We previously noted that Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey may have a better year in 2010 because he’ll be playing with a better quarterback. The same could be true of Raiders left tackle Mario Henderson.
Speaking with reporters at the Raiders’ organized team activities, Henderson praised new quarterback Jason Campbell for having the proper footwork when he drops back to pass -- making it easier for Henderson to know how to block for him. And while Henderson didn’t criticize JaMarcus Russell by name, his comments suggest that he found it frustrating to block for Russell.
“Now I can get adjusted as to where [Campbell] steps up in the pocket, [and] I know he’s accurate, as far if it’s a seven-step drop, I know he’ll take seven; if it’s five, I know he’s going to take five,” Henderson said. “That’s good to be accurate.”
While Russell suffered from lethargy addiction, Henderson praises the hard work and study habits of Campbell.
“For him to be able to come here, be able to grasp the offense and take control of it as fast as he did, it’s amazing,” Henderson said of Campbell. “It just goes to show you the type of guy he is and the type of hard worker and studier he is.”
Just as Russell’s three years in Oakland showed the type of hard worker and studier he is.