(Photo by: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
If one word came to mind to describe JaMarcus Russell's physical attributes, it would be "wow." However, he has a way to go in terms of getting to that next level that last years rookies Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco didn't take long getting too (both of them did have better players around them, however).
The Raiders, the franchise that drafted JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall in the 2007 NFL draft, have decided to give him a coach to take him to that next level.
Paul Hackett, who was hired prior to last season to run special projects for Oakland coaching staff, has been promoted to quarterbacks coach for the Raiders.
A great offensive mind, Hackett has had success working with quarterbacks, as well as NFL offenses during his lustrous coaching career. He has been known not only as a great offensive mind, but as a great preparation coach.
Before Hackett came aboard in Oakland, he helped progress Bruce Gradkowski (recently signed by Oakland), Chris Simms, and Jeff Garcia for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers working as their quarterbacks coach from 2005-'07.
Before that he worked as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2001-2004. He helped guide the Jets to the playoffs three out of the four seasons he was with them.
There, he tutored Chad Pennington, who currently holds the best completion percentage (66.0) rating in NFL history, besting even Steve Young (64.3) and Kurt Warner (65.4).
Some of Hackett's most memorable work was when he worked with the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator from 1993-1997, helping them win 57 games during that span.
The Chiefs made the playoffs four out of the five seasons he was there, winning two AFC West Championships (1995, 1997).
Hackett tutored former Raiders MVP quarterback Rich Gannon during that time when they both were in Kansas City, before he later signed with and soon became a star in Oakland.
Former Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden took Hackett's advice on Gannon before signing him, "Paul Hackett was a great resource for me and I leaned on his input," Gruden said to the St. Petersburg times (2005).
"Kansas City went with Elvis Garbac, Gannon was free to look elsewhere and Paul Hackett's advice and his reference to Gannon was very strong in my opinion. He was dead on."
Gannon had this to say back in 2002 when he and the Raiders faced the Jets on Monday Night Football on Hackett, "Paul Hackett had a tremendous impact on my career," Gannon told the NY Daily News. "He really taught me the system of football. He really molded me. I feel like he made me into the quarterback I am today."
Hackett was also a part of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XIX 18-1 football team. He spent three seasons there (1983-85) working as their quarterback, wide receiver, and tight ends coach.
In 2000, when Joe Montana was giving his Hall of Fame Enshrinement speech, he made a note to thank all that helped him in his historical career:
"Paul, if anyone knows Paul Hackett, a workaholic. Work you to death and prepare you to death so that when you got in the game you didn’t say 'God, I didn’t know about that.'"
Another bit from Montana, "Over the years I've been fortunate to have had some great individual coaches, and Paul is one of the best," Montana said to the St. Petersburg times (2005).
"He is one of the hardest workers and a perfectionist in everything he does. Paul is easy to work with as a quarterback, and he understands the little parts of the game because he has been there."
Russell started to show significant progress last year during the last few games, as he threw six touchdowns to two interceptions. He started to look off receivers, felt comfortable stepping into the pocket, as well as having better touch and scrambling when needed.
Russell started to progress most noticeably when former Raiders starting left tackle Kwame Harris was benched, as he was often beat in pass protection if not called for a penalty.
When Harris was indeed benched, second year player Mario Henderson stepped in nicely and kept Russell clean, allowing progress to begin.
Russell's biggest problem last year was his accuracy issues and touch on the football. He often had overthrown or under thrown his receivers, also putting too much power into his passes at times making it difficult for receivers to hold on.
Hackett brings invaluable experience to the table for the Oakland Raiders. He has been watching Russell for a year now, so he probably has a good idea what to work on and where to go with Russell from here on out.
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