Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
We had a runaway winner in this week’s “you pick it” feature.
We had all Oakland Raiders storylines. The winner was the benching of quarterback JaMarcus Russell last Sunday against the Jets. He will start against the Chargers on Sunday. The other candidates in a strong field was Napa, Calif. Authorities deciding not to file assault charges against Oakland head coach Tom Cable and Oakland defensive end Richard Seymour predicting the Raiders will make the playoffs this season.
The Cable story was strong, but I have to agree with the readers and go with the Russell story. This could have future ramifications for the team. This could be the start of a major storyline in Oakland.
Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:
Josh Broudy from Santa Clarita, Ca: It's gotta be Russell getting benched...Finally! But wait a second...Where's Garcia? You look at our options at backup and they are almost as dim as the Raiders chance of winning 6 games this season. I really don't think Cable has a choice, but to see if Russell can put it together, which is unlikely. And Antonio Pierce is right, playing the Raiders most weeks (except for the Philly game) is a scrimmage. Just ask the guy eating a hotdog on the other sidelines.
Todd from Sacramento, CA: Story of the week has to be the benching of JaMarcus Russell. When do they move to the ultimate benching? How does Al Davis admit that Kiffen was right not to want Russell? I'm thinking at some point he's going to look for a clause in Russell's contract where Davis will be "forced" to do a Kiffen on him and terminate his contract "with cause," complete with overheads. Al will state that he gave him every chance, but that he couldn't accept this willful breach of contract. There's no other way out of this abyss while still blaming someone other than himself. After all, Al is on record as saying that Russell is a great football player.
Dan from Oakland, CA: The Oakland story this week has got to be that we benched JaMarcus Russell. This signifies the beginning of the end for him in Oakland. The fact that we finally pulled the plug once means we can pull the plug other times. Quite frankly, as a loyal raiders fan, I hope JRuss tanks the rest of the season, so Al realizes he is a bust and we can draft a new QB. I am glad Cable is realizing JRuss is a bust, too.
JB from the Nation of Raiders: The other stories are non factors to the rest of the season. Cable is cleared, except for civil lawsuit. Seymour said what he should have said to a stupid question everyone knows the answer too. JR needs to be benched. He is not getting better with all the playing time he gets in practice and the game. The OL should just let the pass rush go and hit Russell on every pass play. He will either give up and go away or learn to feel the rush. Either way I don't care since it doesn't seems like he does either. I never wish injury to anyone, especially on my favorite team, but I could honestly care less if JR is out for the season or football.
We had a runaway winner in this week’s “you pick it” feature.
We had all Oakland Raiders storylines. The winner was the benching of quarterback JaMarcus Russell last Sunday against the Jets. He will start against the Chargers on Sunday. The other candidates in a strong field was Napa, Calif. Authorities deciding not to file assault charges against Oakland head coach Tom Cable and Oakland defensive end Richard Seymour predicting the Raiders will make the playoffs this season.
The Cable story was strong, but I have to agree with the readers and go with the Russell story. This could have future ramifications for the team. This could be the start of a major storyline in Oakland.
Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:
Josh Broudy from Santa Clarita, Ca: It's gotta be Russell getting benched...Finally! But wait a second...Where's Garcia? You look at our options at backup and they are almost as dim as the Raiders chance of winning 6 games this season. I really don't think Cable has a choice, but to see if Russell can put it together, which is unlikely. And Antonio Pierce is right, playing the Raiders most weeks (except for the Philly game) is a scrimmage. Just ask the guy eating a hotdog on the other sidelines.
Todd from Sacramento, CA: Story of the week has to be the benching of JaMarcus Russell. When do they move to the ultimate benching? How does Al Davis admit that Kiffen was right not to want Russell? I'm thinking at some point he's going to look for a clause in Russell's contract where Davis will be "forced" to do a Kiffen on him and terminate his contract "with cause," complete with overheads. Al will state that he gave him every chance, but that he couldn't accept this willful breach of contract. There's no other way out of this abyss while still blaming someone other than himself. After all, Al is on record as saying that Russell is a great football player.
Dan from Oakland, CA: The Oakland story this week has got to be that we benched JaMarcus Russell. This signifies the beginning of the end for him in Oakland. The fact that we finally pulled the plug once means we can pull the plug other times. Quite frankly, as a loyal raiders fan, I hope JRuss tanks the rest of the season, so Al realizes he is a bust and we can draft a new QB. I am glad Cable is realizing JRuss is a bust, too.
JB from the Nation of Raiders: The other stories are non factors to the rest of the season. Cable is cleared, except for civil lawsuit. Seymour said what he should have said to a stupid question everyone knows the answer too. JR needs to be benched. He is not getting better with all the playing time he gets in practice and the game. The OL should just let the pass rush go and hit Russell on every pass play. He will either give up and go away or learn to feel the rush. Either way I don't care since it doesn't seems like he does either. I never wish injury to anyone, especially on my favorite team, but I could honestly care less if JR is out for the season or football.
Bill Williamson | email
NFL- ESPN AFC West Blogger
- Spent four seasons covering the Broncos for the Denver Post
- Previously covered Vikings, Packers, Seahawks
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
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