Gradkowski (1 Viewer)

[saintsfan]

I own McFadden and Russell has been so bad, that I firmly believe that Gradkowski HAS to be better.

Not sure how/why Russell beat out Jeff Garcia, but Garcia wanted to leave when it became obvious that he didn't have a chance to win the job.

So when does the coaching staff realize that Russell is the biggest problem? Gradkowski wouldn't be great, but I'm betting he could complete some short passes and maybe move the chains a bit. Certainly better than 61 yards passing.

 

[Avery]

I own McFadden and Russell has been so bad, that I firmly believe that Gradkowski HAS to be better.

Not sure how/why Russell beat out Jeff Garcia, but Garcia wanted to leave when it became obvious that he didn't have a chance to win the job.

So when does the coaching staff realize that Russell is the biggest problem? Gradkowski wouldn't be great, but I'm betting he could complete some short passes and maybe move the chains a bit. Certainly better than 61 yards passing.

Point of fact is this decision is not up to the coaching staff.Never has been.

 

[Buffaloes]

I own McFadden and Russell has been so bad, that I firmly believe that Gradkowski HAS to be better.

Not sure how/why Russell beat out Jeff Garcia, but Garcia wanted to leave when it became obvious that he didn't have a chance to win the job.



So when does the coaching staff realize that Russell is the biggest problem? Gradkowski wouldn't be great, but I'm betting he could complete some short passes and maybe move the chains a bit. Certainly better than 61 yards passing.

They probably already know this. Too bad it's not up to them (allegedly) to make the coaching decision necessary to pull Russell.

 

[Buffaloes]

I own McFadden and Russell has been so bad, that I firmly believe that Gradkowski HAS to be better.

Not sure how/why Russell beat out Jeff Garcia, but Garcia wanted to leave when it became obvious that he didn't have a chance to win the job.

So when does the coaching staff realize that Russell is the biggest problem? Gradkowski wouldn't be great, but I'm betting he could complete some short passes and maybe move the chains a bit. Certainly better than 61 yards passing.

Point of fact is this decision is not up to the coaching staff.Never has been.

 

[Avery]

As a caveat, how bad has it gotten when people are looking at Bruce Gadkowski as their ray of hope?

 

[Knobs]

This is another example why nobody of significance wants to coach in Oakland.

 

[Vicktimized]

When do the Raiders send a draft pick to Philly for Garcia?

 

[Black]

When do the Raiders send a draft pick to Philly for Garcia?

or Mike Bush to WAS for Campbell...

 

[losbastardos]

As a caveat, how bad has it gotten when people are looking at Bruce Gadkowski as their ray of hope?

That sums this up nicely. They are going to stick with Russell for much longer then everyone thinks. I dont think Al Davis will not giveup on him so easily.

 

[Casting Couch]

I love what the Raiders have done this off-season, especially the hiring of Tom Cable.

But picking DHB instead of addressing the O-line was a big mistake.

The other monster blunder was eliminating all depth at QB behind "Bust" Russell.

Garcia would have been a nice starting QB for this current Raider offense.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I love what the Raiders have done this off-season, especially the hiring of Tom Cable.But picking DHB instead of addressing the O-line was a big mistake.The other monster blunder was eliminating all depth at QB behind "Bust" Russell.Garcia would have been a nice starting QB for this current Raider offense.

Garcia is washed up, Gradkowski sucks. The only guy I like to replace Russell is Frye. He is the most mobile of the three and has the best looking pass out of the pocket. He gives his team the opportunity to move the chains. I let you in on a secret only most Raider know. The best running back on the Raiders is M. Bush, not Mcfumble.Mcfumble gets tackled with a tickle of the finger - he goes down. He does not know how to set up a block, he runs perpendicular to pursuit, i.e. he gives the defender the angle. He tries to outrun everyone and only has one gear. Bush knows how to stop, pivot, wait, cut and dash and then shoulder with power.Bush is the guy who needs the rock 25 times a game. McFumble needs to ride the pine.But Coach Puppet, er Cableman... does not make the choices. McFumble will continue to start based on draft position, salary, and Al Davis's pride. We have three straight first round busts.

