has McCown earnd a backup spot on this team for next season?

[Byron2112]

We've all hated him and liked him some this season.

I'm sure that the O-line not allowing a sack in the laste three games(can't believe I'm typing that) and the emergence of our running game has helped greatly, but the other thing I've noticed these last several games is that McCown isn't making mind boggling turnovers or taking idiotic sacks... and this is all with him really hurting with that broken finger and his various other injuries.

I'm alittle impressed. He's obviously gotten to a comfort level with his knowledge in the offense and understanding of what he can and can't do. He's scrambling smartly and throwing the ball away when appropriate.

Obviuosly the guy is pretty limited physically, but he has Kiffin's love going for him, and I don't think there's a chance of a bidding war for his services so he'll come cheap. He does seem to have genuine interest in helping Russ become a pro, and while I can't say for sure, he does seem like a guy who could be happy backing up. He's unquestionably a very tough player that seems to be a likeable guy in the huddle.

He could be an ideal career backup type.

What do you guys think?

[007]

Agreed.

Perfect backup/spot starter type.

[Madturk]

Just don't have any confidence in him to carry the team for any length of time. Seems like every other team's back ups are capable of pitching in relief with no big drop off in production, unlike us. If he's willing to accept the back-up/mentor role to JaRuss, then I guess I'm ok with it. He wouldn't be my first choice but knows the system.

[Byron2112]

Just don't have any confidence in him to carry the team for any length of time.

I don't either, that's why I see him as career backup material.

Seems like every other team's back ups are capable of pitching in relief with no big drop off in production, unlike us.

Really?

Like who?... certainly nobody in our division :confused:

[BigTron]

I think he is a damn fine back-up. He knows/fits the system. He is tough as nails with a good attitude. If he is willing to stay id be really happy to have him as a back-up.

[SoCalRaider]

I really, really hope Al Davis hates that lesbian as much as I do.... I would much rather see Walter as the primary backup next season.

[raiderfreak7]

I really, really hope Al Davis hates that lesbian as much as I do.... I would much rather see Walter as the primary backup next season.

I don't think he'd be as willing to help out with Russell.

[Rupert]

I think McCown will be our primary backup next season. I was always critical of Gannon's arm-"strength", and McCown's is only a little better, but that's probably due to his relative youth.

McCown has definitely settled down in his second stint as our starter. Maybe we should dislocate a finger on his left hand if we need him to start next season. He seems to focus better with the pain.

Walter will probably be here for the rest of his rookie contract then he'll try to get a job somewhere else. Then we'll grab some rookie to groom behind Russell.

[Crow]

If McCown is the #3, fine. Otherwise, just bring me a 2nd day rookie. Dennis Dixon, John David Booty, whoever.

Some veteran is getting cut this offseason. I'd like to weigh my options before considering McCown, and I was a McCown fan prior to this season.

[Madturk]

I don't either, that's why I see him as career backup material.



Really?

Like who?... certainly nobody in our division :confused:

Actually I'd take Huard and Billy Volek in our division over McClown.

[Langlier]

I know Walter will be back... and I'd think McCown would be the natural pairing as the #3. Perfectly happy with that trio.

[Raidermania12]

no........................

[Byron2112]

I know Walter will be back... and I'd think McCown would be the natural pairing as the #3. Perfectly happy with that trio.

This is the lineup I had in mind, with Walter as the developmental #3.

I really don't see how anyone can put Walter ahead of McCown at this point... maybe if he has an outstanding camp and preseason next year...

IMO the ideal setup for a QB situation is to have the grisled veteran at #2 so you know what your getting(experience/leadership) in an emergency and the unknown potential at #3.

[Byron2112]

Actually I'd take Huard and Billy Volek in our division over McClown.

Hmm... I havn't really seen Volek perform in years so I wouldn't take him at this point, but I'm certain I wouldn't take Huard who has no redeeming qualities IMO.

Any other outstanding backups in the league you can point out?

Not busting your balls, just wondering... frankly, no one really stands out to me off the top of my head...

[CrossBones]

We could sign Vinny. :p

[hawaiianboy]

I'd prefer to have both McCown and Walter return as backups... We have enough on our plate as it is without dicking around getting another guy up to speed in the system...

Plus I like having one mobile QB on the roster to similate in practice any mobile QB our defense sees in season...

[SoCalRaider]

I really don't see how anyone can put Walter ahead of McCown at this point...

Walter outplayed the teacher's pet in the preseason....
Walter has potential that the teacher's pet never had and never will...
Walter can throw the ball beyond 5 yards...
Walter is one of Al's guys.... the teacher's pet isn't....

[RaiderIVlife]

I also admire McCown's tenacity and the rampant booing and vitriolic name calling towards him turn me off (on the 'fans' that is), but with that said, I don't think he's earned nothing more than a chance to compete for a job.

If Walter or TBD can unseat him, so be it.

[RaiderIVlife]

BTW, I don't agree that Walter 'outplayed' McCown in the preseason. Based on what? Looking slow afoot, taking sacks and throwing INT's (high and over the middle)?

[Raidermania12]

BTW, I don't agree that Walter 'outplayed' McCown in the preseason. Based on what? Looking slow afoot, taking sacks and throwing INT's (high and over the middle)?

yikes, are you remembering last year or the preseason? ...Walter only had 1 INT i can remember in the preseason. I think Walter gets judged with last year always connected to how we remember him. Which to me is a mistake. Either way I gotta say he didnt play like you say from what i saw. In fact i liked his play. He made a point of looking for his tight ends, checked down fairly decent. Did hold the ball long in the arizona game on two plays. But after that i thought he got rid of the ball pretty good. And he showed more accuracy than McCown. I remember McCown never really finding any consistent accuracy all preseason.

Yep McCown completed 51 percent for no TD's or INT's of his passes while Walter hit nearly 63 percent of his for 1 td and 1 int. 63 percent doesnt really reflect constantly over high int's over the middle. Also in that niner game i thought he came back really strong after that int.

with that said, he didnt blow everybody out of the water, but imo he outplayed McCown, and thats not a far fetched theory at all. I think his lack of experience and mobility hurt him. But thats from a trust and rep stand point. Didnt really have much to do with the performance which had the look of possibly being effective. But as iffy as our pass blocking was. I totally understand Kiffin wanting a mobile qb. I just think he should let Walter leave rather than bring him back to a slighted scenario where the mobile vet(which is probably what he'll be up against) will always get a lil' more love before the qb competitions begin.

[massraider]

Walter outplayed the teacher's pet in the preseason....
Walter has potential that the teacher's pet never had and never will...
Walter can throw the ball beyond 5 yards...
Walter is one of Al's guys.... the teacher's pet isn't....

This is when my grandpa says, "Hey, someone give that record player a kick!"

:p;)

I think we could do worse that McCown and Walter next year. mcCown seems to have come to terms with his limitations, and willing to slide into a comfortable backup presence behind J-Rock. that's pretty valuable.

[CrossBones]

BTW, I don't agree that Walter 'outplayed' McCown in the preseason. Based on what? Looking slow afoot, taking sacks and throwing INT's (high and over the middle)?Don't forget hanging his head and zapping the entire team's energy every time they went 3 and out or something else bad happened.

[Swords]

I have no problem retaining him for next year.

He could have easily sat on the sideline and ate cookies with his compound broken finger. But he played in pain and hasn't bitched one bit about the circumstance he's in.

Yes he is limited physically but his heart is huge. On a team without leadership he has the attitude that we desperately need.

[RaiderIVlife]

Don't forget hanging his head and zapping the entire team's energy every time they went 3 and out or something else bad happened.

Exactly. Attitude & Toughness count. Particularly in football.

I don't heven hate on Walter, but this notion that "he should be playing" or "he outplayed McCown in the preseason" is.....I don't know.....almost irrelevant. It's not like we're burying Steve Young on the bench, it's Andrew Walter (Drew Bledsoe light) !!!!

This season is and always has been about changing the "culture" of the franchise. This is why hard work, persistence, toughness and attitude (Fargas / Routt / Clemens / Eugene / Newberry / McCown) have trumped "talent" or draft status (Jordan / Culpepper / Hawthorne / Grove / Schwiegert / Moses)

All that being said, I'd certainly like to see Russell start the last two games, however, Russell isn't really ready. I think it's obvious to see and to play a guy that isn't ready and/or hasn't earned it, simply undermines what Lane Kiffin is trying to establish psychologically with the squad.

Tough question indeed.

[CrossBones]

Nice post RaiderIVL...

Well apparently McCown is gonna start. It's amazing that the guy can even drag is gimpy arm out there but he's doing the best he can. Frankly I've seen enough of him but I'm rollin' with Kiffin good bad or indifferent at this point. It's his show.

I think we'll see a lot of Russell against the Jags at least I hope so and with a bigger play book than the two hand offs and the dump off to the back in the flat. I'd love to see the Raiders open it up some and see some fireworks from the big guy. RThow us a bone if you will.

Anyway Walter seems to be destined to be "tui'ed"...Oh well. Wrong place, wrong time. Life is a bitch.

[Abelardo]

McClown is a decent backup. So does Walter. But there are differences: McClown seems to turn the ball over more often than Walter; Walter is a statue, while McFuck can move; Walter has a better arm; Both can take big pounding, but at this I think Walter has assimilated horrible hits better than Fuck-the-clown who seems to be eternally injured; and the biggest difference: McDonald is Kiffins boy so he has a decent chance to stay. There will be arguing between Kiffin and Al for this. AS long as Russell makes the first team I really don't care which of the two guys is #2. Walter seems to be the tragic figure here.

[Byron2112]

Exactly. Attitude & Toughness count. Particularly in football.

I don't heven hate on Walter, but this notion that "he should be playing" or "he outplayed McCown in the preseason" is.....I don't know.....almost irrelevant. It's not like we're burying Steve Young on the bench, it's Andrew Walter (Drew Bledsoe light) !!!!

This season is and always has been about changing the "culture" of the franchise. This is why hard work, persistence, toughness and attitude (Fargas / Routt / Clemens / Eugene / Newberry / McCown) have trumped "talent" or draft status (Jordan / Culpepper / Hawthorne / Grove / Schwiegert / Moses)

All that being said, I'd certainly like to see Russell start the last two games, however, Russell isn't really ready. I think it's obvious to see and to play a guy that isn't ready and/or hasn't earned it, simply undermines what Lane Kiffin is trying to establish psychologically with the squad.

Tough question indeed.

Great post(had to rep you there), this is what it's all about.

And I'm not saying give McCown anything, just wondering if people are willing to have the guy back at this point.

Hopefully it wont matter so much becasue he'll be on the bench while Russ is starring for us :cool: