JaMarcus Russell News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 30

Contra Costa Times

"The passage of time, a meeting with coach Tom Cable and watching the video of Sunday's game apparently were enough to change quarterback JaMarcus Russell's stance about his level of responsibility in a 38-0 loss to the Jets. On Thursday, Russell said: "There were mistakes out there. Everybody saw that. Good or bad, take that in stride and learn from it." Russell said after Sunday's game that he was pleased with his reads and decision-making in a game in which he had two passes intercepted, lost a fumble and was replaced midway through the second quarter. He has been quick in the past to point out reasons why things didn't go well and slow to accept responsibility. Cable said he is ..."

If Raiders' Russell has the fire, he needs to show it

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October 30

Oakland Tribune

columnist Gary Peterson

"Picture this: A would-be franchise quarterback being yanked from a game gone horribly awry in front of the home fans. Now picture that guy directing a volcanic fury at his head coach. Actually, you don't have to picture that last part. You can visit YouTube at your convenience and watch then-49ers quarterback Steve Younga tirade on then-49ers coach George Seifert in 1994. "I basically broke," Young recalled in an NFL Films documentary about the '94 season. "(I) started saying things. If I were him, I would have turned around and fought me." It happened during a 40-8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers played 14 more games that season, winning 13 - the 13th being the Super Bowl. ..."

Russell buckles down in wake of Jets debacle

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October 30

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell got his first wakeup call of the week Sunday afternoon. He was benched in the second quarter of a 38-0 loss to the Jets. Russell got his second wakeup call of the week sometime before sunup Wednesday. With no outside prodding, he got to work at 6:30 a.m., earlier than ever before and 90 minutes before the first meeting. And yes, Raiders coach Tom Cable noticed. "I've seen a little more attention to some things, which is good," Cable said Thursday. "He's in here early, he's working at it. He wants to find a way to get better and bounce back." Indeed, Russell seems to now understand the error of his three-turnover ways Sunday. He admitted Thursday there ..."

Raiders teammates back Russell

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October 29

Contra Costa Times

"JaMarcus Russell's Raiders teammates remain steadfast in their belief that he is just going through a rough stretch and that he remains the best option at quarterback for a team that has lacked a proven one since Rich Gannon retired after the 2004 season. "He's fine," defensive end Jay Richardson said Wednesday. "He's a confident guy. He's understanding work ethic and what it takes to be a No. 1 quarterback. He's getting there. We all have confidence in him and confidence in our scheme and what we're doing. We'll be fine." Left offensive tackle Mario Henderson said his confidence in Russell is as high now as it was at the start of the season and that how well a quarterback plays goes hand ..."

Russell clear on why he got hook

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October 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"Tom Cable explained in great detail why he sat Russell after three first-half turnovers. First, Cable told Russell after video review. Then, he told reporters in his Monday news conference. "I think in talking today with him, he's pretty clear on what went on," Cable said. "If I know JaMarcus, he'll learn from this and he'll grow and play like he's supposed to and capable of Sunday." Cable's mind remains set on Russell as the starter at San Diego on Sunday, and presumably beyond. Asked if Russell gives the Raiders the best chance to win, Cable said, "Absolutely." So, why did Cable bench him, after being dead-set against such a move in previous games? It all started on the first snap of the ..."

Quarterback deficiencies leave 49ers, Raiders in no man's land

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October 27

Oakland Tribune

columnist Cam Inman

"ALEX SMITH VERSION 2.0 represents the Bay Area's best quarterback hope, and that's more scary than soothing, more of a trick than a treat. No knock on Smith, who's attempting a Plunkett-arian rebirth, but the 49ers and Raiders are in quarterback trouble once again. Each franchise's fall from grace is traced to instability and ineffectiveness at quarterback. That ground remains as liquefied as ever. So they're desperately squeezing every last ounce of potential from their one-time top overall draft picks: Smith (No. 1 in 2005) with the 49ers and JaMarcus Russell (No. 1 in 2007) with the Raiders. Smith, on the rebound from rock bottom, officially reclaimed his starting job Monday. Russell ..."