 

[Swampy]

There is a reason why the back-ups are Gradowski and Frye two 3rd team players or even practice squad types are there. The Raiders (Al Davis) dont want the pressure to put those guys in. J Russ is a sorry sack, He is a bustomatic who will start for the Raiders for the next two years at least. The Raiders never will win with Al Davis there. BUt thats a given.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

There is a reason why the back-ups are Gradowski and Frye two 3rd team players or even practice squad types are there. The Raiders (Al Davis) dont want the pressure to put those guys in. J Russ is a sorry sack, He is a bustomatic who will start for the Raiders for the next two years at least. The Raiders never will win with Al Davis there. BUt thats a given.

What bothers me about JaMarcus is his "cool" attitude. He cooly says he doesn't worry about getting benched. And why should he? Al has sworn his love to him forever until death does Al part.When in Tampa, a guy who had lead the team to the 4th best offense in yardage after the 2 weeks, then after one bad week gets demoted to third string! Not even 2nd anymore. Heck, he may be inactive next Sunday. Most NFL QB's fear for their job. Even a Brady, Favre, or Manning would sweat if they put up putrid numbers.JaMarcus is either the coolest joe out there, or he knows he can just show up 30 lbs overweight, hit the playstation for 3 hours before eating late night Taco Bell, and show up, and like, "lets go guys, go deep...trust me fellas". He may be delusional in his grandeur with all the AL-love.He so bad an aim, if he were a farmer throwing feed to chickens, he'd throw it in the pig sty and the poor chickens would starve.No fear about losing his job...Is there ANYONE else in the entire NFL that can say that?The problem is clear, until big Al loses control, Raiders fans will be held hostage to watching this pathetic offense.

 

[Rushmore]

I love what the Raiders have done this off-season, especially the hiring of Tom Cable.

But picking DHB instead of addressing the O-line was a big mistake.

The other monster blunder was eliminating all depth at QB behind "Bust" Russell.

Garcia would have been a nice starting QB for this current Raider offense.

Garcia seems as if he would be a decent fit, but didn't I read that he asked for his release from the Raiders?

 

[Fallerjw]

He looked solid last year in limited duty:

7 for 21 33.3% 26 yards 1.2 AVG 0 TD 3 INT

 

[TheWheel]

Russell is going to stay the starter and he needs to stay the starter. The Raiders have to stick with Russell because if they take out Russell they are pretty much giving up the guy and they can't do that. If the Raiders are ever going to win more they can't go out and waste another first rounder on a QB. Their offensive line is nothing to brag about and Russell fits Al Davis' offense perfectly. Russell has looked really bad, but the whole team is pretty bad. Put Russell on a better team and he is better. I'd only put Russell on the bench if they want to keep him from getting injured until they can put some protection around him.

Al Davis is trapped in a terrible paradox. He drafts athletic players that really need good coaching but can't get any good coaches. They need to get Jon Gruden back.

 

[Chief]

As I live in the East Bay, there is no word on JaMarcus being benched. Sadly.

Previous posters have it correct: This is Al's team and he will stick with Russel until its so obvious he is not an NFL QB - it could take this year and perhaps even next. Remember Todd Marinovich and Marc Wilson (my personal angst in the 80s)

Garcia wanted out because he thought he would have a chance to compete. when it became clear that Al wasn't going to have it, he jetted outta here.

Raider-fan is correct: Bush is the better back and its not even close. You may recall that at the end of the year it was when Bush really came on (due to McFadden's Toe problems) that the Raider offense start to click. Russel's ineptitude was masked by the solid running game.

Should add that Gallery's injury the past couple weeks has hurt the entire offense-line play. He was a bust at Tackle, but has been a very good Guard.

could go on, but this is making me too sad.

 

[Chaka]

The answer is never. The Raiders committed body and soul to Russell when they cut Garcia. Gradkowski will not see the field unless Russell is taken off on a stretcher.

A big stretcher.

 

[UnknownCoach]

Garcia asked for his release. Garcia was injured most of training camp and it was clear they were going to give Russell the start from the beginning. Letting him go doesnt mean they wont bench Russell if he doesnt improve and they keep losing. As much as Al Davis desires Russell to succeed, Al wants to win more.

 

[Avery]

Garcia asked for his release. Garcia was injured most of training camp and it was clear they were going to give Russell the start from the beginning. Letting him go doesnt mean they wont bench Russell if he doesnt improve and they keep losing. As much as Al Davis desires Russell to succeed, Al wants to win more.

Nobody thinks that Davis doesn't want to win. Problem is he has no idea how to do it.He clearly thinks that maintaining control of the day to day operations of the team by hiring puppets and firing those that question him, continuing to draft physical specimens over football players, and continuing to throw Russell out there is his path to success.

