Paul Gutierrez: Raiders' Russell faces test from uncle's loss

ALAMEDA – He was his rock. His deflector. His father figure. And now, he's gone. Ray Russell, uncle to Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, passed away at 42 years young April 17 of congestive heart failure. He was everything to the face of the Raiders franchise, trying to keep temptation at bay for a youngster with $60 million in his pocket and wanting to keep his nephew grounded. With JaMarcus entering the pivotal third year of his professional career after Oakland used a No. 1 overall pick on him, no doubt Uncle Ray's advice would have been needed this season. Ray did not pussyfoot around with his blood; when JaMarcus blew off a production meeting with ESPN before the Raiders' game at San Diego last December, the elder was furious. So now that Uncle Ray's physical presence is no longer here, how does his passing affect the youngster? Remember, Uncle Ray, as he was popularly known to the people of Mobile, Ala., as a morning radio show host...