Tom Cable offered a stark assessment of the issues facing JaMarcus Russell as the potential future of the Oakland Raiders. Without skipping a beat, Cable said that the Raiders could have been a playoff contender had they gotten average to above average play from the quarterback position. He was also emphatic that Russell has to take care of business.
(AP Photo)
Cable wasn't completely down on JaMarcus calling him a "classy kid" and saying that he "has the tools to be great." However, when came to assessing whether or not Russell was the future of the Raiders franchise Cable offered a strong yet cryptic statement, "I think that every human being has choices to make and the choices you make dictate who you are and what you become."
Cable elaborated somewhat on what choices Russell needed to make, "He has to learn how to take care of business on a daily basis consistently and prepare himself and take care of his development as a quarterback." However, he made clear that those weren't the only choices, as he said, "We would be here forever to discuss all those things. There are a lot of them."
Considering that Russell had to know that he was going to be facing high expectations when he was selected first overall in the 2007 draft, it would stand to reason that he was going to be responsible for preparing himself. Cable reminded everyone, "it takes a guy three or four years most of the time at that position," but being able to make the right decisions on how to "take care of business on a daily basis" are basics that he should have already learned.
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The fact that at the end of his third year, he doesn't show leadership and can't handle the basics of his own development are a signal that the stories of his work ethic are valid. The mistakes that he has made on the field, the inaccuracy on even screen passes and dump offs was evident as far back as the minicamp and OTAs. The lack of improvement in basic fundamentals points to a lack of work on his part.
The explosion of the offense once Russell was benched for Gradkowski is a further damming indictment on the former top pick. He picked up the team, and was hailed by his teammates as a leader, which is something that has not been said about Russell
With the sheer size of Russell's contract, he will likely have one more year before the Raiders can cut him, but it is highly unlikely that he will be simply handed the starting position as he was in 09. Al Davis is notorious for being patient with his players who underperform, but that trait has not been extended to young quarterbacks. Todd Marinovich was out of the league within two years had a better quarterback rating than Russell. Marinovich also has a slight edge in winning percentage as a starter. For the season, Russell's quarterback rating is below that of Andrew Walter in 2006.
The clock is ticking on Russell's time in Oakland if he doesn't start making those right decisions. Cable issued the challenge, it is all on Russell's broad shoulders.
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Comments
keep Russel on the bench next year, let him learn. PLEASE KEEP CABLE.....please, he didn't draft russsel. 1 more year, lets see what cable can do.
I agree that we should keep Cable as head coach. Russell on the other hand has come to the end of the line, no more talk, no more hype. This is his last chance to stay in the NFL. Either he takes it upon himself to work harder than he ever has before in his life or it's over. He comes to camp in great shape or he won't be taken seriously and will be cut. This is a mans game and there is really no room for the Jamarcus Russells out there, who act like they are still in college.
Dear Mr. Davis,
You did a good job letting Cable rise to the top keep him, the team responds to him and he is making good decisions. I wished Russell cared more and showed more leadership; these are traits you don't learn, you either have it or you don't. Please continue to let Cable decide on a quarterback that has heart. Lastly, please please find us someone that can return kick offs. Our guy now stands there and gets tackled before he starts running at full speed. Sincerely,Don
We have three quality RBs. I say let Mcfadden return kicks. We need to get more value out of him anyway. Cuz long time raider fan is right, our return game is absolutely non-existant. What's going on with Losman? Could he be ready? Frye sucks! May as well give JP a shot. All we are doing is auditioning players for next year anyway. I was anxious to see what Frye could do, but now I don't want to see anymore. It was another example of if we just got average QB play we would have won. Cable's play calling sucked too. It is no secret that we are having a lot of trouble at the QB position, so why throw 4 times from the 2?
I think continuity is important at this point so it would be a mistake to get rid of Tom Cable. I just think he needs to shop for the best o coordinator he can find and let him run the offense including calling plays. Keep the players you have in place for the most part because player continuity is important as well. Just use the draft picks to add depth to some of the positions i.e. oline, dline, lb's.
Players who need to go:
Sam Williams
Cooper Carlise (unless he is willing to stay as a back up)
Cornell Greene (unless he is willing to stay as a back up)
Ricky Brown (injury prone, can tackle but lacks consistancy)
Javon Walker (bring in Issac Bruce)
William Joseph
Luke Lawton (druggie)
Jamarcus Russell (unless he comes into training camp prepared and in shape)
Charlie Frye
J.P. Lossman
Jonathan Holland
David Nixon
Kalif Barns
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