Oakland Raiders' Struggles Continue

Just when you think that after upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles at home the Oakland Raiders would actually take a look a realize the potential they have on this roster. However, with the New York Jets coming into Alameda County Coliseum, it was a totally different Raiders team than the week before.
The struggles for Jamarcus Russell continued this week. In the first quarter, Russell managed to lose a fumble and throw two interceptions to put the Jets up two touchdowns early; Not only was Russell having a bad day, but the Oakland defense had an even tougher day by allowing more than 315 yards of rushing offense for the Jets, an NFL record. Russell would end the day 6 completions to 11 attempts with 2 interceptions. Backup QB Brad Gradkowski would finish out the shutout loss, with a not so good performance as well.
As the publisher of this blog, I deserve time to present my opinion about the Quarterback troubles the Oakland Raiders are dealing with. Week after week I am hearing about the terrible performances that Jamarcus Russell is putting on, and then when you want maybe a spark from your bench, Brad Gradkowski is your only man. I am positively sure that every Raider fan is asking, "Why release Jeff Garcia?" It is a legitimate question, especially when this specific player provides so much beneficial qualities to a team. Jeff Garcia not only knows how to play the game of football, but he knows how to think the game as well. He provides this young team with a mentor, veteran, winner, trusting teammate, and a great team player in the locker room.
Releasing Jeff Garcia was a huge mistake, especially when you know the lack of preparation and professionalism that Russell allows himself to commit. It is a matter of time to see how Russell will turn out, but when someone as good and knowledgeable as Jeff Garcia is passed on, you know there is something absolutely wrong with the way this team is being run.
Consistency is the main focus for the Raiders, they need to keep that intensity going after an upset like that, because now the Raiders leave that game thinking what happened since last week? Cable stated that Russell will remain the starter verse the Chargers in San Diego next week, If we can play the way we did in the first week of the season vs. the Chargers then we may have a shot, but with the crowd and how our rushing defense has been performing, it may be another long day for this Oakland Raiders team.

Upset in Oakland; Russell & Defense Improve

The statements from Antonio Pierce after the 44-7 beat down of the Raiders really must have given Oakland the intensity they needed to finally pull of this upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Pierce, who said that the game between the Giants and the Raiders seemed like a scrimmage, definitely was a reason why the Raiders stepped up there game, and fought through the whole game to finish on top.
This is a huge upset win for them, especially when no one expected the Raiders to win this one in the first place; The Raiders had to regroup as a unit and execute in every way they could. The 80+ yard touchdown catch by Zach Miller was the game changing performance because it seems as if the team's intensity level rose and knew that they had a chance in this game.
Last weeks entry about Jamarcus Russell is still a discussion that people should talk about, because even though he put up steady numbers throughout the game on Sunday, he was still a little shaky throwing those two interceptions.
The defense saved Russell from those mistakes as linemen Jay Richardson, Richard Seymour, Trevor Scott and linebacker Thomas Howard all sacked Donovan McNabb for a total of 6 sacks throughout the game. What is even more impressive is the fact that the defense was playing without team captain Nnamdi Asomugha because of an eye injury.
You see these second year quarterbacks that have grown and matured as superstar players, for example, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco; they both understand their offense and have excelled tremendously in the careers so far, changing the whole outlook of their teams. However, three years in the league, Jamarcus Russell has had some up and down battles, where he is streaky in his good and bad performances. In Russell's defense, he is still in his learning stage as a starting quarterback, however, unlike Ryan or Flacco, Russell does not have the weapons like the Falcons or Ravens have on their roster.
Week 7 game against the New York Jets will be a huge game for the Raiders to win at home, although with more things to improve on this team, to come together and beat a decent team, with rookie Mark Sanchez and a great defense, would be a great turnaround for this Oakland Raiders team.