 

[Chaka]

Garcia asked for his release. Garcia was injured most of training camp and it was clear they were going to give Russell the start from the beginning. Letting him go doesnt mean they wont bench Russell if he doesnt improve and they keep losing. As much as Al Davis desires Russell to succeed, Al wants to win more.

Not sure how much I am willing to risk against an anonymous person on a message board but no way does Russell get benched. Particularly when Bruce Gradkowski is the backup. If Garcia were there the world would be calling for Russell's head, without him in the fold there is no reason to not stick with the $64 million dollar pie eater.Players ask for lots of things but the reason the gave Garcia his release IMO went beyond him asking for it.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

Garcia asked for his release. Garcia was injured most of training camp and it was clear they were going to give Russell the start from the beginning. Letting him go doesnt mean they wont bench Russell if he doesnt improve and they keep losing. As much as Al Davis desires Russell to succeed, Al wants to win more.

Russell has been an abomination this year, with the few flashes of competence not making up for his apparent lack of focus to getting better -- which is my biggest beef with the guy. He's not a good QB, but worse, he doesn't seem to be committed to improving -- his conditioning, his mechanics, etc.Garcia was let go not just because the team is so committed to Russell and did not want a QB controversy -- though arguably that could have factored a little into the decision. It was more because Garcia was dinged and Gradkowski beat him flat-out for the backup position in camp and preseason.As bad as Russell looks right now, the Raiders will try and see if they can put the right gameplan in to let him succeed. Schilens coming back -- the only WR Russell seemed to have great chemistry and timing may help that. The Raiders don't pull the trigger as fast as, say, Tampa Bay, true. But if they continue to lose, I am confident that Davis, Cable & Co. will have no choice but bench Russell before a weak division starts to run away from the team.Al gets a lot of flak on this board, some deserved, much not. But let's not forget he coined the phrase "Just win, baby." And if his past personnel moves have shown anything, it's that he will sacrifice the future to win now. If that includes benching Russell and ruinng whatever fragile confidence he may still have, so be it.

 

[MAC_32]

He looked solid last year in limited duty:7 for 21 33.3% 26 yards 1.2 AVG 0 TD 3 INT

If you take out the first drive of that game he had more turnovers than passing yards.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I own McFadden and Russell has been so bad, that I firmly believe that Gradkowski HAS to be better.

Not sure how/why Russell beat out Jeff Garcia, but Garcia wanted to leave when it became obvious that he didn't have a chance to win the job.

So when does the coaching staff realize that Russell is the biggest problem? Gradkowski wouldn't be great, but I'm betting he could complete some short passes and maybe move the chains a bit. Certainly better than 61 yards passing.

Buccaneers fans might disagree. I think Jeff George three years from today would be better.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Should add that Gallery's injury the past couple weeks has hurt the entire offense-line play. He was a bust at Tackle, but has been a very good Guard.could go on, but this is making me too sad.

Gallery's injury has affected consistency and timing of different sets. It's now a patchwork line, and the incumbent starter at center hasn't earned even a backup spot. Samson Satele has been a bust, not that Jake Grove was someone to cry about losing.The sad thing is the Raiders have some really good players. Talent is not the issue. Coaching is terrible. There is no accountability. Job security for the last 3 #1 picks, Russell, McFadden, and Heywood Bey is guaranteed. You can't get job security like that if you were a Federal worker. Al Davis is going to go down with his ship. I disagree with previous post that implied that Al would do whatever to "Just Win Baby". He proved last year that he was willing to fall on his sword out of spite. He knew that Lane Kiffen was not the man for the job and wanted to fire him in the offseason. But he waited until the season was lost to execute him in public. It was all a set up for a dramatic moment when big Al could do his finger waving at Lane in a press conference. As if the general public needed to see the airing of dirty laundry. The rest of the season - last year, was watching a big, short-tempered half-wit run the Raiders the way a half-wit offensive line coach could. But it is clear, he is only a lap dog.Remember the Bed and Breakfast OC we had a few years ago?, I would take that offense over this one, and that speaks volumes. As much fault in anything is the poor coaching. But that all goes back to Al Davis. He needs to retire from the game before passing away. This is not a dignified way to be remembered. I'd like to remember the glory years. There is no shame in growing old and losing your faculties. Big Al: No need to take down a whole nation of loyal followers with you into dementia.