PFT: Garcia On Track To Take Job From JaMarcus?

[FirstTimer]

I'd guess FT was thinking of Cro Thorpe

Ding

[Tailback U]

Some news out of Oakland regarding the Garcia/Russell competition as well as some other tidbits that you JR haters will enjoy:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Avdyro6AAQWH64TfsA1yhNPsrZJ4?slug=teamreports-2009-nfl-oak&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report&print=1

Raiders Team Report

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Inside Slant

As JaMarcus Russell(notes) struggled with his passing through the mandatory minicamp and first organized team activity, there was a subtle shift in the stance of Jeff Garcia(notes), who considers himself a starter but agreed to sign on with the Raiders as a backup.

During the mandatory minicamp and again at the OTA, Garcia essentially conceded the position to Russell, saying it was made clear he would be the No. 2 quarterback and be on hand to serve as a mentor for Russell.

“I really don’t know or think that there’s been a competition here,” Garcia said. “That is something that has already been determined. I’m just here to show I’m very capable, if needed, to lead the position and to help the position to get better and get stronger and get more confident.

“That means helping JaMarcus become a better player himself and as much as he expect out of himself, that means me trying to help him expect more and to push him and to be able to show, through my experience on the field, what has been successful for me and how I’ve been able to make it work.”

As for Russell’s acceptance of Garcia’s mentoring, the veteran quarterback said, “He’s got a great attitude. He’s working hard and I just want to help him continue that path.”

A few days earlier, during a radio interview with KTLA in Los Angeles, Garcia’s tone was slightly different as he appeared to leave open the possibility that he could end up the starter.

“I understand the role that I have basically assumed that JaMarcus was drafted to be the starting quarterback,” Garcia said. “But I think there has to be a realization at some point as to putting the best players on the field that are going to give you the best chance to win.

“Now if JaMarcus is that guy, then he definitely deserves to be on the

field and should be on the field. But if for some reason with what I bring as a player, from a competitive nature, and the intensity and emotion that I bring to the field, if that gives us a better chance to win games, then that decision is going to be left up to the coach and hopefully he can make the right decision for the team.”

Although the two quarterbacks don’t interact much on the field, Russell credits Garcia with acclimating him to the ways of quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett, who served in that capacity at Tampa Bay.

Garcia said he is taking his time, trying not to force-feed Russell, letting a relationship happen naturally.

During the club’s recent OTA session that was open to the media, Russell threw a pair of interceptions (one glanced off the hands of running back Louis Rankin(notes)) and had two other potential picks dropped. He struggled with the most basic passes, throwing one swing pass four yards away directly into the ground.

Coach Tom Cable attributed it to changes in the offensive system, which has receivers running deeper routes, and thinks in the end the changes will be suited to Russell’s skill set.

Still, it wasn’t particularly encouraging when Cable said the two things Russell was having the most trouble with happened to be the two most important attributes for an NFL quarterback.

“Just being accurate and understanding where to throw the football and when,” Cable said.

Notes, Quotes

• Three weeks into the month of May is no time to panic.

Yet the Raiders had reason to at least be a little concerned as quarterback JaMarcus Russell struggled after the Raiders tweaked their offensive system with the addition of passing game coordinator Ted Tollner.

Russell struggled at the team’s mandatory minicamp, and didn’t appear to make much headway at the lone organized team activity workout open to the media.

The third-year quarterback out of LSU repeatedly missed open receivers, misfired on routine swing passes, was intercepted twice (one pick glanced off the hands of running back Louis Rankin) and had two other potential interceptions dropped by defenders.

Coach Tom Cable said Russell was adapting to changes in the system and would benefit down the road since many of the deeper patterns should suit his skills. But when identifying Russell’s biggest problems, Cable identified the two skills that make or break an NFL quarterback.

“Just being accurate and understanding where to throw the football and when,” Cable said.

Cable also said he considered the OTA period as more of a classroom than an all-out practice and thought Russell would be comfortable enough with the changes before training camp to build on a promising end to the 2008 season.

He said he’s working through the changes, getting to know his receivers, and is encouraged by his progress.

Meanwhile, quarterback Jeff Garcia has had his share of struggles although he produced more positive plays than Russell.

In Alameda, Garcia has played the good soldier, supporting Russell, saying he was there to serve as a mentor and a backup, and denying any competition exists for the starting job.

