Tom Cable waits for Al Davis to choose his starting QB
After spending two weeks to prepare for an embarrassing loss at home to the Chiefs, Tom Cable needs two more days to name his starting quarterback for Sunday’s meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals.
According to reports, Cable is mulling over a choice between incumbent starter JaMarcus Russell and backup Bruce Gradkowski.
“It will be focused on winning, period, what gives us the best chance to win.”
The above quote from Cable is a contradiction when one juxtaposes his statement with his squad selection. If this is truly about putting players on the field who give his team “the best chance to win” then why was Darrius Heyward-Bey given more snaps than any other wide receiver on Sunday? Why was Louis Murphy – the leading receiver for the Silver and Black – given a demotion to 4th string once Chaz Schilens returned to the field of play? Why is Javon Walker being paid millions to sit and watch as rookie receivers struggle?
If all these decisions have been about putting the best team on the field, then why do the results continue to get worse and worse?
There is no simple answer, but many indications point towards the man cutting the checks. Since 2003, this franchise has been a running joke whose punch line is always Al Davis.
A.D. might not be telling Cable directly what personnel decisions to make, but there is little doubt that the irrational moves (or lack thereof) have been made with a certain team owner in mind.
So, who does Mr. Davis want to see calling signals on Sunday?
Well…Bruce Gradkowski did show up at the team facility with a “strained hamstring” today. So…I guess that answers that…unless you’re banking on Charlie Frye to take snaps with the first team this week. Sure, it is possible that the Frye Guy will get his chance. Then again, there’s always a chance that Michael Bush could take some snaps under center too. After all, Bush has a career QB rating of 60.4 which is just 5 points lower than Russell’s and 2 points higher than Gradkowski’s.
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Get on the phone and beg Jeff Garcia to come back. He might be over the hill, but he’s better than what we have now
November 17th, 2009 at 11:54 am[...] Al Davis calls the shots in Oakland, but I’m sure Tom Cable could beat him up. [...]
November 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pmLets draft Colt McCoy…. or what i mean is lets draft a any qb, because ours blow…
November 17th, 2009 at 2:38 pmDarren McFadden would even be a better choice at quarterback than Russell, hell even Richard Seymour is a better choice he can do everthing LE, RE, DT only a matter of time before #92 is returning punts. If Al Davis does eventually open his eyes and gives up on Russell than we will be drafting a quarterback by the end of 2010.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:07 pmCan you imagine JaMarcus Russell getting paid all that gauranteed money while he sits comfortably on the bench ?
November 18th, 2009 at 10:57 amTrade him ? Right now, you could’nt give him away !
Turn off the ESPN and quit kidding yourself. Russell would be picked up in a heartbeat, and has a chance as a relcamation project. We cannot give up on him yet.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:26 pmRaidernation!! It is what it is.. Jamarcus has talents for deep receivers and a good o line only like Culpepper and Moss in the day – those days are done no one builds that kind of system anymore. Throw Frye in!! He played against the Bengals while he played in Cleveland. He’s smart and articulate and can give us the better chance to win.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:35 pmWe need ot bench Jamarcus its a shame we cant fire him for cause or for impersonating a quarterback.
We should have gone with Garcia and traded Russell. Me Id bench Russell for the rest of the seson and start Charlie Frye, amd cut Russell at the end of the season. I dont think we need a new heacd coach but we do need a quarterback.
Never thought I wouuld say it buts its a sham ewe cant draft a new owner and sack Davis, the guy has lost the plot. Bring a football guy with an undertanding of the modern game even Davis must see his system just does not work
November 18th, 2009 at 3:58 pmAl Davis needs to die for this franchise to head to the surface for a breathe of air. Until then it will continue to swallow water. ie;drown
November 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pmraidernation. What a joke. As long as you continue to drink al davis kool-aid, your part of the problem not part of the solution.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:32 pmRussell has been benched indefinatly. Gradkowski to be the number one starter for the Raiders until further notice……..I cant believe it ! Somebody has finaly got balls enough to step up and do something !
November 19th, 2009 at 2:04 pmsome one trip up davis’s walker…….
November 19th, 2009 at 2:42 pm