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		Russell could start Sunday By Stefani Rebekah Black October 26, 2007

	The way Coach Lane Kiffin phrased it, and the way quarterback JaMarcus Russell talked about it, they both sure did not say no to the possibility of starting Russell in Tennessee this weekend against the Titans would be ruled out. The Raiders are on track to losing another one as they lost rather handily to the Chargers and then to the Chiefs in a closer game just last Sunday. The Raiders motto has always been about just winning and the case of this Sunday's game in Tennessee is no different. Kiffin with the Raiders, coming into Nashville down 2-4 wants to try to move to equalize things. The Raiders under quarterback Daunte Culpepper have had problems finding the end zone particularly last Sunday when the Raiders failed to score even a field goal against the Chiefs in the 12-10 loss at Arrowhead in game's fourth and final quarter. The Raiders lost at home coming off a bye the week before to the San Diego Chargers and the Chargers were in command in that game. This might have been a better week to face the Chargers with the San Diego fire being on most of the Chargers minds the Raiders might find that equalizer there but they certainly would not want those circumstances on their Southern California brethren, nonetheless. The Raiders have a dilemma this weekend as going into Sunday, Kiffin is trying to decide which quarterback to use. More likely, his boss Al Davis might have some input on that. However, Kiffin is judge here as he is observing all three quarterbacks who all talk like they might see some action this Sunday in Tennessee. Josh McCown has said he's ready to start but that's all on the coaches who'll make that decision. McCown who suffered from a foot injury not to mention feeling some pain in his throwing arm are says he's feeling much better and is ready to throw against the Titans. Daunte Culpepper has said that he's ready to try again after coming off the two loses to the Chargers and Chiefs back to back. Kiffin made it no secret he's shopping but Culpepper has been starting knows the system and has been working out with the first team. Al Davis, behind the scenes has not discouraged starting JaMarcus Russell but Kiffin is trying to look at him and trying to see if Russell is truly ready to start in his first big league game against the mighty Titans. The poop on Russell he's everything that he's been on the highlight film, he can run away from the blitz or the rush, he seems to get the jump on releasing the ball as quickly as he can, he can throw for yardage and up to half the length of the football field, he's accurate in practice. But now Davis and Kiffin even though they may not start Russell say he's ready in many ways. Their concern is the playbook and the Raiders system. If the Raiders start Culpepper this would be the true last time that he would get to prove himself worthy. Culpepper would have to win this ball game to keep his job if he loses it the Raiders drop to 2-5 and you know it's time to rotate the Raider revolving quarterback door. The Raiders may not wait they may start Russell because Davis is anxious to see what the new kid can do. Davis has never been one to feign much from taking the big chances and he's no different under these circumstances. The last and other scenario is that if McCown or Culpepper starts if they get into trouble you might see Russell in there for the second half of the game. Listen Russell was touted out of the NFL draft and if Russell stayed in camp rather than hold out he's in there. Kiffin and Davis like what they have scene in practice and scrimmage out of Russell and now they want to put the real thing to the test. Like Kiffin and he's been saying it all week long and wearing out the word "variables" pertaining to who gets the job this Sunday which should be a "variable" and the decision will be fast and matter of fact. Whoever is the starter they had better finish or they will be finished knowing how things at the Raiders work under the "Just win baby" system as the owner and coach will sound like the doctor's office yelling "next". Stefani Rebekah Black covers Raiders football and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento.