Now, that everyone knows that No. 2 pick Calvin Johnson, the best player in this year's draft, received $1 million more in guaranteed money than Reggie Bush, the best player and also the second player selected in last year's draft, it is mind-boggling to think that the Raiders and top pick JaMarcus Russell can't strike an agreement. Yes, there should be a higher market for a quarterback, but with his long holdout Russell is virtually guaranteeing himself that he won't see the field this season unless Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown suffer serious injuries.
The Raiders are stuck on about $30 million in guaranteed money while Russell's agents are asking for $35 million. Oakland's offer is a reasonable percentage increase over the $26.6 million last year's No. 1 pick Mario Williams received. But this holdout figures to continue unless Russell comes down.
If that never happens, the next scenario is for Russell to sit out the year and re-enter next year's draft. If that happens, Russell might get what he's asking now or then again, he could drop a little because teams may view his price as too high. Is that a risk he's willing to consider right now?
Croyle really No. 1?
After watching the Chiefs and Vikings practice against each other last week, the best young quarterback on the field was the Chiefs' Brodie Croyle and not Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota's starter this season.
Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is rotating Croyle and Damon Huard in drills and figures to do the same once preseason games start. But if you listen to the team whispers, the job is really Croyle's to lose. He's the future, plus everyone knows that Huard is best coming off the bench.
Croyle is pretty composed young man and the way he sees it his career is way ahead of schedule because he figured to be sitting behind Trent Green for two seasons. But with Green gone, his opportunity has come much faster.
Now, there is some Brett Favre in Croyle. Not the arm, but the aggressive nature. He wants to go down the field and take a few chances.
"I get the 'Don't be a gunslinger' talk about twice a week in practice," Croyle said. "Don't be Brett Favring it. I'm trying to take care of that. But the other night in the huddle, I said, 'Boys, give me some time because I'm throwing it deep.' That got a chuckle out of the linemen. But we're keeping that to a minimum right now."
Of course, Croyle can laugh now at his NFL introduction last season. He says the speed of the NFL has slowed down a bit, but all he remembers of his first pass against the Steelers was looking at Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu lined up near the line of scrimmage.
"We ran play action and sometime while I turned around Polamalu was way back in cover two," Croyle said. "I was thinking, "wow, that was really fast. That's covering a lot of ground.' I ended up throwing my first completion and interception for a touchdown all on the same pass. When I came to the sidelines, all the guys were laughing and one of them said to me, "It's fast, isn't it?' After a while, I think I finally settled down. And that's what I'm working on now. Trying to make better decisions."
Where's the game?
Peyton Manning and I had the same problem in Terre Haute, Ind. on Sunday night. I couldn't find a bar that had the NFL Network in order to watch some of the Saints-Steelers' preseason game. Manning couldn't get the game, either, from his dorm room at training camp.
"You have to tell the league they have to fix this," Manning said. "It doesn't make sense to have the first preseason game on their network and we can't watch it. This shouldn't be happening."
Camp Cupcake
This is the reference line to how new Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is running his training camp. At least, this is the observers' view of camp when compared to four summers under Bill Parcells.
Phillips has always been known as a players' coach and practices have been a little milder until Monday's when a couple of fights broke out, one initiated by running back Julius Jones.
There are a couple NFC general managers, though, who are worried about the Cowboys, believing that Phillips will really improve the play of pass rusher DeMarcus Ware and safety Roy Williams. If Tony Romo can improve, Dallas is being discussed as a potential playoff contender to Chicago and New Orleans.
Czar, you're the man, but the Cowboys are not going anywhere! Why, because eventually they're going to be K.O'd by T.O. He's a problem waiting to happen. You can't do enough to please this EGOMANIC and eventually he's going to show his hind parts and give his team fits. As a Skins fan, I must admit, I can't wait!
Same old comments, now that Brady Quinn has signed i'm sure hell be signing in the real nera future. Al Davis will stick to his guns and Jamarcus's agent will take the offer. He will be one of the best QB's in the league for a long time! I dont care what anybody says. Raider Nation and football fan for life!
Not that anyone needs to remind you, but the lack of cooperation and abudance of time spent sitting on your keester when you should be reporting to camp and learning your drills has compelled me to reiterate the obvious: YOU ARE A FREAKING ROOKIE! Shut the hell up, get up off of your arse, suit u`p and play ball! You haven't earned jack squat yet. You are sitting out from a team that chose you to play for them, not lounge around waiting for your next check to clear. Get your red shirt on and take some snaps, rookie!
