With Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell currently on the bench, it’s unclear when or if the first overall pick in the 2007 draft will be back on the field.
Steve Corkran of the Oakland Tribune reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation, that owner Al Davis is considering three options for Russell.
First, the team would focus more aggressively on improving Russell’s skills and work ethic, with the goal of making him the starter again in 2010.
Second, the team would sign a proven starter to hold down the fort until Russell is ready.
Third, the team would trade for a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback who can help propel the team to the playoffs, giving Russell even more time to develop.
With Russell due to earn a base salary of $9.45 million in 2010, it’s hard to envision the Raiders paying a Pro Bowl-level starter a salary in the same ballpark. The best approach, then, would be to proceed with a hybrid of the first two options, with Russell being pushed toward improving both by the coaching staff and by the presence of a veteran who will play if Russell doesn’t show enough growth.
Then again, they tried that approach this year with Jeff Garcia, and Garcia ultimately asked to be cut.
So it’s pretty much on track to continue to be a mess, regardless of what the Raiders decide to do.
The last resort likely would be to cut or trade Russell. But we can’t imagine Davis taking the risk that Russell will improve dramatically with his next team, like Randy Moss did after being traded to New England in 2007.
What Options..!!!!!
If the Raiders videptaped opposing defensive signals, Russell would be a lot better.
Worked for Shady Brady.
No more Raiders trades,,,please no !!
They have helped the Patriots enough !!!
Donovan McNabb will be a Raider in 2010?
Improve dramatically? At this point wouldn’t they settle for mininal improvement? Subtle improvement? Negligible improvement?
“The last resort likely would be to cut or trade Russell. But we can’t imagine Davis taking the risk that Russell will improve dramatically with his next team, like Randy Moss did after being traded to New England in 2007″
That’s not a fair comparison, Mike.
One was on his way to a Hall of Fame career before getting there and the other is on his way to picking up trash at the Hall of Fame after being there a few years.
“Then again, they tried that approach this year with Jeff Garcia, and Garcia ultimately asked to be cut.”
And how’s that working out for him, cut by the Eagles after 1 game this year.
“Third, the team would trade for a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback who can help propel the team to the playoffs, giving Russell even more time to develop.”
Teams trade Pro-Bowl QBs all the time. That is why the Cutler trade barely made the news.
Yes, I’m sure there are loads of Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacks banging on the door to play in Oakland.
They just need a semi-competent quarterback. Like Feeley, he is semi-competent, and would likely want the chance to start.
What Pro-Bowl caliber QB would be there? Those guys are rarely available.
“Third, the team would trade for a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback…”
Easier said than done. I guess Al thinks there’s a line of teams wanting to unload their franchise QB. About the only one he would be able to get is one near the end of his career like a Matt Hasselbeck or something, and probably have to give up a lot more than what he did for Seymour.
“trade for a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback who can help propel the team to the playoffs”
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I know Russell stinks, but he’s not the only problem on that team. Even if a pro-bowl QB were available, they need much, much more help than a QB to make it to the playoffs…
This guy will NEVER be starter material……… not in today’s NFL, he is just a BUST.
No football instincts, horrible work habits, no drive, lazy and dumb.
“Third, the team would trade for a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback who can help propel the team to the playoffs, giving Russell even more time to develop.”
Man, I had no idea it was that easy. Whay hasn’t anyone else thought of this?
ROFL, who is going to trade a mature pro-bowl quarterback and for what, the Raiders have already given away thier 2011 #1? There’s a shortage of insane General Managers out there.
Cut him no one in their right mind would take his lazy ass! People talk about Cutler not caring, this kid cares even less! If he did care he would show better work ethics!
PS: I am not a Jay Cutler fan!
“So it’s pretty much on track to continue to be a mess, regardless of what the Raiders decide to do.”
You know Florio, I used to think you were amusing, but you’re non-stop negativity and constant bashing of every single team other than the one or two you think might make the Super Bowl is wearing thin. Not to mention you come up with one funny statement and then repeat it 5 times in similar articles, lame. I had a feeling this site would just be a novelty, thanks for proving that to me.