Raiders own up to blame in shutout defeat

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October 26

San Francisco Chronicle

"They weren't blaming others. They wanted to blame themselves for all that went horribly awry at the Coliseum. "Obviously we didn't do enough of a job during the week conveying the message of what we need to do to win," defensive end Richard Seymour said. "As one of the leaders on the team, I definitely take the responsibility." The only player who refused to play along was the one player who got benched, and that's franchise quarterback JaMarcus Russell. "I don't think it's me personally, I really don't," Russell said. "It's a bad combination of one guy doesn't do something right one time. Personally, I don't think so. "Do you?" Coach Tom Cable finally did. He sat Russell with 5:45 left in ..."

Russell takes Raiders down path of destruction

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October 26

Contra Costa Times

columnist Monte Poole

"ONE MORE week, one more chance. And not because he's earned it. Having lost the faith of a significant portion of the Raiders fan base, as well as a few teammates and coaches, JaMarcus Russell needed only 24 minutes Sunday to fumble his previously firm status as starting quarterback. A little more than nine minutes into the second quarter of a 38-0 thumping by the New York Jets, played before a sparse congregation at the Oakland Coliseum, Raiders coach Tom Cable relieved Russell of the job he has held since December 2007. Understand, there was enough embarrassment to mortify everyone drawing a Raiders paycheck, from owner/general manager Al Davis and the coaching staff, to the players and ..."

Sanchez caught dogging it

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October 26

Sacramento Bee

"Despite what Bob Griese might think, Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was not off having a taco during the fourth quarter; he was having a hot dog, with mustard, on the sideline. And while his Raiders counterpart, JaMarcus Russell, refuses to fully accept responsibility for his oft-poor play, Sanchez apologized for "hot-dogging" it late in the Jets' 38-0 win over the Raiders. "Toward the end of the game, I probably should've eaten one of those (energy) bars or something," said a contrite Sanchez. "Somebody offered (a hot dog) and I grabbed it … tried to be discreet about it. "That won't happen again." Griese, the Hall of Fame quarterback now working as an analyst for ESPN, said during ..."

Russell still refusing to take blame

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October 26

Sacramento Bee

columnist Paul Gutierrez

"For the first time in his football life, JaMarcus Russell was being told he wasn't good enough. That his mere presence on the field was essentially hurting his team. That he was being benched midway through the second quarter in Sunday's 38-0 loss to the New York Jets. Was he angry? Did he throw a fit on the sideline? Did he plead his case? What, exactly, was his reaction? "Really," answered a weary Tom Cable, who delivered the news to Russell, "there was no reaction. No reaction." Wait, what? Russell, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2007 draft, was told after five series and a 14-point deficit that journeyman Bruce Gradkowski gave the Raiders a better chance to beat the New York Jets and ..."

McNabb has advice for Russell: Keep your head up

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October 18

Sacramento Bee

"He plays in a city that booed Mike Schmidt and Santa Claus, for goodness sake, and has seen his adopted hometown and infamous teammate Terrell Owens turn on him. Plus, he was at the epicenter of one of Rush Limbaugh's many hot-button, race-related observations. (Remember? "The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.") No doubt Donovan McNabb could have JaMarcus Russell sit at his knee and offer some sage advice on how to deal with the perils and pitfalls of being a struggling and unpopular NFL quarterback. Of course, the main goal of the five-time Pro Bowl player's trip west today is for his Philadelphia Eagles to beat Russell and the Raiders. But that doesn't mean ..."

Russell not acting alone

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October 14

Contra Costa Times

columnist Monte Poole

"THREE WEEKS REMOVED from their last appearance at the Oakland Coliseum, the Raiders on Sunday return to their unhappy home, which means the trial of JaMarcus Russell is back in session. In the quarterback's last appearance before the court, a 23-3 loss to Denver on Sept. 27 at the Coliseum, he was chased off the field by an angry mob. But for those who haven't already convicted Russell on offenses ranging from fraudulent quarterbacking and false dedication to gross negligence and acute indifference, this is another opportunity to examine the full scope of evidence. Though I've knocked Russell numerous times in recent months, mostly for being clueless about responsibility, it's only fair to ..."

