Can Russell make all the throws in Oakland?

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Monday, June 15, 2009  |  Comments( 7 )

Oakland Raiders
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While quarterback JaMarcus Russell's arm strength has been well documented, it's still uncertain whether he can make all of the necessary throws at the NFL level. If the Oakland Raiders are to be successful during the upcoming season, Russell will need to demonstrate improved accuracy and consistency along with his extreme arm strength.

Since being selected with the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, expectations for Russell have been sky high. In fact, many of those expectations could be deemed unreasonable for a young signal-caller. Few quarterbacks entering the league have been able to make more of an immediate impact than Russell has during his first two seasons.

Although he’s suffered through his fair share of mishaps, Russell has displayed steady progress in the Bay Area. After a forgettable rookie campaign, Russell showed flashes of what Raider Nation hopes is a sign of things to come last year. While leading a rather pedestrian offense, Russell managed to throw for over 2,400 yards and maintained a quarterback rating of 77.1.

One aspect of Russell’s game that has yet to come to the forefront is his accuracy. Russell has completed less than 54 percent of his passes in his career and must advance his skill set on short to intermediate passing routes. Although Russell has failed to consistently find his receivers, there are pieces in place to help turnaround his struggles.

While Oakland has been scrutinized for passing on Michael Crabtree in April's draft in favor of first-rounder Darrius Heyward-Bey, it was able to secure the services of wideout Louis Murphy in Round 4. Murphy could be considered a poor man’s Crabtree and is expected to complement the speedy Heyward-Bey as a possession receiver. Additionally, a tight end can be a quarterback’s best friend and Zach Miller is a dependable option at the position.

Also working in Russell’s favor is the astronomical rise in accuracy he experienced throughout his collegiate career. During his freshman season at LSU, Russell completed only 51 percent of his passes. As a sophomore his completion percentage rose to over 60 percent. In his junior campaign – which would prove to be final college season – Russell improved even further, connecting on 68 percent of his passes.

If Russell is able to make a similar jump during his third year in the professional ranks, the Raiders may be in store for their first winning season since 2002. Oakland has been known for throwing the deep ball, but Russell’s progression on underneath routes will be crucial to the team’s offensive success in 2009.

By the way Raider fans if you're looking to cure your football fix, tune into Spike TV tonight at 11 PM, ET/PT as Rich Gannon and Tim Brown reunite back on the football field in the finale of Spike TV's hit series, "Pros vs. Joes."
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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