The problem is one that has been going on for far too long. That being college standouts that think that the world owes them something because they won a few games in college. Let me tell you something, JaRookie, Nobody gives a rats rear end what you did last season. Hell, nobody cares wehat you did last week! You are getting the opportunity of a lifetime, to play in the NFL. You are getting offered a lot more money that you were at your last job, I can guarantee you. You have not earned, seen, felt, or experienced ANYTHING on this level. Bonus money? For what? YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN A SNAP! Brett Favre, he deserves bonus money. Manning? Sure. (Well, maybe not Eli.) Talk to someone who has been around a few seasons making a tenth of what you stand to gain and see if they can't school you on a few things. In a couple of years, when you begin to be the standout professionally like you were collegiately, then maybe MAYBE you will have earned some bonus money. Until then, shut the hell up, and get in the bloody game!
i think it's time the NFL goes to the same system as the NBA. Where each draft position makes a set amount of money with a rookie cap implemented.You play get paid your max rookie salary and earn your big money if your worthy. This years rookie 1st round selections have gone about as far as owners and fans can stand. It's absolutely ludicrous that these guys are making more than veteran players that have been in the NFL for years, many who are Pro Bowlers and future Hall of Famers. The owners need to step back at their next meeting and decide how much more they can allow these untested rookies cut into the payroll. Can someone please justify to me how Calvin Johnson can make more money than Marvin Harrison for example. Just doenn't seem right that you get paid that kind of money just because you might be good. Prove it guys, then get paid next contract.
I cannot agree more on rookies trying to earn more money they have never seen in their lifes. All these holdouts should just go back to college and get a degree and see what that will earn them. I have yet to see a rookie golf player asking for $$. He gets to work, practices and when he plays and WINS then he can afford to ask for endorsements, $$ and such. Until then he needs to prove he is ready to play with the Big Boys, not college buddies.
jamarcus should not get any money ! SEND HIM HOME WITH HIS TAIL BETWEEN HIS LEGS ! IF U DONT WANT THE MILLIONS THEY OFFER , I BET HE`D CHANGE HIS MIND IF THE NFL SAID , OK, YOUR DONE , WE DONT WANT YOU , GO WORK AT MCDONALDS OR SELL YOUR DRUGS BACK HOME , I BET HE`D PREFER THAT
Clearly the most overrated player in this years draft! They don't even need Russell now that they have a proven QB in Culpepper! He may be injury prone but he can play! If I were the Raiders I'd be offering him less and less each day he holds out! I thought on draft day the Raiders should have gotten Culpepper and then drafted Calvin Johnson, imagine if that would have happened, the Raiders might have been fairly good this season!
I beleive that a precentage of the problem is the agents they are to blame for this hold out cause the more money JaMarcus gets the more the "Leeches" can suck and put in there pocket money makes the world go round. Russell needs to be realistic in this situation take what YOU can get not the agents, its about you, cause after all its going to be in the 20'something million bracket (no need to be greedy) cause once you prove yourself to the raider nation and to everybody else that you can "PLAY" in the NFL and at least get us in a some playoff games and and a superbowl then you can get the money that YOU earned!!!
Last edited by 300Raiders on August 8th at 4:22 AM.
Admittedly the holdout for megabucks seems like overkill but then again Russells whole career could be over on the first snap too. To his credit he has not been found guilty of killing puppies, shootings at strip clubs, stomping on the legs of opposing players or child molestation. He just might be the real deal and his agent (while garnering a hefty commission) will get Russell a sweet package. Davis and his office dummies deserve an encounter of this kind just based on their historical approach to quality athletes. The Raiders need this athlete and should not expect him to walk on water since that has already been done once a long time ago. Raider fans are deserving of a long term committment and Mr. Russell will surely provide that and the excitement that goes along with Raider Nation football.
I agree that it's about time Big J tells his agent to do the deal. Their cut is large enough, and if he doesn't hurry up and get signed to the Raiders' payroll then they should get kicked off his. I also believe that there should be some sort of rookie cap, as far as money is concerned. Give them all the same contract, but make their roster bonus based on where they are drafted.
I am a young man of Beijing, China.
Since today is 1 year countdown to the Beijing Olympics,
I released a special website hours ago for the meaningful moment, (2007 08 08 20:08 GMT 8)
www.hey2008.com
The story is : A Beijing Young Man Create a 'One World One Number' site
One day, when a young man listened to the Olympics news, on a whim, he had a strong interest in number 2008, and planed for creating a first 1-2008 theme website. At the beginning, this idea sounds ridiculous. After thinking over the meaning of the number time and time again -- the world’s common number, he firmly believe the concept that:
One World One number.