So basically the Raiders are going to trade for McNabb… arrrrrrrrrrrgh.
MV7 used to be a pro bowl QB and is very available. Dungey’s advice to Vick to stay away from Oaktown will fall on deaf ears if they are one of the few teams willing to give him a shot as a starter next year.
Trade him to Raiders East – Dan Snyder loves the big names that have the high price tag, and i’m sure he will agree to pick up the full contract…
Maybe Peyton Manning can pull a Dany Heatley and force his was to Oakland.
Just move Jamarcus to Right Tackle. He’ll be the 1st QB in history to switch from QB to O-Line.
What team in their right mind, with a ” Pro Bowl caliber ” quarterback is going to make any trade with the Raiders ??? That’s freakin’ ridiculous.
yeah…why would they cut Russell? They will keep him as a backup and try to find someone in the offseason..Maybe Tavaris Jackson.
There is no way in hell that donnie mac would ever play in Oakland…
Derek Anderson will be available, he’s not a good option, be he’ll be available.
“The last resort likely would be to cut or trade Russell. But we can’t imagine Davis taking the risk that Russell will improve dramatically with his next team, like Randy Moss did after being traded to New England in 2007.”
Moss was already proven to be an excellent WR, he just had an attitude problem. Russell is a fat slob that still thinks all you need to possess for a successful NFL career is a good arm. I have a hard time believing that anyone on Earth thinks that bust is gonna grow into an average QB let alone a good one.
donnie mac?
bofarr says:
December 4, 2009 12:39 PM
MV7 used to be a pro bowl QB and is very available. Dungey’s advice to Vick to stay away from Oaktown will fall on deaf ears if they are one of the few teams willing to give him a shot as a starter next year.
******
uh dude, Ron Mexico sucks @ QB – he even sucks in my fantasy dog fighting league.
Russell has looked really bad as a Raider while playing, on top of that he has lacked the work ethic or focus to develop into a better QB. One thing that has to be admitted, even by the most die hard Russell opponents, is that the Raiders receivers have absolutely sucked the entire time he has been there. When they are not running the wrong routes, they are running into each other or dropping passes right in their hands.
Russell had better wide receivers when he played with LSU than he has had with the Raiders!
Did anybody see the Saints receivers on Monday Night against the Patriots. They did not drop a single catch-able ball all game. I am in no way comparing Russell to Brees, but the Raiders receivers have sucked!
Maybe a mentor type of QB playing ahead of him would help. I know this is off the wall, but maybe Jake Delhomme would be a fit. Look at what Kerry Collins did in Tennessee with the Titans after everybody thought he was washed up. Vince Young was benched, just like Russell has been, and learned to be a pro from the sideline. Look at him now, a different player.
You heard it here first Jake Delhomme as a Raider in 2010.
Get Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.
Hey, in a couple years, it couldn’t possibly look as bad as drafting Jamarcus Russell, right?
I don’t think even Dan Snyder is stupid enough to want JaMarcus Russell and his huge contract.
LOL.
Yeah, they’ll just trade for a pro-bowl caliber quarterback because that’s really an option.
Lots of teams out there looking to unload pro bowl QBs.
I guess technically you could say that Daunte Culpepper, Mike Vick, Jeff Garcia, Derrick Anderson, and Jake Delhomme are all “Pro Bowl QBs.”
Who trades a Pro Bowl QB? Sure, I’ll take Peyton Manning off the Colts’ hands. WTF?
Not many proven starters out there for the taking either.
I’d tell JaMarcus to restructure his contract for a lower base salary deal with a lot of incentives. Hopefully this would help improve his work ethic.
As far as improving his skills, the Raiders hired one of the most respected QB coaches in the game last off-season to work with Russell. It’s not like they’re not already working hard to make him better.
After restructuring JaMarcus’ deal to give him incentive to improve, I’d either draft a QB in the 1st round this year to compete (much like the Chargers did with Rivers when Brees struggled through his 3rd season) or get the best available veteran FA (Vick, David Carr, Tavaris Jackson) to compete with Russell and Gradkowski for the starting job. 2010 free agent QBs are not exactly star-studded though. It’ll take some luck of having a previously unheralded guy emerge at just the right time ala Rich Gannon. Make it a wide-open competition, best most prepared man wins.
