Gradkowski Hits the Gym While Jamarcus Hits the Bench

By MikeBullock  |   Thursday, November 19, 2009  |  Comments( 5 )

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The amount of times anyone at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway has used the words “JaMarcus Russell” and “hard work” in a sentence with positive connotations can be counted on one hand. Despite all the turmoil in Oakland, the team does have a professional caliber workout facility that multi-million dollar QB Russell has access to any time he wants. What’s become glaringly apparent is Russell never seems to want it.

All the negativity surrounding Al Davis’ current plan of action may ring true, however, he did bring in Paul Hackett, considered to be one of the best in the business when it comes to developing young QBs, to mentor Russell. And again, it’s glaringly apparent Russell doesn’t want it.

The question then becomes, how do you motivate a guy who has no desire to be motivated?

If passionate words, grand speeches and tours of the Raider facility, decked in all its “Team of the Decades” memorabilia doesn’t do it, and numerous Hall of Fame players and coaches, from Jim Plunkett to John Madden don’t light a fire under Russell, what choice is there other than moving him aside for someone with a desire to win?

That seems to be the mindset Coach Cable and “Coach” Davis have in mind this week, after benching Russell during the loss to the Chiefs, and announcing this week’s starter will be Bruce Gradkowski.

Unfortunately for Raider Nation, Gradkowski’s desire has yet to translate to wins.

Over the length of his short career, Gradkowski has bounced from Tampa Bay, to St. Louis to Cleveland to the Raiders. While doing so, he’s hardly built the resume of a future Hall of Famer. In his time in the league, he’s accumulated 213 completions on 403 attempts for a 53.1 completion percentage. He’s only passed for 1980 yards so far, over three plus seasons. The stats that will really make Raider fans’ hearts sink is the 9 touchdowns versus 15 interceptions coupled with 34 career sacks.

However, what a lot of people in the know do praise about the journeyman QB is his drive and desire. Gradkowski puts in the gym time, the film room time and has a solid knowledge of what needs to happen on the field and how to achieve it. Unfortunately, he’s yet to translate that into an impressive outing.

It’s still more than obvious that the Raiders haven’t given up on JaMarcus Russell and this benching is more a scolding in the hopes that he finally gets his head on straight. The problem is, when comparing the two to Raider QBs of old, Gradkowski is more like Rich Gannon and Russell is more like Todd Marinovich. Davis knew when to pull the plug on the former USC star, so the million dollar question is: when will the LSU scholarship run out?
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