Russell Benched In Favor of Charlie Frye
The Oakland Raiders announced that former first overall pick, JaMarcus Russell, will not resume starting quarterback duties this Sunday despite his replacement, Bruce Gradkowski, being ruled out with injuries to both knees. Oakland head coach Tom Cable announced that Charlie Frye will get the nod when the Raiders head to Denver this weekend.
Frye, a former starter with Cleveland, earns his first chance at NFL redemption after his unspectacular play for Cleveland Browns during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Frye eventually lost his starting job to Derek Anderson and was sent packing unceremoniously. Frye has thrown just 16 passes over the last 3 seasons while serving as a third string quarterback.
To add insult to Russell’s demotion, the Raiders signed another former washout QB, J.P. Losman. A former first round pick for Buffalo, Losman returns to the NFL after a stint in the upstart United Football League. Losman led his team, the Las Vegas Locomotives, to the inaugural championship title.
Russell’s selection as the first player taken in the 2007 shows that NFL scouts and executives still have much to learn about drafting quarterbacks. Despite numerous concerns about Russell’s mental makeup and lack of intangibles, NFL teams put those concerns aside in favor of his raw throwing power. Russell’s stock blew through the roof leading up to the draft after throwing the ball 65 yards from his knees.
Perhaps it would have been helpful to see how well Russell could deliver a pass with a defensive lineman in his face and a cornerback covering his receiver. Since earning the NFL starting job, Russell’s play has been pathetic. For his career, he has thrown 17 touchdown to 22 interceptions while losing 14 fumbles. That’s over a 2:1 turnover to TD pass ratio. His performance hit rock bottom in 2009, throwing 10 interceptions and losing 5 fumbles while only throwing 2 touchdowns.
Russell’s numbers rate up there with some of the biggest NFL draft busts in history at QB. His joins a list of memorable names such as Ryan Leaf, Todd Marinovich, Akili Smith, Tim Couch and Joey Harrington. Each of the guys, including Russell, has one common link associated with their failures in the NFL.
Intangibles.
Successful NFL quarterbacks must have the right mental makeup and work ethic to play the position. The QB must be able to overcome adversity and be the leader of the team. He must be that guy in the huddle, that when the chips are on the line, can come through and deliver. And his teammates must believe he can do it every time.
While I am not saying every QB that gets drafted must have John Elway ice blood in his veins, but he must be gauged as a leader. Intangibles must take precedent over skill. Before drafting Russell, the Oakland Raiders knew this was a huge question mark. If the Raiders had been smarter, they should have let Russell stew and sit out a season during his rookie holdout, as his immaturity and lack of common sense was on display before he ever donned the silver and black jersey.
Here’s to JaMarcus for earning the distinction of becoming a Trivial Pursuit question twenty years from now.
Tags: akili smith, bruce gradkowski, charlie frye, jamarcus russell, joey harrington, jp losman, Oakland Raiders, ryan leaf, tim couch, todd marinovich