Field day for 'D'

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October 12

New York Post

"David Carr had some flashbacks watching JaMarcus Russell try to survive on a terrible team against the Giants' defense. "I've definitely been there," Carr said of his days in Houston. "I've been in this stadium, against these guys. It's a nightmare." One that Russell had to experience yesterday, behind a patchwork offensive line. The Giants took advantage and pushed the woeful Raiders around, getting to the former top pick for six sacks and three forced fumbles in a 44-7 thrashing. "We know they're struggling," said Justin Tuck, who had a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. "We didn't want to give them any life." Mission accomplished. Tuck and his defensive teammates ..."

Giants defense beats up on Oakland Raiders, JaMarcus Russell

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October 12

New York Daily News

"One look at the films was enough to convince the Giants' defense they had a big opportunity against the Oakland Raiders. And one look in JaMarcus Russell's eyes Sunday was enough to convince them they wouldn't waste it. They knew they could rattle the struggling third-year quarterback, and that's exactly what they did during the 44-7 rout, sacking him six times and forcing three fumbles while holding him to just 8-of-13 passing for a measly 100 yards. "We knew that if we could get to him early that it would make the whole game difficult for him," said Mathias Kiwanuka who had one of the sacks. "He has flashes of greatness on the field. We just wanted to make sure he didn't flash against ..."

Russell dismisses Esiason's criticism

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October 9

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell dismissed as inaccurate a report by CBS analyst Boomer Esiason on Sunday that Russell has been fined for being late to meetings and for being overweight. "Actually, I haven't heard it," Russell said Thursday of Esiason's claim. "That's a first for me. I don't really play into that, because I'm the guy that needs to be in there and know what it takes for the guys around (me)." Pressed to clarify, Russell said he has not missed any meetings or been fined for anything. For the record, here's what Esiason said: "It's come to my attention that (Russell) has been fined heavily already for being overweight and for being late to meetings," Esiason said. "And, ..."

The backup still has the starter's back

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October 1

Sacramento Bee

"Bruce Gradkowski has seen this all before - from both sides. In starting 12 of the 20 NFL games in which he's appeared since his rookie season in 2006, and riding the bench in 31 others, Gradkowski has a certain perspective on what JaMarcus Russell is enduring. Cheered one minute, jeered the next. The toast of the town one crisp fall afternoon, being told "you stink" by a chanting crowd of thousands a few afternoons later. Indeed, there is no more popular guy in the room - be it locker rooms or chat rooms - than the No. 2 quarterback when the starter is struggling. Even if simply pulling the plug is not the be-all and end-all answer. "The fans, you gotta love them, because they just want ..."

No tussle over Russell; he'll start

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September 29

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders coach Tom Cable is standing by JaMarcus Russell as his man, for better or worse - and it has been far more of the latter this season. "You know, I haven't thought about that yet," Cable said when asked if he'd bench Russell after Sunday's 23-3 loss to the visiting Broncos. Never mind that Russell threw for 61 yards, the third fewest in his 20 starts. Forget that he has the worst completion rate (41.3 percent) and passer's rating (39.8) in the NFL. The way Cable sees it, his 31st-ranked offense has problems much larger than a single player, even if it's the 6-foot-6, 270-pound 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick. It's not like backup Bruce Gradkowski is the answer to all the Raiders' ..."

Russell is Cable's man at quarterback

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September 29

Contra Costa Times

"Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is under fire from fans, media and opposing defenses these days, but his coach's faith in him hasn't waned. "I have to have faith in the guy going out there playing quarterback for us, and I do have that faith," Raiders coach Tom Cable said Monday at his weekly news conference. Cable said the Raiders' problems offensively transcend Russell and that he has no intention of following the lead of the Panthers, Browns and Buccaneers in benching the starter. "It's too easy just to blame one guy and say that's a problem," Cable said. "Let's stop the run, let's run the ball better, let's tackle better, let's be more explosive on special teams, let's play better at ..."

