Campbell it is
 

sorry if re-post

Before first snap, Jason Campbell named Oakland Raiders' No. 1 QB

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b56vs


Jason Campbell was named the Raiders' starting quarterback on Wednesday by coach Tom Cable on the eve of his team's first training camp practice in Napa.

Cable included the caveat that this assumes Campbell stays healthy throughout camp and holds off challenges from Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye and Kyle Boller.

The Raiders traded for Campbell during the NFL draft in April and saw enough of him during offseason workouts to determine that he was the best option to succeed departed quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
Cable said the decision was made easy because Gradkowski was sidelined the entire offseason as he recovered from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

"The first thing people are going to want to ask is, 'Where is Bruce and (how do) the other guys fit in terms of competition and all that?' " Cable said. "Bruce hasn't done anything for the last three months. He'll catch up and he'll get himself up to speed and he'll go out and battle and all that. But, as we move forward (this) morning and go to practice the first time, Jason will be in that first huddle."

Cable had plenty more to say, suggesting that his team could wind up playing in the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on Feb. 6.
"What's in front of us is winning a championship," Cable said Wednesday at a news conference on the eve of his team's first training camp practice in Napa. "That's the goal now. Let's go for it."
The Raiders were 5-11 last season, but Cable feels the team he has assembled is primed for more than its first winning season since 2002.

"I know we're going to be a good team, and I'm not afraid to say that," Cable said. "We're going to go after the AFC West. I'm not afraid to say that."

For now, Cable intends for Campbell to lead the Raiders.
Gradkowski supplanted Russell as the starting quarterback nine games into last season, and he provided an instant upgrade to the league's worst-ranked passing attack. Yet, it's back to being a backup until further notice.
Gradkowski resumed throwing in recent weeks and is expected to participate in the Raiders first practice this morning. But he will have to wait until Monday to test his arm in a team setting because Cable intends to use the first four days — eight practices — for "intensive learning" drills that don't include much contact or full-scale plays.

The Raiders play their first exhibition game in Dallas on Aug. 12.
Notes: First-round draft pick Rolando McClain still hasn't signed a contract. Cable said negotiations are ongoing and that it's possible McClain will be under contract and at practice today. "... Langston Walker is the projected starter at right offensive tackle, Cable said. Cornell Green held down that job the past three seasons before signing with the Buffalo Bills via free agency this offseason. "... The Raiders formally announced the hiring of Craig Dickenson as assistant special teams coordinator.

He joined the team in April and will work under John Fassel.
Dickenson last worked for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. "... The Raider Nation Celebration is slated for Aug. 27 at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland from 4-6 p.m.

water is wet

So he'll play the part of the inconsistent B/U QB named starter in Oakland that has always done'...well, not much but looked promising.

There's Gannon...and he went nuts...and then there was...well, nothing since....but back when there was teh Hostetler!

Yeah, kinda' flamed out.....or......well...Jeff George was...horrible.

No, that's it. Gannon.

Gannon did give you 3 years of respectable so perhaps if Campbell gets old, grey, super moody, weak armed, and white you guys might take the division...

GL with that...

Sad but true when you look at our QB's over the last far too many years, Gannon, and ahhhh.
Now JR was noting short of terrible, but comeone now, that front line....Hell even Montan couldn't have made a wild card with that bunch.
We have teh tools in place for a better than teh last 7 seasons by far, only question is

How does Al manage to fug this up yet again?

I think the Raiders will be the scariest team in the division this year.

I thought for sure they would start JaMarcus. :)

It will be something to laugh about when Campbell puts up better stats with the Raiders than Cassel does with the Chiefs this season.

No surprise. Campbell is underrated and was a great acquisition IMO.

I honestly believe that with different coaching, Ownership/Gm, and the ability to play the run first/play solid D philosophy you would have won no less than 2 division crowns by now.

I can think of no team more deserving of the underachiever label over the last 5 YEARS...

Was there really any other choice for them?

Yeah but they have deserved to be under achievers. They drafted bad, coached bad, played bad. All their ass sucking the last 7 years has been well deserved because they did it to themselves.

Campbell is good, but he is no difference maker. Not enough to put any scare to the rest of the AFC West.

They drafted terrible this year but they always add top end talent.

They always do.

The secondary is loaded, they have a solid O line, and I'd argue there are 3 HB's on this team that would top 1,200 yards given the chance to carry the load full time.

I honestly believe Cable could have Marty'ed the Faiders to respectable and perhaps (if lucky) the playoffs.

The Raiders just insist on breaking every rule of common sense by taking offensive lineman in the top 10 and HB's in the top 15...

I agree, Vanilla.

Oakland will be in that same 7-9, 8-8 picture as KC looking for the 2nd place in AFC W.

Oakland does not have all world talent like some people like to pretend. They have dumb talent and won't be successful until they start drafting better. This year was an exception. They actually drafted a solid team.

They drafted very well this year. I'm not sure where you're getting that.

The secondary is average outside of Asamough. Chris Johnson is a horrible CB, and Michael Huff is a liability.

Their front 7 is very improved from a season ago.

They have 2 good runningbacks in Bush and McFadden, but McFadden is not an elite HB or even close.

The raiders won't make the playoffs this year but they will improve plenty much like KC.