NFL.com's "insider" Vic Carucci was on one of the local talk shows this morning, and he said that JaMarcus Russell has been offered the richest rookie contract in NFL history (he claimed Russell's latest proposed signing bonus was $30 million alone ).
RaiderFan, you clearly know more about this situation than I do, so I ask you: WTF is the holdup on this punk-ass kid signing this contract??? Has he made any noise about just not wanting to play for the Oakland Raiders???? Carucci and just about every other NFL "insider" can't come up with a legit reason why the kid won't sign. He's clearly lost a significant amount of learning the offense and getting any quality reps.
Oakland has always kept information very much in-house.
Only disclosing what they want to disclose.
This case is typical in that regard.
It is very atypical in that the Raiders have historically not had problems getting their draftees signed.
There is no doubt that Russell has hindered his progress by not coming to camp.
You might also legitimately wonder if he hasn't forever damaged his future playing ability by not preparing.
If Russell ends up going back into the draft in '08 he has REALLY fucked himself in that @ss.
And of course, this is not good for the Oakland Raiders.
They have the Robert Gallery (#2 overall) taste still in their mouth and now you have a case where the #1 overall is souring.
I've thought for a week or so now that Oakland might be best served to deal the rights to Russell to Atlanta -- if possible -- and get what you can for him.
Suck it up and move on down the road without him.
It would be dumb luck for the Raiders is Culpepper can return to form and be a solid QB this year for them...kind of wonder what could've been if they picked C.J. instead? Hindsight is 20/20 but you also don't expect a #1 pick to hold out all preseason either.
poptart wrote:I've routinely snickered to myself when I've heard people 'close to the negotiations' insisting that this is NOT about money.
Of course it's about money. Have you ever received a job offer and not negotiated for more salary? The NFL is the one sport where I can't really be upset by players trying to get theirs. Most contracts contain very little guaranteed money and the owners are the ones holding the cards.
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