JaMarcus Russell: A Lame Duck

  Sometimes I write a recap of the game but this performance against the Redskins was too painful for me to write about.  In case you missed it: #1 The refs still hate the Raiders.  #2.    Gradkowski had an MCL injury that took him out at halftime.  Bruce finished 10/18 for 153 yards.  The score was 17-10 Redskins lead.  In came Russell who was sacked 6 times.  Once Russell entered the Raiders might as well have waved the white flag. Final score: 34-13 Redskins win.  Russel was 10/16 for 74 yards.

  With Gradkowski banged up Russell could get more playing time to try to gain support to be considered a descent quarterback.  But the way the Raiders play with Gradkowski looks far superior to the way they play with Russell.  With the same offense Russell won 2 games in 9 starts with 2TDs and 14 turnovers on himself.  Gradkowski threw more TDs in a quarter (4th @Pittsburgh) than Russell could in the first half of the season.  Russell will need to guide the Raiders to 3 straight wins to close the year to be even thought about as a franchise QB. 

  When a president is about to leave the White House he is called a lame duck.  I consider Russell a lame duck because he is lame and as dumb as a duck.  He doesn't know when to leave the pocket and throw the ball away or check-down pass when a blitz comes after him.  Although Russell had no help from his O-line he does not have the quickness to dodge the pressure.  Remember Gradkowski eluding the blitzing Steelers LBs last week.  Russell just stands still and looks like a deer in the headlights.  Russell is due about $9 million next year, I say restructure or get out of Raider Nation. 

  I believe Gradkowski is the QB that gives the Raiders the best chance to win and be competitive.  Russell is hopefully just an interim replacement that will be benched from the start of next year so we can all see what Bruce can do with a full season to work with.