Report: Raiders Drafted JaMarcus Because Al Davis Wanted a “Great Black Quarterback”

According to a report this week in The Athletic, one of the reasons the Raiders drafted JaMarcus Russell in 2007 was because late owner Al Davis wanted to find a great black quarterback.

“The entire room wanted Calvin Johnson,” 31-year former scout Raiders Bruce Kebric said of the draft room around Al Davis in 2007. “Al had the first Hispanic coach (Tom Flores) and the first black coach (Art Shell, at least of the modern era), but he never had a great black quarterback and he was searching for one.”

“For his legacy, he wanted two things at the end: the fourth Super Bowl win that Jon Gruden took away from him, and a black quarterback who was talented.”

If the story is true, it’s interesting that one of the great aspects of the Al Davis legacy ended up being what inspired arguably the worst personnel decision of his lifetime. For Davis to pass on the speed and overall talent of a receiver like Calvin Johnson, there had to be something he loved about Russell other than the arm talent. Turns out it might have been the color of his skin.

Too bad Davis didn’t want the next great black wide receiver in 2007, because the Lions had an amazing gift handed to them that year with the second pick. Russell, on the other hand, never even seemed to enjoy football.

For what it’s worth, Davis would love the present era in the NFL in terms of minority quarterbacks. As much he loved speed, imagine what Davis would think of a quarterback like Lamar Jackson… or the ridiculous arm talent of Patrick Mahomes.

twitter: @raidersbeat

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29 thoughts on “Report: Raiders Drafted JaMarcus Because Al Davis Wanted a “Great Black Quarterback”

  1. Al davis was ahead of his time..until his time was too change and he refused…as we all shall at some point. ” just we baby” with whomever.

  2. Yeah by Usher Oakland’s needed a running quarterback for a long time. Derek Carr is a pocket quarterback I think we should trade for Cam Newton. Just think he’s a quarterback-Running back big-man if no one’s open he runs it. I think they made a good choice by picking a running quarterback

  3. Let me change it though Cam Newton is not up for trade but in black quarterbacks he’s the best one

    1. You nailed it buddy!!! Eldridge Dickey was better than Stabler, out performing him. Al Davis decided to change Dickey to wide receiver. Dickey kind of lost it after that…. the lords Prayer from Tennessee State

  4. First Hispanic head coach. First Black Head Coach. Al was miles ahead of the league. To bad Jabustus didn’t work out

  5. Cam Newton is definitely not the best black quarterback he’s one of the least best you have Russell Wilson Lamar Jackson Dak Prescott and Mahomes all better than Cam Newton oh let’s not forget DeShaun Watson and Brissette might give camera on for the money now if I missed any sorry I’m just going off the top of my head

  6. Russell is a bust, and Carr a bigger bust, Raiders won’t be any good till they rid themselves of that mf Carr

    1. Totally agree…but Cam is a former MVP! He’s much better than Carr but I don’t want him on my squad!

  7. As we all no Jamarcus may have been the worse pick of all time….As a Raider fan since Super Bowl 2…..I know this team inside out.
    Mack trade will linger as a KILLER regardless what any of you think….they are still a long way from being a legitimate contender…I live in NJ and assured all my friends that are Jet fans that the Raiders would get crushed…..

    Chiefs will anialate them as well…..

  8. Al davis was a mans man and im so tired of sensitive people not understanding what or who a leader must be. Ok so what jamarcus didnt hold up his end of the bargain…he was a physical beast. The problem was that we had a bad bad coaching staff that was too young for an aging owner like Al. He almost git with pryor and he did almost get kaepernick too. Al never gets any credit for the great things he has done for minorities and the city.

  9. Al Davis was ahead of his time and then got lost in the past, I’ve heard it was Al Davis decision to bench Marcus Allen all those years, such a waste of talent.

  10. Not a raiders fan at all but i think they have the first mexican qb superbowl champian in Jim Plunkit

  11. Somebody should inform the writer that Pat Mahomes mother is white. Maybe if Al did not have race on his mind he could have won more super bowls. Sometimes it is a good idea to just draft a player and not inject race into it. Racism is a terrible thing Al.

  12. The Raiders suck!!!! They will suck for a long time and with the addition of the QB guru. They will continue to suck, so let’s deflect to JRussell. Someone we can all potentially blame for the Raiders misfortunes.

  13. The Raiders suck!!!! They will suck for a long time and with the addition of the QB guru, JGruden , They will continue to suck, so let’s deflect to JRussell. Someone we can all potentially blame for the Raiders misfortunes.

  14. I loved AL and regret that he had to suffer through the tuck fix.well he did have an indian! who won 2 superbowls+should be in the hall.but the league is crooked and holds a grudge for all the law suits now that they’re movin to vegas,it just sin baby

  15. I’ve been a Raider since 1971 and I bleed the silver and black I’ve never been a fan of carr because when the pocket collapsed he shrinks he’s another Matty Ice from Atlanta. My suggestion get that quarterback from Clemson or from Alabama or from Oklahoma. Moving forward to Vegas Derek Carr is not our future to win any championships

  16. After reading these comments, it seems as if most people have a loose understanding of how to write in English. Like seriously…is this a 3rd grade forum??!!

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