Trade for a Pro Bowl caliber QB.
I don’t see why not.
While Al is busy setting that up, I’m going to be busy informing the boss-man that I need a pay increase to a kajillion-bazillion dollars/hour.
raiders177 says:
What Pro-Bowl caliber QB would be there? Those guys are rarely available.
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Derek Anderson is a Pro-Bowl QB (2007 season), so I’d imagine that’s who the Raiders will be going after. Al Davis probably loves that guy.
“And with the number 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft the New England Patriots select…”
I would trade McNabb for Richard Seymour.
I’ve looked at the Raiders roster, and if I was the GM there (instead of my current gig), I would trade for 22 All Pro Caliber players (keep the kicker, who isn’t bad even though he’s 83 now) and force all of the starters to step up their game.
Did you really just compare Randy Moss to JaMarcus Russell?!
HarrisonHits says: December 4, 2009 12:28 PM
“Then again, they tried that approach this year with Jeff Garcia, and Garcia ultimately asked to be cut.”
And how’s that working out for him, cut by the Eagles after 1 game this year.
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He obviously asked to be cut because he realized that playing for the Raider’s Mickey Mouse operation wasn’t worth tarnishing his career over.
a lot of players get cut not because they are “bad”. they just arent worth the $ they are tying up.
russell is tying up way too much $. and he IS bad. and he will be picking up trash somewhere in the next few years. al should just help jabustup find his own level.
cut him asap. bring in… well… anyone. cause anyone else is better then bustell.
bearsrule says:
December 4, 2009 12:46 PM
What team in their right mind, with a ” Pro Bowl caliber ” quarterback is going to make any trade with the Raiders ??? That’s freakin’ ridiculous.
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Derek Anderson played in the Pro Bowl in 2008, and he’s just dead weight on the Browns. He said “Pro Bowl caliber”, as in a player who has the ability to make the Pro Bowl. Is that really that difficult to figure out?
Option #4: tampering with the brakes on his S550
An awful quarterback, on an awful team, in an awful city, with awful fans.
What utter losers these people are.
I need a pay increase to a kajillion-bazillion dollars/hour.
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ah you must work for Jerry….
CUT HIM>>>>>>>END OF STORY
enter Michael Vick…
It would probably be cheapest just to have him killed… maybe take him to an all you can eat buffett and just lock him in over night.
How old is Jake Plummer? :p
what’s to ponder….how bad he sucks on a scale of 1 to 10…….
And what team is trading their pro bowl qb. I think if the Eagles actually do deal their guy, the Vikes will be first in line with the Chilli connection.
“So it’s pretty much on track to continue to be a mess, regardless of what (Al Davis) the Raiders decide(s) to do.
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Of course it is. The Raiders problems go far deeper than who is going to play QB next season.
It doesn’t matter, as long as Al Davis is involved in day to day football decisions.
They had one of the greatest wide receivers (Randy Moss) to ever play the game there a few years ago and he was totally ineffective. Not because his skills had deteriorated, as we’ve since seen, but because the organization is totally dysfunctional.
And it’s not changing while Al is still in control.
the folks that are mentioning Jake Delhomme are probably right, which is a shame for him. But doesnt Count davis like a big armed guy? Delhomme isnt a limpwrist, but he sure doesnt have a cannon. Anderson in cleveland would be a fit too. whatever franchise makes the move will benifit hugely from it, the count tips well during trades.
Whom, decides Florio, still thinks Russell is Pro-Bowl calliber?
convert him to tight end, or fullback.
nobody wants him in the NFL, anybody that does better have a prison warden type coach to groom him.
cut him.
I Agree CUT HIM, HE SUCKS AND DOES NOT CARE, THEY SHOULD ALSO CUT DHB
As for the other QB’s:
Delhomme -Trash
Vick- Like Tyson when he got out of jail-Finished
D.Anderson- One Year Wonder
McNabb- I WISH (Not gonna happen)
they should try to get Sage Rosefels or try to draft someone who gives a damn (not Tebow or Bradford)
natelan says:
December 4, 2009 1:42 PM
An awful quarterback, on an awful team, in an awful city, with awful fans.
