Steelers Game is Gradkowski Homecoming

Don't worry about Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski buckling under the cold-weather elements today in Pittsburgh. That guy's been playing football in Pittsburgh nearly his whole life.

A Pittsburgh native, Gradkowski remains the Raiders' starting quarterback despite being the lowest-paid quarterback on the Raiders roster. In only two starts this season, Gradkowski has thrown more touchdowns than JaMarcus Russell has thrown in nine starts this season.

He seems stoked to face a hometown crowd rooting against him. "It's always nice going back to Pittsburgh," Gradkowski told the Associated Press. "You have to have fun with it. My family, my cousins, they're die-hard Steeler fans. Last year when I was with the Browns it was hard for then. They wore neutral colors but I think being with the Raiders this past year and getting to know these guys and being with this team, I know I'll have the family behind me on this one."

Gradkowski has faced the Steelers twice in his career, and frankly, words fail to describe how awful he played. Last December as a  Cleveland Brown, Gradkowski started the game and went 5-for-16 for 18 whole yards. His quarterback rating was 1.0.

As a rookie, Gradkowski started against the Steelers and his Buccaneers lost 20-3. Gradkowski has never beaten the Steelers in his career, and has lost by double digits every time he's played them.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn't taking anything for granted against Gradkowski. "When I watch him on tape I see a guy that's got very good accuracy and pretty good mobility, can release the ball from a variety of body positions and locations," Tomlin said. "It seems like he's been a sparkplug for that offensive unit."

Sparkplug? The Raiders are still the lowest-rated passing team in the NFL. Mike Tomlin seems like the kind of guy who gives out participation ribbons.

But the win over the Bengals showed that these Raiders can win the unexpected ones. Sometimes, just by showing up.

 Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who would sometime like to show you his trophy case full of participation ribbons.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us