John Madden, Steve Mariucci attract big hitters for charity bocce

[ROC-BOT]

It's officially called the Madden-Mariucci Battle of the Bay Charity Bocce Tournament. In short, you can call it the Bay Area's ultimate sports summit.

More... (http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_15214748?source=rss)

[Don]

# On if a new stadium is what it will take to end the Bay Area's 25-year drought as Super Bowl host, Madden replied: "That's what it's all about. The Super Bowl has become a reward for a new stadium."

# On if Santa Clara makes sense for the 49ers' next stadium (a plan that might hinge on Tuesday's election), Madden said: "I don't know. Money is so tough. Stadiums start at $1 billion. You can talk about votes, city councils and land. Then someone says, 'Where do you get $1.5 billion?' I don't know the answer."

# On former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Madden believed the team had to release Russell because he simply didn't play his way into his position, and he's not sure if he ever will without any preset financial incentive. Both Madden and Mariucci believe Russell will get another chance in the NFL, "but I don't see him as a starter," Mariucci said.

Wednesday's best sound bite didn't come from either host, but rather Otto: "It's a good charity, and it's good for the Bay Area. But the Battle of the Bay comes in August."

That Aug. 28 meeting between the 49ers and host Raiders is merely an exhibition game, however. They also meet Oct. 17 at Candlestick Park, at which time we should know if either team is a contender for the playoffs or better suited for, yes, bocce.

lol..love me some madden