As the no contact between No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell’s agents and the Raiders continue, you have to ask how do these parties resolve the stalemate?
Well, the Raiders could cave and simply pay Russell what he wants, something that owner Al Davis seems reluctant to do.
Two, Russell could decide to simply sit out the season. Of course, he would be losing whatever present-day dollars he could collect from Oakland. There is also a full season of lost earning power. I mean, could he make up the dollars lost by staying home for an entire season? And how does he make those Oakland mortgage payments?
Finally, the two sides could work out a trade.
Whoops, that can’t happen now. The deadline passed on Aug. 10 when the agents and the Raiders weren’t even talking to one another.
Russell may not be traded until after the end of the 2007 league year (roughly March 1, 2008).
Here are the league guidelines on what can happen next:
Russell may be traded between the first day of the 2008 league year and the 2008 college draft on April 26. In this case, the trading club must sign the player to a contract prior to trading him to the acquiring club (i.e. Drew Henson from Houston to Dallas).
If Russell is not signed by prior to the 2008 draft then he is eligible to be drafted in 2008 by any club other than the club that drafted him in 2007. However, the club acquiring another club’s draft pick after the player has initially been selected will not receive any additional rookie pool room to sign the player. Translation: there could be less money available to Russell and if not that, for the other the rookies this team would select. Regardless, it won’t be a pretty picture for someone.
Simms messed up
There is something wrong with Chris Simms, but the Bucs don’t necessarily believe it is all physical. Simms is not performing very well and many close to him have speculated that it relates to last season’s horrendous ruptured spleen when the then-starting quarterback almost died. Simms’ supporters don’t want to believe coach Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen on this situation, considering they are the ones who gave Jeff Garcia the same contract deal Simms received.
Yes, Gruden has moved on. Garcia is his starter while Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski battle for the backup position. Simms is a forgotten man in the rotation and he knows that Gruden has basically thrown up his arms.
Simms faces being released if he doesn’t start improving. If that happens, he’s talked about sitting out the season. Said one insider: “He’s probably thinking that because he fears that another team might cut him, too.”
Strahan returning?
After speaking with a couple of his defensive teammates at the Giants’ Albany training camp on Thursday, the general consensus is that they expect Michael Strahan to return to the team and play this season. Everyone understands how difficult the retirement decision is for Strahan, but they simply believe he’s too good right now to retire and that deep down he still wants to play. Timeline? Maybe next weekend. The Giants break camp prior to their third preseason game.
Don’t Forget Ravens
The buzz around the league is that don’t discount the Baltimore Ravens when discussing possible Super Bowl teams. The Ravens thoroughly out-played Philadelphia last Monday and the Eagles are again considered a favorite to win the NFC East.
“It’s difficult at time to judge these preseason games,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin told me. “Some teams plan basic stuff in these games in order to evaluate their own young players. Well, Baltimore’s basic defense is to blitz and they blitzed Philadelphia 37 times in that game. They’re good, though. But that’s how you get a lopsided game in preseason.”
Quinn should start
OK, I will accept the idiotic premise that Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson know whatever offense the Cleveland Browns are running at the moment, but shouldn’t this franchise have first-round pick Brady Quinn on the fast-track to a starting position? I mean, Quinn ranked in the top five of GM Phil Savage’s draft board and that’s why he made the trade with the Cowboys. Isn’t Quinn the future of this franchise? I know Coach Romeo Crennel wants to win and possibly keep his job, but the Browns need to get their future QB involved quickly.
Not sure if you get around the blogosphere much, but a fellow blogger and I have recently debated, in light of the Quinn and Russell deals, whether the NFL should institute a hard rookie cap like the NBA.
Your opinion and side of the story would be greatly appreciated.
I think Russell is a Fool,to be sitting out this long! Someone needs to talk some sense into him Wow just goes to show you who is thinking about.HIMSELF!!!!NOT THE TEAM.
I just got done reading the Imus lawsuit story. I can't believe that someone has yet to float out the idea that Russel is a victim of racial discrimination.