Team's troubles go deeper than Russell

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September 29

Sacramento Bee

"It's easy to go after JaMarcus Russell for the Raiders' latest pratfall. He is, after all, the quarterback. The face of the franchise. The guy who gets too much credit when things go well, too much blame when things go awry, as they did Sunday in a brutal 23-3 loss to Denver. And when he continually refuses to accept a lion's share of the blame to deflect heat from his teammates, Russell becomes an even bigger target than his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame already provides. "He's young, and it's called accountability," former Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski said Monday on Comcast SportsNet California's "Raiders Press Conference Live." "He doesn't understand that word right now." Ouch. ..."

Raiders, Russell target of boos in lopsided loss

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September 28

Contra Costa Times

"Perhaps it's a good thing the Raiders' game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday wasn't televised locally. Otherwise, fans would have seen the Raiders at their worst this season and just how far the gap is between them and first place in the AFC West. The Raiders entered the game with a chance to move into a first-place tie in the division. They exited the field two games behind the Broncos and light years behind in terms of execution and scheme after a 23-3 loss at the Oakland Coliseum. "We have to play better," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "These fans deserve a better football team than what we showed (Sunday). How do (the players) handle that? Obviously, you hope it ticks them off, and ..."

Broncos wary of work-in-progress Raiders' QB Russell

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September 26

Denver Post

"JaMarcus Russell is a football riddle, an industrial-strength question in search of an answer. Who wears silver and black and sprays the ball all over? Russell, in his third season with Oakland, sits at the bottom of the list of starting quarterbacks with a career-buckling 35.2 percent completion rate, the only passer in the NFL who is below 50 percent. Last Sunday in Kansas City, he was 7-of-24 passing for 109 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Before the Raiders' game-winning drive in the final minutes — Russell was 4-of-7 for 67 yards on the drive — he was a staggering 3-of-17 for just 42 yards. Asked what has happened to Russell, how it got to this point and how it can be ..."

Raiders aide Tollner: Russell's struggles are on him

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September 25

Contra Costa Times

"There is no sugarcoating the struggles of quarterback JaMarcus Russell through two games. Passing game coordinator Ted Tollner has seen enough bad to know when it rears its head. At the same time, Tollner also has been around long enough to know that what Russell is experiencing is just part of the life of an NFL quarterback. "Almost all of them have periods of it," Tollner said Thursday. "Ours just happens to be lower than the low that any of us want." Russell has completed a league-worst 35.2 percent of his 54 passes so far, including a 7-for-24 effort against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. He is at or near the bottom of every statistical category. Tollner and coach Tom Cable point ..."

Russell's troubles dissected

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September 25

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders passing game coordinator Ted Tollner defended his young quarterback in a kinda-sorta way Thursday. Yes, JaMarcus Russell's 19-for-54 passing is unacceptable but, no, his young wide receivers aren't exactly helping. Sure, Russell's footwork and mechanics are off but, come on, the passing offense's problems are bigger than one person. But guess what? At day's end, Russell is the quarterback, and in this league, it's the quarterback's job to make it happen. "When you're playing as poorly as we did last week, a lot of it falls on the quarterback," Tollner said in a coddle-free interview. "His numbers are not impressive. We don't like them, he doesn't like them, and we've got to do ..."

I'm sticking with Russell

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September 24

Contra Costa Times

columnist Tim Kawakami

"Yes, it takes an enormous, JaMarcus Russell-sized leap of faith to maintain qualified confidence in Russell's presumed grand Raiders future. It also takes selective memory and an overall understanding that life with the Raiders is more harrowing than with any other organization. It takes a lot to believe in him, even partially. No doubt, at this point it's far easier to predict that the 2007 No. 1 overall pick is heading straight to Bust-ville than to smooth stardom. "I'm not where I want to be," Russell said Wednesday. "And I won't be there 'til quite some time." But I'm sticking with him, despite Russell's dreadful 35.2-percent completion rate and Druckenmiller-esque 46.6 passer rating ..."