What utter losers these people are.
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Natelan, you’re wrong on at least one count.
Oakland is NOT an awful city. There are crime ridden sections of Oakland and certainly parts are less than desirable. However there are also parts that are extremely nice with spectacular views of the Bay & the San Francisco skyline. Sections of downtown are quite nice, safe and have been updated.
Oakland takes a bad rap because of the crime and sometimes because of the Raiders fans behavior, but is definitely not an awful city. In fact portions are very livable and quite comfortable.
I keep reading these New England comments like they are world beaters. Maybe once but lets face it they have been falling lower and lower over the past 3 years and will never come back like they were. The cream puff division they play in has helped them make it to the playoffs more than they should have but this team is done.
“Then again, they tried that approach this year with Jeff Garcia, and Garcia ultimately asked to be cut.”
Wrong. Garcia was asked to be cut because it was obvious they only had him as a backup in case Russel got injured. They clearly had no real intentions of playing Garcia. Garcia, hoping for the chance to play –anywhere– asked to be cut.
If Garcia can’t find another team, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raiders brought him back.
They MIGHT be able to trade for Tony Romo, depending on how this season works out for the Cowboys. I’d imagine if he starts failing in December and they miss the playoffs again based on his play, they’d be willing to part with him.
Just to clarify, there is a 0% chance of Mcnabb playing in Oakland next year. Why would anyone with any other options choose to enter the bottomless pit that is the Raiders? And what would they give up for another QB anyway? They don’t have a single player worth the value of a decent QB…
They should just cut him and move on. Then again, I hate the Raiders so please keep him and make him the starter next year.
BALL BOY!!!!!!!!! Need I say more?!?!?!?
whatthehellisgoingonoutthere says:
December 4, 2009 1:24 PM
HarrisonHits says: December 4, 2009 12:28 PM
“Then again, they tried that approach this year with Jeff Garcia, and Garcia ultimately asked to be cut.”
And how’s that working out for him, cut by the Eagles after 1 game this year.
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He obviously asked to be cut because he realized that playing for the Raider’s Mickey Mouse operation wasn’t worth tarnishing his career over.
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Or he thought he was the sh!t, thought teams would be knocking down his door and guess what? He’s not and they’re not.
That can always make him a Left Tackle since the last guy they drafted for Left Tackle now plays Right Guard.
I don’t agree that Delhomme is trash or washed up. He was 12-4 last year with an 84.7 QB Rating. He has sucked this year, but the Raiders have no shot at getting a QB who played well this year.
Delhomme is their best shot at getting a guy who has produced for years and probably has a couple of years left in the league.
The dude has an 82.1 QB Rating for his career and nearly 20,000 passing yards. That is not trash!!!
What the Raiders really need are a couple of offensive linemen and some receivers who can catch. It doesn’t matter what their 40 times are if they can’t catch or run routes.
Al Davis just needs to go PERIOD.
He’s the problem! Cable will be gone EOY ’10 then start AGAIN!?
Davis NEEDS TO GO! And get some contemporary NFL people in Oakland. I hear Steve Young has a group and wants to get in on the Raider thing.
Forget Russell. HE DOESN’T LOVE THE GAME, JUST DA MONEY AND DOUGHNUTS!!!!!
What a tool!
Al has to be looking at Vince Young and thinking, “If that crazy bastard can turn it around, my lazy bastard can turn it around.” He’s not getting cut.
Are you joking with that last line comparing Russel to Moss? Moss was a proven player before he was a Raider, then Norv Turner sat on him.
Russel has never proved himselft.
“# pats suck, blow and cheat* says: December 4, 2009 12:24 PM
If the Raiders videptaped opposing defensive signals, Russell would be a lot better.
Worked for Shady Brady.”
not likely, I don’t even think if you handed Russell the opposing defense’s playbook and told him what play they were running could he be a winner. Then he’d have to study the playbook and c’mon man, he ain’t gonna do something so boring when he has all that money. He’s a balla!