If You Boo JaMarcus Russell, You Are Not a RAIDER

Big AL Fan

In my opinion anyone who boos their own struggling young franchise QB should be ashamed.

You do you realize when you boo, you are contributing to the demise of this person, the team, and the organization?

Historically, Raider fans are the most loyal fans in the NFL.

Most are booing during the game because they want the second string QB to get into the game for a spark.  Others are booing because they don't understand why the first group are booing, they are frustrated, so they boo too.

Can't they realize that JaMarcus is a work in progress?

Yes, he has many areas to improve in but do you only notice the weaknesses and not the strengths?

Russell is the perfect weapon for what I know as "Raider Offensive Football."

I cant stand the West Coast Offense. Those who identify with "Real Raiders Football" won't stand for it either.  It is not the future of the NFL.

In the last 10 years, only one West Coast offense team has won the Super Bowl.
Who was it?  Gruden's Bucs against the Raiders.  Go back 20 years.  Four of 20 teams who ran the West Coast offense won the Super Bowl.

If you pay attention, you will see JaMarcus is still making throws that no other player in league history has made.  If you don't see it, I can't help you.              

Most recently, look at the 35 yard sideline Route to Louis Murphy against the Texans that was stolen from him.  What QB in the league can make that throw? Brett Favre? Jay Cutler? No! Neither, zilch, nada.  The only person I can think of who could come close to making that throw is Marino in his prime.

This kid is ultra-talented and is learning every time out.  Yes we would all like to see him progress faster.  He felt the pressure very well in Houston, avoided the sack and was smart with the football.  He did not do well in the same area against the Giants.  It is all about getting the experience.

Do you remember Troy Aikman? The 0-11 record as a starter, completing 155 of 293 passes for 1,749 yards, 9 TDs, 18 INTs Aikman?  They won the Super Bowl the next year.

The Raiders have an ad campaign that asks the question, "Where were you when?"  Well let me ask you, where are  you know?

What if 10 years from now someone asks you, "where were you when" our Hall of Fame QB was learning the ropes?

Will you proudly say, "I booed him" because he was terrible?  Or, will you say, I stuck with him through thick and thin?

I'll tell you where I am.  I am still very excited about his future and the Raiders future. 

Imagine Russell with experience, a running game, a good O-Line and time to throw.  Imagine the triple threat of Schillenz, DHB, and Louis Murphy can become.

I am very impressed of how JRuss has not thrown any risky pass in the last two games.  The one trait that excites me the most about JaMarcus is how if we are in the game in the fourth quarter and we need a drive, like Kenny "the Snake" Stabler use to do, JaMarcus goes into a zone and calmly leads the team down the field (in these most critical moments) for the score.

JRuss did this often in college and they called him the "Comeback Kid."  He has done this twice this year already (San Diego and KC game).

Again if you don't see it, I can't help. 

I am taking notice of those who have already jumped ship however.  It's sad that Raider Fans are pitted against one another when we should be a united front.  You invest time and money and therfore  entitled to your opinions.  I just think it's wrong. With the NFL, the refs, local and national media we have enough on our hands to defend against.

Yes, I know most of you are short of patience.  You want to win now and are tired of the embarrassing losses.

For one moment, put yourself in JRuss's shoes.

Imagine yourself, a 24-year-old young man from Alabama all of a sudden in an unfamiliar Bay Area.  You have seen three o-coordinators in three years.  Last year they put you in limited situations.  This year, they say "cut it loose."  The local and national media is critiquing your every move.  They assert that this is your make or break year.

You have a bad series, a false start, a few bad play calls and you head off the field.  Your Defensive Comrades are busting their tails out there trying to get the ball back in your hands.  You know this and don't want to let them down.

At least you have the fans behind you right?

You step out to the field and this time, your own fans boo you. You don't understand.  You're out there, under center facing adversity on every play.

You drop back and your first two reads are to two rookies lined up against the best of the best.  They're covered, but the route is a deep route so you have to hang in there for just another second so the long route can develop. Should you run? Step up? Boom!  Someone missed an assignment on the o-line, you are hit, you are down.  Time to get up, stay poised, and line up again. The boos get louder.

You get a little emotional inside but you cant show it. You start to think about the boo's and you just want to get off of the field because nothing feels right. But you cant.  You have to stay poised.

The national and local media, and NFL have an agenda.  Do what you can to belittle anything good Jamarcus does, hope that he fails so as to
prove that they are right and Al Davis is wrong.

This nonsense has to stop. You boo JaMarcus, you shame the organization.  This is my opinion.


P.S.
Mark my words, in due time, these players that AL picked will be great NFL players:
JaMarcus, McFadden, Bush, Schillenz, DHB, Murphy, Ty Branch, Huff, Mike Mitchell, Zach Miller, Mario H., and Brendon Myers

   

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