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Former Oakland Raider quarterback Rich Gannon offered up his analysis of his successor JaMarcus Russell on Sirus NFL Radio. In typical Gannon fashion, rather than just pop off he analyzed all 21 of Russell's starts so he could get a complete view of the young signal caller's issues.
“There’s a number of things that you need to take into consideration. First and foremost, he’s had a number of different coaches, a number of different play-callers, a number of different coordinators, different QB coaches, in just his three short years in the league. That, I think, has had an impact on him, a negative impact. The second thing is the inexperience and lack of production at the wide receiver position has hurt him as well. Finally, after looking at all the film, I am convinced that all the things that he is struggling with can be corrected. So that’s a positive.”
However, just because it can be corrected, doesn't mean that it is an easy fix, nor does it mean that its only one or two steps.
“A couple of things are very glaring. I think, you see a lot of times he falls away from throws. He seems to bail. I think a rush up inside bothers him. He needs to get more bend in his knees when he throws. He’s very upright and not a lot of bend in his knees. It may have something to do with his weight. He seems to be more comfortable operating out of shotgun than he does under center. He doesn’t do a very good job seeing out in front of throws and I think that comes with experience, really understanding and anticipating coverages. So that’s not something he does. When you look at the offensive game plan, the passing game, I think they’ve condensed the plan. It’s not very complicated. Fundamentally, right now, he is not very sound. His mechanics, his footwork, it’s inconsistent.”
Unsound fundamentals, now that would explain everything. That was why Ted Tollner and Paul Hackett were brought in as coaches over the offseason to work on the fundamentals with Russell.
“Let me say this in terms of the coaching. He may have the premier [QB] coach in the National Football League when it comes to footwork, when it comes to preparing a quarterback in terms of the mechanics. Paul Hackett was my QB coach in Kansas City and was one of the big reasons why I was able to go on and have success in Oakland. He is a phenomenal coach. He coached Joe Montana. He’s coached a lot of great players in this league. I know he’s got a good coach there in Paul Hackett, his quarterbacks coach, a guy that I have the utmost respect for, and I know these are not the types of things, when I look at [Russell’s] footwork, that he’s coaching.”
Russell has the tools at his disposal, and he has to take advantage of them.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
As I have said before, Rich Gannon's the man! This brings us back to The Raiders here and now. Does Al want to win now ("Just Win Baby"), or does he want to develop a young Quarterback. Who gives the team a better chance of winning football games THIS season? Jamarcus could be getting groomed by Hackett while Frye or Gradkowski helps us win now. I'm one of the throngs of Raider fans that cheered when JR was drafted but he is very slow to take to the NFL. Now I am tired of talking about potential and arm strength, etc. I want a winning team on the field this year and clearly JR is the worst QB in the NFL at this moment in time. Start him again but if he sucks the first quarter then pull him and put someone else in that will give us a chance to win. Or is "Just Win Baby" an old outdated slogan without relevance in todays game? Crossroads!Which direction do we choose? Did we bring in Richard Seymour to win next year or this year? I guess we'll find out soon. Go Raiders!!!
gannon is right about russell. but hackett is obviously telling him to do different things and he simply isn't listening. is he magically gonna change? he is a big physically talented guy with no drive to be great. he relies on arm strength. he's rich and he doesn't care. it will time soon to move on and find a real quarterback. i'm an optimist but seriously, has he earned starting? why does a guy start who has to have the offense "dumbed down"? and speaking of guys who haven't earned anything, how about dhb? he's simply not ready. maybe he'll develop but i'll be angry if he starts in front of schilens or murphy when chaz is healthy.
It's never too early for an insurance policy...and this one is cheap, with maturity, and a high ceiling for growth:
"....and with either the 3rd or 5th Round Selection (thank-you Belichek)the Oakland Raiders select.................
Tony Pike (SR) from the Cincinnati Bearcats
Rising numbers year-over-year...and will not go in the first two rounds....doesn't run fast Al...how cares....he's smart
the problem isn't jamarcus russell. it's the demented owner.
he's just a dumb rich n*gger. what's new.
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