After winning Steelers, Gradkowski proved he is worth being started

By throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy with 9 seconds left in the Oakland Raiders’ 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback Bruce Gradkowski now has his starting role solidified.

“I’m pretty confident in my abilities and being a starter in this league,” Gradkowski said. “If yesterday cemented it, that’s good. My goal is to continue to be successful and put this team in position to win football games. And that’s my job, and I have to just be the manager on offense. And whatever happens after that will happen.”

Raiders coach Tom Cable gave his confirmation that Gradkowski will keep the starting job as long as he keeps performing as good as he has been so far. Gradkowski seems to have his time come again. He was starter when he was a rookie in Buccaneers jersey in 2006, but got cut by the Bucs, Rams and Browns in less than a nine-month stretch.