Who will start at Qb for da Raiders?

[havomatic]

One preseason game is in the books and I pose the question who will be the last man standing?  I know there is plenty of camp and preseason left.  But based on this preview and camp so far who do you think is going to be the man versus Detroit?

[the watchman]

I thinnk Josh will be the starter - though I dont think he'll finish it there.

[havomatic]

This is a tuff question to answer, but I think it's Dante Culpeppers to lose, and here's why.  With all the athletic ability of Josh McCown he's not a very accurate passer that was painfully evident in his 1st two series with the offense.  Several of his passes were way off target and this is when was under no defensive pressure at all. Until he can be more accurate his hold is tentative at best. Dante was drought in for that particular reason.  Culpepper is a seasoned vetran with a cannon for an arm.  Despite his rust and mistakes Culpeppers legs looked good, he moved well and put the ball on recievers hands. They just have to catch em. Once he has a better understanding of the playbook and the 1st team offense I think he'll have a chance to shine. The X-factor for the Raiders is Andrew Walter. Of all the QB's he played the best in the Cardinals game. He was accurate effecient and clutch converting two key 3rd downs of 10 plus yards. Once again this was the Cardinals and the 2nd team defense so who knows but I think all three QB's will get a look with the 1st team.

[the watchman]

didn't see the game but when I get a chance I'll listen back through field pass. Do you think Walter could start against Detriot?

[havomatic]

Yes I think he can but I think he needs to work with the 1st team and play a tougher defense.

[Gazzara]

I would have to agree with Hav here.  I think Culpepper is drafted in to help gain confidence and experience for the 2nd and 3rd string QB's.

Someone with that experience is going to start teaching them how to read NFL defences properly and get comfortable stepping up to this level of play.

He did look pretty rusty out there though but would be a solid starter against Detroit I feel unless the wheels well and truely pop off the wagon.

[havomatic]

Culpeppers arm is insane, those deep outs to Johnny Lee and Mcfoy were rainbows. Even his short passes were just humming. Just tell Whitted to run to endzone cause the balls gonna be there.

[biffer]

I think Daunte's signing is an admission that even if Russell were signed, he needs a full year of development before getting onto the pitch. He just needs to sort out the fumbles

[the watchman]

I think after last night he has edged ahead in the battle for the starters job. I dont think Russell sitting for a year wouldn't be a problem. Didn't seem to hurt Carson Palmer of the Bengals who sat behind Kitna for a year.

[havomatic]

The next game will settle the sarter issue I expect to see Culpepper, Josh, Walter. If they do sign Russell expect to see the 3rd string in this group to get cut.

[the watchman]

that would be Walter, what do you reckon if Russell aint signed by the start of the season. They'd be going with those 3. So far Culpepper is the one ahead and I must admit I never rated the guy.

Looks like I'll be eating my words huh?

[havomatic]

Andrew Walter ain't going anywhere he's had a promising pre-season, and an open loyalty from Al for all the punishment he recieved last year.  I see Josh getting the boot due to his uninspired play if Russell gets signed.

[the watchman]

Fair point, I was thinking to far back to last season and not paying enough attention to how Walter has done in training Camp.

[havomatic]

The QB"s  for the Rams Raiders goes as follows Dante, Josh, Andrew. Here an interesting quote I saw from Kiffin from insidebayarea.com raiders blog .

Kiffin said it has been a process for Culpepper to retrain himself and be a different quarterback than the one who went for a touchdown every play in Minnesota.

"This has guy been a big play-maker for his career, a ton of explosive plays, over 20-yard passes," Kiffin said. "I told him from Day 1 that has to change, and that may sound weird to you guys, but he’s got to make smart decisions.We don’t want three-touchdown, three interception games."

It seems to be taking effect with Culpepper in the 1st game against the Cardinals Culpepper was just unloading the ball. Throwing lasers to Chris Mcfoy, and Johnny Lee Higgins, even the short passes were bullets, but in the Niners game he lead the offense on two long scoring drives never throwing the ball more than 10 or 15 yards.  You get the sense that coming to the Raiders could inject life into Pep's career as a QB.

Anyway I think the starting roll is Culpeppers to lose, Josh needs a break out game to set himself apart.  Walter is more or less in the same boat he needs to be flawless to unseat Culpepper.

[the watchman]

much more optimistic about the QB situation going into this year compared to last seasons debacle.