Lane Kiffin will not start JaMarcus Russell for at least a few weeks because....

[Raiders40]

Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune speculates that coach Lane Kiffin will not start JaMarcus Russell for at least a few weeks because of the poor team that surrounds him.

"You better make sure you have the right stuff around him... This is a guy who's not used to losing," Kiffin said. Kiffin wants to make sure Russell is both physically and psychologically prepared enough that he won't be frustrated by struggling in the NFL. Expect the Raiders to be patient with their rookie QB, and for him to only have value in dynasty leagues.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/news.aspx?sport=NFL

[East Coast Ang]

Cant say I blame him. You dont want another Daivd Carr or Joey Harrington

[Jimi18]

Originally Posted by East Coast Ang

Cant say I blame him. You dont want another Daivd Carr or Joey Harrington

Exactly... or closer to home Andrew Walter...
Russell will get his chance, but he needs to make sure more than just the RB is ready to play with him.

[WNYRAIDER]

As patient as he wants to be, he is going to run into increasing pressure to give the team a boost and keep players and fans interested in the coming weeks.

I wanted Walter at the beginning and i still would have liked him in the meantime if he had been getting any work at all. Its unfortunate for him that he seemed to pout and handle things poorly in camp and preseason and probably is so rusty and out of the loop that he isn't really an option at all now. I just can't see him doing any worse than McCown and C-P while we wait for other things to come around.

[LOUISVILLE R8R]

I can't argue with Kiffin's logic here. this team needs to improve dramatically before we throw him out there.

[WNYRAIDER]

Originally Posted by LOUISVILLE R8R

I can't argue with Kiffin's logic here. this team needs to improve dramatically before we throw him out there.

The problem is, where do you rank the QB play on the list of things that need to improve on 'O'? Terrible play at more times than not at that position has contributed big-time to the overall poor product on the field. I don't see how the offense can improve significantly without better play from the leader of that unit. (Whoever that may be at the time)

We did have a 100 yd rusher yesterday so that position seemed solid, at least for another Sunday. The poor play at the QB position simply left us with no chance. Who knows, maybe the thought of protecting the future may inspire and focus the O-line in a way they have been unable to focus for the last several weeks.

When will the perfect time for him to enter be? (Wondering out loud)

[ladyr8r]

It'd be nice to be 'positive' and say things will happen and JaMarcus Russell will be great if he's thrown in now HOWEVER.....IMHO, as this season progresses, it seems to be worsening, so much as to even say, "you know, I got better **** to do w/my time on Sundays." Now, bein a true fan, that really isnt an option, therr's still some hope. Sooo..in sayin that, things may not improve this season, who knows. But I'll tell ya what, THE FUTURE IS NOW. FCK THAT FEW WEEKS BUSINESS. Let him come in and get some reps, atleast in the last quarter of the game since thats wherr the Raiders blow it. Aside from the other crap goin on in offense, the QB carousel is extremely frustrating......SMh.....

[HatedRaider18]

Originally Posted by East Coast Ang

Cant say I blame him. You dont want another Daivd Carr or Joey Harrington

There may be a sliver of truth in that. However, I believe you are either cut out to be an NFL QB or not. Those 2 guys were extremely questionable when they were drafted as is JR. Elway, Aikman, Manning all came into bad situations and managed to play through a bad year or 2. JR is either going to prove to be like these 3 guys or the 2 that you had mentioned and very little will have to do with him playing on a bad team.

Kiff is doing the right thing in making sure that he knows the offense. Hell we might be here another 3 years waiting for our OL to be solid enough to give him Brady-like protection. It's not going to happen by next year so let him get used to speed of the game as soon as he can run the offense.

["BANK$RAIDER"]

Kiffin is a smart guy and I respect his decison to not destroy JaMarcus's mentality and his confidence. I also respect Kiffin for not getting caught up in what the media is saying and what the fans want in regards to Russell. McCown is gunna get his throat cut next game at McAfee....I honestly feel kinda sorry for him but hey I was flippin him off and givin him the f*** you yesterday as well......I trust Kiffin is making the right decision

[DetroitRaider]

Originally Posted by HatedRaider18

There may be a sliver of truth in that. However, I believe you are either cut out to be an NFL QB or not. Those 2 guys were extremely questionable when they were drafted as is JR. Elway, Aikman, Manning all came into bad situations and managed to play through a bad year or 2. JR is either going to prove to be like these 3 guys or the 2 that you had mentioned and very little will have to do with him playing on a bad team.

Kiff is doing the right thing in making sure that he knows the offense. Hell we might be here another 3 years waiting for our OL to be solid enough to give him Brady-like protection. It's not going to happen by next year so let him get used to speed of the game as soon as he can run the offense.

I couldn't agree more. While confidence can be an issue with some young QB's,I think it is overplayed. You can either learn from your mistakes and correct them,or dwell on it and let it affect your play. The latter simply don't have what it takes.

[Tono]

Put him in now. It doesn't make sense to change QBs when you're winning.

[Calico Jack]

Makes sense to me. Although 1 alternative would be to get Russell some limited playing time before starting outright. Have him play a series or 2 in the next few weeks before he becomes a full time starter. Just a thought ...

[Tono]

It's too bad they couldn't get a contract signed before preseason.