JaMarcus Russell Continues Holdout, Daunte Culpepper Takes Over Oakland Raiders

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After drafting JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders assumed their quarterbacking questions had been answered. They had found the face of their franchise. Three games into the preseason, they still don’t know who their starting QB will be.

With JaMarcus still at an impasse in contract talks, Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown and Andrew Walter (in no particular order) have been given the chance to win the starting spot. Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin said:

“This competition, as I said a long time ago, it’s going to be about guys that make the right decisions. It’s not going to be about the biggest arm or the best stats. It’s going to be about the guys that make the right decision, put us in position to score and don’t give the ball to the other team.”

Daunte Culpepper is the obvious choice. He seems to be 100% healthy and if he can clean up a few botched snaps, he’s been getting the job done (112.2 QB rating, three TDs, no INTs). He also has the most experience. Josh McCown and Andrew Walter are decent backups in this league. But not starting quarterbacks.

What disappoints me the most about the Raiders’ QB situation is JaMarcus’ absence. He’s missing out on a tremendous opportunity to learn from Daunte — a proven talent with a very similar makeup who could show him more than a thing or two about playing QB in the NFL. And JaMarcus is missing valuable practice and game reps with the rest of his teammates. In fact, even if he does sign a contract in the near future, I don’t see him getting on the field this season unless Daunte is injured and/or the Raiders are out of the playoff race.