Staying on schedule is the operative phrase for Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
The first pick of the 2007 draft failed to stay on schedule last season when he did not sign his $61 million contract until the second week of the regular season. The late start basically made his rookie year worthless, though he did play in four games and started the season finale.
During the off-season, Russell played catch-up. He showed up at the Raiders' facility 10 days before the start of the off-season program, ready to work.
Three days a week, he spent 11/2 hours each morning with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo reviewing tape and discussing the concept of the day. Then, on his own, he would spend an hour on the field working on his footwork.
From there he would join the other quarterbacks and the rest of his teammates for conditioning, speed and strength training, meetings and on-field work.
"You can't replace the reps he missed in camp last year, but he is trying to make up for it as much as he can,"
Knapp said. "I'm very pleased with him. He worked his butt off in the off-season, and he's right on track."
Amid rumors he had ballooned to 300 pounds, Russell also followed the team's advice to make some dietary changes. The Raiders say he never weighed close to 300, and he weighs about 268 now — an acceptable figure for the 6-foot-6-inch Russell.
He has made up enough ground that the team feels confident with him as its starter this season. But he still has a long way to go to catch up with some of the other young quarterbacks in the AFC West.
San Diego's Philip Rivers will be trying to take his game to another level in his third season as a starter. Now that Jay Cutler has a full season of starts behind him, the expectations are soaring for Denver's 2006 first-round pick. In Kansas City, Brodie Croyle will try to establish himself after becoming the starter for the Chiefs late last season.
How these young passers mature will have a lot to say in how the AFC West shakes out.
Although Russell was drafted for his spectacular arm strength and huge frame, the plan is for him to take baby steps initially. Russell, his flaky lead receiver Javon Walker and/or the pass protection may not be dependable enough for the Raiders to try to bomb their opponents into submission.
"As with any young quarterback, you don't want to have him throwing 40 times a game,"
Knapp said. "We want to establish the run game and we think we can do that."
The Raiders had the sixth-ranked running game in the NFL last season, and in choosing Darren McFadden they added the top-rated running back in the draft.
Knapp has been stressing Russell's footwork, which goes hand in hand with how he makes decisions. So far, Knapp likes what he has seen in Russell's decision-making.
"His judgment has been very good,"
Knapp said. "He has not thrown the ball into crowds. He understands it's OK to throw the ball away and go to second-and-10. He understands the importance of staying on schedule."
Whether it's within a sequence of downs or within the context of his career, it's all about staying on schedule for Russell and the Raiders.
IMPRESSIONS
The Chargers didn't get nearly enough pressure on the quarterback last season. If linebacker Shawne Merriman is not at full strength, or if he decides to shut it down for the year, their defense will suffer greatly.
Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall of the Raiders probably are the most talented set of starting cornerbacks in football. Whether they are the most effective remains to be seen.
The Chiefs' Larry Johnson is running like the old Larry Johnson, but he'll need some help from his blocking friends if he's going to produce like the old Larry Johnson.
Dre' Bly has not had an impressive camp for the Broncos. His best football might be behind him. Domonique Foxworth could replace him in the starting lineup at some point.
Don't be surprised if receiver Chris Chambers has a career year for the Chargers. He's at the peak of his abilities and has been in the system for close to a year. He has never played on an offense with so many complementary dangerous weapons.
SCOUT’S TAKE
An NFL scout gives his views on the division.
"The Chargers are the best team in the West. They almost got it done last year and look like they are ready now. As long as Philip Rivers' knee is OK, they should be a very good team."
"I see Denver as finishing somewhere between 7-9 and 9-7. They have some issues on defense, but they are pretty good at four key positions. They have a shutdown corner in Champ Bailey,a good pass-rush specialist in Elvis Dumervil,a potential superstar quarterback in Jay Cutler and a rookie left tackle who looks like he's the real deal in Ryan Clady."
"The Raiders have a lot of young talent. They really are talented. But their biggest problem is what could happen behind the scenes and off the field."
"The Chiefs are terrible. They have no offensive line. They don't have a quarterback. I feel sorry for Larry Johnson.You can't lose a guy like Jared Allen and replace him with Alfonso Boone and Turk McBride."
BREAKOUT PLAYER
SELVIN YOUNG, BRONCOS
If Selvin Young can stay healthy, he could be the next big-time running back for Denver.
But that is a substantial if. Young had injury problems in college at Texas, and scouts say he doesn't have the type of frame to carry the ball 20 to 25 times a game. That's one reason he was passed over in the 2007 draft.
Young also is not the fastest back around, though he has excellent instincts and is a perfect fit in the Broncos' one-cut, zone-blocking scheme. He came on late last season, becoming a starter in Week 10 and rushing for 729 yards for the season.
The Broncos were so confident in him they had no qualms about cutting Travis Henry and not replacing him.
If the Broncos lighten Young's load by giving Andre Hall and others some carries, Young can stay fresh and be a very productive runner.
