Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell gets owner's support
According to a report from the San Jose Mercury News, Al Davis prefers the play of quarterback Jason Campbell. In fact, the infamous Oakland Raiders owners likes Campbell so much that he has vocalized his desire for the quarterback to remain in
the team’s starting line-up to coach Tom Cable.
"Mr. Davis likes what Jason has done the past month and doesn’t see the need to change when things are going well," an inside source told the newspaper. "He thinks Jason is a classic fit for the Raiders style of play."
With Campbell starting behind centre, the Raiders (5-4) have been on a tear over the past month, winning four of their last five games after starting just 1-3. That recent hot streak comes after the play-caller was benched back in Week Two against the St. Louis
Rams, replaced by back-up QB Bruce Gradkowski.
However, Campbell reclaimed his starting job when the second-stringer separated his shoulder against the San Diego Chargers on 10 October. Davis’ news may have come as a surprise to coach Cable who, as early as last week, declared Gradkowski as the team’s "clearcut"
starter when he comes back from his injury. But it seems as though Cable’s thoughts regarding the situation have changed, given Campbell’s recent productivity and his team’s three-game winning streak.
"I want to get [Gradkowski] healthy before he really becomes a part of this conversation," the coach told the newspaper on Tuesday.
"At the same time, he’s getting closer. That brings up, what’s going to happen? Right now, my feeling is, we’ve won four of the last five games with the same guy. When you’re winning, you’re winning. You don’t mess with that."
Campbell, likewise, is focused on the present, regardless of his backup’s situation. "I’ve been in the league six years and starting for a while," the veteran QB said.
"You have to be prepared for all types of situations. My mind-set right now is not even about that. It’s about going out and continuing to try to play hard and at a high level and doing whatever it takes to win."
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