I think next year Russell might be better than Daunte Culpepper in Miami, but even that is pushing it.
Well even Lane Kiffin on his way out, thinks this kid going to be something special. This is the guy who supposedly didn't want to draft him. So Im going to take his opinion more than yours. Do you know how Peyton manning did in his first couple starts. I believe he threw 12 interceptions in his first four games.
Off my streak of sucessful prediction this week. Im going to make a new one. By next year this Raider offense is one of the league best.
Okay its not fair to try and compare Russell who hasn't proven anything yet, to a Guy(elway) who was one of the greatest Qbs to ever play this game. Its not about this year with Russell. ( He's going through growing pains) As a Raider fan all I want to see improvement from Russell, as the season goes on. This Raider offense is incredible young and in time going to be something to fear..
I actually hope to see a Gholston - Harris - Pace - Thomas alignment once Gholston does something. Pace IMO is our best all around LBer, and probably is the most versatile of the 4 right now. I've been making the Vrabel comparison since we signed him, and Vrabel also took significant snaps at ILB when the Pats signed Colvin. Gholston will eventually take snaps at ILB IMO. He's got the ability to do it, and as someone training to be a 3-4 LBer he should be able to move in and out. The ability to move each LBer inside and outside has been a huge strength to the Pats 3-4, and it's a major key to a true 3-4. Remember, one of the fundamental principles of a true 3-4 is that there is no such thing as a specialist. Obviously in practice this is kinda BS, but we've seen Mangini lean towards it just by having Bowens move inside, and having Harris blitz so much last year. Our LB corps has the potential to be beastly IMO.
This is two posts I've agreed with you about in one day. You're on a roll. I like Russell. He reminds me alot of Culpepper, and Culpepper had some sick seasons...yes I realize most/all of them came with Moss in his prime.
Russell has all the tools to be a great QB, and probably will be one day. Unfortunately for you, it likely won't be with the Raiders.
It's Barton's last contract year now so having Gholston play ILB would make sense as far as the roster goes. He and Pace could combine for some crazy stunts and keep the offense always guessing where the blitzes would be coming from. But all of Gholston's experience is as a DE so the adjustment to ILB would be considerable. My guess is he has the athleticism to handle the most difficult aspect of the position - the ability to cover TE or RB out of the backfield. And we know he's plenty big enough to stuff the run. With a full set of OTA's & summer camp (and Harris beside him), I think he could probably succeed. A Pace, Gholston, Harris, Thomas LB corps would have some incredible potential.
I really like this idea for many reasons including just exposing him to more field time, but I know as well as I can know anything, that mangini is not going to try this. EM's philosophy is a deep belief in the way he is conducting affairs. He would think that doing this would screw up his master plan for VG because what if VG kicks ass? Then EM's plan has to go out the window--if it doesn't fit the plan, its not happening and that is not in the plan.
I disagree with You. Russell dosen't remind me of Culpepper at all. Only thing they have in common is their skin color and maybe their freakish size. Culpepper was one of the best deep throwers in the game. Russell despite having arguebly the best arm to ever play the game, dosen't really throw a great deep ball yet. I don't know if it not having timing down with recievers he throwing to yet, but he has had a number of WRs open deep , only to over throw them. Culpepper was more a gambler and (would throw into double coverage) and he was prone to the interceptions. Russell so far has been very conscious of protectiung the football.(he throws the football away) Culpepper was not afraid to use his legs to run for first down . Russell rarely uses his legs to run for the first down. Rather uses his legs to buy time to make a play with his arm. Both were prone to Fumbling. JMO I don't think Jamarcus Russell trust his oline yet. Im not a big believer in Russell dropping back as far as he does. russell has the size to stand tall in the pocket. He needs to learn to step up in the pocket, Stop telegraphing where hes passing, releasing the ball on time and knowing you don't always have to throw a fastball.
I disagree Gholston has had major problem in coverage. He looked really bad all training camp and preseason in coverage. That LB corp would be excellent defending against the runj but Jets would get killed in coverage with that group. You think your having problems now in coverage, it would only be worse with that lb corps.
Just Like N Asomugha. Russell going nowhere. Again Raiders might be struggling mightly on offense this year, but that offense is incredible young , and in time that offense is going to be one of the best in all of football. How fast Russell develops, is how fast this offense really takes off.
Man 1 right prediction ,even though what you predicted did not happen, I will give you the free pass, three posts in a row that almost made sense, and a dramatic decrease in typos/grammatical errors. What is the world coming to?
Having stood next to Calvin Pace, I don't see him having the bulk to play inside. Then again, stranger things have worked out (e.g., Zach Thomas).
Making statements like that should weather a lifetime ban from TGG. It can't even be considered an "opinion"...it's THAT stupid.
