Russell Will Start Next Week

Despite a rough and ragged outing in his longest stint of the year on Sunday afternoon, rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the top pick in the 2007 draft, will get the first start of his career when the Oakland Raiders conclude the season against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. First-year coach Lane Kiffin, who brought Russell along slowly after the former LSU star missed all of training camp as contract negotiations dragged on, has been reluctant to install the rookie as his starter. And Kiffin's worst fears were realized in Sunday's 49-11 loss to Jacksonville, when Russell had four turnovers and was temporarily knocked from the game with a head injury.
But with only one game remaining on the schedule, the Raiders want to get a long look at Russell so they can assess his progress moving forward into 2008. Russell, who signed a six-year contract with a maximum value of $68 million one week into the season, figures to be the Raiders' starter next year. He will become the team's third different starter in 2007. Josh McCown has started nine games and Daunte Culpepper has six starts. Both are eligible for unrestricted free agency in the spring.