Column this morning in the Sacramento Bee says it all:

Things Feel Different With Gradkowski

Great excerpt:

Quote:The journeyman quarterback is not the be all and end all for Raider Nation. He is not the second coming of Jim Plunkett, Kenny Stabler or even Rich Gannon. He's probably not the future of the franchise.

But he was what the Raiders needed to win Sunday.

Or rather, his energy. His leadership. His heart.

Quote:Gradkowski brought presence, the ability to convey positive energy with such force that it made believers of those around him.

That's my favorite quote, because it reflects the moments I remember most from the Glassbowl. Some profs can get in front of a lecture hall and hit all the right notes. Some profs command the lecture hall.

I've seen many NFL to be college QBs execute that touch pass and gut out a tough play but when Grad came in and everyone was set, he conducted the team and played the Steinway. His energy riffed up and down the line, to the receivers, checked with the coaches for the music, smiled at the audience and BAM! Beethoven's 5th.

I don't think he's ever going to be that "Kurt Warner" that comes from nowhere and leads a team to the Superbowl (hope I'm wrong) but he's going to do special things in some field, I'm a believer of that.

Quote:Maybe that's what happens when, for at least one day, you turn to a quarterback who can gaze upon his past and honestly say he was better than George Blanda, Joe Namath, Joe Montana or Dan Marino.

That just gets crazier to wrap my head around everytime I read it.