What a suprise LOL another Article about the SILVER &BLACK and YET all the HATERS r here BASHING Russell and lots of name calling , HERE WE GO AGAIN lol ,NEWS FLASH 420 POT HEAD , u r obviously HIGH , Leinhart could've been a raider but Leinhart is and goingto be just an avarage QB , I am glad RAIDERS didnt pick him ,ARM STRENGHT AND MOBILITY is definitly is on RUSSEL'S side . "Jamarcus is a mopron" very BRIGHT but your name is 420 so I don't excpect much out of u .
Russell was OVERRATED in college and is just another running QB, which history has proven that their careers dont last! They can't stay healthy: McNabb, Culpepper, R. Cunningham, Vick. Raiders would be better off signing Ryan Leaf!
darkknight76 you are talking like an ####. First McNabb and Culpepper are not running QB's. Vick for sure Randall yes but not as much put up good throwing numbers after he was taught to pass first. Russell praises have never had nothing to due with mobility. I hate when people call all AA QB's runners. Steve Young and Elway should be mentioned when McNabb and Culpepper are talked about. Not that they will get to that level but each could throw and were mobile not glorified RB's like Vick. Pull their stats if you can not see the comparison's.
As a Raider fan, I am disappointed in Russell, probably moreso his agent. I heard on TV that the Raiders have offered the largest contract ever for a Rookie. Here is a guy that has never played 1 NFL down. I say to the Raiders, hold your position and don't give in to this extortion. Let him sit out, if he loves the game as much as he says he does, he'll sign the damn contract.
Last edited by Enforcer on August 17th at 2:22 PM.
Russell is getting terrible advice from his agents. When you've been living off a college student's income and are then offered the highest rookie salary ever, does it really matter whether it's $31M or $34M? Only to your agent. He is essentially losing (at least) a half a year's experience with the first team offense by missing training camp. Russell even caused Oakland to bring in Culpepper. Why would you encourage your employer to bring in more direct competition for your job? Because you're an ####.
Personally, Russell has screwed the pooch by not being in camp even if his contract isn't signed. After missing this much time we've seen how other rookies couldn't make it up and their first year performance was pethetic because of it. He's basically cost his team and himself a year. How can you lead a team after just costing them a year of their lives? If I were Davis I would not pay him a dime - EVER. Think about it. How many rookie QB hold outs ever became really good? I can't think of even one. But I can think of several players (QB and other) that turned out to be busts.
The Raiders will be better off to make him sit out the year and pick up a true franchise QB next year. There is at least one that puts Russell in the shade coming out next year.
First of all, you have no idea how much Russell made playing for LSU. A starving college student he wasn't. Secondly, no one can question Russell's athletic ability, he may be the most gifted athlete to ever play football, however, his leadership skills are very suspect (it was the senior receiver who led the team, not Russell, and despite having what most NFL scouts felt was the most talented team in college football, LSU was not even capable of winning their division in the SEC). Finally, djque, you left off Fran Tarkenton who was one of the first "mobile" quarterbacks. The biggest factor in a QB is their leadership ability not mobility, getting the other players ready to win. Russell is an 8 to 5er. He will come in to work, do his job and go home. No Super Bowls for Oakland in the Russell era and that is for sure.
What up Raider fans! Just here bloggin' minding my own business untill I saw A CHOKER fan running his mouth. Get a real team, The chokers finally have a winnig season and they get all excited, relax. The chokers are nothing but step children and they have no legacy. Whenever you get a SB or two then you can come talk ####. Until now get the F $ % @ # & ck out !
GO RRRRRRRRRRAaiders !
I am sick and tired of these rookies getting drafted top ten and holding out for more money or guaranteed money. These fools have not played a down in the NFL and think they deserve 30 million in guaranteed money. The NFL should have a cap for the amount of money a team can give a rookie player. How many of them were first round busts?? Nobody pushes Al Davis around and he sure as hell isn't going to give Russell what ever the heck he wants. We need a good QB but we don't and will not sell the farm to get one. I applaud Mr. Davis and hope the Raiders win games without that chump!
Russell probably woke up and realized...."I've been drafted by the worst freakin' team in the NFL...the c rappy a zz raiders...maybe If I sit out a year I can hook up with another team next season....any team would be better that chokeland"! Maybe I could trade places with Vick!
Handyfan wrote this and he is completely right.