Raiders' Russell still has a lot to learn

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September 24

Sacramento Bee

"You want to give JaMarcus Russell the benefit of the doubt. Really, you do. He's a kid, you remind yourself. A mere babe who, at 24, still is the third-youngest starting quarterback in the NFL. A phenom with a rocket launcher for an arm who still is trying to find his way after losing his father figure this offseason when his beloved uncle Ray passed away. But before you give him a pass, you remember the former No. 1 overall draft pick wrecked his rookie season by holding out until after the regular-season opener. You see how out of shape he reported to camp in this, his critical third season, and wonder about his work ethic after getting a guaranteed $32 million. Then come days like ..."

Struggling Russell at crossroads

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September 23

Contra Costa Times

columnist Monte Poole

"NEVER HAS A Raider been so fortunate to be in Kansas City, Mo., the heart of enemy territory, surrounded by 70,000 fans wishing him the worst. Safe in the confines of Arrowhead Stadium, JaMarcus Russell last Sunday was oblivious to the unrest his play provoked within the Raider Nation. He could not see the anger or hear the tantrums or feel the heat of rising displeasure. He should know, though, that it's getting hot. Many in the Bay Area and elsewhere so breathlessly awaited Russell's arrival and were so supportive through two years of contractual glitches, coaching instability and receiver turnover. They even tolerated his apparent indifference to fitness. But now they are losing ..."

Raiders' Russell has swagger, not accuracy

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September 21

Sacramento Bee

columnist Paul Gutierrez

"He entered the interview room with a cross between a painful limp and a sashaying swagger. So it was only natural for a reporter to ask JaMarcus Russell if he was hurt. "Oh, no," the nattily attired Raiders quarterback said, a sly smile crossing his face. "I'm just cool like that." And there it was, in one disarmingly revealing moment – Russell's greatest strength and his biggest weakness. Yes, you want your field general to be unflappable in the face of an announced 69,169 screaming maniacs, most of whom are screaming for your scalp, as he was in leading the Raiders on a game-winning 69-yard drive. The march culminated with Darren McFadden going in from five yards out with 67 seconds to ..."

Garcia gets axed, so now it's up to Russell

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September 6

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Raiders cut the safety net. It's JaMarcus Russell or bust. Quarterback Jeff Garcia was released Saturday, the surprise chop of 22 player cuts on 53-man roster day around the league. Garcia, 39, was hired in April to push Russell, if not for the starting job, then to teach the former No. 1 overall draft pick how to be a dedicated NFL quarterback in his third season. "I think first and foremost we are committed to JaMarcus Russell as our starter," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "He's our guy." The question, then, is what happens if something happens to their guy? Garcia provided them a better backup plan than most teams enjoy. He was certainly an upgrade over former backup Andrew Walter ..."

Russell's universe - team built around QB

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September 2

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell had every excuse to explain away his first two NFL seasons. His first year was lost to a marathon holdout, making his second year a rookie experience. He had two head coaches and three offensive play callers - all in the 2008 season. The offensive line barely held up, and the wide receivers rarely got open. What did the Raiders do? They spent all offseason building an entire franchise around the franchise quarterback. The playbook has changed to accommodate his monster arm, the staff has changed to teach his young football mind, the roster has changed to provide on-field support. No more excuses. Time for the former No. 1 overall draft pick to carry ..."

Russell keeps starting job

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August 24

San Francisco Chronicle

"Call it the quarterback competition that never was, because JaMarcus Russell vs. Jeff Garcia is over before it ever got started. Raiders coach Tom Cable said as much Sunday when asked if Russell would start the season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 14. Cable said, "At this point, he's the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders," and there was nothing stunning about the bulletin. Garcia missed the first half of training camp with a calf strain. He didn't have a chance to push Russell. "Unfortunately, Jeff hasn't had much work," Cable said. "I feel like (Russell) has improved. It would have been nice to have someone really pushing him." Instead, all the push Garcia had in his 39-year-old ..."

Raiders ready for JaMarcus Russell to shine in '09

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August 2

Oakland Tribune

"JaMarcus Russell's first two years in the NFL have produced more questions than victories for the Raiders. As Russell prepares for his third season, coach Tom Cable said there's only one answer that matters. "It's getting to a point where he can help us win, and I mean that," Cable said. "That's really the bottom line here." Nothing else matters, Cable said. People can question Russell's weight, his work ethic, his leadership and whatever else all they want. The Raiders selected Russell No. 1 in the 2007 NFL draft because they felt as if he is talented enough to lead them from the depths of six straight losing seasons. "You can ask those (questions) to death," Cable said, "and it really ..."

