Who Should Start At Quarterback?

Angry Pope

Angry Pope

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Raiders burning question: Who should start at QB?

July 16, 2007


Here we go again. Another bad 2006 team, another 2007 quarterback quandary. But it's really no question as to what the Raiders, the league's worst '06 team, should do: Start JaMarcus Russell.


Let's be realistic. Oakland definitely has a developing defensive strength, but to make the required repairs on offense and reestablish a culture of winning, it will take more than one year for even a coach as bright and motivated as Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin is one key part of the Raiders' future as the young leader on the sidelines. And if they didn't hesitate in wanting to see what a 32-year-old can do in that important role, they should go ahead see what their soon-to-be 22-year-old No. 1 overall pick can do in the most important role on the field.

Russell is in a situation similar to that of the Browns' Brady Quinn in that he enters a quarterback mix that doesn't include a veteran with great starting experience. Although Andrew Walter (in college) and Josh McCown (as a pro) both once showed some passing skills in Tempe, Ariz., that could eventually help them pass muster in the NFL, neither has an edge over Russell as they're all coming in to learn Kiffin's system.

Having Russell sitting and waiting only delays the process. It's not like he's an athletic type project who needs to develop his arm strength. His potential to be a big-time deep passer is what got him drafted at the top, and his style fits the mold of what the Raiders want to accomplish in the passing game.

Throw him in there, and let him loose. What's there to lose after the Raiders just lost 14 games last season?

Sure, considering the Raiders have issues on the offensive line, in the backfield and with the wide receiver corps, Russell is bound to take more lumps than your average rookie quarterback. In addition, the AFC West is a tough learning ground with the Chargers, Chiefs and Broncos all set to be playoff contenders.

But letting Russell learn from his mistakes in one of the most unfavorable situations will only help him when the team gets on an upward swing under Kiffin.
 
Josh should start. Until our O-Line is a cohesive unit I dont want to see our 60 millions dollar man getting crushed. We need to take our time and develop JaMarcus into the starting role. Josh McCown should take all the bumps and bruises until the players on the offense figure everything out. When the o-line and the Skill positions are all on the same page then we should bring in JR.
 
Jamarcus' agent is Eric Metz. In 1983, he got his start when Bruce Allen, then an agent with his own company, hired him. Here is an old story on Metz with some of the clients he represents...

Eric Metz: Agent of fortune

Monroeville native has has blossomed into one of NFL's most prominent representatives

Friday, July 26, 2002

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer


Like any native of Western Pennsylvania, Eric Metz knows about roads being strewn with potholes. He has had his share on his 18-year journey to becoming one of the NFL's top agents.

Shortly after he got his start with Bruce Allen, Metz became one of the targets of former University of Pittsburgh coach Mike Gottfried, who mounted a verbal crusade against agents and prohibited them from visiting the Panthers' football facility.

Then, in 1998, he was unceremoniously dumped by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Joey Galloway after a contentious six-month contract holdout. The split occurred not long after Metz, a 1979 Gateway High School graduate, got Galloway exactly what he desired -- traded to another team and more money than Green Bay's Antonio Freeman, the highest-paid receiver in the league.

"I told him, I'll take the bullets for you [during his holdout]," Metz said. "And I did -- for six months."

Since then, Metz and his longtime partner, Ethan Lock, a sports law professor at Arizona State University, have added to their list of NFL clients. Their company -- Lock, Metz and Malinovic, based in Phoenix -- represents 43 players and has become one of the top five representative agencies in the league.

Four weeks after the messy split with Galloway, who got a seven-year, $42 million contract that included a $12 million signing bonus with the Dallas Cowboys, Metz signed former Pitt guard Ruben Brown to a $32 million deal with the Buffalo Bills that included a $7 million signing bonus. That made Brown the highest paid interior lineman in the league.

Metz followed that with a $30 million deal for Bills offensive tackle John Fina that included an $8.25 million signing bonus -- the highest signing bonus for a veteran offensive lineman at the time. That same month, Metz got a $10 million signing bonus for Detroit Lions defensive end Luther Elliss.

It was quite a month for Metz. And quite a rebound after the Galloway disaster.

"Not everything goes your way in this business," said Metz, 41, a Monreoville native who graduated from Penn State in 1983. "It's not that we're any better. But we were already in the business and the money took off. Coaches weren't making $3 million a year. Players weren't making $5 million. We're all benefactors of the TV networks. Our calling card is our client list. And it's not just the quality of players on the list. It's the character of the clients we have. We say to a recruit, here's our list, check it out, ask other people around the league."

At the top of the character list, Metz said, is Steelers' No. 1 pick Kendall Simmons, a 6-foot-2, 311-pound guard from Auburn who will be given a chance to win the starting right guard spot in training camp. Simmons agreed to a six-year contract that includes a $3,314,000 signing bonus late Wednesday night and reported to camp yesterday in time to take part in the afternoon run.

Metz has a lengthy and good relationship with the Steelers, often staying in one of their dorm rooms at St. Vincent College when he is visiting training camp. But his obligation is to his clients, and Simmons, the 30th overall pick in the 2002 draft, would not have reported on time if Metz didn't get the deal he thought his client deserved.

"The second-to-last thing we don't want to do is keep a player out of camp," Metz said. "But the very last thing we don't want to do is get the player an inferior contract.

"As corny as it sounds, we're guided 100 percent by what is best for the client. We'll never sacrifice clients for our best interests. The players are the show. We're not the show."

That's why Metz was thrilled to get such a contract for Simmons.

"If we keep representing guys with the character of Kendall Simmons, I don't care if we ever get a No. 1 pick," said Metz, who has never represented a No. 1 overall pick (his highest was No. 2 Kevin Hardy in 1996). "Working with people like Kendall makes this a rewarding business. He's one in a million. He's such a good kid it's scary."

Metz has a good relationship with many of the presidents and general managers in the NFL. Nonetheless, he does not let that arrangement jeopardize his job performance. Around the league, Metz is known as a tough negotiator who is not afraid to get the best possible deal for his clients.

"For me, from a team perspective, what you like to find is someone who drives a hard bargain and gets his player what's fair, but does it without damaging the relationship between the player, agent and team," said Joe Banner, executive vice president and chief financial operator for the Philadelphia Eagles. "If you do it right, you can still get the player what he wants without being unfair. Eric gets his players very good deals without creating a lot of tension. That's the ultimate compliment. Some guys, in their passiveness, don't get the best deal, or, with their aggressiveness, don't get the best deal."

Metz got started in the business in 1983, working as an East Coast representative for Allen, the son of former Hall of Fame Coach George Allen and now a front-office executive with the Oakland Raiders. One of the other partners was Lock, who was one of major players in the push for free agency in the 1980s.

Metz also worked with Joe Mendes, now general manager of the Washington Redskins.

"We're the only guys in the business who have two former partners that are general managers in the NFL," Metz said.

Metz was introduced to Allen by Warren Anderson, a former graduate assistant coach at Southern Illinois who roomed with Metz's brother, Dean, in college. Anderson was a trainer who worked for Allen with the old Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League.

Once he began working with Allen, Metz started sending his college clients to Anderson to get them in shape and perhaps improve their draft position. One of the first projects was former Pitt running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who lost 60 pounds in two months training with Anderson. Heyward was eventually the 24th pick in the first round by the New Orleans Saints.

Now, a lot of agents routinely send their clients to trainers to get them in top physical condition for the NFL combine. But Allen and Metz were the pioneers.

Metz has come a long way from Gateway High School.

"If someone would have told me 25 years ago that I would do this, have a great wife and three great kids and have the kind of life I have, I would have made a deal with the devil right then," Metz said.
 
Raiders' Russell won't hit the ground running

Brendan Roberts

July 16, 2007


JaMarcus Russell is no Vince Young or Michael Vick.


Look, I'm not saying he won't be a better quarterback than both of those guys. In fact, as a Raiders fan, I sure hope he is. But they're not the same quarterback - different skills, different teams. And by different skills, I mean Russell can't run the ball like those other two.

From what I've seen in today's NFL, only quarterbacks who can run can be successful from the get-go. It takes time to master those phonebook-size playbooks and get used to the speed of the pass rush. Running, on the other hand, is more natural, which is why guys like Young and Vick can step right in and succeed with their legs instead of their arms.

Russell doesn't have that ability, not that many do. He'll struggle with interceptions, take needless sacks, look flustered, probably yell at some linemen and/or receivers. But he won't be a fantasy option.

My favorite to start the season as the Raiders' No. 1 is Josh McCown. I actually like McCown's skills. He's elusive, has an adequate arm and has been around the league. But he's not the quarterback to bring the Raiders back from their doom-and-gloom 2006 season. Russell is, and I see him taking over fairly early in the season.

I predict McCown will get beat up by the Dolphins in Miami in Week 4, the Raiders will assess the situation during their Week 5 bye, then turn to Russell for Week 6 in San Diego, hoping the rookie gives them a wrinkle against a stellar defense.

Russell will be all the rage on the waiver wire, as fantasy owners envision a 2006 Vince Young redux. But it isn't going to happen. Russell might have a serviceable game or two, but this will not be the year to use a roster spot on him.

This is his "lumps" year. And come 2008, right around the time he appears to be figuring things out, his owners will be glad he had one.
 
If your in a keeper league Russell would be a huge steal at the end of the draft IMO
 
I have no opinion of what his progressive pace will be. New system, coach, OC, Blocking scheme, RB core, and many other factors come into play. I dont think anybody with legit sanity can formulate what he'll start off like until he gets some actual game reps.

The odds are that he'll show some decent skills. But will he dominate from the jump? Will he be horrible to start off? Or will he look like a typical rookie in need of time? Hard to say until we get to late august/early september.
 
Brendan Roberts said:
From what I've seen in today's NFL, only quarterbacks who can run can be successful from the get-go.
Click to expand...

Ben Rothlesberger?




Brendan Roberts said:
It takes time to master those phonebook-size playbooks and get used to the speed of the pass rush. Running, on the other hand, is more natural, which is why guys like Young and Vick can step right in and succeed with their legs instead of their arms.
Click to expand...

I'd really want to know what measuring stick this guy is using when he says Vick has been "successful". In 5 of his 6 years in the NFL, his QB rating has been in the 60s and 70s.




Brendan Roberts said:
Russell doesn't have that ability, not that many do. He'll struggle with interceptions, take needless sacks, look flustered, probably yell at some linemen and/or receivers.
Click to expand...

So will McCown, Walter, and anybody else they put back there. If Russell is going to learn anything this year, it won't be from watching McCown get his ass kicked.
 
BigTron said:
If your in a keeper league Russell would be a huge steal at the end of the draft IMO
Click to expand...

He won't make it out of the 3rd round in mine (but we're more of a dynasty league than a keeper league...) I'm already watching teams in my league jockey for position in the 1st round to get M.Bush... but then again, our scoring system caters more to RBs than QBs.

A couple years ago, when everybody was fighting for Priest Holmes, one of the owners rolled the dice on L.Johnson (I passed on him for that fat ass LaMont Jordan... did I mention how much I hate Jordan...). Now his starting backfield is LJ and LT... He's going to have a good shot of topping my 8 straight titles (my dynasty was built around B.Sanders and M.Faulk)...

Bottom line, in these kinds of leagues, it's all about the rooks... which is why I had to practically dump my entire roster for the #1 pick last year in order to get my hands on Reggie Bush. I'm probably 2-3 years away from contending again... talk about rebuilding. :D
 
SoCalRaider said:
Bottom line, in these kinds of leagues, it's all about the rooks... which is why I had to practically dump my entire roster for the #1 pick last year in order to get my hands on Reggie Bush. I'm probably 2-3 years away from contending again... talk about rebuilding. :D
Click to expand...

A lay-man's taste of an owner's pain.
 
Jack's sore libido said:
Roethlisberger can definitely run.
Click to expand...
They say Cutler can too. But he didn't.

You don't have to run every other down to have a strong rookie season as a QB.

But it helps.

If Russell has all the bad-ass skills and athleticism we heard so much about (ad nauseum), then he should have a legit shot at a strong rookie season.
 
Oh come now. Roethlisberger ran 56 times in 14 games his rookie year. It ain't Vince Young, but it's not Dan Marino, either.
 
Well if you read the Florida papers........LOL

-- Raiders Interested in Culpepper? --
Wed Jul 18, 2007 --from FFMastermind.com

The Palm Beach Post reports QB Daunte Culpepper, who was released by the Miami Dolphins yesterday, could wind up in Oakland.
Click to expand...

Palm Beach Post must be filled with Idiots that have no clue about football, there is no fucking way (excuse the french) he comes to Oakland!
 
jatfly said:
Well if you read the Florida papers........LOL



Palm Beach Post must be filled with Idiots that have no clue about football, there is no fucking way (excuse the french) he comes to Oakland!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I would be surprised too if he did. Last year I read where Culpepper wasn't studying the playbook. For me, I want Jamarcus to see himself as what Kiffin envisions for him and not what the media thinks Jamarcus will be...a Dante Culpepper clone.
 
Jamarcus, the nice friend...

Pac-10 under pressure?

Thursday, July 19, 2007

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Interesting little side note to the Les Miles bashes the Pac-10 rant from a few weeks ago. Turns out Miles' star QB JaMarcus Russell is related to Cal wideout Robert Jordan, who proudly sports a huge $15,000 watch he got as a gift from the Raiders' top pick. Russell was actually with Jordan when they learned about Miles' comments, which included the LSU coach mockingly referring to Cal, Stanford and Washington as "real juggernauts."

"I said 'J, what's up with your coach?' And he was like 'Ah man, he's a hothead don't listen to him,'" Jordan recalled.

Jordan and a few of his Cal teammates though say they don't feel any additional pressure to uphold the Pac-10's honor in their big rematch against Tennessee in the season opener. Last season, the Vols pounded the Golden Bears in Knoxville in the 2006 opener, 35-18.
 
I'll tell ya who should start:

WHOMEVER it is that shows the best skill and determination. I don't care id Jeff freakin Otis starts, so long as he has earned the job and showed he is better than anyone on the roster!
 
I have no doubts that Jamarcus, if he starts, can do well. With the offensive line coming together, a young play caller getting comfortable and a few new pieces to the offensive puzzle, I think Jamarcus can learn a lot by being on the sidelines and wearing the headset. He is cool and confident enough to overcome early failures though. For me, I would want him on the sidelines for a good part of the year.
 
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