After being cut yesterday, it looks like JaMarcus Russell will never succeed in an NFL uniform.
The reasons why? Aside from the obvious, I'd like to address a few things that I've heard from fans of the Oakland Raiders and those that despise the Oakland Raiders.
1. "It's not all JaMarcus Russell's fault"
Really? Explain to me how it's not all his fault? Was it that he did not have good coaches surrounding him and trying to teach him the game? Did he have to change offenses a couple of times and learn new formations, plays and other areas of the ...
With JaMarcus Russell being released, no one is happier than new Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell.
He may not be happy about the demise of a fellow NFL quarterback's career, but he must be excited about what kind of opportunity opens up to him due to this move by the Oakland Raiders franchise.
For the first time, it is another quarterback getting the rumors of being traded or released due to Campbell's presence instead of vice versa. For the first time, it is another quarterback who is being shipped out due to Campbell's presence instead of vice versa.
Yes, the Raiders have made ...
The Raiders have officially given up on JaMarcus Russell. Cutting what many fans would consider dead weight while saving the team $6.45 million.
It would seem that Al Davis is finally taking advice from his critics:
Lane Kiffin for example said he couldn't win with JaMarcus.
Last year, though he didn't drop any names, Greg Ellis blamed some of the Raiders performances on players going out the night before games.
And Jeff Garcia claimed he felt the Raiders had too many players "just collecting paychecks".
Sure JaMarcus may have been one of the players going out the night before games and "just collecting paychecks", but ...
For 16 years, I have been a fan of LSU football, mainly because as a boy, I would pick up LSU games on my old Radio Shack transistor radio from WWL in New Orleans.
When my 9-year-old brain was indoctrinated into LSU Tigers football, Jamie Howard was making the art of passing look like Precious at a track meet while Curley Hallman was doing his best Tommy West impersonation.
In the 16 years between Jamie Howard and Jordan Jefferson, there have been quarterbacks who have made me stand up and cheer and those who have made me shake my head.
JaMarcus Russell ...
"With the first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, Louisiana State."
Ah, the memories, who could forget 2007?
It was a year to remember in the NFL. Brett Favre went on to throw another overtime interception for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants finally achieved Super Bowl perfection, and poor, old Tom Brady's Patriots went all too close to achieving a perfect season.
It's like flicking through an old photo album isn't it? Looking back fondly and realizing that two or three years ago you really were in shape, and in fact, those numerous ...
I am not naive enough to believe that the debate surrounding JaMarcus Russell will simply go away now that he has been released. There will be some who will continue to maintain that Russell was the victim during his tenure as an Oakland Raider. His release does nothing to disprove their contention that Russell was a victim of a poor offense, hostile mediots, and a disloyal fan base. The problem with charges, such as those levied by his supporters, are that they can never be proved or disproved. Like many allegations, founded upon opinion, they will simply live ...
JaMarcus Russell is a guy with a great arm. His huge upside and college success were obvious.
Russell was not given much time to grow. He was shoved into the starter role on a team lacking confidence and energy.
It's common knowledge that quarterback is the hardest and most demanding position in the NFL.
This is not intended to disparage JaMarcus Russell. He was the top quarterback in a weak draft. Somebody had to go No. 1 that year, and the Raiders needed a quarterback.
Russell is not going to go down as the biggest bust of all time, either. Ryan Leaf ...
Most experts agree, that you should give it three years to fully evaluate a draft class.
In wake of JaMarcus Russell's release, why not today?
So, this is my evaluation of the Oakland Raiders draft class of 2007.
Round One (1) QB JaBust Russell, QB/LB/DL (who can tell?,) LSU
Grade: J
I gave him a J because an F doesn't justify how bad he was for the Raiders in his tenure.
In training camp of 2007, he held out till the second week off the season. That in itself, tells you he didn't have a great desire to play.
He started in 2008, and wasn't the worst ...
In this cursory review, I will traverse through a series of topics that I believe to be facets of the success or failure of NFL quarterbacks in general, and JaMarcus Russell in particular.
Now that the Oakland Raiders have officially made JaMarcus Russell an all-time bust by releasing him, Denver's Tim Tebow is now on the clock of the "Bust Watch."
Remember that the Broncos traded three draft picks for Tebow; the most for one player in the NFL Draft since Ryan Leaf.
Meaning that, if Tebow turns into a bust, Tebow will be a shoo-in to surpass Leaf. The heat is now ...
So in the spirit of over-written topics, I would like to put my spin on the recent release of JaMarcus Russell.
It's an unfortunate thing when a talented person fails at something they were meant to do. And JaMarcus Russell did just that.
An unfair set of circumstances? Maybe, but JaMarcus had many opportunities to shine. Unfortunately, the only thing about JaMarcus that ever shined, was his jewelry.
By letting Russell go, Oakland has saved upwards of $6 million, enough to sign an Pro Bowl-caliber player. One such player comes to mind, and would greatly improve Oakland's status as an NFL contender.
Terrell Owens.
Owens ...