ALAMEDA – JaMarcus Russell completed 76 percent of his passes over two games before Sunday's 10-for-28 effort that included an inaccurate 3 for 13 in the second half in a loss to Kansas City.
Russell might be able to get back on track Thursday against the San Diego Chargers and their 31st-ranked pass defense. It was the Chargers that allowed a career-high 277 yards to Russell on Sept. 28 in a 28-18 loss to the Chargers in Oakland.
Russell, however, remembers the loss more than his play in which he completed a season-high 22 of 37 passes, a career high for attempts, to go with a touchdown.
"A misconnection on a pass and then things kind of turned around on us," Russell said. "But everything is there. We've just got to get that step to get us over the hill to be that football team to win."
Russell will see a different defense since defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell was replaced by Ron Rivera in October.
"It is substantially different for us in terms of schemes and pressures and coverages and stuff like that," said interim head coach Tom Cable. "There's a little bit more learning for the offense in a short period of time."
No pressure – The Chargers had 32 sacks through 12 games in 2007 but have only 23 this season.
With All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman healthy last season, the Chargers were 14th against the pass.
He's been out since Week 1 with a knee injury.
"If you lose a guy that other teams have to prepare for, it affects you," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "But, that was a Game 1 deal, and our guys, they've competed and played and worked hard, and no one is using that as anything other than what it is. It's fact."
The Chargers had a season-high six sacks when they played the Raiders in September.
Different view – Thursday's game will be shown in 3-D in theaters in Hollywood, Boston and New York City for invited guests.
The last NFL game shown in 3-D was the Super Bowl between New England and Carolina in 2004.
Injury report – Center Jake Grove (calf) and linebacker Ricky Brown (groin) did not practice on Tuesday and won't play Thursday.
Wide receivers Ronald Curry (ankle) and Ashley Lelie (headache) also sat out practice but are expected to start.
Wide receiver Chaz Schilens (ankle)and defensive end Kalimba Edwards (hip) were limited in practice.
Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/raidersblog.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.