JaMarcus Russell benched again; Raiders to start Charlie Frye at QB vs. Broncos

Oakland Raiders quarterback Charlie Frye (3) gets pressured by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jason Williams (58) in a 2009 preseason game. (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez)

The Oakland Raiders aren’t enjoying any type of substantial return on the $60 million investment that is JaMarcus Russell.

Following an injury to QB Bruce Gradkowski, who had already usurped 2007’s top overall draft pick as the Raiders starting quarterback in November, head coach Tom Cable told reporters today that Charlie Frye will start against the Broncos in Week 15.

Frye, who is on his third team in three years, started the season as the Raiders’ third-string quarterback. He saw action in one game (one start) with the Seahawks in 2008, throwing two interceptions and two touchdowns.

That just happens to be the same number of touchdowns Russell threw in nine starts in 2009.

The Russell Era in Oakland is hitting new, Ryan Leaf-level lows. Now the Broncos are tasked with testing the next better-than-Russell signal-caller in Oakland.

If they can intercept Peyton Manning three times, something tells us it will be a long day for Frye.