Thanks to the help of many people, the site was born today: one year countdown to Beijing Olympics. Still, we need to do more to make the dream not only a dream. The original idea comes from the Olympics. It is also for the Olympics. Share your beloved number story, and the site donate one Chinese penny for each.
JaMarcus doesn't come off as the type that's overly concerned about a fat contract vs. getting in there, contributing and learning the system. I'm thinking his agents are dictating the negotiations.
Last edited by Raydafan_4eva on August 8th at 8:18 AM.
Honestly, I think JR is going through this with the Raiders(aksing for the big payday) for a few reasons..
1) His agents want some bucks
2) JR wouldn't mind some bucks
3) His agents advice because....
They are wisely telling him he could get badly hurt playing for a bad team and end his career and need that payday. Also, I'm sure they are looking at the Ryan Leaf thing and modestly thinking what if JR is a bust? He'll want that cash because his next stop could be in Buffalo fighting a rookie for a roster spot for chump change if he fails...
Don't think there's any ego involved here. He was the number one pick, so no matter what he gets to live the dream in the next year or two....at least he wasn't Eli and refused to play for a crappy team....he's accepted the hand he's been given and wants to get paid....
I agree with everyone who believes that all rookies should be paid the same and get bonus money depending what selection they are in the draft to ensure fairness from #1 to draft pick #400 lets get it done owners you heard it here a great plan to end this craziness 35mil with out even a snap. If i was Joe Montana, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, John Elway and the list of great could go on i would be contacting past bosses and demanding back pay worth millions they should have earned by playing the game they all loved for chump change compared to todays rates!!! Go Steelers
this dude needs to sign & should've already signed.
all this guy is proving by holding out is the negativity that he can wield down the road.
he's hurting his teams' development & his development which i'm sure he needs.
no way an unproven rookie deserves to get paid more than an accomplished veteran who has busted his balls to get where he's at.
i dont think blame should fall on the agent, JR needs to tell his agent that he wants to play football & strike the deal ASAP.
say his career ends 1st snap, he cant make it through life with a $30 mil stockpile - are you serious ?? is this real life...well, not for these guys i guess. i can take every employee in my building & add together their salaries for the rest of their lives & never come close to $30 mil.
if i were an owner & had the 1st pick in the draft next year, i would trade it - cause your gonna pay out the asss for one guy with no experience. anybody remember akili smith ?
brady quinn did not help at all with his situation...wait till next year, every player who didnt get drafted in the top 10 will claim they should've been & holdout for unwarranted $$$.
i just dont understand, these guys have limited time in the NFL, dont they want to get started right away ? i get the impression that most of these guys do not have the passion to play anymore once they reach this level & are concerned about absolutely nothing other than the dollars. this explains why most players only outperform themselves in their final con
Last edited by H.the.Dek.Cripper.22 on August 8th at 12:25 PM.
Punk MotherF---er U Wan't to be a RAIDER than act like one prove yourself. SIGN
You want to be a PUS-y go play for someone else, FU
35,Mill you havent even taken an NFL snap, you need an NFL slap Bit-h Wake the ####.
AL don't take this S-it send the wanna be home.
If he or anyone else doesnt want and live to play for the RAIDERS we don't need em I have had it that with Randy Moss baby bullsh-t!!
Russell i think you should hold out until you get 39 million! Dam the rest of these people who have no idea about YOU and YOUR contract....Hold out, hold out, hold out.......the raiders aint gonna be jack w or w/o u so it really doesnt matter!
It's time somebody stands up to these rookies. Quinn drops to 22nd in the draft and demands a top ten draft pick size bonus? Russell holding out for an extra 5 million on top of the 30 million guaranteed money? What have these guys proven besides ignorance and arrogance. I hope Quinn falls flat on his face and Im a Notre Dame fan. Mr. Russell, its not all about the money my man. Please respect the integrity of the game. That would go a long way with the fans. Alot longer then playing ten mediocre years in the NFL. Prove yourself first, and then the money will follow. Thats how life (real life anyhow) works. Be grateful you have this opportunity to play a game and be paid an enormous amount of money doing it. That guy mopping the bathroom floor in the stadium where you sit and watch half the game can attest to that. So get to work.
sounds like another hater.dont be mad because you dont have the talent to play any sport.you are the one that will be selling and doing drugs you loser. mr russell can do any thing he wants to because he is the number one pick you hater deal with it and go shoot up your drugs you player hater ok.
Lol I agree he is a HATER... Russel just sign dude.. prove yourself and you will see the $$$.. Dont be greedy man.. you wil see more oney than most of us will see in a life time in one year.. Just be glad you got picked.. now show everyone that you were worth the effort
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
