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Raiders acquire quarterback Jason Campbell from RedskinsApr 24, 2010 (Contra Costa Times - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- The Raiders sent a shot across the bow of embattled quarterback JaMarcus Russell on Saturday by trading for veteran quarterback Jason Campbell. The Raiders gave the Washington Redskins a 2012 fourth-round draft choice for Campbell, less than a month after the Redskins traded for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Campbell, 28, started all 16 regular-season games for the Redskins each of the past two seasons. Last season, he completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,618 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. By comparison, Russell, Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye completed 52.8 percent of their passes for 2,875 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, for the Raiders in 2009. "(Campbell) fits for what we're doing," Cable said Saturday. "This game's really about opportunity, catching some breaks and having good people around you, regardless of what system you're in. He's got something new to look forward to, as do many players on this football team, and, hopefully, we are a good fit for him." A phone call from Raiders managing general partner Al Davis inspired Campbell about going to a team that has won only 29 games the past seven seasons. Throwing in a one-year, $4.5 million extension didn't hurt matters. Campbell is slated to earn $3.14 million in 2010. The Raiders are on the hook to Russell for $9.45 million for next season, of which $3 million is guaranteed whether he is on the roster or not. For Russell, this is yet another blow to his three-year Raiders career. It's conceivable that he has played his last down with the team that selected him No. 1 in the 2007 NFL draft and guaranteed him $32.5 million. The Raiders have paid Russell $39 million so far, including the aforementioned $3 million this season. Russell could not be reached for comment. Cable said there's still hope for Russell, whom Cable pulled from two home games last season and benched after nine games. "Sure there is," Cable said, when asked if there's a chance Russell can emerge as the starter, "if he competes for the job and he's doing all those things that your starting quarterback is supposed to do. If he's the best guy, then, yeah." Campbell delivered further evidence that Russell might be on his way out in an interview with NFL.com Saturday. Campbell said he came away from a phone conversation with Davis, Cable and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson feeling as if he is the starter. "I feel like I am going to be the starter, from talking to them in detail," Campbell said. "I'm going to go out there and put in all the work I need to put in and move forward." Cable doused that notion by saying the topic never came up during a conference call among Davis, Cable and Campbell. "What it comes down to is that we've got five quarterbacks now and we're going to have a great competition," Cable said. "There will be some decisions to be made here in the next month or so" The Raiders' five quarterbacks are Russell, Campbell, Gradkowski, Frye and Kyle Boller. All have starting experience in the NFL, none more than Campbell's 52 starts with the Redskins. Russell doesn't have much trade value, and he has said that he won't take a pay cut. The Raiders also traded middle linebacker Kirk Morrison in another move that signals Davis is fed up with the way things have gone since the Raiders appeared in the Super Bowl at the end of the 2002 season. For their efforts the past three days, Davis, Cable and the Raiders received widespread praise from draft experts and TV analysts. "We can walk out of the building (Saturday)," Cable said, "and we're going to say, 'You know what? The Raiders got better today.' We improved and it's not just trying to be positive and all that stuff. "It's real. You can see it, it's there, it's not just saying it. I think it's (being said by) everyone that knows this game and knows the draft. We walk out of this place a better football team." ___ (c) 2010, Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.). Visit the Contra Costa Times on the Web at http://www.contracostatimes.com. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. _____ PHOTOS (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): JASON CAMPBELL For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |