(Not-so) SURPRISE MOVE: Frye to Start Over Struggling Russell

15 weeks into the season, the decision to bench (yet again) former overall #1 pick JaMarcus Russell in favor of another journeyman was clear-cut. Many speculate Charlie Frye's starting nod has serious implications on Russell's future with the Silver and Black. After several days of discussions, head coach Tom Cable, offensive coordinator Ted Tollner, and quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett unanimously agreed Charlie Frye offers the most potential in upsetting the Broncos this weekend.

Charlie Frye has not played a single snap this year and has not started a game since week 5 of 2008 for the Seattle Seahawks. Relegated to the practice squad, "It will be good to get back out there with the offense and run some plays that aren't on cards." Frye joked. "I've got a lot of fire in me. I've been that crutch and that supportive guy all season, so now it's my turn to be the fiery leader."

The prized $60M investment that is JaMarcus Russell has hit a serious wall and his future in doubt. Coach Tom Cable insists Russell is still the future of the team is and will continue to "be developed". Russell was unavailable for comment but said before the game against the Redskins that he still feels he is the STILL the Raiders quarterback of the future. The decision to start Charlie Frye over Russell further speculates Oakland may be looking to sever its ties with Russell, who signed a six-year contract in 2006 that included more than $30 million in guarantees.

Similiar in many facets to Bruce Gradkowski in terms of mobility and playing style, Charlie Frye brings fluidity to a position that has helped the team earn two late comeback victories in the past 4 games. Frye (just like Gradkowski) impressed Oakland's coaches with attention to detail in meetings and during practice. Again, Russell graded poorly in comparison during the same meetings and reps with the first unit.

Down to just two healthy quarterbacks, the Raiders signed former Bills starter J.P. Losman, who recently led the Las Vegas Locomotives to win the USFL's inaugural championship this season. This and the fact that Bruce Gradkowski has yet to have been added to the injured reserve list, has fueld even more speculation Russell will not see a snap again this season (and perhaps as a Raider).

TEAM NOTES:
TE Zach Miller still has not practiced (concussion, listed as questionable) and will be a game-time decision.
FS Michael Huff returned to practice today after re-injuring his shoulder (stinger) against the Redskins.
Darrius Heyward-Bey did not practice (sprained foot) and is doubtful for the Broncos game.
Greg Ellis sat out practice yet again (knee sprain) and is questionable this Sunday.

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Gradkowski Suffers Torn MCL, JaMarcus-Led Raiders Lose

Photo courtesy of Ben Margot of the Associated Press

Yesterday’s loss to the Redskins was secondary news to the Raider Nation. The headliner that had many in a "headspin" was the indefinite loss of Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski to a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and a partially torn MCL in his right. Gradkowski on suffering injuries to both knees: "I hurt my left knee in the first quarter on the first sack and kind of felt a pop but I didn’t think nothing of it. I just put a brace on it and kept going. The last play of the first half, it happened to my right knee and I heard a pop on that knee so then it was both knees. I tried taping it up for the second half but it wasn’t happening.”Asked on whether he’ll play again this season: “I don’t count myself out. You never need surgery with MCLs. I’ll try to get back, do whatever I can to get healthy fast if I could. That’s the only thing I worry about."

With Gradkowski going down; in came incumbent starter JaMarcus Russel and his unprecedented league low 47.7 quarterback rating. In just two quarters of relief, Russell connected on 10-of-16 passing attempts (0-TD and 1-INT) although the statistics show stark improvement the numbers are deceiving as he was under constant pressure (11 QB hurries and 6 sacks) and his lack of awareness to convert much needed first downs, led the way for the Redskins to pull away. Russell’s performance was so uninspiring that head coach Tom Cable pondered pulling Russell during the fourth quarter in favor of third-stringer Charlie Frye in hopes of sparking some much needed offensive flow.

