[BoJack247]

(this may be a long post but i hope fellow posters will take the time to read and contribute since this isn't a typical Jamarcus sucks thread. no need to skim and miss the point.)


i might get slammed for what i'm about to say here but here goes:

as of right now, JaMarcus Russell does not have what it takes to be a successful QB in the NFL.

there i said it. i love my Raiders. but its not blind. i hope to God that Russell wakes up, realizes that HE is the future of this franchise (not McFadden, not DHB, not even Nnamdi) and takes on not just some, but ALL of the responsibilities it takes to be a great QB in the NFL.

sure he's only going into his 3rd season. sure QBs and players for that matter usually make the jump in their 3rd season. but if the last two years on and off the field have been a prelude of what to expect this coming season, it makes me really nervous.

unlike some, i don't think the fact that Jamarcus enjoys the night life and likes to wear 10lb diamond encrusted medallions of his jersey around his neck is indicative of his performance on the field. i don't mind that his nutritionist's last name is McDonalds.

however the thing i question most is what is between his ears. it worries me that Jamarcus does not display any of the character traits that run common in successful QBs in the NFL. all i've heard (and correct me if i'm wrong) is Tom Cable say things like he needs to step up this year and be a leader, etc. even if a QB is going through growing pains in their first few years, i have never heard questionable work ethic about guys like Phillip Rivers, Ben Rothlisberger, Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselbeck or any good QB for that matter.

people on this board want to compare him to Donovan McNabb and even John Elway. though they may have physical abilities that are similar, they are far and apart when it comes to preparation, command and respect of the huddle, and an outward willingness to assume the responsibilities of being a franchise QB. McNabb is a constant fixture at the team facility on and offseason. Peyton Manning lives in the film room.

all i have seen from Russell thus far is apathy and a lukewarm approach to his role on this team. he cannot have the mindset that he is just another player on this team. do i have an insider in the organization? no. am i a member of the front office? no. i don't need to be. i have always been taught that when one puts in effort in any area of life, whether it be in the classroom, at work, on the field, or in the gym, it cannot be contained. everyone around you takes notice. am i being too hard on Russell? no. there's a reason why QBs are the highest paid position in the NFL. they are the leaders of their team...the generals of their army.

its not what teammates have said about Jamarcus that we should worry about. its what they haven't said. teammates and coaches haven't come out and made comments about how much of a difference they see in him, how he's become more proactive, or how much more confident he is in his reads, etc. in Atlanta, teammates have come out and said as much about Matt Ryan.

Jamarcus, in terms of natural ability, is a man amongst boys. he's a big QB with a rocket arm who can also scramble out of the pocket and make plays with his legs. he has the tools to be one of the top QBs in the league. he has the backing of the Raider Nation, and an owner who has gone out of his way to draft weapons for him. its put up or shut up time for Russell and i hope and pray that he does put up and produce on the field.

[agular9]

I hear you and all of your valid points. Its tough to swallow, but we, as fans, need to support and cheer the man on and hope something clicks "in between those ears" as you put it.

Believe me, a lot of people feel the same way, but no sense in looking back now...

[Anotharaiderfan]

How about you not judge him, and let him start his 17th game first.

Complete his second minicamp.

Turn age 24.

[Live.B.A.Raida]

Originally Posted by Anotharaiderfan

How about you not judge him, and let him start his 17th game first.

Complete his second minicamp.

Turn age 24.

besides it's not like the guy has been putting in a lot of work this offseason, taking on more leadership, holding meetings with the recievers. It's not like the coach, Garcia, and the recievers have been saying Jamarcus has been giving instruction to the recievers, communicating with the offense, and taking command of the huddle.... It's not like he has been showing improvement...... curse him!!!!!

[R8RFOX]

Originally Posted by BoJack247

(this may be a long post but i hope fellow posters will take the time to read and contribute since this isn't a typical Jamarcus sucks thread. no need to skim and miss the point.)


i might get slammed for what i'm about to say here but here goes:

as of right now, JaMarcus Russell does not have what it takes to be a successful QB in the NFL.

there i said it. i love my Raiders. but its not blind. i hope to God that Russell wakes up, realizes that HE is the future of this franchise (not McFadden, not DHB, not even Nnamdi) and takes on not just some, but ALL of the responsibilities it takes to be a great QB in the NFL.

sure he's only going into his 3rd season. sure QBs and players for that matter usually make the jump in their 3rd season. but if the last two years on and off the field have been a prelude of what to expect this coming season, it makes me really nervous.

unlike some, i don't think the fact that Jamarcus enjoys the night life and likes to wear 10lb diamond encrusted medallions of his jersey around his neck is indicative of his performance on the field. i don't mind that his nutritionist's last name is McDonalds.

however the thing i question most is what is between his ears. it worries me that Jamarcus does not display any of the character traits that run common in successful QBs in the NFL. all i've heard (and correct me if i'm wrong) is Tom Cable say things like he needs to step up this year and be a leader, etc. even if a QB is going through growing pains in their first few years, i have never heard questionable work ethic about guys like Phillip Rivers, Ben Rothlisberger, Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselbeck or any good QB for that matter.

people on this board want to compare him to Donovan McNabb and even John Elway. though they may have physical abilities that are similar, they are far and apart when it comes to preparation, command and respect of the huddle, and an outward willingness to assume the responsibilities of being a franchise QB. McNabb is a constant fixture at the team facility on and offseason. Peyton Manning lives in the film room.

all i have seen from Russell thus far is apathy and a lukewarm approach to his role on this team. he cannot have the mindset that he is just another player on this team. do i have an insider in the organization? no. am i a member of the front office? no. i don't need to be. i have always been taught that when one puts in effort in any area of life, whether it be in the classroom, at work, on the field, or in the gym, it cannot be contained. everyone around you takes notice. am i being too hard on Russell? no. there's a reason why QBs are the highest paid position in the NFL. they are the leaders of their team...the generals of their army.

its not what teammates have said about Jamarcus that we should worry about. its what they haven't said. teammates and coaches haven't come out and made comments about how much of a difference they see in him, how he's become more proactive, or how much more confident he is in his reads, etc. in Atlanta, teammates have come out and said as much about Matt Ryan.

Jamarcus, in terms of natural ability, is a man amongst boys. he's a big QB with a rocket arm who can also scramble out of the pocket and make plays with his legs. he has the tools to be one of the top QBs in the league. he has the backing of the Raider Nation, and an owner who has gone out of his way to draft weapons for him. its put up or shut up time for Russell and i hope and pray that he does put up and produce on the field.

Damn dawg, I hope you are wrong. Alot of your impressions of him "between the ears" is overblown by the media. Since he is a #1 all around pick he is really under the microscope. I hope he shows everyone wrong and proves to be our franchise QB. If not, then we will be out searching for another starting QB this coming offseason.

[The Judge]

Dammit!!! R8RFOX, you have done it to me again. I have a self-diagnosed medical condition I call "bootydrome." At the sight of a mesmorizing booty I become crippled, kind of like Al Paccino in "Awakening." I can be in the middle of the street, and BAM, I'm just standing there staring at a booty. I'm about to post something, and then...BAM! I can't even find the keyboard anymore.

About the post...I have an idea. Let's tear down the confidence of this 23 year old man my repeatedly hitting him with the message that he'll never make it in the NFL. We can do it so often he really starts to believe it, and we can just crap the next 5 years away.

On second thought...how about we watch the coaches work with him and build up his work ethic. Support him. Recognize his strengths. Forgive his mistakes and let him learn from them. I'm not ready to mail it in on our franchise QB.

[nor_cal_raider7]

Originally Posted by BoJack247

(this may be a long post but i hope fellow posters will take the time to read and contribute since this isn't a typical Jamarcus sucks thread. no need to skim and miss the point.)


i might get slammed for what i'm about to say here but here goes:

as of right now, JaMarcus Russell does not have what it takes to be a successful QB in the NFL.

there i said it. i love my Raiders. but its not blind. i hope to God that Russell wakes up, realizes that HE is the future of this franchise (not McFadden, not DHB, not even Nnamdi) and takes on not just some, but ALL of the responsibilities it takes to be a great QB in the NFL.

sure he's only going into his 3rd season. sure QBs and players for that matter usually make the jump in their 3rd season. but if the last two years on and off the field have been a prelude of what to expect this coming season, it makes me really nervous.

unlike some, i don't think the fact that Jamarcus enjoys the night life and likes to wear 10lb diamond encrusted medallions of his jersey around his neck is indicative of his performance on the field. i don't mind that his nutritionist's last name is McDonalds.

however the thing i question most is what is between his ears. it worries me that Jamarcus does not display any of the character traits that run common in successful QBs in the NFL. all i've heard (and correct me if i'm wrong) is Tom Cable say things like he needs to step up this year and be a leader, etc. even if a QB is going through growing pains in their first few years, i have never heard questionable work ethic about guys like Phillip Rivers, Ben Rothlisberger, Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselbeck or any good QB for that matter.

people on this board want to compare him to Donovan McNabb and even John Elway. though they may have physical abilities that are similar, they are far and apart when it comes to preparation, command and respect of the huddle, and an outward willingness to assume the responsibilities of being a franchise QB. McNabb is a constant fixture at the team facility on and offseason. Peyton Manning lives in the film room.

all i have seen from Russell thus far is apathy and a lukewarm approach to his role on this team. he cannot have the mindset that he is just another player on this team. do i have an insider in the organization? no. am i a member of the front office? no. i don't need to be. i have always been taught that when one puts in effort in any area of life, whether it be in the classroom, at work, on the field, or in the gym, it cannot be contained. everyone around you takes notice. am i being too hard on Russell? no. there's a reason why QBs are the highest paid position in the NFL. they are the leaders of their team...the generals of their army.

its not what teammates have said about Jamarcus that we should worry about. its what they haven't said. teammates and coaches haven't come out and made comments about how much of a difference they see in him, how he's become more proactive, or how much more confident he is in his reads, etc. in Atlanta, teammates have come out and said as much about Matt Ryan.

Jamarcus, in terms of natural ability, is a man amongst boys. he's a big QB with a rocket arm who can also scramble out of the pocket and make plays with his legs. he has the tools to be one of the top QBs in the league. he has the backing of the Raider Nation, and an owner who has gone out of his way to draft weapons for him. its put up or shut up time for Russell and i hope and pray that he does put up and produce on the field.

Sounds to me like you only want to hear the negatives that the media is spewing. Nobody except the Raiders really know. Cable said he needed to improve his leadership skills. Now all we hear is he is not a leader. There is a difference between needing to improve and not doing it at all.
Yes, Raider players have said how much more confidence he has in the huddle, how is better at reading defenses, and becoming a better leader but I guess you only want to hear the negatives.
This board has become so negative that is no longer a fun board.

[goofismaximus]

you do have some valid points,but it is rare that a young qb comes in and dominates the game.remember with practice come experience with experience comes comfort with comfort comes a relaxed poised player that can dictate games.most qb's take 3-4 years to attain this,and it is his third year and only his first as full time starter.i do expect some big growing pains but if he has the heart and will to learn from his mistakes the future looks good.but as with any qb improvements in his game must be made and hopefully the coaches around him can help him make that happen

[OWShaddock]

Well, obviously it's too soon to say. That said, there's nothing wrong with "judging" Russell, so long as you recognize you're judging an incomplete picture.

Fact is, based on the totality of his two years in the NFL, Russell is a very mediocre - at best - quarterback. However, sprinkled amid his mostly average-to-worse play have been several moments of good-to-great play.
We have to hope that - like many great quarterbacks before him - he more consistently produces that higher level of play as he continues to develop. Whether he does is far from a certainty. Some guys "get it" and develop into studs. Some never do.
Which is why I can't help but chuckle at the posts comparing his early numbers with those of Elway over and over and over and over again. Yeah, Russell's early numbers compare - perhaps even favorably - with those of Elway. So do Rick Mirer's. And Tim Couch's. And Rex Grossman's. And probably dozens of other guys who never amounted to a hill of beans.
It proves nothing other than young quarterbacks usually struggle.

[crizpynutz]

Originally Posted by OWShaddock

Well, obviously it's too soon to say. That said, there's nothing wrong with "judging" Russell, so long as you recognize you're judging an incomplete picture.