Raiders' Russell calls teammates for practice session

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June 18

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is arranging a week of practice for any of the team's other quarterbacks and all the wide receivers and tight ends, at an undisclosed location. Russell wasn't about to divulge many details. He said he just wants to make sure the quarterbacks and receivers are on the same page when training camp begins July 30 in Napa. "We're going to get the receivers and tight ends a week away from everything, just go along by ourselves and accomplish something that would make us a lot better during the year," Russell said after Wednesday's practice during organized team activities. "Just work on our own, with nobody out there but us, get ready for camp, get ready for ..."

Raiders QB improving, but far from a finished product

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June 12

San Francisco Examiner

columnist Glenn Dickey

"The future of JaMarcus Russell is still in doubt, which means the Raiders future is, too. First, the good news. Russell has improved greatly on the short and medium-range throws, learning to ease up a little so receivers can handle his passes. That's something he couldn't do when he first came to the Raiders two seasons ago. In this week's OTAs (organized team activities), Russell was especially sharp in the red-zone drills. I attended Wednesday's practice and saw him make impressive accurate passes to rookies Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, as well as a nice sideline throw to tight end Zach Miller. DHB, as he prefers to be called, was back after missing earlier practices with a ..."

Russell impressive in red zone

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June 11

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was in the zone Wednesday, and a red one at that. With one laser after another, Russell laid aside his accuracy woes with the best red-zone drills of his offseason. He threw touchdown passes on four consecutive plays and got high-fives all around in workouts in Alameda. "You might retard a young guy by trying to be too cautious, so let's rip it right now as you learn how to do this," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "It's good to see him turn it loose and find out who can make those plays." Yes, the Raiders are adding the vertical passing game to the playbook to make better use of Russell's strong arm and the roster's fast receivers. But what good is it to ..."

Wake-up times for JaMarcus

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May 18

Contra Costa Times

columnist Monte Poole

"STROLLING THROUGH the fight-night crowd Saturday sporting a New York Yankees cap and designer backpack, an unlit stogie dangling from his lips, JaMarcus Russell was all swagger and comfort, the picture of the good life. It's as if the Raiders quarterback doesn't feel the flame licking at his heels. The blaze is raging in the form of Jeff Garcia, an irrepressible challenger who as a football player is everything Russell is not. Garcia is a smallish bundle of fast-twitch fibers. Russell is the Big Mellow, deliberate and cool. Russell is the chosen one, an overall No. 1 draft pick blessed with an absurdly powerful arm. Garcia is the scrappy underdog who wages a daily fight for acceptance. ..."

Cable happy with Russell's progress

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April 27

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders coach Tom Cable said in an interview Sunday on ESPN that JaMarcus Russell is making progress toward becoming a complete quarterback, though it has taken some prodding. "Well, it's been a consistent message, really, since about Week 10 of last season, and that was that, in order to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, it takes a lot more than people realize," Cable said. "It takes working every day. It's not having a day off. It's spending extra time earlier in the morning, later at night, later after practice and getting him to really embrace that." Russell, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007, showed signs of getting the message late last season, when he put together some of ..."

JaMarcus Russell might be facing ankle surgery

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February 5

Sacramento Bee

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell might need ankle surgery this offseason, team owner Al Davis said Wednesday. Russell is in Alameda after spending some time back home in Mobile, Ala. "He's got some physical problems that have to be taken care of," Davis said. "I think his ankle was bothering him at the end of the year. He had some chips in there so they may have to do something with that." Russell injured his ankle Nov. 16 in Miami but finished the season without missing any time. A knee injury cost Russell the Nov. 9 game against the Carolina Panthers."