When asked about naming his starter for next week’s showdown in Denver, “Let’s get to tomorrow and we’ll talk about that.” Attempting to sidestep the notion that he has lost complete confidence in Russell, “I thought it was a tough situation,” coach Tom Cable said. “You have to look at the film. Could he do better? Probably, but everybody could have.”

During post-game interviews coach Cable was asked about the overall performance of the team in yesterday’s loss: “Very disappointed, too many penalties, not enough flow offensively. Defensively, just really struggled it seemed like in the first half in the secondary and then we’re never able to come back and make a stand or do anything about it in the second half.”

NOTABLE INJURIES
QB Bruce Gradkowski: two torn MCLs on both knees. Season likely over.
TE Zach Miller left the game with head and shoulder injury. With a concussion suffered earlier in season, team doctors are concerned and Miller will be listed as “questionable”.
CB Nnamdi Asomugha suffered an injury to his right forearm on a blitz when he hit a helmet late in the first half. He returned late in the fourth quarter. “The arm just went dead. So we had to come in and take X-rays. They just feel like it’s more with the nerve. That’s why I went back in.” Nnamdi should be fine for next week.
FS Michael Huff suffered a stinger and did not return. Hiram Eugene replaced Huff and may get the start in Denver. Huff’s status is still uncertain but should be listed as probable during the week.

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NFL GAME OF THE WEEK? Raiders Ambush Reeling Steelers

Did you miss out on the Silver and Black's beat down of Pitts'ville? Recapture the Oakland Raiders stunning 27-24 Week 13 victory over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Raiders Duo Considered for Week 13 NFL Play of the Week

(Photo courtesy of Tony Gonzales of Raiders.com)

Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski returned home to lead the Raiders against a tattered Steeler team. The fourth-year journeyman looked every bit Raider fans envisioned former 1st overall pick JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be as Gradkowski led the Raiders to a game-winning drive over a reeling Pittsburgh Steelers. With good protection and an uncanny pocket awareness, Gradkowsi threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

In what certainly looked to be a rout of the Raiders, the same story that has plagued Pittsburgh all season occurred yet again as the home fans watched in agony to see that their defending Super Bowl team could not close another game with a late lead. Because the game still close, the Raiders patience paid off as a confident Gradkowski finished off a fourth quarter 11-play drive connecting with WR Chaz Schilens on a 17 yd touchdown pass with 8 minutes remaining.

Although the Raiders defense gave up two touchdowns, the surprising young Raiders offense matched both touchdowns with 2 more of their own.

In a span of roughly 5 and a half minutes, Gradkowski tossed two touchdown passes to WR Louis Murphy to lead yet another Raiders come from behind victory. Standing at their own 25 and staring at a 3rd and 13; an ever confident Gradkowski play actioned RB Justin Fargas rolling out right and hit Murphy in stride on a 75-yd TD post pattern.

Here is where the game became interesting, unfolding before our very eyes (and you heard it hear first) the Bruce Gradkowski era has begun! Backed at their own 11 yard line and with only a minute-48 remaining in the game, Gradkowski completed pass after pass to his young receivers with a pivotal 24 yard desperation heave (more like Hail Mary) to (surprise) Murphy at the 17 yd line, who wisely jumped out of bounds. With nine seconds remaining, it was fitting fashion as Gradkowski closed the game out by hitting his favorite target from 11yds out for just the rookie's second game clinching touchdown in 3 weeks.


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"In Gradkowski We Trust?" Raiders Brass Committed to QB OR to Salvage a Once Optimistic Season?

Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski returns home to lead the Raiders against a tattered Steeler team.

Head coach Tom Cable continues to insist JaMarcus Russell is the long-term quarterback of the team. However, with the regression of the $60M project (Russell); Cable has committed to his 4th year journeyman quarterback to salvage a once promising season.