"Russell is getting terrible advice from his agents. When you've been living off a college student's income and are then offered the highest rookie salary ever, does it really matter whether it's $31M or $34M? Only to your agent. He is essentially losing (at least) a half a year's experience with the first team offense by missing training camp. Russell even caused Oakland to bring in Culpepper. Why would you encourage your employer to bring in more direct competition for your job? Because you're an ####."
For one all of you who are talking about money and how the rookies should not hold out are bogus. Just goes to show you have never been involved in financial matters of football and how they directly affect football. Yeah the rookies are getting their share because they have proved themselves in college. Jamarcus Russell has a right to hold out and so does Brady Quinn. Some of the owners and you guys would sell ur own mom for more money. So dont go talking ethics with me. As for Jamarcuss russell i dont like him because he got blown out of proportion in the Sugar Bowl when he made a couple of bombs.
Oakland Raiders are in a rebuildign year so i dont think you can expect them to go all the way. Russell probably will not contribute untill 3 years that is how long it takes to groom a rookie qb (i.e. Carson Palmer) considering he has a good mentor in Daunte Culpepper.
From LA and watched Russell play. Honestly, I have never been very impressed. Yes, he can throw the ball, his mobility is average, leadership is blah. At LSU he was surrounded by phenoms. LSU gets just about every blue chipper in LA, and a great deal from TX and FL. LSU lost to Auburn and I think scored less than ten points. Tulane played Auburn and scored like 20. That makes me wonder. Russell had great recievers, but someday we shall see his ability. Don't lump McNabb in the running QBs, he was on fire until he got hurt. His stats were amazing and many analysts believed he was on track for MVP.
bears*all1, r u saying u r involved in NFL player salery negociations? And what's your point? Of course rookies or anyone else not under contract have a right to hold out but that is NOT the point. The point is that it is stupid to hold out for a rookie. Especially a QB who needs to be the unquestioned team leader. It hurts the team but most of all it hurts you. If Russell sits out, does anyone think he will get anywhere near what he has been offered this year? He'll be red flagged by the owners and coaches because they'll be afraid he'll do something stupid on their team. Like maybe hold out the second or third yr.-or encourage others to hold out. People are creatures of habit & he's just PROVEN what kind of character and team leader he is. To b a great Leader means to put the good of the team ahead of self. Can you imagine John Elway or Montana pulling a stunt like Russell. No way, Jose!
I agree with U that Russell is very over rated and will take years to reach his peak-which very well may not prove to be all that high anyway. He strikes me as having a broad streak of Randy Moss in him without nearly the talent of Moss. Final thought-NFL Owners-You guys have brought this kind of XX on yourselves and it's going to get worse untill you learn that unbalanced payscale de-motivates starters & how to create a true Esprite de Corps. Do U guys think Dungy & Lovie Smith create magic? If so it's because magic is only a mystery to those without the knowledge to understand it. Semper Fi and Go Raiders.
Last edited by needlefinder on August 17th at 8:33 PM.
jamarcus is a ####!! hes mad stupid. he should just sign a deal. hes gonna be getting paid millions anyway. wat these players dont realize is that most people wish they could have at least 1 million dollars but they are too greedy to realize that. if i had a chance to go the the nfl or any other pro league (mlb, nba, etc.) i wouldnt #### about how much money im getting. i would be thankful for the opportunity im receiving of playing a sport and getting paid for it. the nfl should also put a limit to how much a rookie gets paid.. that way it could help teams with 1st round picks that become busts and would be wasting millions on a sucky player.
ps. hopefully this guy is the real deal and worth wat hes wanting. i bet he ends up like ryan leaf
To x2mentornyet typical Faider toilet flushing fan, dude since when did they have the internet in county jail!!!! I'm fricking suprise you know how to use a computer, anyway your team sucks, your owner weekend at Bernies is dead, that's why the team makes stupid moves. Give it up!!!! stop talking smack just sell out your dirt hole of a stadium, maybe win a game or two, and do you morons have enough QB's. Hey Vick is available after two to three years in jail!!!! he is the perfect Faider!!!!!!!! Just dog it baby!!!!!!
man forget russell hes no football player all he wants is money he dosent deserve to be in the nfl brady quinn is a better player and a better person he's a true football player cuz he got loves the sport not like russell
Some teams do their homework specifically around who represents a prospect and may shy away based on their
in ability to sign him. J. Russell was NOT leaps and bounds above selections 2 and three in this draft unless you blindly covet the Qb position disregarding all else. That's a typical Al Davis fingerprint btw.
