Russell Ready?: Time for Raiders to Put McCown to Sleep

With the Raiders' season in shambles, yet again, thanks to the play of the profoundly inept Josh McCown, fans have started begging and chanting for the next big arm in the league—22 year-old JaMarcus Russell.

It seems as though the Raiders are saving the kid until we inherit the entire Patriots offense (minus Tom Brady). With that not likely to ever happen, the Raiders have rested their faith in a beat-up Daunte Culpepper, who still shows signs that he is recovering from his knee surgery.  Even though he got the team their only two wins of the season, followed by three close loses, he was replaced by a healthy McCown.

McCown's incredible skill—turning the ball over—is a main cause as to why we are 2-7.  In his four starts, he compiled a "glamorous" stat sheet.  Which shows his "eye-popping" QB rating of 59.5, completion percentage of 58, and 760 yards.  In the process he threw for five touchdowns, and nine interceptions. 

But let's remember he gives Oakland the best chance to win, mostly because of his incredible mobility...right? If Lane Kiffin is impressed with his 19 carries for 99 yards, along with no TD's and 8 fumbles, then so be it.  To most NFL franchises' standards, this would grant you a permanant seat on the bench. 

With yesterday's announcement of Culpepper starting against the Vikings, that became a little bit closer to reality.  It seems to be that McCown's "great" game against a weak Bears team might be his last start with the Raiders, and hopefully in the NFL.  What is McCown showing Kiffin in practice, that continually keeps him at the top of the depth chart? 

Remember, in Daunte's five starts he wasn't playing horribly.  But he was struggling.  Give me one other team besides Green Bay, Dallas, New England, and Indy where "Pep" is a back-up.  Okay, maybe the New York Giants, Pittsburgh, Seattle and New Orleans. 

Now give me a team that would have McCown as its starter?  Why us? 

I know Russell will be playing soon, when he is ready.  My argument is this: Why was McCown ever given the starting role?  And why, after the Detroit game, did he retain his starting job? 

Look what happened to Charlie Frye in Cleveland.  His stats nearly mirrored McCown's in the first half, of game one.  Yet McCown continued to play.  Kiffin, you need to know when to pull a loser from the game.

And Lane: if you want to stay in Oakland, you are gonna have to eventually learn to listen to the fans(at least a little bit), since ultimately, we pay your salary. And lately, the seats seem a bit empty with McCown starting.  Thats not the way to impress Daddy Davis, he as well wants to see the kid trot onto the field. 

Its your job, and ultimately, Your call.