Raiders QBs flash a little arm
Friday, August 14, 2009
(08-13) 23:20 PDT -- Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell rolled his sleeves up and flashed a little arm Thursday. He went long, he dumped short, he rifled everywhere in between.
Now, if only Russell could get a little more Autumn Wind under those deep tosses, then the vertical game will really be in business.
As it was, Russell completed 6 of 9 passes for 50 yards in one quarter of play, giving flashes of passing-game things to come in Thursday's exhibition season opener against the Cowboys at The Coliseum.
If there's anything to take away from the Raiders' 31-10 victory, it's this: this offense is bent on throwing three straight seasons of nonthrowing out the window. Three Raiders quarterbacks combined for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
"That was the plan coming out," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "We have to be able to throw the ball to win."
Russell's nine pass attempts came in 13 offensive plays. His first was an 11-yard completion to receiver Chaz Schilens. His last was a 9-yard screen to running back Darren McFadden.
The only connection Russell couldn't make was of the go-deep variety, and he sure tried.
Enter Darrius Heyward-Bey, the No. 7 overall draft pick with afterburners. On the third play of the game, Heyward-Bey sprinted down the left sideline, only for Russell's under-thrown 40-yard pass to get batted down.
They tried it again on the next drive. That time, Russell's 33-yard shot to Heyward-Bey on the same route sailed 5 yards long and 2 yards out of bounds.
Russell was also come-and-get-it short on a 47-yard lob to Schilens. In other words, Russell's immensely strong arm still needs a side of accuracy when stretching the field.
"I liked what I saw, guys were open down the field," Cable said.
When all else failed, Russell kept going to Schilens, last year's seventh-round pick who is playing like the go-to receiver the Raiders have lacked since Randy Moss last tried on their behalf in 2005.
Schilens caught five passes for 52 yards, and did so in tight coverage every time, in just over one quarter of play.
He went up and brought down 11- and 16-yard catches. He converted two third downs into first downs. Most impressive, Schilens had to go to the ground for a 2-yard reception, then jumped to his feet and added 6 yards after the catch.
After 15 catches as a rookie, he'll have that by October at this rate.
"Felt good, we're off to a good start," Schilens said. "The offense is rolling, and we're trying to score some more points."
When Russell sat, backup Bruce Gradkowski kept the offense passing, completing 9 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a 3-yard touchdown to tight end Tony Stewart. Two completions went to rookie Louis Murphy for 40 yards. Another went to Heyward-Bey for 8 yards.
As far as safety nets go, at least the Raiders know they can always fall back on the run. Yes, veteran Justin Fargas started (1 carry, 2 yards). But the real hope lies in Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.
McFadden had four carries for 63 yards, bursting past the second level of defenders for 45 yards on a sweep. Bush played third and had two carries for 18 yards.
Just as impressive, McFadden delivered a huge block in blitz protection to spring Russell for an 18-yard rumble.
As if to show off their running back depth, Louis Rankin had a 3-yard touchdown run and Gary Russell had a 1-yard score.
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