Week 11 QB projections   •  OAK Stats

QB Bruce Gradkowski, Oakland Raiders

HT: 6-2, WT: 210, Born: 1-27-1983, College: Toledo, Drafted: Round 6

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Stats and Week 11 Projection

Week 11 Injury Status and Other News

[Wed Nov 18, 9:08 PM] Bruce Gradkowski has been named the starting QB for this week.

Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): The journeyman from Toledo got his opportunity when JaMarcus Russell was pulled late in the third quarter. He had a bit of rust early, completing only one pass for a one-yard gain and his next two resulting in a batted ball at the line and ball thrown behind Johnnie Lee Higgins that the WR tipped and landed in the arms of safety Mike Brown for the interception. However, the Raiders second string QB showed signs of life and did a lot of good things to get Oakland in position to win the game late. He demonstrated decent accuracy on a deep post thrown 50 yards downfield to Louis Murphy. Although he could have thrown the ball slightly more to the middle to help Murphy, the ball still reached the receiver in tight coverage. Gradkowski scrambled up the middle for nine yards and then later found Darius Heyward-Bey on a comeback at the left sideline to get inside the 30-yardline. Two plays later, the QB was intercepted, but it was a very catchable pass thrown to Heyward-Bey at the 10-yardline that the rookie WR allowed to bounced off his hands and hit his knees, sending the ball over his head and into the hands of the safety to seal the game. It's unlikely Al Davis and Tom Cable will bench Russell, who had another typical up and down game thanks to several drops by his receivers and key moments of inaccuracy, but if we see a glimmer of common sense down the stretch, be ready to keep an eye on Gradkowski who could be a nice playoff start in case other established fantasy QBs are getting a rest.

Week 11 Matchup Info

Game Summaries

Week 7 vs NYJ - Gradkowski entered the Week 7 contest against the Jets in the second quarter, taking over for an ineffective JaMarcus Russell. Gradkowski did little with the offense at all, but at least he did not turn it over like Russell had done three times earlier. Gradkowski padded his meager stats in the second half with the game long since decided, and he will return to his backup role next week.

Week 10 vs KC - Gradkowski got the call when JaMarcus Russell struggled in the second half, and while he threw two interceptions, he was probably only partially responsible, and only for one of the interceptions. Gradkowski looked a little overwhelmed when the initial read wasn't there, but he excelled in the two-minute drill, and make the throws to get the Raiders a first-and-goal, only to have Darrius Heyward-Bey bobble the ball into the air for no discernable reason and give up the game-clinching INT. Gradkowski won't have much fantasy value if he gets the start, but his presence should give the members of the Raiders passing game a boost in fantasy value from irrelevant to afterthought.