Maybe he should ldquojust throw it up there

At least he has that stocking hat, in case the chills set in.“This was a rough start, but they can still turn things around.” I said to myself as I flexed my helpless Raider hope muscles.Russell takes the field and things are looking a little better as the Raiders approach midfield. Then Russell, under a fierce rush and backpedaling, “just kind of throws it up there,” hitting the only player within 10 yards of that area in stride. Unfortunately, for the Raiders and Raider Nation, that player was wearing the famous colors of the Titans.Wait, who are the Raiders playing again I don’t know I thought the Titans were supposed to blue and white. Aren’t the Raiders playing the Jets today What about the Oilers Maybe the Texans should play in Tennessee and the Titans could be the Oilers, but then who would the Raiders be playing right nowI quickly moved past this confusion. Stupid schedule! The NFL hates the Raiders!”After the game, Richard Seymour would let me know that these hopes were foolish too. "I don't think we could have beaten an Oakland high school team today."Maybe Richard forgot that some of the smaller schools still only play with eight men on the field. I bet they could beat one of those teams.Back to the game, good news for Russell he gets to put his beanie back on, grab some more water and sit down next to his best friend, the Gatorade cooler.

Maybe he should “just throw it up there.” Maybe the Raiders should dress a coach like a Gatorade cooler and he could slowly introduce Russell to the reality that coolers can show you pictures of the game action and advise you on ways to more successfully “just throw it up there.”Shockingly enough, the Jets put together another impressive drive while they marched it four yards down the field for a touchdown.At this point I couldn’t help think to myself, “I don’t think I like the way this is going At least JaMarcus looks unrattled He must be ready to go this time.”And he was The Raiders put together a little drive. Until, on a first down play in the Jets/Titans side of the field, he dropped back and “he just kind of threw it up there” into theend zone. Darnelle Revis picked it off.After the game, this was the actual play that inspired Cable’s “throw up” comment, Russell responded, “I thought I gave (Watkins) a chance to make a play...a 50-50 chance. I thought I made a throw where he should go up and have a chance at the ball."Uh...really First, the throw was a to the wrong shoulder Second, it was Todd Watkins against Darnelle Revis. Russell must have been a little “out of sorts” because last time I checked Watkins really sucks and Revis is really good. People were now offering me food and medicine/shots while pointing out all the awesome action going on in the other games.“Oh look!” I said while still watching the Raider game but trying not to, “JaMarcus put on his beanie. Go sit next to the cooler, fat-ass! You never even drink the Gatorade.

What the hell is wrong with you Look at a picture or talk on that red phone...anything! Just pretend like you care!”It was at this point while talking to a friend, who is not a Raider fan, that I finally settled on the fact that the best thing about Russell is how easy it is to make fun of him by just using his name: JaBust, JaWalrus, JaBurrito, JaSuck, JaFumble, JaBeanie, JaOut-of-sorts. This activity continued while even new nicknames emerged: JaBenched, JaCheerleader, etc.In this game, Russell got plenty of time next to his friend, the cooler. His demeanor was unchanged by the benching and he showed as much emotion cheering Gradkowski as he has shown all season.The game was so uncompetitive that Mark Sanchez decided to have a hot dog picnic on the sidelines, during the game. “I wish he would just kind of throw that up there,” I thought to myself, as I was trying not to watch the Raiders game.Mercifully, the game ended and Gradkowski’s insertion reaffirmed that the problem with the Raiders goes way beyond who is playing quarterback, but that the Raider with the biggest problems is Russell. Unless, of course, you take his word for it.Russell’s cool demeanor continued in his post game comments and he seemed to disagree with Cable’s assessments.