Oakland Raiders

RUSSELL FOLLOWS THROUGH

While ESPN was pretending to “break” the news about Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell missing the final Organized Team Activities session, NFL Network was busy uncovering some real news.

NFL Network reported Wednesday that Russell followed through on his promise of assembling some of the Raiders wide receivers for a week of extra practice away from the team’s year-round facility in Alameda, Calif.

The NFL Network reported that Russell paid for his receivers to fly to Alabama for the private workout, which still is in progress.

Funny how ESPN left out that little tidbit, or didn’t even bother to check into it, because it would have undermined its ability to rip Russell once again. And the “news” of Russell missing the OTA session broke a week or more ago.

Give us a week of Russell and his receivers working together away from the distractions of a full-team practice and the prying eyes of the media over one two-hour OTA session any day.

The NFL Network report said rookie Louis Murphy, Will Franklin and Todd Watkins are among the receivers who took up Russell on his offer for the opportunity to bond and improve their on-field chemistry.

This, indeed, is good news for the Raiders and Raider Nation, as well as a sign that Russell is serious about doing whatever it takes to be more than just a rich NFL player, one who wants also to be a successful NFL quarterback and team leader.

The next test comes in training camp, when Russell gets pushed by veteran Jeff Garcia, either in practice, during exhibition games or through more of Garcia’s lobbying for playing time.

The news that he has matured into more of a take-charge guy tells us that he is well equipped to handle that challenge and the others certain to confront him on his way to stardom.

NEW LEAGUE DOESN’T TUCK ITS TAIL

The upstart new football league made a bit of news Wednesday by revealing some of the ways it will differ from the big kid on the block, the NFL.

The biggest differences are some of the rules changes involved with the UFL. Not surprisingly, there’s a Raiders twist involved.

The UFL won’t recognize the so-called “Tuck Rule,” the obscure rule about what constitutes an attempted pass that cost the Raiders a playoff victory over the New England Patriots in the 2001 season.

Other rules of notes include overtime. Each team will get one possession before sudden death kicks in. In the NFL, it’s possible for a team to lose in overtime without running an offensive play.

All instant-replay rulings will be made by a designated replay official as opposed to the NFL’s policy of relying upon the on-field referee.

Quarterbacks are permitted to ground the ball without penalty, even if they are outside of the pocket.

Celebrations are permitted in the end zone and bench area, whereas the NFL has earned the moniker of the No Fun League for a reason.