Fact is, based on the totality of his two years in the NFL, Russell is a very mediocre - at best - quarterback. However, sprinkled amid his mostly average-to-worse play have been several moments of good-to-great play.
We have to hope that - like many great quarterbacks before him - he more consistently produces that higher level of play as he continues to develop. Whether he does is far from a certainty. Some guys "get it" and develop into studs. Some never do.
Which is why I can't help but chuckle at the posts comparing his early numbers with those of Elway over and over and over and over again. Yeah, Russell's early numbers compare - perhaps even favorably - with those of Elway. So do Rick Mirer's. And Tim Couch's. And Rex Grossman's. And probably dozens of other guys who never amounted to a hill of beans.
It proves nothing other than young quarterbacks usually struggle.

I agree with you OW. There is nothing wrong with making the judgements and points that were made by the OP so long as we know that those judgements are not finalized as the product has not been fully vetted out on the field. We have to give Russell more time, he's young, inexperienced and needs the chance to mature and develop. There's nothing wrong with discussing opinions of him at this point, but let's not write anything down in permanent ink as we may be revisiting these same conversations a long time from now with a different outlook.

[BoJack247]

Originally Posted by R8RFOX

Damn dawg, I hope you are wrong. Alot of your impressions of him "between the ears" is overblown by the media. Since he is a #1 all around pick he is really under the microscope. I hope he shows everyone wrong and proves to be our franchise QB. If not, then we will be out searching for another starting QB this coming offseason.

i hope i'm wrong too.

i don't understand people jumping the gun and saying that he's a bust, but on the same note i don't understand those who think that Jamarcus will be a good QB on the field when he hasn't shown the proper attitude or even swagger for that matter that is appropriate of a franchise caliber QB.

people can't expect him to all of a sudden play great on the field if he doesn't show that he's making the preparations to do so. that's like being a smart kid and not prep for the SATs. you may score well due to the fact you're smart, but you're not going to get the desired score because you didn't do your best to prepare.

FOX, i know you know your way around the gym so you understand me when i say this: it takes hard work and daily dedication in the gym throwing around the weights and what happens....it shows in the mirror.

i want to see Jamarcus succeed. but from his questionable work ethic to his blase attitude, something needs to change.

[OTF]

Read it... now can I have my 3 minutes back?

[BoJack247]

Originally Posted by nor_cal_raider7

Sounds to me like you only want to hear the negatives that the media is spewing. Nobody except the Raiders really know. Cable said he needed to improve his leadership skills. Now all we hear is he is not a leader. There is a difference between needing to improve and not doing it at all.
Yes, Raider players have said how much more confidence he has in the huddle, how is better at reading defenses, and becoming a better leader but I guess you only want to hear the negatives.
This board has become so negative that is no longer a fun board.

i am not one to listen to what you may call negative spewing from the media. i did not say that he sucks or he is a bust. i am comparing him to the traits that recent successful 1st round QBs have exhibited early in their career and how Jamarcus has exhibited none of these yet.

and the last thing i am is negative about this team or its players. like i said, i love my Raiders but its not blind.

[Hungary87]

Yeah, the jury is still out. We have seen some good signs, and we've seen some indications of what might be bad signs. But a lot of that - suggestions about poor work ethic, conditioning, etc - is coming through the distorting prism of the media, cryptic comments from insiders, and so on, so we really can't make too much of it. Just have to wait and see.

No doubt this coming seaosn will be mighty interesting, dare I say crucial, for Russell and the Raider organization.

[OTF]

Originally Posted by BoJack247

i am not one to listen to what you may call negative spewing from the media. i did not say that he sucks or he is a bust. i am comparing him to the traits that recent successful 1st round QBs have exhibited early in their career and how Jamarcus has exhibited none of these yet.

and the last thing i am is negative about this team or its players. like i said, i love my Raiders but its not blind.

There are different types of QBs and so you can't judge them all by what some "expert" labels them as. Joe Montana was known for his cool demeanor and for his come from behind victories in college and then in the NFL. For this he was called Cool Joe.

Russell has shown the same knack for making big plays and having a cool demeanor. Russell had more clutch come from behind victories in college then Montana. So far he hasn't had a great supporting cast but has shown he can be clutch in the NFL. Some QBs do show more fire but that doesn't make them better, Leaf showed a lot of fire how did that work?

People say he is not the smartest but the same people said that about Doug Williams and it didn't stop him from winning the Super Bowl. People say Russell can't read defense but his lack of INTs shows he does a better job then most young QB who put up double digit INTs.