No QB Controversy In Oakland-- Mon Jul 27 5:00 am -- Russell The Starter
Can quarterback JaMarcus Russell carry the Raiders' offense? Can the defense finally make a sure tackle? Will the Raiders ever end their commitment to 11-plus losses?
JaMarcus Russell is the unabashed, uncontested starter. The Raiders are determined to develop their 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick. They are equally eager to get their millions-upon-millions' worth out of his dynamic arm.
They brought in 39-year-old Jeff Garcia not to push Russell out of the way, rather to push him forward.
If Russell struggles when the games start counting, that would be the time to revisit the issue. (San Francisco Chronicle)
FF Today's Take:Russell heads into camp as the starter and needs to build on his final three games of 2008 when he compiled 626 passing yards on 49/78 attempts, including 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.