Will He or Won’t He?

Should JaMarcus Russell Start This Season?

The Raider Nation Speaks Out

By Barbara Mason

Raiderdrive.com/Bay Area Sports Drive

Last week the San Diego Chargers--or should I say LaDainian Tomlinson--ran all over the Raider defense.  What do the much-improved Oakland Raiders need to do to step it up one more notch?  They seem to be on the verge of a very good season.  What will the immediate future of JaMarcus Russell hold?  Here is what the Raider Nation had to say.

Tiny Raider fan Dawson (photo left) was here today to enjoy the game with his dad.  While Dawson was a bit on the shy side, his dad had a few things to say about his team, the Oakland Raiders.  “Today the defense needs to step up.  Gallery needs to have a big game, and our running game needs to step it up today, and I think we should do fine.”  He also had thoughts on the immediate future of JaMarcus Russell.  “As a season ticket holder, we’d love to see him start before the end of the season.  I think he’s ready.  We’ve seen it in a lot of other quarterbacks.  The Steelers started big Ben in his first year, Carson Palmer for the Bengals, and I think JaMarcus Russell is ready.  Russell played great all through college and had great leadership.  I think he’ll take this team into the future.”

Lurysol was on hand today with friends from Stockton.  “They need to get their confidence back and start to play better,” she said.  She does not feel that JaMarcus will see any action this year.  “They are having their good games and their bad games, and they need to keep Culpepper in and just stick with that.  He has a big presence on the field; and you can tell that the other players respect him, and they want him to lead the team.”

Leo and family (wife Linda, and children Serena, Leanna, and baby Leo-photo left) were enjoying a tailgate, traveling all the way from Fillmore, California.  Stopping the run seems to be one of things that Leo feels the Raiders need to improve on.  “We need to establish our running game so we can control the ball.”  He also feels that the defense needs to rise to last year’s level.  As far as the Russell situation, he feels that he should not start this year.  “I really want him to mature with the offense and let him get to know the offense before we throw him in there.  I feel that the Raiders should not be in a rush to get him in.  I hope that Culpepper will ride it out the rest of the year.”

Season ticket holders Isaias and James were relaxing prior to the start of game after coming all the way from Santa Ana in Orange County.  “Their defense has been the backbone of this team for the past few years.  The strides that they need to take is not being divided, such as defense and offense, but working as a cohesive unit and trying to move forward.  Lane Kiffin is doing a great job and he is implementing things that he should, and everybody’s is kind of gelling.  Kiffin is young and he’s hungry.  Everybody knows that the offense needs improvement.  I think we will see Russell come in sometime midway through the season.”  Isaias would like to see Dominic Rhodes get more playing time.  “He’s a competitor. The guy just won the Super Bowl last year.  Play the guy and let LaMont sit down for a few.  Jordan doesn’t have to be our superman.”

David and friends (photo right) were in Oakland today traveling from Riverside.  “The team needs to pick up on their defense, and they need to try to keep the interceptions down.    They’ve got to run more.  They’ve got some good defensive backs, and they need to be stepping up more.”  David feels that Russell should be starting; in fact, he was sporting a number two jersey.  “He’s a big mobile quarterback, so it’s going to be good.  He needs to play this year.”

Danny and gal friend were yet another loyal group coming from Los Angeles. (I seemed to run into more southern Californians than I did northern fans.)   “We need to establish the run with Jordan and realize what kind of team we are.  We are not a passing team; we are a running team, and once we set up the run, then Culpepper may be more comfortable in the passing game.  Get Rhodes up off the bench.  What are you saving him for,” said Danny?  “Let's run the ball, let’s be Raiders--that’s what it’s all about.”  He feels that Russell will be ready next season.  “Once he gets in, athletically, he has all the gifts.  Once he gets the mental game down, he will be a Pro Bowler.”

It seemed to be split in regards to the future of JaMarcus Russell.  It was, however, without a doubt total agreement across the board that he will be the bright future of the Oakland Raiders.