RAIDERS CUT THEIR TIES TO JAMARCUS RUSSELL
I've been saying for nearly a year right on these pages that Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell was going to be the greatest bust in NFL Draft history. Apparently the Raiders came to the same conclusion today, cutting the #1 overall pick in the 2007 draft. The club saves $6.45 million in salary, owing him only the $3 million that was guaranteed in his rookie contract. Russell has already received nearly $30 million in salary & signing bonuses from Oakland.
I told you his fate was sealed when the Raiders traded a 2012 draft pick for Washington Redskins' quarterback Jason Campbell on the last day of the draft just 3 weeks ago. With Bruce Gradkowski, who outplayed Russell for much of last season & Campbell on their roster, it made no sense to keep paying this lump.
Former teammates have said recently that Russell was often late for meetings & fell asleep during those meetings. They didn't respect Russell as a team leader, essential for a starting quarterback. Russell never wanted the hard work that is associated with such a position, he just wanted the money. His weight has hovered between 270 & 300 pounds during his stay in Oakland, obviously way too heavy for a quarterback.
Don't look for anyone to sign Russell. If the day ever comes when he decides he truly wants this job & is willing to pay the price it takes to get it & keep it the best he'll ever earn is the league minimum, no one takes him seriously. He is a coaches worst nightmare, a career-buster, a player with obvious talents, but no conviction or dedication to get the most from that talent. I hope he saved some of that $30 million for a rainy day, he's going to need it. He has officially become the biggest bust in NFL Draft history. Somewhere in America, Ryan Leaf is lying on his couch, breathing a sigh of relief, he's been replaced as Bust #1.
I told you his fate was sealed when the Raiders traded a 2012 draft pick for Washington Redskins' quarterback Jason Campbell on the last day of the draft just 3 weeks ago. With Bruce Gradkowski, who outplayed Russell for much of last season & Campbell on their roster, it made no sense to keep paying this lump.
Former teammates have said recently that Russell was often late for meetings & fell asleep during those meetings. They didn't respect Russell as a team leader, essential for a starting quarterback. Russell never wanted the hard work that is associated with such a position, he just wanted the money. His weight has hovered between 270 & 300 pounds during his stay in Oakland, obviously way too heavy for a quarterback.
Don't look for anyone to sign Russell. If the day ever comes when he decides he truly wants this job & is willing to pay the price it takes to get it & keep it the best he'll ever earn is the league minimum, no one takes him seriously. He is a coaches worst nightmare, a career-buster, a player with obvious talents, but no conviction or dedication to get the most from that talent. I hope he saved some of that $30 million for a rainy day, he's going to need it. He has officially become the biggest bust in NFL Draft history. Somewhere in America, Ryan Leaf is lying on his couch, breathing a sigh of relief, he's been replaced as Bust #1.
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