Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.
In a perfect world, one of the Raiders' veteran quarterbacks, Josh McCown or Andrew Walter, would play well enough that the team could feel free to take its time before putting No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell under center.
The Raiders' offense has been anything but a perfect world lately. And realistically, if the offense looks as ugly this year as it did last year, coach Lane Kiffin may feel he has no choice but to insert Russell as the starter early.
But just how early will be determined in training camp, and seeing as Russell is holding out, it's going to be awfully hard for him to earn the job in time for the big Week 1 showdown with the Detroit Lions and No. 2 overall pick Calvin Johnson, who's also holding out. That makes the training camp battle look like it's going to be mostly a matter of McCown vs. Walter for the right to serve as Russell's place holder for the start of the regular season.
Bet on McCown. Although he could only get on the field as a wide receiver in Detroit last year, he showed some flashes of at least being a competent quarterback in Arizona. Walter has never shown much of anything. Kiffin will ask McCown to hold the offense together until Russell is ready to go.
Training camp battles: See them all
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-27-2007 @ 10:36AM
Max said...
I think Jamarcus Russell is going to be awesome. But all this holding out is getting a little out of control.
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7-27-2007 @ 11:08AM
iceman said...
Josh Mc throw an interception and Andrew "spaz" walters, are you kidding me? Should have grabbed Jeff Garcia when you had the chance. Lets just hope JMR doesn't have a bunch of pitbulls at his house that he doesn't occupy.
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7-27-2007 @ 11:39AM
V IVORY said...
IF OFFENCE IS AS BAD AS THEY SAY THEN J-RUSS SHOULD BE THE MAN. IF THERE GONNA LOSE LETS LOSE WITH THE BEST PLAYERS.
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7-27-2007 @ 12:02PM
scott said...
My opinion is that if a new player decides to hold out for money, that he hasn't had, then wait and discuss his career after this season. Some money is better than none!
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7-27-2007 @ 1:31PM
SandLotJones said...
JM knows he's worth a lot, even if he doesn't know exactly how much. The $50+ million paid for last years #1 pick is a starting point for negotiations. Russell will be in camp; he'll have $60+ million with a hugh chunk of gauranteed money and he'll finsih second, a short time back up to McCown. Competition between our running backs is more speculative than guessing when (not if) Russell will be in camp and where he'll find himself on the depth chart come the season opener.
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7-27-2007 @ 2:01PM
hank harrison said...
i think that holding out crap is for the birds. players get to much money now anyway. i have and will always be a Raiders fan but when you go 2-14 you better get that #1 pick off the couch on the field and if not call in mcCown or i will qb.
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7-31-2007 @ 8:54AM
poppapump1964 said...
To JaMarcus:
Welcome to Raider Nation. Now it is time to get your deal done and get into camp so that you can play some meaningful football this year and help the team win some games. We are hoping that you have a long, prosperous career as a RAIDER. Tell your agent to get the deal done before you go the way of other holdout Quarterbacks. This is a very critical year in your development as a starter. Out.
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7-31-2007 @ 5:43PM
Buckarama said...
Seems to me, Russel needs to show up for there to be a three way battle. I love the Raiders, but personally I think it's gonna be another long year.
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7-31-2007 @ 9:38PM
ALBERT S. said...
COME ON J.R. QUIT HIDDING BEHIND YOUR AGENT AND GET YOUR ASS IN CAMP!I KNOW YOUR TRYING TO GET MO MONEY BUT,THE QUICKER YOU GET IN AND START LERNING THE QUICKER YOU CAN SHOW YOUR TALENTS AND EARN A WAY MORE MONEY THAN THE CHUMP CHANGE YOU TRYEN TA GET
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