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As the loses pile up so does the quarterback controversy
By Stefani Rebekah Black November 14, 2007 |
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The announcement of Daunte Culpepper's return as the starting quarterback after reliving starter Josh McCown to a injury, is back again for a second round of throwing the football. Culpepper who sat on the sidelines watching McCown in two games, and finally McCown has admitted his injuries have caught with him. Coach Lane Kiffin announced on Wednesday that Culpepper would be the starting quarterback this coming Sunday at the Metrodome, against his original team, the Minnesota Vikings. Culpepper started his string of five games when he came in at half time of Oakland's ball game against the Cleveland Browns on September 23 after the 26-24 win Culpepper fired and ran for five touchdowns in a whopping 35-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium on the following week. Culpepper has accounted for 56% of his passes for 817 yards for four touchdowns and four interceptions. Culpepper ran into trouble after the Miami game when he lost his next three starts, which included six turnovers and only threw for two touchdowns. McCown then returned from his broken toe injury but had more injuries then reported. McCown had aches and pains from hits during his starts and the vigor of being the starting quarterback on the O-line that the Raiders had started to takes it toll. McCown was not getting the protection that he thought he would get and it cost McCown who with the broken toe now and will more than likely will sit out the rest of the season. Raider’s sources have said that Raiders General Managing Partner Al Davis is upset with the direction of the team and is expecting that with Culpepper at the helm once again Culpepper is expected to get the job done hence "just win baby". If Culpepper suffers in the next three games or depending if things even go further south you can expect to see JaMarcus Russell getting up and throwing the ball on the sidelines. Russell the NFL number one draft pick in 2007, who held out during camp and pre season has not taken a snap this season. Kiffin has said that Russell would not enter a game unless the situation calls for it. Davis might be the reason behind that situation as his patients is running thin and he's anxious to see what Russell can do. Meanwhile Kiffin does not want to risk Russell late in the season and would like to write off Russell for this year playing and get him ready as the team quarterback next year. Meanwhile at the Raider revolving door Culpepper will make the start against his former team the Vikings and is anxious to make this one count. There is no doubt he will hear it in the domed stadium and Culpepper will be hoping the O-line for this contest will hear his audible. What to look for Culpepper is expected to throw more and air this one out. The game plan against the Vikings maybe calling for the air game and once again if the Raiders are to get any ground in Minnesota they will have to throw the ball and alot early. It is just a matter of what kind of game that Kiffin will call. Raiders at Vikings with a 10AM kick off at the Metrodome. Stefani Rebekah Black covers Raiders football and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. |
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