JaMarcus Gets Win Against Broncos: But Still Not a Good Quarterback

Raider fans can celebrate a win against one of their most hated rivals.  On Sunday the Raiders came from behind and scored a touchdown in the final minute to grasp victory away from the Denver Broncos in Denver.  The final drive was lead by the much maligned JaMarcus Russell, who had replaced recently named starting quarterback Charlie Frye in the fourth quarter.

After the game, sports analysts and writters began suggesting that this was the first step in Russell returning to favor in Oakland.  But let's be serious for a moment.  This was the smallest of baby steps.  All is not forgiven in Raider nation.

JaMarcus Russell did not look very good out there.  He made some throws when needed, but he also missed targets like before.  Russell dropped back twelve times on the final drive, five of those pass attempts fell incomplete.  On his first drop back, fans cringed as Russell fumbled the ball while trying to scramble out of the pocket.  Luckily for him, Cooper Carlisle managed to fall on it and keep the drive going.  He got lucky again, as one incomplete pass thrown into double coverage was ruled defensive pass-interference.

The final drive of the game was not pretty.  It was not JaMarcus Russell at his best.  It was a Denver defense in prevent mode, letting the Raiders have short passes and giving up penalties.  I don't want to take away all the accolades that Russell deserves however.  He made some plays when he needed too.  He found an open receiver when it mattered most, on 4th down early in the drive.  He also hit Schilens in traffic, in stride, giving him the momentum he needed to turn upfield and find the endzone on the game winning play.

Russell did make a statment today.  He went out there and proved had can be a usable backup quaterback in the right situation.  He may still have a future in Oakland.  With J.P. Losman now on the roster and Bruce Gradkowski saying he wants to re-sign next season, its not clear weather Russell could be the second or third string quarterback next season.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will be third, if he makes the team at all.