The Raiders unfortunately suffer again from the meddling but this kid loses a VERY precious commodity at HIS stage of the game...MOMENTUM. He was NOT standout enough in this relatively weak draft to command it going into next years lottery and he will undoubtedly lose millions from some terrible agent advice. Then he'll stink it up with his new team and become irrelevant.
this guy will be more Leftwitch than Young...a big, easy to find target...they passed on Calvin Johnson for this problem, this mediocrity...here's another sad tale in the woeful saga of Raider Nation, once proud and strong, now (and forever?)floundering...'just win, baby' is a distant memory...
JaMarcus Russell does not realize that his agents do not necessarily look out for his interests, they see $ for themselves...There is always next year's draft, and if Russell continues to hold out, he will hurt more than the team. Raiders has been bad for a few years now, from 2-14 last season, they don't really have anything more to lose as most nfl fans believe they won't make the playoffs anyway. So, JaMarcus should think this through, the organization will be able to move on without him, but for the rookie player, drag this holdout any longer and possibly losing his entire first season is just nuts.
Last edited by tliang46 on August 18th at 1:07 AM.
I could care less if Russell sits out for the entire season since I'm KC fan. Like so many quarterbacks who are drafted #1, they believe their own press clippings and that includes Vince Young who is more style than substance. Russell would be an imbecile to miss a years salary of which he can never recover. Sorry bud, maybe you won't be as much a millionaire as you thought...life is a b**ch.
I have never known Mr. Davis to be a soft touch, and I hope he does not start now. I say kick Mr. Russel to the curb, and make him sit out the year. Maybe he will be more appreciative of the chance he has been given-to play for the Raiders, and professional football. I am sick of self-centered prima donnas. Mr. Russell has not even proven he is worthy yet. Whatever happened to the old school players (Stabler, Atkinson, Rice-the list goes on and on) who played for the love of the game?
Rookie QB's missing all of camp don't seem to get it. They are cripling their career. As a Raider fan and a Oregon Duck fan it pains me to say this, but the Raiders blew the first pick. Russell is going to be the next Akili Smith.
i hope raiders stand tough
teams need to quit spending so much $$ on rookies
i wish the bears had taken a tougher stance with benson when he held out.the longer you hold out the less we will pay you. miss all of camp,we wont sign you! see how you fair in next years draft.
russell would be lucky if he was drafted in the top 15 next year if he holds out. teams are going to start shying away from trouble players. I I I ME ME ME...thats getting old. if russell really thought he that good he would want to be in camp proving it and winning the starting job. like the $$ the raiders were offering wouldn't set him up for the rest of his life? he's got bust written all over him! GO BEARS
It would had been great if Russell had gone through camp. But since hi didn't the odds are in favor of the Raiders. There not longer in a hurry to have him with them since he would not play, even if he came back right now, long into the season. Therefore, they can wait and see how the 3 qbs they have right now play in regular season games and in one of them stands out, and all three of them have a bit of potential to do so, the just extend their contract and trade Jamarcus next year. If not, the just pay Jamarcus and prepare him for next year. The Raiders do not loose either way. This season they are in rebuilding mode anyway! ... So goooo Raiders! and waaaait and seeee Jamarcus!
Russell is a worthless piece of Spam, it would make sense to hold out if he had been a great QB in college. However he was mediocre, surrounded by a great team... can anyone say Troy Smith. Same thing surrounded by a great team, at least Smith won the Heisman but still got drafted way late and is battling for third string in Baltimore. Russell isn't good enough to be a starter in areana league or CFL. He's a piece of Spam!
Last edited by darkknight76 on August 18th at 10:58 AM.
Why did they draft him? What a joke! Hes only holding out because he's a 1 yr wonder. He needs the big money because he my have been ok in collage but in the pros he won't last more then a 1yr
Someone needs to remind Jamarcus who he's dealin with. History has proven that Al Davis has no problem cutting his nose to spite his face (remember Marcus Allen?) He should take the money he's offered before he ends up sitting out the season for zilch.
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.
