The Oakland Raiders already have a full-blown quarterback controversy on their hands.
The Arizona Cardinals could have one looming if they cannot get their struggling passing game going soon.
Bruce Gradkowski has taken over the starting job in Oakland (1-1), which eyes its second straight win when it visits Arizona (1-1) on Sunday.
Raiders coach Tom Cable pulled the plug on quarterback Jason Campbell after just six quarters in an Oakland uniform, naming Gradkowski as his starter for Week 3.
Gradkowski came on in relief of Campbell at halftime last week and rallied the Raiders to a 16-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
It was a surprising move to bench Campbell, who was acquired in a draft-day deal with the Washington Redskins and then signed to a $4.5 million extension for next season.
Then again, when it comes to the Raiders, few personnel moves are surprising, particularly at quarterback, which has been the franchise's black hole for years.
Drafted No. 1 overall in 2007, JaMarcus Russell was jettisoned in the offseason before the decision was made to bring in Campbell, who was sacked six times in just 1 1/2 games.
Gradkowski did not put up staggering stats against the Rams, finishing 11 of 22 for 150 yards with one touchdown and one interception. But he managed to avoid a sack and, according to Cable, injected energy and intensity into the offense.
Oakland has been down this road before with Gradkowski, who replaced Russell last season and won two of his three starts before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 14.
One positive for Gradkowski and the Raiders has been the performance of running back Darren McFadden, who carved out 145 yards on 30 carries against the Rams.
The former No. 4 overall draft pick also had a nice effort in Week 1, rushing for 95 yards and catching six passes for 55 yards in a 38-13 loss at the Tennessee Titans.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland’s first-round pick in 2009, also had some chemistry with Gradkowski, hauling in six passes for a career-high 80 yards. That nearly matched the production from his rookie season, when he had just nine receptions.
The Cardinals were flat in all phases in last week’s 41-7 mauling by the Atlanta Falcons.
Derek Anderson, the former Cleveland Browns castoff who inherited the starting role when Matt Leinart was traded to the Houston Texans, has shown little to make Arizona believe he’s the long-term answer at quarterback.
The Cardinals’ only touchdown came on an 80-yard touchdown run by Tim Hightower, who continues to carry the load with Beanie Wells hindered by a sore knee. Wells was limited in practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday’s game is unclear.
Anderson's numbers against Atlanta were awful: 17-of-31 passing for 161 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
He was better in the season-opening win, tossing a 21-yard scoring pass to Larry Fitzgerald to rally Arizona to a 17-13 victory at St. Louis.
Getting off the road should be a boost to the Cardinals, who have won 16 of their last 22 home games.