We had another competitive “You pick it” feature this week.
The winner is Oakland going with backup Bruce Gradkowski over 2007 No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
The other contenders were San Diego beating Denver for sole possession of first place in the AFC West and Kansas City and Oakland pulling off upset wins over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, respectively.
While the voting was tight, readers went with the Gradkowski story. I have to agree. Anytime a former top pick is benched for the rest of the season, it’s is a huge story. This is a blockbuster, folks, and we agree that it is the story of the week.
Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:
Bobby from San Diego: Bill, the story of the week I would like to hear is: San Diego takes control of the division. I would like to hear your thoughts how the rest of the year will play out for the AFC West and what kind of playoff scenarios do you see happening for the winner of the division.
Michael from Oceanside, CA: Raiders Gradkowski gets the call: What a welcome relief it was when they finally benched Russell. The energy Grad plays with is very much what this team needed to get a win. Hopefully JRuss will take this opportunity to get better and realize he's not entitled to start for the Raiders. Two in a row, Dallas here we come.
H from San Diego: I have to go with KC and Oakland getting W's over the AFC North leaders. For all the disarray in these two franchises, these wins serve as message that there is light at the end of the tunnel. They have the talent to beat top tier teams not only in the AFC North but the vaunted NFC east as well. There are certainly kinks to work out, but perhaps the AFC west isn't as pitiful as everyone says it is. I think the Gradkoswki story is related to this one, and not many will be surprised by SD taking control of the division. At some point though, people are going to have attribute wins by KC and Oakland to their clutch play and not the supposedly superior opposition giving away a win.
Erik from Chicago: Gradkowski. I think that Tom Cable finally decided that if he was going to take the collar for this year's team, he was going to take a page from Billy Martin and go down his own way. Now if we could only get DHB onto the bench.
Gurman Bal from San Ramon, CA: San Diego surging back from 2-3 to seize control of the AFC West is THE divisional storyline.The Chargers have overcome devastating injuries to Jamal Williams and Nick Hardwick. LT is proving he is still productive.Merriman & Cromartie are having terrific years, coming back from injuries. And Philip Rivers is carrying this club in a way we haven't seen since Marino and Elway.
Steve from San Diego, CA: I think what we learned Sunday is, that the AFC West is no longer the weakest division in the NFL.This is easy, the Chiefs & Raiders deserve props for beating two powerhouse AFC teams.
Bob from San Jose, CA: Gradkowski gets the call: Russell has proven he is nowhere close to being an NFL QB. Gradkowski has energized the Team and deserves to play the rest of the season. Davis will keep Russell around thru 2010, but if Gradkowski plays well for the remainder of this season he should be given starting QB consideration next year. I just can't see Davis drafting another first round QB.
Connor from Northridge: Bruce getting the call was huge last week. It was a great sight to see some effort and heart out there on the field. Each player looked like they had more confidence, they trusted in this journeyman who's never been given a thing in this league, that includes number 1 pick money like Jamarcus. I just hope that seeing a guy like this and why it can do for the team with remind the franchise of what to look for in the next qb this draft. Less about numbers and drills, more about heart, ambition, and selflessness. The day we get a hard working qb under center for good, Raider Nation will be back....Have a great thanksgiving everyone. Get ready for us in cowboys stadium.
Byron from Salisbury, MD: The biggest story is Gradkowski being named starter for the Raiders for the rest of the year. Not because we did not all see it coming or because the huge investment the raiders have in jamarcus, but the fact that Gradkowski did not have that great of a game. He played mediocre at best and yet look what the entire team was able to do with just a little effort at the QB position. He played with the same recievers, the same offensive line, and the same defense. I wonder what the our record would be if we had made this move 4 weeks ago.
The winner is Oakland going with backup Bruce Gradkowski over 2007 No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
The other contenders were San Diego beating Denver for sole possession of first place in the AFC West and Kansas City and Oakland pulling off upset wins over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, respectively.
While the voting was tight, readers went with the Gradkowski story. I have to agree. Anytime a former top pick is benched for the rest of the season, it’s is a huge story. This is a blockbuster, folks, and we agree that it is the story of the week.
Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:
Bobby from San Diego: Bill, the story of the week I would like to hear is: San Diego takes control of the division. I would like to hear your thoughts how the rest of the year will play out for the AFC West and what kind of playoff scenarios do you see happening for the winner of the division.
Michael from Oceanside, CA: Raiders Gradkowski gets the call: What a welcome relief it was when they finally benched Russell. The energy Grad plays with is very much what this team needed to get a win. Hopefully JRuss will take this opportunity to get better and realize he's not entitled to start for the Raiders. Two in a row, Dallas here we come.
H from San Diego: I have to go with KC and Oakland getting W's over the AFC North leaders. For all the disarray in these two franchises, these wins serve as message that there is light at the end of the tunnel. They have the talent to beat top tier teams not only in the AFC North but the vaunted NFC east as well. There are certainly kinks to work out, but perhaps the AFC west isn't as pitiful as everyone says it is. I think the Gradkoswki story is related to this one, and not many will be surprised by SD taking control of the division. At some point though, people are going to have attribute wins by KC and Oakland to their clutch play and not the supposedly superior opposition giving away a win.
Erik from Chicago: Gradkowski. I think that Tom Cable finally decided that if he was going to take the collar for this year's team, he was going to take a page from Billy Martin and go down his own way. Now if we could only get DHB onto the bench.
Gurman Bal from San Ramon, CA: San Diego surging back from 2-3 to seize control of the AFC West is THE divisional storyline.The Chargers have overcome devastating injuries to Jamal Williams and Nick Hardwick. LT is proving he is still productive.Merriman & Cromartie are having terrific years, coming back from injuries. And Philip Rivers is carrying this club in a way we haven't seen since Marino and Elway.
Steve from San Diego, CA: I think what we learned Sunday is, that the AFC West is no longer the weakest division in the NFL.This is easy, the Chiefs & Raiders deserve props for beating two powerhouse AFC teams.
Bob from San Jose, CA: Gradkowski gets the call: Russell has proven he is nowhere close to being an NFL QB. Gradkowski has energized the Team and deserves to play the rest of the season. Davis will keep Russell around thru 2010, but if Gradkowski plays well for the remainder of this season he should be given starting QB consideration next year. I just can't see Davis drafting another first round QB.
Connor from Northridge: Bruce getting the call was huge last week. It was a great sight to see some effort and heart out there on the field. Each player looked like they had more confidence, they trusted in this journeyman who's never been given a thing in this league, that includes number 1 pick money like Jamarcus. I just hope that seeing a guy like this and why it can do for the team with remind the franchise of what to look for in the next qb this draft. Less about numbers and drills, more about heart, ambition, and selflessness. The day we get a hard working qb under center for good, Raider Nation will be back....Have a great thanksgiving everyone. Get ready for us in cowboys stadium.
Byron from Salisbury, MD: The biggest story is Gradkowski being named starter for the Raiders for the rest of the year. Not because we did not all see it coming or because the huge investment the raiders have in jamarcus, but the fact that Gradkowski did not have that great of a game. He played mediocre at best and yet look what the entire team was able to do with just a little effort at the QB position. He played with the same recievers, the same offensive line, and the same defense. I wonder what the our record would be if we had made this move 4 weeks ago.
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.
You must be signed in to post a comment