A 3 Step Blueprint for Jamarcus to Turn His Season Around

How often does Al Davis place a call to a journalist?

Not very often. It would even be more rare for Al to call a journalist for a positive conversation.

However, recently he did in fact call Jarrett Bell of USA Today .

I'll speculate that his reasons could not have been because he likes the media and wants to provide accurate information.  If that were the case, Al would be a lot more proactive with communicating with "newspaper men" (as he refers to them as).

It's not like Mr. Bell is the only reporter asking questions about the suitability of Jamarcus as an NFL QB.  So why phone Bell out of anyone else asking the same questions?  A chance encounter in an elevator?  Nah, c'mon.

But let's leave on the table the fact that Mr. Bell is black and the subject at hand was black quarterback Jamarcus Russell and Al's historically generous attitude towards black people. Even though, you know, Al politely declined interviews with journalists of other races and nationalities at the same NFL meeting in Boston a few weeks back.

It's documented elsewhere in various beat writers blogs.  Al granted no interviews at that meeting except for Jarrett Bell of USA Today after meeting in an elevator.

Let's look past all that.  Maybe it was a feel good moment for Al. 

Let's look at the JR problem for what it is.

As a less than smart southern boy, lacking maturity and professional discipline, Jamarcus has several drawbacks plunging him into failure.

In his defense, it's a bad idea starting two rookie wide receivers.  He's not getting much help there.  There is very little to no chemistry with his rookie receivers and JR is attempting to imply this is a major stumbling block for him.

We feel ya JR, we really do but you still have to show a little something something.  You are too inconsistent to be anything close to playing decent football.

You are bad at fundamental things like protecting the football, not tossing up interceptions like its no big deal, taking command and accountability, being in great physical shape, that sort of thing.

JR has long believed being in the NFL would be like being in pee wee, high school and college where he was tailor made to rise above the competition.

So let's just bring this down to fundamental things JR can control at this stage in his lousy career to date.

Here is what JR needs to do to salvage the 2009 season:

1.  Lose the "aw shucks" southern boy mentality and ignorance.   It's not endearing.   Speak like a man with confidence who has a clue, not like you are on a farm talking to hayseed reporters.  Perception is reality so if you sound like you are not getting it we are going to think you not getting it.  It's that simple.

2.  Step out of your comfort food zone.  You are fat and we don't like fat quarterbacks unless you are retired.  You should be pelted with rotten fruit, not boos.  Get in shape!  Commit yourself to being a superior athlete.  Perception is reality so look the part.  You have the potential to do much better if your body is prepared for the game.  Mental discipline follows suit when the physical is up to par.  If you eat poorly, your mind suffers.  It’s true.  See step one for verification.

3.  No one has time to let you mature.  Get it done or get out of town.  Yes, you are responsible for the team's losses.  Even if you aren't the job of the QB is to take the team on his shoulders.  Even Kerry Collins knew that.  By doing so you set a locker room example your teammates can respect.  It is obvious your locker room does not respect you, based on comments from your offensive teammates.  Perception is reality so figure it out, no one is cutting you any slack except Al Davis and he is looking foolish for putting his faith in you.

Oh yea, by the way, all Al really wanted to do with Jarret Bell on the phone call was convince him other successful QBs have taken time to mature.  Well, other QBs who Al cited as successful (Troy Aikman, Dan Fouts among numerous others) were much smarter than Jamarcus.  JR has to follow the three step blueprint if he has any chance at all.