Here’s another reason why the Oakland Raiders need to re-sign Bruce Gradkowski and, at least, give him a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job: He really wants to turn around the team’s fortunes.

Gradkowski is a fierce competitor and he has a great hunger to be successful. We all saw that when he replaced a bumbling JaMarcus Russell late in the season. Gradkowski, an NFL journeyman, gave Oakland instant life before he was hurt in December and lost for the rest of the season.

Gradkowski was clutch as he beat Pittsburgh in the final seconds. Although he is not graced with superior athletic ability, Gradkowski is a gamer whose teammates responded to him. The Oakland offense had an incredible amount of energy and vigor with Gradkowski compared to its lack of spunk under the guidance of Russell.

Gradkowski will likely be a restricted free agent. But he is not interested in playing the field anymore.

He knows he has a good thing going in Oakland. He knows it’s his best chance for NFL success. Here is some of what he had to say in an interview with the Toledo Blade over the weekend: "I plan to be back with the Raiders. I think everything will work out, and I'm looking forward to it. We did a lot of good things this year and I'm looking forward to next season."

I fully expect Oakland to keep Gradkowski. The team also needs to give him a chance to compete in training camp.

It looks more and more like Russell will be kept and given one more chance to show he can be productive. The Raiders hope Russell comes back to the offseason program in better shape and with better fundamentals.

We all know Gradkowski will report raring to go. Russell may be more talented, but Gradkowski has shown he’s a better fit in Oakland and he wants it more. This weekend’s comments just reaffirms that Gradkowski needs to be in the mix in Oakland.