The Raiders will be curious today, when meeting face-to-face with his agents, if unsigned No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell is somewhere close by. If Russell is still in Atlanta or Mobile, Ala., his hometown, the club will know that agents Ethan Lock and Eric Metz aren't really serious about finally getting a deal done.

The Raiders, who are limited by their current rookie salary cap pool number of $2.975 million, have frustrated Russell's agents because the maximum allowed hard-cap guaranteed money, no matter the structure, is $29 million.

However, the Raiders have discussed adding another $2 million to that total in what is called soft-cap dollars, money that can be earned by inserting incentives that will be easily attained by Russell. For example, an easy incentive would be if he takes 30 percent of the snaps in 2008 or 2009. However, Russell's people may want more than $31 million. They originally asked for $35 million.

Last year's No. 1 pick, Mario Williams, received $26.5 million in guaranteed money. Reggie Bush, who was perceived as the best player in last year's draft, received a bonus package very similar to what Houston paid Williams. This year's second overall pick, Calvin Johnson, received $27.2 million in guarantees, and he was believed to be the best all-around player in the draft.

If Russell gets $31 million, it would be a significant boost over what Williams and Bush received last season.

There were rumors on Thursday that the Raiders were going to play hardball with Daunte Culpepper, who will be the backup quarterback on Sunday behind Josh McCown, and ask him to reduce his $3.2 million contract, thus freeing up more money for Russell. However, the Raiders have no intention of messing with Culpepper, who remains a favorite of owner Al Davis.

Rookie head coach Lane Kiffin, who still declines to name his starter against the Lions, picked McCown over Culpepper.