Jamarcus Russell: Potential or Bust

The last two weeks of the 2008 NFL season, Jamarcus Russell and the Oakland Raiders beat the Houston Texans, a team they have not beat since the Texans started their franchise. Then Jamarcus, along with a strong running game from Michael Bush, end the playoff hopes for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those two games were a defining moment in the expectations this young team was going to have for themselves in the 2009 season.
The media would criticize Russell over and over about his weight or his experience as a a starting quarterback for an NFL team. It seemed that people began to have some hopes about our production in the 2009 season; all of the sudden the mood has changed in a very drastic way. What is interesting is that the mood of the fans not only changed, but the actual leadership that is required for Russell to have among his teammates seems to be absolutely gone.
It's so hard to say something like this, because you think your overall draft pick will benefit your team, however, Jamarcus Russell is a completely different story.
According to ESPN Week 5 Notes, written by Bill Williamson, "Oakland quarterback Jamarcus Russell threw just 13 times;, it tied the NFL low for passing attempts by a team that lost by 35 points or more."
Besides the low pass attempts, Russell forced three fumbles, in which it looked like the ball barely fell out of his hands; almost to the point where he is not even trying; not saying it's true, however, after observing the game, it seemed that way. Again, It is up to management to find the right pieces to make this football team work. Al Davis, saying he wants Russell to start and be his star is, obviously, not the right choice. There is a big question that needs to be answered, why release Jeff Garcia? You never want to condemn players, because maybe they have to deal with a lot of pressure, but that doesn't mean players handle it in an unprofessional way, but prove themselves in every way to be a great player and teammate. Although Russell shut the media up after those last two games of the 2008 season, the media now have a real reason for why Russell is the worst quarterback in the NFL.

Oakland Raiders: Heros to Zeroes

To speak about the feelings fan have had about the Oakland Raiders in this last decade, they would obviously have mixed feelings. Good times and bad times are a simple way of putting the Raiders last ten seasons, of course, there are those certain things about our history that have affected our present woes of today. You can't quite name all of them, because there are a number of famous moments, but to name a few, including the AFC Championship verse the Patriots dubbed "The Worst Call of All Time" (you what I speak of). The case of Barret Robbins, former starting center of the Superbowl XXXVII Raiders team who for some reason disappeared hours before the game started. It wasn't Robbins fault for the most part, because it was from Gannon's arm that three interceptions were caught and taken to the house.
What is important is that it all comes down to management, decisions such as the firing of Jon Gruden basically set our fate for the Superbowl, and it continues with the hiring of Tom Cable. In these last seven years, the Raiders seemed to be at the bottom of the football food chain, in which they had no way to go but up, but now it just looks like this organization had sunk deeper than ever before.
It is certain that Raider fans and their faith for the Silver and Black is as high as it could ever be, but changes need to be in order. Not to crash the party and degrade the Hall of Fame coach and owner in Al Davis, because he has many accomplishments that are still to this day cherished, but it seems that Davis is still living in the past. It is a matter of recruiting, and finding the right personnel to fit in to the right places. The Oakland Raiders, due to the decisions in personnel and lack of pride have made this team heroes to zeroes. The future will hold the key.

Remaining Schedule Looks Bleak for Raiders Hopes

Oakland-
The next three weeks for the Oakland Raiders looks pretty bleak, especially when players are looking to improve from their 44-7 loss to the New York Giants. What is interesting about the remaining schedule is that the team has to look forward to playing the whole NFC East, which happened to be called "the most physical division in the NFL" last season. The only chance the Raiders could win again would be against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 10. To only make matters worse, the Broncos are 5-0 coming off a huge win against superstar Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. With Kyle Orton unexpectedly having a pro bowl year, Raiders really have no other teams that they have a chance of beating. After the first week of the season, the Raiders seemed to play like a whole different team with the physical game against the San Diego Chargers, however it has gone downhill from there.
As a Raiders fan, it is hard to hear about their woes each day, especially with how bad Jamarcus Russell is playing and the whole fiasco regarding head coach Tom Cable and the alleged assault on a fellow assistant coach.
Colin Cowherd, co-host of Sportsnation on ESPN, said it best. "In the NFL, there are three important positions that make a football team what it is: The owner, head coach, and the quarterback. The raiders have Al Davis, Tom Cable, and Jamarcus Russell, respectively the three worst in their positions."
It hurt my feelings to have to hear something like that, but Cowherd could not have been more right.