I work with Russell's roommate, and he has a nice signing bonus from his agent that he is living off of, and he is prepared to sit out until deep into the season, if not going into the draft next season. he never wanted to go to oakland in the 1st place and was even more furious when they signed culpepper.
I agree with you. I think the deal will happen with Oakland mainly because it would be pretty embarassing to the Raider organization to have their 1st #1 draft choice go back to the draft next season. They would be a pretty costly choice for a team to not get anything for a #1 pick......the pick itself is valuable. But Russell should never accept anything any other #1 pick has gotten. If the NFL wants to go to a set contract system like the NBA, that's fine. But currently it isn't and if a guy like Alex Smith got $25 mil guaranteed, then by-God Russell should get his. Let Davis make his statement about paying draft choices too much with somebody else.
From what I saw of Culpepper in Miami, the guy will flame in Oakland. He may have looked decent in the preseason but when the teams really turn defenses loose next week, that o-line can't protect Culpepper.......he was made by bombing long passes to Moss. That's gone.
the whole thing with JR and Oakland is just plain embarrassing I think - not the sort of history you want to be making. He is getting offered appx $5 million more in bonus money then the #1 from last year, but is balking at the payback clause as stated above........is he not confident in his abilities? WTF - sign already
The Raiders are not wanting to guarantee the money if they cut Russell. No #1 pick in the history of the modern draft has agreed to that. Why should Russell be the first?
No reason at all. On the other hand, he may not be the #1 pick next year, having not played football in a year, and will have to settle for less anyway. Rusell needs to play this smart.
Financially, it certainly is in his interest to eventually sign because I don't think he would even be the 1st QB taken, but he is not without leverage. At this point Oakland either signs him or loses the 1st overall pick without compensation. They can neither trade his rights nor sign and trade him this year. We've basically got a game of chicken going on that I think will take quite some time to play out.
Exactly. That's what "Guarantee" means. Remember, you're dealing with a certifiable crazy owner here. Who's to say he wouldn't pull the plug on Russell just to save the money at some point down the road? Face it, this abomination of a team is going to lose with or without Russell. If what's being reported here is accurate, I say JR should hold out and stay out until he gets what he deserves. He's not asking for the moon.
Correct, Russell may not be the #1 pick next year and he needs to cross that bridge when he gets to it. But I'd be damned if I'd be the first #1 pick to not have guarenteed money no matter what. He needs to play this smart as any other #1 pick in the history of the draft has done......which is to hold out till he gets what EVERY OTHER #1 pick in the HISTORY OF THE DRAFT HAS GOTTEN.