Since replacing Russell in the third quarter against the Chiefs in week 10, Gradkowski has been able to move the offense more effectively. Although not as physically gifted as Russell, Gradkowski provides the Raiders with decent pocket-awareness and leadership to a young Raider team who rank last in passing and 29th in turnovers. Many within the Raider Nation faithfuls' view Gradkowski as average at best however with just 2 starts under his belt look for vast improvements over his predecessor who seemed to regress in his just his third year.

Raider coaches have openly viewed Gradkowski's attributes to the Denver Donkey's Kyle Orton, a patient field manager who doesn't force throws and allows plays to develop. For the skeptics, consider this "not-so-fun": the Raider's offensive line ranks 25th in sacks given, not to mention the most quarterback hurries in the league. It is reasonable to believe Gradkowski will not put up Drew Brees or Peyton Manning numbers, so patience should be given as the young quarterback still adjusts to the speed of the game.

What has head coach Tom Cable and quarterbacks coach optimistic about Gradkowski is the fact that he is consistently on the same page as his young receivers, in particular Lance Murphy and first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey. With the return of starter Chaz Shilens, there is finally a reason to be enthusiastic about what this quartet can bring to the offense.

Team insiders say the turning point for Gradkowski (and subsequent downfall of JaMarcus) was during the team's film session while preparing against the Chiefs. Many coaches (including receivers) were pleasantly surprised by Gradkowski's knowledge of the Raiders offensive playbook and ability to handle adjustments during Q&A film sessions of the opposing defense. JaMarcus in the meantime had trouble making the same adjustment reads and was encouraged to spend extra time with assistants viewing various defensive formations and blitz protection schemes.

For the time being, while Gradkowski is allowed time to "gel" with his receivers, look for the team to provide a heavy dose of the run game headed by the 3-headed monsters (DMC, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush). (SEE MORE BELOW)

Time will tell how successful the team can be down the stretch however, he will certainly not be hailed as the team's savior, but Bruce Gradkowski has brought something to the table the team has lacked during the season: unfledged confidence in their field general and optimism for the faithful that is "the Raider Nation".


WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

KEEP JaMarcus on the BENCH! Figuring out the complexity of the Steeler's blitz-and-stunt schemes is like asking a high school dropout to explain Pythagora's theory. Communication amongst the offensive line and Gradkowski's ability to recognize the Steeler's defensive formations will be vital in keeping the young quarterback off his back and JaMarcus on the bench. OUTLOOK: Doesn't look too good for Gradkowski-fans, a late cameo appearance by JaMarcus will be on hand.

BATTLES TO WATCH
With a decent performance against all-world-sack-specialist DeMarcus Ware, LT Mario Henderson will face off against last year's Defensive Player of the Year and sack specialist Jerome Harrison. It is imperative for Henderson to maintain his ground in what may be his most formidable challenge of the year and not to mention in consecutive weeks. Communication with his linemen will be the key to this matchup.

CB Chris Johnson vs. WR Santonio Holmes. Dallas avoided cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and the outcome was still a blowout. Look for the Steelers to target Chris Johnson early and often as the speedy Holmes will look to open up the passing game to allow for a more effective Steeler ground attack.

The Three-Headed-Running Backs vs. Steeler's Rush Defense. The Steelers rank third in the NFL in rushing defense and the 88 yards surrendered to Baltimore's Ray Rice last week was the most they've given up all season(YES this includes shutting down Chris Johnson, Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson along the way!) Whats this mean for the Raiders ground game? All signs point to establishing a controlled short-passing game to set up the run game. The key here is to avoid turnovers (uh-oh) and leave the field position up to Shane Lechler. This only works if the Raiders defense can hold its own, slow the Steelers running game. OUTLOOK: Not so good with bad weather in the forecast, Lechler's leg will be the key, avoiding turnovers... yeah good luck.


FINALLY...





Raider Nation Plea

The billboard the media and sports talk radio is buzzing about: 25,000+ strong Raider Nation faithfuls asking team owner Al Davis to step down as the team's General Manager.

Outlook: Seems far fetched, but damn funny!






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