It’s worth noting that Garcia’s take was slightly different during a radio interview on KTLA in Los Angeles.

“I understand the role that I have basically assumes that JaMarcus was drafted to be the starting quarterback,” Garcia said. “But I think there has to be a realization at some point as to putting the best players on the field that are going to give you the best chance to win.

“Now if JaMarcus is that guy, then he definitely deserves to be on the field and should be on the field. But if for some reason with what I bring as a player, from a competitive nature, and the intensity and emotion that I bring to the field, if that gives us a better chance to win games, then that decision is going to be left up to the coach and hopefully he can make the right decision for the team.”

Cable believes quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett has helped clean up some of Russell’s fundamentals.

“I think he’s making some progress that way,” Cable said. “I like his work inside the pocket. He seems to be a little cleaner and quicker than he was before.”

• Several media outlets were reporting a potential trade between the Raiders and New England Patriots, with Oakland getting a second- or third-round draft pick in exchange for defensive end Derrick Burgess(notes).

Burgess is in the last year of a five-year contract and has seen his sack total drop from 16 to 11 to 8 to 3.5, in part due to injuries. Burgess did not join the club for voluntary organized team activities and sat out the mandatory minicamp with what coach Tom Cable said was “stomach flu.”

Cable indicated Burgess’ name had come up around the time of the draft and seemed surprised it had come up again.

“I don’t know that that would happen in any way,” Cable said. “I know this: we get a lot of inquiries every day about players on our team. It just so happens there was some talk with them during the draft. Why it’s come up again, I have no idea.”

Burgess is in the final year of his contract and hasn’t been happy with his contract after getting 27 sacks in his first two years and believing he would get a better deal. However, Mike Lombardi, the executive at the time who was interested in giving Burgess a better deal, was fired and talks were never re-opened.

• Second-year defensive end Trevor Scott(notes) is nearing 260 pounds and believes he has what it takes to be an every-down defensive end.

As a sixth-round draft pick out of Buffalo, Scott led all NFL rookies with five sacks. A tight end in college until his junior year, Scott played at under 250 pounds.

He still looks lean, but insists he is heavier and stronger.

“I went home and really hit the weights hard because I knew (defending the run) was one of my biggest things (to improve upon),” Scott said. “I want to be out making tackles. I don’t want to be looked at as, `Trevor’s out there. Pass rush.’ I want to be a complete D-end.”

Scott conceded he finished last season under 250 and said he now weighs 258.

“My strength is through the roof. I feel great. I feel explosive out there,” Scott said.

Scott has played exclusively on the right side, while Burgess has been on the left. Should trade rumors regarding Burgess come to fruition, the Raiders would likely move Jay Richardson(notes) to the left side with Scott starting on the right.

• Aside from Burgess, veterans who were not present on the lone day of media availability at the OTA included cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha(notes) and Chris Johnson.

With the starting corners out, Stanford Routt(notes) started, along with return specialist Justin Miller(notes).

• Another player getting more reps than usual was John Bowie(notes), the player acquired with the fourth-round pick the Raiders got for Randy Moss(notes) two years ago. Bowie was inactive as a rookie and on injured reserve last sea

son but will compete for a roster spot in 2009.

• Quarterback Andrew Walter(notes), in the final year of his contract, continues to skip all non-mandatory sessions in hope of getting his release. Walter was present at the mandatory minicamp but got no work, with Russell, Garcia and Bruce Gradkowski(notes) getting the snaps. He is in the final year of his contract.

“It’s voluntary and you have to let it be,” Cable said of Walter’s absence. “I don’t get into all that. It is what it is.”

• The Raiders’ first two draft picks were not present at the first two days of OTAs by league rule because their college classes were still in session _ wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey(notes) and safety Mike Mitchell(notes). Heyward-Bey was scheduled to arrive before the third practice.

Quote To Note: “People do make mistakes and certainly mistakes are going to be looked at more critically by other people. He has to respond to what he’s done and feel sorrow for what’s happened. I’m sure he’s going to handle his second chance in the best way possible.”—Quarterback Jeff Garcia and the possible re-instatement of Michael Vick(notes).

