OK, I’m back! It’s a great week in Raiderland. The Raiders defeated the hated Denver Broncos to win their second consecutive game in a row over a divisional rival. What 17-game losing streak?
I noticed a slowly increasing roar from the home crowd as Denver was setting up to punt during the second quarter. I knew that could only mean one thing. It gave me chills to see JaMarcus Russell run onto the field for the first time as a Raider. After the long draft evaluation process, mini-camp, a training camp holdout, and 12 and one quarter weeks of the NFL season; the FUTURE of the franchise finally got his first action.
He hit Jerry Porter with a laser on his first play from scrimmage. It’s difficult to even put the difference in velocity between Josh McCown and Russell into words. Have you ever tried to throw a ball with your left hand? That’s what McCown looks like out there. However, Russell may have the strongest arm in the history of the league. He finished 4 for 7 with 56 yards before being lifted (as planned). The mistakes Russell made were really rookie mistakes. He botched a handoff to LaMont Jordan and caused Ronald Curry to jump early because of a delayed cadence. Those things should be expected, but there was a lot to be excited about.
The win may have cost us Darren McFadden in next season’s draft, but Justin Fargas has come out of nowhere and been VERY effective. I have some interesting facts about him that are going to shock you. That’ll be the focus of my podcast which will be debuting this weekend (now that I finally figured it out).
The Raiders travel to Green Bay this week to take on the 10-2 Packers. I’m going to actually have a full review this week because there is a scenario that Oakland could still win their division! Wait until you hear what it is before you get too excited.
On a personal note, I’m on cloud nine right now because I completed a 15-page paper, 20 minute presentation, 15 minute presentation, and 6 hours of Old English work this week! That makes the rest of this semester a cake-walk! What does that mean anyway? I can’t imagine what a cake walk would actually look like. Anyway, come back for more later in the week.
