Jamarcus Russell's Accuracy Linked to More Blitzes?

Recently while reading quotes from Tom Cable with regard to the recent Organized Team Activities (OTA’s), I’ve come under the impression Jamarcus Russell is being asked to not only to adjust a vertical offense, but also do this under a constant barrage of pressure unlike previous years. 

Tom Cable recently discussed the hiring of Defensive Coordinator John Marshall and how the defense is bringing the heat in practice:  

I like what he's bringing to the defense...the pressure. One of the things I wanted to do, probably more for the offense and more for the quarterback position, was to get us under duress right away. We started it in minicamp and we'll continue it all throughout OTA because I don't think we did a very good job the last couple of years of handling the blitz pressure and really understanding where I've got to go with the football and what I need to check through, if I need a different protection, so I want to start that right from the beginning. We've done a nice job of that and the defense has heated it up pretty good and offensively we seem to be getting a little better at it every day so we're improving that way.

Not only is Russell learning another system, he’s under constant duress. Obviously the O-line can’t cut block in practice, but Russell is learning under a much better system than Lane Kiffin or Greg Knapp had him run.

I know in years past Ryan blitzed frequently in practice, but from my understanding they are blitzing more.

When I think about Russell learning another system against a defense that is more prepared and blitzing, it actually makes me happier to understand a lot of these struggles come from the fact he’s thinking about everything.

Once Russell doesn’t have to think and he can just do, he’s going to be awesome. Peyton Manning just does it. He doesn’t have to think too much because he’s practiced with his team for several years and he knows where certain players are going to be on each play give or take a yard or two.

Russell should get to the point where he knows the correct audible when he sees a coverage he doesn’t like. This happens threw plenty of practice and it appears Cable is headstrong on teaching these skills to him.

The biggest thing right now with Russell’s development is patience. This is going to take time. It’s not an overnight process. I’ve seen too many fans call for Russell’s head and want to start Jeff Garcia over Russell because they believe Garcia gives the Raiders a better chance to win now.

I’m not worried about now. I’m fine if the Raiders win 7 games this year. I want more of course, but if they win 7 with Russell then I know the following year they’ll be a playoff team because he’ll improve even more.

If I worried about now, the Raiders would only be in the same predicament next season as Garcia’s arm would fall off if he had to play as a full-time starter in a vertical offense. 

After this offseason and another full year as a starter, expect to see much bigger things with this offense. At the same time expect to see growing pains and don't get too frustrated provided Russell is improving. 

Improvement is the biggest worry at this point. If he continues to improve then you'll know Jamarcus Russell has a future in the NFL.