JaMarcus Russell, Tom Cable Finally Produce an NFL-Worthy Game

OAKLAND, Calif. -- JaMarcus Russell's Year 3 NFL resume has had him well on track to become the greatest NFL draft bust since Ryan Leaf almost singlehandedly destroyed the Chargers.

Through Week 5, his status as the NFL's worst starting quarterback was well-established: a completion percentage of 42.1; four interceptions; four lost fumbles; 15 sacks for a supposedly big, strong 6-foot-6 man pushing 275 pounds.

How could Russell simply crumple under even a modest pass rush? How could he possibly put up a passer rating of 46.0 in a Week 2 victory over the winless Chiefs? How could he emerge, unmoved, after horrible Raiders losses wearing cue-ball sized diamond earrings and fur coats?

Then the Philadelphia Eagles flew into Oakland on Sunday -- clearly preparing for a bye-week scrimmage rather than a regular-season NFL game -- and Russell did the unthinkable: He put on a professional-caliber performance, and helped the Raiders upset the heavily favored NFC East visitors, 13-9.

While the blitzing Raiders defense was dominant, sacking quarterback Donovan McNabb six times and holding running back Brian Westbrook to 50 yards rushing, one play seemed to spark Oakland's eye-popping turnaround from a 1-4 start.

Late in the first quarter, Russell spied favorite target Zach Miller on the fly and hit him in stride on a 10-yard pass that the tight end turned into a game-changing 86-yard touchdown reception. It was a thing of beauty, a catch-and-run score in which Miller received two lane-opening downfield blocks from wide receiver Louis Murphy.

And so the litany of ignominious nicknames that have come to define the lackadaisical Russell -- JaNormous; JaFumble; JaMumble; JaBustas; Off-The-Marcus; JaWalrus; JaWaffleHouse -- are shelved for a week while the Raiders and Russell enjoy a rare victory, one that ended a five-game span that saw them score only 49 points.

The derogatory Russell monikers may not go away anytime soon -- he did throw two interceptions against Philly -- but at least the maligned quarterback did more right than wrong for a change.

"That was pretty sweet," said Russell, who completed 17 of 28 passes for a season-best 224 yards. "We had guys flying around today. Whether it was a good or bad play, we found a way to keep fighting, and as an offense, that's what we need to get us going."

Justin Fargas and his head-first, hurdling running style helped spark the Raiders offense as well, gaining 87 yards on 23 carries. And the longtime Raiders back was solid blocking for Russell's many screens, flat routes and short-range balls that receivers such as fullback Gary Russell turned into positive yards-after-the-catch gainers.

The YAC factor was huge for Oakland on Sunday, if only because Russell finally began throwing the ball to his receivers rather than at them. This being the Raiders, though, first-round draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey (zero catches) wasn't one of those receivers.

Coach Tom Cable, who was more than a little preachy after the face-saving win, said Russell was overdue for this kind of game.

"I know, OK, we lost the last two weeks and you all wanted to write that we're this or we're that on offense and all that. That's OK. That's your job and I respect that," said Cable, who may hear this week from the Napa County district attorney about whether he'll face charges in the Randy Hanson altercation. Napa DA Gary Lieberstein has promised an update on the case Monday afternoon.

"If you look at the last two weeks, (Russell's) actually thrown the ball much, much better than prior to that," Cable continued. "So it was coming, it was actually coming. I know you don't want to believe that but it's true."

Apparently, wishing will make it so.

Cable's record as the latest struggling Raiders coach in a conga line of failed Al Davis hires is only 6-12. But if his career goes the way of Norv Turner, Art Shell and Lane Kiffin, at least Cable will depart knowing he got a legitimate game out of Russell -- regardless of the distractions that come with posting franchise-worst marks on offense this season and a two-month long legal battle that soon may come to a head.

"Ha, I'm happy we won. But, you've got to know, I love this team and I'm not going to change what I believe in," Cable said. "You know, you live in America for a reason; the process will take care of itself with that other stuff. Enough said."