At least Oakland has hope
December 7 will always be known as the day that will live in
infamy. Just as the 2007 season is the one that will live in infamy
for San Francisco 49ers fans.
But to the 49ers’ counterparts from across the bay, 2007 will
from this day forward be known as the year of hope for the
future.
Proof of that came last Sunday after Raider fans finally got to
see quarterback JaMarcus Russell take a game snap from center for
the first time.
At least Oakland has hope
December 7 will always be known as the day that will live in infamy. Just as the 2007 season is the one that will live in infamy for San Francisco 49ers fans.
But to the 49ers’ counterparts from across the bay, 2007 will from this day forward be known as the year of hope for the future.
Proof of that came last Sunday after Raider fans finally got to see quarterback JaMarcus Russell take a game snap from center for the first time.
Although both Bay Area teams have had dismal seasons thus far, at least the Raiders are clearly headed in the right direction now – and having the 6-foot-6 rookie gunslinger, who can throw 70 yards down field on his knees, gives Raider fans something to get excited about for the first time since the days of Rich Gannon.
Yes, Russell’s NFL debut consisted of only two drives in the second quarter but he looked promising – a heck of a lot more so than the other No. 1 overall draft pick that wears the red and gold uniform on the west side of the bay.
Russell made his NFL debut in the 34-20 win over the Broncos with 13:48 remaining in the second quarter, and proceeded to complete his first pass – a 16-yard strike to Jerry Porter that sent the Oaktown crowd into a frenzy.
And when he came out of the game after just 16 plays the crowd booed Josh McCown, the guy who finished the game with a career-high three touchdown tosses.
Head coach Lane Kiffin would later explain that he opted to do so in order to “ease him into the NFL slowly” after missing all of training camp in a contract dispute.
Unlike 49ers QB Alex Smith, who was the No. 1 draft pick overall three years ago, Russell came out of the gate looking the part.
He showed poise in the pocket and appeared to be in control for the most part, despite nearly blowing a handoff to LaMont Jordan and fumbling a shotgun snap for an 8-yard loss in his first drive before Sebastian Janikowski was short on a 58-yard field-goal attempt.
On his second drive, Russell drove Oakland to the Broncos’ 25-yard line before Justin Fargas was stuffed on fourth-and-1 play. Although his stint would be short-lived, the 22-year-old still managed to go 4-for-7 for 56 yards.
The game was Russell’s first since leading LSU to a Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame 11 months ago.
Obviously, it’s still far too early to project just how good of a quarterback Russell will prove to be but I think it’s a safe bet to say that he’ll be a heck of a lot better than Alex Smith. Of course former Raider QB Todd Marinovich might even sneak into that category.
While Russell’s brief stint has given Raider fans a great deal of hope for next season and beyond, the images of Alex Smith on the 49ers sideline in street clothes nursing his shoulder injury during the team’s latest loss to the Carolina Panthers only makes one wonder if Smith will ever play for the 49ers again – or even in the NFL for that matter.
