Baby steps, right Kiffin?
For a while there, it looked like JaMarcus Russell was once again going to be held on a very short and tight leash.
Taking on the Tennessee Titans on Friday night in the second preseason game of the young season, the Raiders' quarterback threw dump offs and a simple slant route to start off the contest.
It looked like Russell was bound to another lackluster performance --- i.e. the one he had against the 49ers a week earlier.
However, head coach Lane Kiffin opened up the playbook a little bit more.
Actually, Kiffin allowed himself to turn past the table of contents and the introduction page.
But nonetheless, Russell was allowed to stand in the pocket, roll around and toss the pigskin. Something that was lacking against San Francisco.
While his success was intermittent at best, Russell ended his night 10-for-17 for 75 yards and a touchdown. He did have some very questionable throws -- a super high pass that sailed over Javon Walker's head leaving him high and dry for a DB to wallop, a short screen to Ronald Curry on 3-and-8 that resulted in a loss of one and fourth down -- but his receivers also had some drops -- back to Walker who showed absolutely no desire to play.
Lane Kiffin allowed his quarterback to actually mingle and play quarterback and Russell showed a few good results. Kiffin promised Russell would see more time and he did.
Baby Steps.
The Raiders' offense isn't going to score 30 points a game and while Raider fans may hate the little steps Kiffin is giving his QB, in the long run, it will be for the best.
Russell is basically a rookie this season and easing him into the job is the proper approach.
While Russell showed off the zip in his arm, the offensive line contained a very stout Titans' front four. Again, like I've said many times, you cannot really judge a team's performance in preseason, but keeping Russell's jersey clean against a tough defense is an achievement the Raiders -- a comically bad team the last few years -- can be proud of.
Comments
The Titans pass rush didn't stunt or blitz or do anything exotic. The scheme was vanilla. It's no wonder it wasn't difficult for the Raiders' O-line to handle. It won't be this easy once the real season starts. The important thing to remember about this game is that it was a preseason game and therefore it is meaningless. Just like the four preseason games the Raiders won in 2006.
Posted by: Andrew Bird | August 16, 2008 01:51 PM
OK. Here is why I keep scoffing at the Raiders and any BS hyperbole that suggests Al Davis' team is improving. Lane Kiffin, or Lame Kitten might be more appropriate, is complaining about Al's dictitorial control over the roster in a story today in your sister newspaper, the CoCo Times. Sounds to me like Kiffin is distancing himself from the situation in Oakland, issuing a warning the Raiders are going make their annual trek to the bottom of the standings. Maybe he's covering his rear in hopes of having a future in the NFL. But it's pretty clear that he's unhappy over having absolutely no control over the roster; he feels powerless to make moves to improve the team. So all the hype about Russell and McFadden and Bush, etc. is meaningless. Even if they do have talent, it will be wasted in Oakland; Al will ruin their careers. And it's sad.
Here is the URL to the CoCo Times story: http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_10232282
Posted by: Andrew Bird | August 18, 2008 02:57 PM