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Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell sits on the bench in the closing minutes of Oakland's 38-0 loss to the New York Jets in an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.
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If JaMarcus Russell seemed puzzled about his benching in favor of Bruce Gradkowski on Sunday, he understands better the thinking of coach Tom Cable a day later.

"I think talking to him today, he's pretty clear on what went on," Cable said at his weekly media briefing Monday.

Gradkowski replaced Russell with 5:51 left in the first half and the Raiders trailing 21-0 and played the rest of the game in a 38-0 loss to the New York Jets.

Two Russell turnovers on a sack-plus-fumble and an interception thrown blindly under pressure set up two Jets drives at the Raiders' 4-yard line. Both resulted in touchdowns.

Russell, who has completed only 46.3 percent of his passes (74-for-160) later threw an interception in the end zone when the Raiders had reached the New York 33. His 47.2 passer rating is ahead of only Cleveland's Derek Anderson among NFL starters.

Russell will start again Sunday when the Raiders visit the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

After the game, Russell said he was OK with his decision-making process and wasn't "out of sorts," as Cable said in his postgame news conference.

Cable said the two talked Monday — Russell was not available for comment — and set their sights on the Chargers.

"If I know JaMarcus, he'll learn from this, he'll grow, and we'll have a good week and he'll go out and play like he's supposed to and capable of (playing)," Cable said.

Cable took partial blame for the

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lost fumble by calling a deep pass play with four vertical patterns at the Oakland 10. But he also noted Russell had the Raiders in the wrong formation at the time.

On an interception returned 44 yards by Jim Leonhard, Cable said, "There wasn't anybody to throw the ball to." Regarding a pass into the end zone intended for Todd Watkins intercepted by Darrelle Revis, Cable said, "You see it on film and it's pretty obvious that would have been a tough play for Superman."

Tight end Zach Miller said he didn't notice anything "out of sorts" about Russell's composure or rhythm but said, "The turnovers were big. They were big turnovers that led to 14 points and then an interception in the end zone that could have been seven points for us if it was incomplete and we go to the next down. I think that's why he was out of sorts."

  • There was no mystery in Cable's eyes as to why the Raiders gave up 316 rushing yards on 54 carries or why the Jets' Shonn Greene (144 yards on 19 carries) and Thomas Jones (121 yards on 26 carries) both went over 100 yards.

    "It's having trust in each other and belief in each other," Cable said. "When you believe in each other, great things will happen."

    Cable counted 15 missed tackles, numerous missed alignments and improper gap control. The Raiders have given up more yards only once in their history — Seattle gained 319 yards in 2001, a day in which Shaun Alexander gained 266 yards on 35 carries.

    "They were doing a pretty good job gashing us for big gains," defensive end Trevor Scott said.

  • Discussing the low fan turnout — 39,543, the lowest since 1968 for a regular-season game in Oakland — Cable acknowledged difficult economic times but noted, "When it comes down to being a fan, a loyal fan and all that, you want to see a good team."

  • Miller, who caught two passes for 15 yards, conceded the Raiders are not built to come back after falling behind. "When we get taken out of running the ball, we're not a very good team," Miller said. "Our passing offense just isn't good enough."

  • Cable said the potential availability of left guard Robert Gallery (broken fibula), running back Darren McFadden (knee), right tackle Cornell Green (calf) and wide receiver Chaz Schilens (foot) would be better measured Wednesday, when the Raiders begin preparations for San Diego. The Raiders reported no new injuries that should sideline players for the Chargers.