JaMarcus Russell finally signed with the Oakland Raiders and joined his team in practice Wednesday. I believe Russell took the defeat against the Detroit Lions has his team’s last plea for HELP!!!Be it as it is, some fans may be upset about Russell prolong signing. They might hold a grudge. Honestly does it really matter now that he is signed. Lets look to the future. As coach Kiffin is known for saying forget the past, can’t change it, lets look to the future. Holding resentment towards Russell for him looking out for his welfare is senseless in my opinion and I feel Raider Nation as a whole would agree.Russell has to jump into play and get up to speed with the offensive line and prove to the Raiders organization as well as Raider Nation he is well worth his 60 million dollars. The pressure is on!Kiffin shows little excitement for having Russell, who finished ranked among the top five in every career passing category kept at LSU, compiled a 25-4 mark as LSU’s starting quarterback. The 25 wins ties with Warren Rabb as the third-highest total in LSU history. Russell is second all-time at LSU in career completion percentage (61.9) and career touchdown passes (52), and also ranks third in career completions (493), career passing yards (6,625), and is fourth in career attempts (797) finally uniting with his team.Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, asked if he expects Russell to start any games this season, said, "I don't expect that ... (but) we'll push him to play for us. That may be after the bye (which falls after Game 4), that may be a year from now. We'll see. We'll see how far he can go, and he'll play when he's ready to play."Kiffin said he will create practice opportunities to speed Russell's mental and physical development, but the coach said it will be almost impossible for Russell to overcome the handicap of his long holdout. "You're talking about hundreds and hundreds of reps (Russell could have had) in preseason, and being in games," Kiffin said. "That's put him in a tough situation."Seems there is a little tension amongst the players toward Russell but worded in a playful matter by McCown who stated "When he showed up this morning, he didn't have donuts (for the team); he didn't have anything." HAHA! I think Russell got the hint.JaMacus Russell I have only these words to say to you to you TIME TO EARN YOUR PAY!!
</p> Yes, time for him to start his carreer. I am really happy that he is finally signed, and I am not bitter about his holdout. The kid is just doing whatever his agents tell him to do. Russell has no idea what negotiation processes are like, and why would anyone expect him to? I don't believe that the team, the fans, or the coaches resent him at all. If anything, they are just relieved to not have to talk about the holdout anymore and can move on. Kiffin explaining to the media that Russell won't start this season has nothing to do with personal feelings, but more to do with where he is in terms of technical knowledge and physical repetition. Kiffin has really no time that he can set aside for JR since he is knee-deep in game-planning now. Keep in mind, this is also Kiffin's rookie season! The coach has hands full, and is still learning on the job (at the NFL level). McCown joking about him not bringing donuts is just playful banter by a veteran to a rookie. Rookies are expected to get harassed in a joking sort of way, and its not a personal thing for anyone involved. By the end of the season, I'm sure Warren Sapp will have taped JR to a goalpost or something funny like that. Its all part of the hazing ritual for many teams. </p> I have been hearing the "everyone is mad at JR" spin coming from media sources the past few days. When you look for evidence of anger, you don't really find any at all. </p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider)</div><div class='quotemain'> </p> Yes, time for him to start his carreer. I am really happy that he is finally signed, and I am not bitter about his holdout. The kid is just doing whatever his agents tell him to do. Russell has no idea what negotiation processes are like, and why would anyone expect him to? I don't believe that the team, the fans, or the coaches resent him at all. If anything, they are just relieved to not have to talk about the holdout anymore and can move on. Kiffin explaining to the media that Russell won't start this season has nothing to do with personal feelings, but more to do with where he is in terms of technical knowledge and physical repetition. Kiffin has really no time that he can set aside for JR since he is knee-deep in game-planning now. Keep in mind, this is also Kiffin's rookie season! The coach has hands full, and is still learning on the job (at the NFL level). McCown joking about him not bringing donuts is just playful banter by a veteran to a rookie. Rookies are expected to get harassed in a joking sort of way, and its not a personal thing for anyone involved. By the end of the season, I'm sure Warren Sapp will have taped JR to a goalpost or something funny like that. Its all part of the hazing ritual for many teams. </p> I have been hearing the "everyone is mad at JR" spin coming from media sources the past few days. When you look for evidence of anger, you don't really find any at all. </p> </p></div> Agree with that. Its not relaly his fault, the Raiders should have had an idea of what kind of money they would have to pay if they were to take him #1 overall and after missing a several weeks of training camp he wouldn't have started this season anyway. </p>
It's pretty much a wasted seaon for him training camp is one of the most important things he needed he still is going to play though.
