Raiders QB Gradkowski to start vs. Dolphins has 0 comments

Nov 28th 2010, 11:18 | FFN-Score: 22 points

The Oakland Raiders, in a continuing quest for consistency at quarterback, plan to start Bruce Gradkowski over Jason Campbell against the Miami Dolphins, sources with knowledge of the situation said Saturday.

Gradkowski's acromioclavicular joint has healed well, and the fifth-year pro received the bulk of the work in practice this week leading up to Sunday's game, according to the sources.

Campbell, named the team's starter shortly after being acquired from the Washington Redskins in a draft-weekend trade, was pulled in favor of Gradkowski during the third quarter of last Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Campbell has struggled most of the season, with a 75.8 passer rating that ranks 29th in the NFL. He also was benched in Week 2, when Gradkowski took over after halftime and led the Raiders to a 16-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

Although Campbell was the starter during Oakland's three-game winning streak that ended with the loss to Pittsburgh, many believe the Raiders are better off with Gradkowski running the offense.

The Raiders (5-5) are one game behind the first-place Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) in the AFC West. With three of its final five games coming against the Chiefs, Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, Oakland still can win the division and end its seven-year playoff drought.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.