Patience is key with Russell: Guest Writer
Written by Levi "Dizzle" Damien   
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 12:19

Photo by Patrick Patterson
A second year starting quarterback who is part of a team's weekly game-plan usually doesn't post a faint 35.2% completion rate after two games.

But in Russell's defense he did produce when it really counted-- in the final minutes of the past two games. He threw a 57 yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Louis Murphy against San Diego in their week one loss, and led the Raiders to a 9-play, 54 yard game-winning drive against the Chiefs at Arrowhead last Sunday.

Russell claimed the ball was "coming out funny" against Kansas City. An observer may claim that his career thus far has been, "coming out funny".

The Raiders signal-caller had enough tenacity to overcome a head-coaching change, as well as three different offensive coordinators since entering the NFL in 2007. Russell is entering his third year as a pro, but only his second as a starter. He missed nearly his entire first season due to the drawn out contract dispute during what should have been his rookie campaign of which he played in just two games.

Is there enough evidence to judge Russell just yet? That is arguable. Just look back on Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco's success last season. Both played well enough to get their team to the playoffs. And although both were eventually eliminated, a solid rookie season expectation was set. Both Flacco and Ryan had a completion rate above 60 percent. A level of which Russell was able to reach in the final two weeks of the 2008 season.

Certainly, Russell was supposed to look better by now. The Raiders gave him Paul Hackett as a quarterbacks coach, who has taught some of the best, such as Joe Montana. Ted Tollner, whose NFL resume includes teaching quarterbacks as well, was also brought in as the new passing game coordinator.

The problem may be Russell getting to the comfort level he was at the end of last season with Cable as the play-caller, scribbling through former head coach Lane Kiffin's playbook. This is not a make a break year for JaMarcus Russell , even if some pull out the bust labels early. He will need to improve, but it's not like Al Davis is itching to sit him.

Eli Manning’s play was questioned up until he won a Superbowl for the Giants. A game that was decided on one of the best drives in Superbowl history in which Manning was clutch. If nothing else, Russell has been clutch so far this season for the Raiders. There is still hope, and much more football to play.

Patience is a virtue.

--AJ DeMello, TFDS Guest Contributor



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Comments (7)Add Comment
a HS QB could have made those throws in the 4th
written by KUSH, September 23, 2009
refer to the title of my comment above. it's the truth. Our young receivers were able to get open regularly, only to get overthrown all day. Once the 4th quarter comes, JR looks so great? no, the recievers were still getting wide open, such as Murphy on MNF. Charlie Frye could have been the offensive hero of the night.(until the defense screwed it up).

same goes with in KC.. what QB wouldn't have been able to hit a WIDE OPEN WATKINS up the middle?! or a 10 yard ppass to DMAC up the middle?! then to cap it off.. a little fling left to DMAC. I was actually suprised that he didn't mess that one up with the way he was playing that day.

I'm truly not trying to bash on the kid, I know he has potential, we ALL SAW IT LAST YEAR. I am just putting my hopes on that there's something going on there with him inernally that no one knows about(Jerry McDonald made the point)... and it's just something very temperary that will fix itself by THIS WEEKEND :X He was lost last season, for being a rookie, and is still looking that way, only worse because the receivers are actually creating space between their defender quite often, unlike last year when he only had Ashley Lelie, Walker, and Curry as a starting lineup for the first 10 games or so... I don't know, if we want to beat the Donkeys this weekend, he has to get better quick, or it will be an eyesore of a game.
...
written by RaiderDoc, September 23, 2009
Man DeMello, I just don't think you get it. It's not that he was suppose to look better by now. It's that he looks horrendous! I would be 100% in his corner if he was even an average 2nd or 3rd year man by now. Hell, I'd be neutral (not happy, but not truly annoyed) if he were even an average first year player. But he's not even close to that. He flat out misses throws college bench warmers are expected to make. I don't think I have ever seen a less accurate QB in my life. I challenge you to name one QB currently collecting an NFL paycheck who you would take Russell over for a game to be played tomorrow.

Kush - You are right on. In the 4th quarter he didn't do anything spectacular. He did what ANY normal QB would have done. The receivers he hit were wide open. Then again, maybe that is his strategy. Throw the ball so bad all day that it lulls the corners to sleep then actually throw a semi accurate pass on the last drive. Hmmm... maybe Russell is actually a genius. Maybe he is just like Dewey in Scream.

"How do you know that my dim witted inexperience isn't merely a subtle form of manipulation used to lower peoples' expectations thereby enhancing my
ability to affectively menuever within any given situation? Deputy Dwight 'Dewey' Riley (or was it JaMarcus Russell)
...
written by Desert Raider, September 23, 2009
I like Russell and I hope that he pulls it together. We are not asking him to carry the offense we just need him to make enough basic throws to keep the opposing defense honest and let our defense get some rest. 24 attempts, what is that 6 passes a quarter? Make good decisions, hit the open man that is the extent of his responsibilities. So far his decision making is great but he is just not making the throws. Hopefully he gets over whatever is going on and starts hitting targets.

Bowe's comment
written by BlackSunday, September 24, 2009
I tend to agree with Dwaine Bowe from my perspective that he is a quit and slow learner. the thing I like about Russell is he does seem to protect the ball by over throwing everyone on the field.

No seriously, he needs a little more time with this some what new offense and two new rookie wides. I saw a lot of bad throws but I also saw bad routes from the receivers. It's easy to get wide open when you have to change your pattern because the DB in front of you knew exactly where you are going. I saw Russell adjust to those moments, but I don't want to back up his play too much, because he did not play well or throw accurately.

When Russell settles in and starts connecting he looks like one of the best QB's in the league. Hell, I think we should be talking about Mcfadden just as much as a disappointment so far. How come every time Bush sets up a screen Russell finds him, but when McFadden does it, it is either tipped or overthrown. I think because everyone knows what they are trying to do on offense and both Mcfadden and Russell need to work on a connection. Notice the recievers that went to Russell camp seem to get more accurate throws than the ones who didn't.
...
written by BlackSunday, September 24, 2009
clarifying on Bowe's comment. He said that it took Russell some time to adjust to his environment and start leading the team. I have seen this in him this season which I think means that Russell is starting to see the right things out there and this gives him confidence.

Next is settling in the pocket and learning to check down more often, or at least try and not lead the play where it's going, like Gannon pointed out.
excuses, excuses
written by NvRaiderFan, September 24, 2009
Hey Kush, starting to feel j-russ is not the QB we all thought he was? I have been down on this guy alot, then in one preseason game I defended him. That won't happen again! This guy sucks! period. There is no way to excuse his horrible play, none. I have never seen a QB (at any level HS, Col, NFL) miss throws as bad as Russ does. Right now my HS team has a really bad QB, he still can hit a wide open WR. Did you all hear Zack Miller say that KC was playing double TE bracket? That means the WRs had one on one coverage and it also means one of the backs were not covered at all. Russ never even scans the field. He looks one way, looks for one WR,TE,RB and throws that way. This guy will be washing cars down south in a matter of a few years. The bad thing about him being out of the NFL is he will still be rich. What a shame.
I'm not sold on JaMarcus
written by ctheraiderfan, September 24, 2009
When I saw JR throw three bad screen passes to DMac, I saw the writing on the wall. Every offseason you are supposed to work on making your weaknesses stronger and he hasn't done it. His WR's are open constantly now and he can't even hit them consistantly enough. He's done some good thngs when it counted but he needs to carry that for the whole game. Until he consistent over an 8 to 10 game stretch, I'm not sold on him....

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