Jason Campbell: Blessing In Disguise For Oakland Raiders?

With the Oakland Raiders supposedly being a front runner for Donovan McNabb, some fans who wanted the Philadelphia veteran may be disappointed. Mcnabb most definitley made the Raiders instant contenders in a unstable AFC West division.

With McNabb going to the Washington Redskins however puts QB Jason Campbell on the trade block for any team looking to upgrade their QB position, much like the Oakland Raiders. From a fans perspective, you must ask yourselves two questions.

Do I feel Jamarcus Russell will turn his career around in the most critical year in his career?

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What does Bruce Gradkowski bring to the table not only now but in the future?

If you are not 100% sure of the answer to those questions, you have to consider the possibility of bringing in Campbell.

As far as the first question is concerned, there is no reason to believe Russell can perform under any amount of pressure at this point. We are'nt just talking about on the feild production, but also off the feild work habits and perception. Im not trying to bash Russell either, this is coming from a fan who used to support him.

Now the second question is'nt so black and white. As fans, are we genuine fans of Gradkowski, or do we support him because he brought us a small amount of respect in a tough 2009 season? Do we have Gradkowski posters on our walls, and Jerseys on our backs? Was he that good, or was Russell that bad? This is a tough question for me, because it is easy to like Gradkowski as both a qb and a person.

Getting back to Jason Campbell, this is a QB who still has a lot of untapped potential. We are talking about a quarterback who had at least three offensive coordinators in college and still ended up being a first round selection. Then in the NFL still finding no consistency at the OC spot.

Thats at least 8 years with a different offensive philosophy. That no doubt will stunt a young qb's growth.

Now being in Oakland may not cure this problem but you would have to think that a new team in a new city would give him some what of a new start.

Another reason is I don't think the Redskins ever had faith in him. Which brings up the question: Why draft him in the first place?

This is a team whose Offensive line is'nt much better than the Raiders, no credible receivers other than Santana Moss, and an injury prone RB in Clinton Portis. They never put the time to give Campbell any weapons unlike the Raiders who seem to have found gems in Louis Murphy and Chaz Schillens, and hopefully Darrius Heyward-Bey(I said hopefully). Also a two headed running attack in Darren Mcfadden and Michael Bush.

You could make the case that all the Raiders need is a stud LT in this years draft, and Campbell would already have better options in Oakland than in Washington.

Coaching is also a big reason I think Campbell can thrive in Oakland. We still have Paul Hackett who has clearly made Gradkowski better, and might be able to do something with Russell if he would put in the effort. Campbell has always had a reputation for working hard as a starting quarterback, which already makes him game ready.

I also like the fact that he would be working with Hue Jackson. Jackson would'nt put everything on Campbell right away, but when Campbell did have to throw, he could make good decisions. A lot like how the Ravens treated Joe Flacco.

Campbell could really be a diamond in the rough, and just what the Raiders have been looking for. It will take time which I know we are unning low on, but it could pay off in the long run.