t see The Snake,Plunkett,or Montana wearing earrings during a game.I don’t care what system The Raiders are running if Russell doesn’t put in the time and act like a leader what does it matter.

by bayparkphil on Oct 13, 2009 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Brady Quinn

was benched in favor of D. Anderson who happens to be the only other starting QB in this league who is statistically worse than Russell.

"RIP: UserID: 553"

by Masaryk on Oct 14, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was due to money

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on Oct 15, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Surprise

It must be a nightmare being a scout for the Raiders.

If we had any sense we’d trade anything needed to get a QB like Brady Quinn to challenge Jamarcus. I saw him play at Notre Dame and Ok, he may not be the next Montana. BUT he can play, read and release in under the 30 Seconds Jamarcus wants each play.
OK, Jamarcus may need TLC, Consistency and support. But after Holding out for Mega-Bucks pay, he needed to DELIVER! Not to suck for two and a bit years.

You can’t run if they KNOW that’s what you have to do and there is no Threat of a pass. That even if the receiver is 10 yards open, Jamarcus won’t manage to get the ball to him. 5 Yards past, 5 Yards above or 5 Yards short.

Al Davis hasn’t the brains or decency to admit the game has passed him by, that he Can’t spot talent like he once did. Kiffin didn’t want Jamarcus Al did. Kiffin is gone and Jamarcus sucks. Davis can’t appoint any decent Head coach as they would want to CHOOSE their team and then get fired if it fails. Not Get fired as Al’s team fails.

All the great future Coaches are going to bypass Oakland till Davis goes. Either to retirement or to the next life. Starting to hope that time is soon.

by Raider88uk on Oct 14, 2009 5:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You hit it right on the head…if Davis listened to any of the people HE hired (i.e. Kiffin) we would have avoided all of this to begin with…look at what happened with Davis and Jon Gruden, Gruden built a winner, but Al is so in love with the deep ball that he can’t let go and try something else. A quarterback is more than just his arm strength, JaMarcus has ZERO pocket awareness, which leads to his knack for fumbling. I think he deserves the rest of the season to try to turn it around and prove he can lead this team, but if he continues to play like this and fans continue to not buy tickets, something is going to have to give. The blame is going to fall on Russell and Cable, bottom line….Oakland will continue to suffer until Davis is gone and a competent owner takes his place.

by SilverBlackNation.com on Oct 17, 2009 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs