Some NFL teams have confidence. Some have big dreams. Some have hope that they'll be this year's surprise. And some teams are just looking for any sign at all that they might not be a complete embarrassment to their sport. The Oakland Raiders fall into the last category, and JaMarcus Russell is offering such a sign.According to Steve Corkran of the Oakland Tribune, Russell is organizing a special minicamp for the Raiders' quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends at an undisclosed location sometime before training camp begins on July 30. The fact that Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, is taking this upon himself is seen as a sign that he is trying to show the kind of leadership expected of an NFL quarterback. This in turn is seen as good for the Raiders and good for Russell, who will enter training camp with veteran backup Jeff Garcia breathing down his substantial neck.
From Corkran's story:
"It's a big step," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "It's kind of what we've been talking about all along, and to hear about that is, obviously, a positive from a coach's standpoint. It will be good to hear how that goes and what his plan is."
There's never been any doubt about Russell's physical ability, but since before that 2007 draft there were questions about how, whether and when that ability would translate into NFL success. It's conceivable that Russell is just following a traditional quarterback development path, in which his third or fourth year is the one in which he gets it and takes a big step forward. It's possible that the addition of Garcia has shaken him up and made him realize he's not guaranteed the starter's job. It's possible Cable suggested this idea to him and he's just running with it so everything looks good.
Whatever it is, if you're a Raiders fan looking for that aforementioned sign that there's at least a slim chance that your team might not be a total embarrassment this season, you can go ahead and cling to this. The Raiders play in a division that will include a poor Kansas City team and a Denver team that might go into the tank once it gets done trading away all of its good offensive players. If something bizarre happened, like Russell suddenly emerging as a good NFL quarterback...jeez, the Raiders might be able to win a couple of games.
Who's he going to throw to? How good can their defense be? Hey, those are August questions. Right now, it's June. It's time for dreaming.
Report: Yahoo's Purchase Of Tumblr Approved By Board
String Of Deadly Bombings Hit Baghdad
Deadly Tornadoes Rip Through Plains, Midwest
Obama Approval Rating Not Hurt By Scandals
AP CEO: DOJ's Seizure Of Phone Records Was 'Unconstitutional'
Dem Senator Takes Aim At 'Outrageous Special Interest Provision'
New Bill Would Jumpstart Student Loan Refinancings
14 Dead In Afghan Bombing
Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul Lead Hemp Legalization Fight
5 Dead, 20 Missing In China Factory Explosion
Report Documents High Rate Of Sex Abuse Behind Bars
Paul Ryan On Benghazi: 'I Don't Know' If There Was A Cover-up
Michael Moore: 'The Real Problem With The IRS' Is GE
Jon Karl Expresses 'Regret' Over Benghazi Reporting
Syrian Rebel Stronghold Devastated By Hezbollah
Teens Accused Of Raping Girl, Posting Video On Facebook
Obama Delivers Commencement Speech At Morehouse College
Terrifying Parade Car Crash Likely Caused By Medical Condition: Official
10 Countries Where People Fear For Their Safety
2 FBI Agents Killed In Training Accident
McConnell Defends White House On AP Scandal
10-Year-Old On Dad's Deportation: 'Why Do They Have To Be So Cruel?'
Ted Nugent's Brother Takes Swipe At Rocker's Gun Stance
EU Criticizes Russia's 'Worrying' Human Rights Situation
Jamie Dimon Could Be Dealt A Major Blow This Week
Israeli FM Seeks Interim Peace Deal With Palestine
GOP Candidate Compared Planned Parenthood To KKK
Arianna Huffington's Commencement Speech On 'Redefining Success: The Third Metric'