Russell takes lumps, will keep on fighting

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December 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the face of the franchise and quarterback of the future, is trying to save the team's face in a 3-10 season while playing for a future that can't get here fast enough. Russell admitted as much Monday, with his sprained right ankle in a protective cast and his team officially eliminated from the postseason with three games to play. "The only thing you can do now is show what type of man you are," Russell said. "To know the circumstances, just keep on pushing and fight through it and hopefully build on something for next year. "It can be a big upside to it and it can be a downside to it. It's the way you take it." So far, it's mostly been a southerly ..."

Russell expected to play against Patriots

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December 9

Sacramento Bee

"Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell will have had almost a week off before testing his sprained right ankle in Wednesday's practice, though he sounded unsure Monday if he'd be able to do that. "I don't know, it depends," Russell said. "I have to wait and see. I still have (today) to go through." Russell left Thursday night's game in San Diego in the second quarter and had to be carted off the field. Interim head coach Tom Cable isn't making plans for backup Andrew Walter to lead the offense as the Raiders prepare to host the New England Patriots on Sunday. "He'll practice," Cable said, adding Russell would be limited. "He'll be ready to go." Russell is wearing a protective walking boot ..."

Russell defies odds, fails to deliver against Chiefs

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December 1

Contra Costa Times

"WHETHER HIS NFL career lasts five years or 15, JaMarcus Russell won't see many more opportunities like the one he glimpsed Sunday, so ripe with promise, so rich with possibility. Russell was leading a Raiders offense coming off a game last week in which it gained a rumor of confidence. Oakland was at home, against a young and pliant Kansas City defense unfamiliar with the concept of sacks and allowing quarterbacks to complete two of every three passes. So delicious was this premise for Russell and the Raiders, that oddmakers, perhaps intoxicated by their 31-point outburst eight days ago in Denver, made them 3-point favorites. Russell's very first throw, a perfect spiral to wideout Ashley ..."

Raiders' Russell should take a day off

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November 9

San Jose Mercury News

columnist Tim Kawakami

"Just like so many thousands of smart football fans who made other plans, JaMarcus Russell should excuse himself from the latest scheduled beat down of the Raiders today. Sit out. Rest the aching right knee that significantly limited Russell's practice time. Shut down. Be smart. Try again next time, or next team. (Sadly, if Russell doesn't play today, in steps Andrew Walter, the last young Raiders quarterback to get blown to alexsmithereens - a new medical term - by general incompetence around him.) It's just not worth it for Russell to get whacked around when he's less than 100 percent, when he has no explosive receivers and when the Raiders are pretending that Kwame Harris or Mario ..."

Russell, McFadden sitting it out

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November 7

Oakland Tribune

"JaMarcus Russell slowly made his way on to the field Friday, without a helmet and not in uniform, as the Raiders completed warmups and a special teams session before practice for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at the Coliseum. Russell missed the end of Thursday’s practice with what coach Tom Cable said was right knee tendonitis, a move the coach said was purely precautionary. “We just kind of did it just to hold him back,” Cable said. “He did a great (job) today, so the last eight reps weren’t going to matter.” The Friday practice is typically heavy in red zone drills and final game plan preparation, with Saturday reserved for a walkthrough with very little activity. Andrew ..."

Russell bellies up to a rotten game

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November 3

San Francisco Chronicle

"JaMarcus Russell swallowed the most fruitless meal of his adult life Sunday, a 24-0 loss to the Falcons at the Oakland Coliseum. The score-free serving was short on key nutrients such as first downs and passing yards. But, Raiders coach Tom Cable made sure young Russell ate every last bite. In some places, quarterbacks get excused from the table early in such blowouts, with their backups coming into the game to clean off the plate. Not here, not with Cable. "No, I think this is part of the maturation process and part of his process to grow," Cable said. It's not like Russell played much at all. The offense was on the field for a mostly lousy 14 minutes, 45 seconds. He completed 6 of 19 ..."

JaMarcus a bust? Stats say he's not

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November 3

Sacramento Bee

"A growing uneasiness percolates in Raider Nation. The "B" word - bust - has yet to creep into the vernacular of Silver and Blackdom when it comes to the play of purported franchise quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Nor should it. But impatient, pacing observers are waiting for "The Chosen One," as Russell has tattooed on his left arm, to become the "Second Coming" and lead the Raiders to the Promised Land. Like yesterday. Even if the No. 1 overall pick from the 2007 draft is in his first full NFL season. Consider: On Fox Sports Net's "Pro Football Preview," host Jay Glazer wondered if he was crazy to say Atlanta rookie quarterback Matt Ryan will have a better career than Russell. Ryan and the ..."

JaMarcus a bust? Stats say he's not

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November 2

Sacramento Bee

"A growing uneasiness percolates in Raider Nation. The "B" word - bust - has yet to creep into the vernacular of Silver and Blackdom when it comes to the play of purported franchise quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Nor should it. But impatient, pacing observers are waiting for "The Chosen One," as Russell has tattooed on his left arm, to become the "Second Coming" and lead the Raiders to the Promised Land. Like yesterday. Even if the No. 1 overall pick from the 2007 draft is in his first full NFL season. Consider: On Fox Sports Net's "Pro Football Preview," host Jay Glazer wondered if he was crazy to say Atlanta rookie quarterback Matt Ryan will have a better career than Russell. Ryan and the ..."

Ravens have Russell feeling the heat

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October 27

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens' defense had a few words for Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell. "At one point in the first half, [linebacker] Ray Lewis came over to me and told me: 'You need to protect yourself. Go down when you're going to get hit,'." Russell recalled. It's difficult to tell whether the Ravens' sentiments were sincere, but Russell's account illustrated the success the defense enjoyed in applying pressure in the team's 29-10 win over the Raiders at M"

Without the kid gloves, quarterback Russell might grow into a man

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October 27

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Nancy Gay

"We've been calling JaMarcus Russell a rookie quarterback (with an asterisk) for a long time now, 20 NFL games. Granted, he has played in only 11 of those and started in eight. It's time to quit using that as an excuse. No more rationalization. He's in the middle of his second NFL season and Russell wants to play like a veteran. Let him. Let him take his lumps like he did in Sunday's 29-10 loss to the Ravens and their No. 2-ranked defense, the NFL's best against the pass. Let Russell take a sack for a first-quarter safety at M"

Raiders QB's career start about the norm, even for a No. 1

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October 19

Contra Costa Times

"Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman lost his first six starts as a rookie in 1989. Same goes for New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in 2004. Eli's older brother Peyton went 1-5 in his first six starts for the Indianapolis Colts in 1998. Needless to say, those three quarterbacks survived the growing pains in fine shape. They emerged as polished quarterbacks sporting Super Bowl rings and, in the case of Aikman, a yellow Pro Football Hall of Fame blazer. Yet, for every Aikman, there's a Tim Couch, who flamed out in a hurry. For every Manning, there's a David Carr, who is hanging on to a clipboard and his NFL career these days. Every quarterback selected No. 1 in the NFL draft gets ..."

Maybe Russell can take page from Favre's book

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October 19

Sacramento Bee

"New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre didn't carve out a career by doing things as his coaches drew them up. Instead, it's those improvised big plays when Favre had a hunch his receiver would know when to break off a route early that endeared him to Green Bay fans for 16 seasons. Jets fans are learning to appreciate such plays. They come down to trust and chemistry, two things Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is in the early stages of developing with his receivers six starts into his NFL career. That process continues today when the Raiders host the Jets at the Oakland Coliseum. Raiders receiver Javon Walker spent his first four seasons with Favre in Green Bay. Favre let Walker know ..."

Raiders' Cable to scale back on Russell

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October 14

Contra Costa Times

"Beating the New Orleans Saints on Sunday was Tom Cable's primary objective in his first game as Raiders coach. To that end, the trip was an abject failure. Not all was lost, however. Cable said he gleaned valuable insight into the status of quarterback JaMarcus Russell's development. "We really found out a lot about where he is," Cable said in his weekly news conference Monday. "And it's obvious he's still in a stage of development. It's obvious maybe he can't handle that much." Cable instructed offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to install a game plan that involved more passing plays than that of the first four games. Russell attempted 35 passes and completed only 13 in the Raiders' 34-3 ..."