Strategy And Personnel

The Raiders gave linebacker Ricky Brown(notes) a $1.7 million tender despite serious groin surgery to repair a double sports hernia and groin tears. Ostensibly, it was so he could resume his role at strong-side linebacker. However, for the second straight camp, Brown has been played at middle linebacker, running with the second team behind Kirk Morrison(notes), with Jon Alston(notes) working as the starter on the strong side. Brown said he has been given no explanation, nor is he asking for one.

Medical Watch: OG Robert Gallery(notes) (calf strain), C Samson Satele(notes) (shoulder) and G-T Paul McQuistan(notes) (knee) all missed the OTA sessions but could return when the Raiders resume OTAs after a week off.

WR Javon Walker(notes) (knee), TE Zach Miller (sports hernia), WR Arman Shields(notes) (knee), FB Oren O’Neal(notes) (knee) could be limited until training camp.

The injures to Walker and Shields, who has been rehabbing a knee injury for more than a year, led to the signing of Samie Parker(notes) and a waiver claim on Will Franklin(notes). Miller’s absence led to the signing of John Paul Foschi(notes), who played fullback and tight end with the Raiders two seasons ago.

Recent injuries to DE Jay Richardson (knee) strain and DT Gerard Warren(notes) (pectoral strain) weren’t considered serious. Both could be participants in the next round of OTAs.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

• WR Drew Carter(notes).

• WR Ashley Lelie(notes).

• QB Marques Tuiasosopo(notes).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

• LB Ricky Brown: RFA tendered at $1.545M; terms unknown.

• G Cooper Carlisle(notes): UFA; 5 yrs, terms unknown.

• LS Jon Condo(notes): ERFA; terms unknown.

• LB Isaiah Ekejiuba(notes): UFA; $5.45M/3 yrs, guarantees unknown.

• S Hiram Eugene(notes): ERFA; terms unknown.

• DT William Joseph(notes): UFA; terms unknown.

• CB Justin Miller: UFA; terms unknown.

• CB Nnamdi Osomugha: Potential UFA; $28.5M/2 yrs; all guaranteed with third year team option.

• CB Chris Johnson: Potential UFA; $15.3M/4 yrs, $4M SB; 2009 cap: $3M.

• P Shane Lechler(notes): Potential UFA; $12M/4 yrs, $9M guaranteed.

• C Chris Morris(notes): ERFA; terms unknown.

• TE Tony Stewart(notes): UFA; terms unknown.

• LB Sam Williams(notes): UFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

• OT Khalif Barnes(notes): UFA Jaguars; $1.2M/1 yr.

• DT Ryan Boschetti(notes): UFA Redskins; terms unknown.

• S Keith Davis(notes): UFA Cowboys; terms unknown.

• TE John Paul Foschi: FA; terms unknown.

• WR Will Franklin (waivers Lions).

• QB Jeff Garcia: UFA Buccaneers; terms unknown.

• QB Bruce Gradkowski (waivers Browns).

• OT Marcus Johnson(notes): UFA Vikings; terms unknown.

• FB Lorenzo Neal(notes): UFA Ravens; terms unknown.

• WR Samie Parker: FA; terms unknown.

• OT Erik Pears(notes): Not tendered as RFA by Broncos; terms unknown.

• RB Gary Russell(notes): FA; terms unknown.

• C Samson Satele (trade Dolphins).

PLAYERS LOST

• FS Rashad Baker(notes): UFA Eagles; 1 yr, terms unknown.

• LB Marquis Cooper(notes) (presumed deceased in boating accident).

• WR Ronald Curry(notes) (released).

• DE Kalimba Edwards(notes) (released/failed physical).

• FB Justin Griffith(notes) (released).

• C Jake Grove(notes): UFA Dolphins; $29M/5 yrs, $14.5M guaranteed.

• OT Kwame Harris(notes) (released).

• S Gibril Wilson(notes) (released).

[Vinsane]

Jeff Garcia? Yeah Russel is going to be great with Jeff Garcia "grooming" him.

[ZoneBlitz]

There's a greater chance of Russell making the pro-bowl than of me reading all that.

[Herm]

There's a greater chance of Russell making the pro-bowl than of me reading all that.

You get thanks for coming up with something good other than most posters just using this

:didntread:

[steeljake]

i was gonna use that... lol.


how did this thread turn into the daily update on the gaydras anyways? dont we have team threads for this kind of shit?