Its nearly impossible for him to live up to that contract....the system in place for signing picks in the NFL is a joke and the league needs to consider a system like the NBA
Because of the ridiculous manner in which top draft picks are paid, I've even heard of charts that explain that the end of the first round or second round has the most overall value.
I agree with you full on with that!! NBA has a starting allowance I believe for a rookie! Correct me if I am wrong. It makes a rookie prove their worth!
the NBA has guaranteed slotted contracts for rookies....so you are paid based on where you were drafted and if you are a 1st rounder, its a guaranteed contract.....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JfizzleRaider)</div><div class='quotemain'>I agree the NFL rookies demand outrageous contracts that they barely live up to. Mario Williams who?</div>You do realize Mario Williams is only in his 2nd year right? The man is athletic freak and has already gotten out of the gates quickly this year. I'll be shocked if he doesn't end up with 10+ sacks this year. Although, in my opinion, with his speed and athleticism, he should really be used more like a Demarcus Ware or Shawne Merriman, as opposed to a DL. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Moo2K4)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JfizzleRaider)</div><div class='quotemain'>I agree the NFL rookies demand outrageous contracts that they barely live up to. Mario Williams who?</div>You do realize Mario Williams is only in his 2nd year right? The man is athletic freak and has already gotten out of the gates quickly this year. I'll be shocked if he doesn't end up with 10+ sacks this year. Although, in my opinion, with his speed and athleticism, he should really be used more like a Demarcus Ware or Shawne Merriman, as opposed to a DL. </p></div> Yes I am quite aware of who Mario Williams is. Robert Gallery was a crazy freak too at one point and he sucks. I think the Texans made one of the dumbest moves ever in passing Reggie Bush for Mr. Mario Williams.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JfizzleRaider)</div><div class='quotemain'>[Yes I am quite aware of who Mario Williams is. Robert Gallery was a crazy freak too at one point and he sucks. I think the Texans made one of the dumbest moves ever in passing Reggie Bush for Mr. Mario Williams.</div> IFthere was a mistake there, it wasn't taking Bush. It was not taking Vince Young. Looks worse now that Carr is not there anymore.</p> And Bush hasn't lived up any of his hype, even though the media tries to push him like he is special. Haven't seen any of it yet. Jones-Drew had a better rookie season than he did.</p>
As for Russell, he probably wasn't going to play this yr anyway. Don't think it's a big deal how long it took.</p>
I think Russell is more then relieved he signed because if he didn't he would fall back several slots in 2008 draft. It was a smart move for both the Raiders and Russell. As for him playing. If Kiffin feels he is fit he will put him in. Hopefully he can catch up with the rest of the team. He is young enough so it should be no problem. Only time can tell </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dissonance19)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JfizzleRaider)</div><div class='quotemain'>[Yes I am quite aware of who Mario Williams is. Robert Gallery was a crazy freak too at one point and he sucks. I think the Texans made one of the dumbest moves ever in passing Reggie Bush for Mr. Mario Williams.</div> IFthere was a mistake there, it wasn't taking Bush. It was not taking Vince Young. Looks worse now that Carr is not there anymore.</p> And Bush hasn't lived up any of his hype, even though the media tries to push him like he is special. Haven't seen any of it yet. Jones-Drew had a better rookie season than he did.</p></div> Bush has to split time with Deuce McCalister one of the better backs in the league. I think Bush would have blown up for the Texans.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (girlgotgame)</div><div class='quotemain'> I think Russell is more then relieved he signed because if he didn't he would fall back several slots in 2008 draft. It was a smart move for both the Raiders and Russell. As for him playing. If Kiffin feels he is fit he will put him in. Hopefully he can catch up with the rest of the team. He is young enough so it should be no problem. Only time can tell </p></div> It would've had to gone on a lot longer for him to go into the 2008 draft.</p> If it did go that far, I think he would be the top QB taken even though he sat out at yr. </p>
I can't wait to see him sling one 70 yards to Curry in the end zone. tt's gonna be sweet! Welcome to the forums, btw, and I like that avatar!</p> </p>
