Seriously, Russell needs to sit down

<p>OAKLAND - Eyeball this Tom Cable quote on JaMarcus Russell. “JaMarcus will continue to be our starter. There’s no issue there.”</p><p>No issue? Let’s make in an issue. According to the official record Russell lost a fumble near the goal line on the very first play of the game and that led to a Jets’ touchdown. Let’s linger on the TD for a moment. The Jets had 4th and one at the goal line and went for the TD instead of the cinch field goal. It was a statement of contempt for the over-rated Raiders defense, something like “You can’t stop us.” And the defense couldn’t.</p><p>Back to Russell. In addition to the fumble, he threw two interceptions, grotesque plays. He got yanked late in the second quarter for journeyman Bruce Gradkowski — couldn’t even make it to the half — and his passer rating was 31.1, so low you can’t see it with a microscope. Which means there are plenty of issues with Russell. Like, he can’t handle pressure — goes haywire when defenders get in his face, doesn’t seem to learn, is as bad now as he’s always been. </p><p>So for Cable to anoint this guy without even looking at the film or pondering or sleeping on it seems reckless. It makes you wonder if Al Davis already told him Russell is the man. Or maybe Cable thinks backup quarterback Gradkowski is no improvement over the Russell. </p><p>For what it’s worth Gradkowski’s passer rating was 67.2, not great but not all-out embarrassing like Russell’s. He didn’t get the team into the end zone but he also didn’t throw a pick and he was steadier than Russell. He might be better for this awful team right now — it’s worth considering.</p><p>Not that Cable would consider it. To his credit, he was critical of Russell. “I thought he was really out of sorts,” Cable said. Hold onto that phrase “out of sorts” because it comes back later.</p><p>According to Cable the out of sorts included the very first play from scrimmage when Russell “couldn’t get the formation lined up the right way and then the two interceptions. The first one there was no reason for that and the second he just threw it out.”</p><p>So, Cable was pretty clear on what he meant by out of sorts. </p><p>Now listen to Russell. Perhaps Russell inhabits an alternate universe or is completely delusional.</p><p>Q: Were you out of sorts like the coach said?</p><p>A. “Actually I wasn’t. The first interception was a matter of a guy coming across my face and getting to the spot. I tried to get it down but it was too late. As far as the second one, I thought I gave the guy a chance to make a play on the ball. I didn’t see him come down with it. The ball in the air had a 50-50 chance. We just didn’t come up with it.”</p><p>Q: Cable said you were supposed to check down on the fumble.</p><p>A: “That’s what I was doing. I really didn’t get a chance to come up with the ball. The guy hit me in my throwing motion. It was a bad combination.”</p><p>Let’s make sure we understand Russell. Nothing was his fault. He did check down on the fumble that led to a TD but some meanie hit him. On the first interception some poor sport came across his face and on the second he gave his receiver a 50-50 chance to catch the ball.</p><p>A 50-50 chance? Good quarterbacks spurn 50-50 chances. They demand better. You wonder how low Russell’s standards are. When someone asked if the crummy play of the offense was his fault he eagerly shot back, “Personally, I don’t think so. Do you?”</p><p>Well, actually yes. It’s scary that Russell avoids all responsibility although he happily blames his coach, his wideouts, the scheme, the defense, the luck of the game. It is even scarier that Cable sticks with this guy. Benching Russell could have beneficial results. Russell was handed the starting job based on nothing. He never had to earn anything. Compare him to Rich Gannon — a Russell critic — who fought for everything he ever got.</p><p>Russell should sit. He should feel what it’s like not to start. He should work to earn a start — if he can earn it. The era of gift starts should end for this guy.</p><p>For more on the world of sports in general and the Bay Area in particular go to the Cohn Zohn at blog.pressdemocrat.com/cohn. You can reach Staff Columnist Lowell Cohn at lowell.cohn@pressdemocrat.com.</p>