Raiders unveil Russell
By Steve Corkran
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 12/03/2007 03:02:23 AM PST
OAKLAND -- Denver Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun no doubt must have wondered what all the fuss was about. After all, punts are commonplace in NFL games, and it's not as if return specialist Devin Hester was about to receive another shot at weaving his magic.
So, why all the commotion from Raider fans? Thirty yards or so to Sauerbrun's left stood Raiders rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell receiving instruction from quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and placing a helmet upon his shaven head.
Twelve games into his pro career, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft was about to make his NFL debut, and those who braved the cold weather gleaned it well in advance of the notice from the public address announcer at McAfee Coliseum on Sunday.
Never mind that starting quarterback Josh McCown had guided the Raiders to an opening-drive touchdown and owned a gaudy 119.4 passer rating. Fans wanted a look at the future, and coach Lane Kiffin finally obliged.
"I definitely wanted to watch," Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "I made a point to see the first play, at least."
Russell graced the field for two unremarkable series, but it was enough to show that he is competent, confident and deserving of more playing time between now and the end of the season.
Kiffin refused to commit to Russell beyond Sunday. He said he isn't sure it's such a good idea to play him in a cold-weather game against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.
"It's not going to be real warm there,going to be a tough environment to go play in," Kiffin said. "We'll look at it all. We'll also look at the health of our quarterbacks."
McCown started because Daunte Culpepper sustained a right quadriceps injury. Culpepper had started the two previous games. McCown played despite a dislocated left pinkie finger, which required attention early in the third quarter.
The record shows that McCown passed for three touchdowns and led the Raiders past the Broncos 34-20. But this game is destined to be remembered as the one in which Russell embarked upon a journey the Raiders hope takes them back to prominence.
That's fine with McCown.
"It was cool for our team because it brought a new energy level," McCown said. "If that helps our team, I'm all for that. So, I'm tickled for JaMarcus. He was great. He did a lot of good things."
For now, there's the small matter of winning games with the players that Kiffin deems best suited to pull off the feat. Russell's day looms. On Sunday, McCown offered the best opportunity, in Kiffin's estimation.
McCown validated Kiffin's faith in him by completing 67 percent of his passes, including the three that registered on the scoreboard. He finished with a 125.2 passer rating. Russell went 4-of-7 for 56 yards and a passer rating of 83.0.
LINK
http://www.contracostatimes.com/raid...nclick_check=1
Raiders unveil Russell
Raiders unveil Russell
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