Not long ago it would have seemed unthinkable that an Oakland Raiders quarterback could be named AFC offensive player of the week.
But not long ago, the Oakland Raiders’ quarterback was JaMarcus Russell.
Now the Raiders’ quarterback is Bruce Gradkowski, and today he was named AFC offensive player of the week for his 20-of-33, 308-yards, three-touchdown effort against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gradkowski became the first Raiders quarterback since Ken Stabler in 1979 to throw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, and he completed five passes during the game-winning drive, culminating in a touchdown toss to Louis Murphy.
Good for him and good for the Raiders.
The duck that he threw while falling down behind his lineman was flat out lucky…but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Other than that the Steeler D looked old and slow, but STILL had a chance to put the game away if Burnett would have actually used his hands to catch that ball instead of his sternum. What a shame. And that’s who may be getting the start next week??
Contrats Gradkowski…you deserve the award.
Now what all the JaMarcus lovers going to say about that.
Gradkowski $500,000
JaMarcus $63 million
I think his stock has gone way up in the NFL!!! Great Plays he made!!
I knew this kid was special coming out of Toledo. I also think it was unfortunate that he was drafted by Tampa Bay(not Gruden). Gruden is notorious for his intolerance of young qbs, and Gradkowski was never going to be given the time to develop. Pit stops in Cleveland, and St. Louis wouldn’t work out for any qb. I was glad to see the Raiders pick him up. You’re either born with passion, or you’re JaMarcus Russell.
Congrats to Bruce Almighty.
Great playin’ kid … u kicked our arse and we deserved it …
Just Win Baby
Why the heck did they throw away the season playing that Russell bust??
This uncapped year will be great for cutting all the deadwood around the league. The Raiders should drop Russell if he won’t drop his salary to the minimum.
Getting rid of Russell will get rid of blackouts.
I wish Gradkowski had been playing all season long.
Big props to Grads!
Now find a way do it again dude. It’s that time, right now.
How ridiculous that an overpaid lazy idiot started for so long simply because the team had to pay him 60+ million as a number one draft pick. Gotta get this rookie pay thing fixed.
Hats off to Grads, the energy he’s brought to the team is amazing.
What a difference over that slow fat bastard who’s been stealing his paychecks.
congrats to gradowski, for putting some hope back into the nation.
question is how many of you would go to work if you won a 68 million dollar jackpot, with 32 million of it guaranteed……exactly, that is why all of the under classman are coming out this year before the rookie salary cap is implemented in 2011.
2010 draft will be the deepest draft ever. 2011 will be slim pickings
Gradkowski has “That” most important natural leadership trait.
He will be good to go for the silver & black.
Jaworski: The Polish Rifle
Gradkowski: The Polish Popgun
I would like to see Uncle Al to weasel out of paying that fat & lazy #1 pick any more money the way he did on Shanahan. There’s gotta be something in his contract that stipulates certain performance must be met. Russell is nothing but a thief.
Yea this is great for Bruceski and the Raiders. Good day for the Raider Nation
To ASSWIPE Johnson, yeah you ass wipe
Ass wipe, my butt is brown come clean up the mess! Tool boy!
Rookie salaries shouldn’t be guaranteed.
They should have incentives in the contract that triggers cash flow: Pro bowl, win/loss, time on the field, stats etc.
Real football people who play, don’t take all the money.
Ask Tom Brady when he was doing his first real contract and gave money back to the team, to help the team.
Not a Pats fan here, just like real football players.
Jamar-sucks are you reading this?
Put down the doughnut and read this!
FumbleNuts says:
December 8, 2009 9:55 PM
Gradkowski has “That” most important natural leadership trait.
I think you want to say “he has the IT factor” what the hell are you smoking!
Al paid Shanarat, let it go dude.
It’s Great to see someone take advantage of an OPPORTUNITY given to them!!!!
Unlike JABustus that ungrateful, lazy and Bust!
Congrats to Gradkowski…Keep it up and seize the moment!!!!
Tdk24 says:
December 8, 2009 11:22 PM
Al paid Shanarat, let it go dude.
Jack off, Davis NEVER and NEVER will pay Shanahan, so get with it then let it go, tool boy!
Time will tell with this young QB. Lets hope he turns out as well as Gannon did. Same stick on Gannon before Al Davis and Gruden brought him to the Raiders. “He is a life long back up, cannot be a number 1 QB”
You cannot teach a person to be a leader, they are born. It has only been 3 games but two come from behind wins in 3 games is not bad. Maybe all this kid ever needed was a real chance, time will tell.
My day is complete.
Congrats to Gradkowski… Raiderchile get a friggin life and wipe your own ass… tool boy!? I’ve been reading profootballtalk for a long time and I’m sick of reading your illiterate BS comments… go find a job
Did you just learn the word tool boy?
Bruce Almighty! and a final parting gift from Gruden
who drafted Gradkowski in the first place…. Oddly enough, Grads was the first acquisition of the off season ( a premonition?)
He didn’t pay him and he doesn’t owe him.
Has Shanahan ever repaid the loan Al Davis gave him?
So, basically, Al Davis will parlay this into a good trade. Hahaha, no Raiders fans, Al isnt going to trade Russel, who has no value to anyone, he going to trade Gradkowski while the iron is hot! LMFAO
1nationraidernation says:
December 8, 2009 9:27 PM
question is how many of you would go to work if you won a 68 million dollar jackpot, with 32 million of it guaranteed……exactly, that is why all of the under classman are coming out this year before the rookie salary cap is implemented in 2011.
Problem is, we aren’t professional football players. If I was paid $62 Million I’d sure as hell be the first one in and the last one out, I’d be watching film all the time, and I’d put the cheeseburgers down and show up in shape. The guy making 0.008% of what JaBustus is making seems to be able to do those things.
You don’t hear about these same problems with Stafford, Sanchez, Ryan or Flacco. And from all accounts, our other 2 first round picks aren’t lazy. DHB just needs more time and McFadden is injury prone, but they do work.
Samaritan_1 too bad it is shanahan that actually owes davis money on a $475,000 loan. why would al pay him money when he is owed more money? get a life.
congrats bruce! you deserve it. too bad russell wasn’t benched sooner. if he had been could the raiders be talking playoffs? i don’t know but interesting to think about.
# Bill Cowher’s Chin says: December 9, 2009 8:39 AM
So, basically, Al Davis will parlay this into a good trade. Hahaha, no Raiders fans, Al isnt going to trade Russel, who has no value to anyone, he going to trade Gradkowski while the iron is hot! LMFAO
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Shouldn’t you be in school, kid?
Bruce had a great game, but your only as good as your last game. So if he doesnt back it up this week at home against Washington then back to square one…..
NOte: DMAC needs to be used like Reggie Bush, he can’t run in between the tackles like he has been doing.
Also: Hine Ward is a POS. Nice Face Mask on he had on Chris Johnson for the TD….Glad to see him sit out so his teammates can see what a punk he is..
As a Steelers fan, congrats to Gradkowski, earned it with that fourth quarter comeback he engineered against us. With the way we have been playing this season in the fourth quarter look for Brady Quinn to get the award next unless Tomlin can make some beneficial changes in the secondary and we can build a sizable lead early on.
Here’s to hoping that Al’s legacy of turning castoffs into stars continues, and his recent habit of overpaying useless rookies to underperform fades away.
Congratulations to Gradkowski and the entire Raider team for continuing to push forward and recommitting to their Commitment to Excellence.
Pride and Poise can’t be reestablished with just one game, but the progress over this season gives The Nation a glimmer of hope that the trials of the oughts will be replaced with the triumph of the teens.