(AP Photo)
After finishing the 2009 season with his starting position taken from him, Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell may have seen his time in Silver and Black expire with their acquisition of Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins.
This was an epic fall for a quarterback who four years ago had the world at his feet, and was expected to set the NFL on fire. It is also a tragedy to see a young man take the opportunity of a lifetime and allow it to slip through his fingers.
It was the best of times. JaMarcus Russell, junior at LSU, played the game of his life on national TV as he led his Tigers to a resounding victory over Brady Quinn and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Not only was he able to get national acclaim for his dominating performance, he was able to do it with Brady Quinn on the other sideline. With the buzz building around the young quarterback after his big win, he decided to enter the NFL Draft and was instantly named as one of the top quarterback prospects for the year with his only competition being Quinn, the man he had beaten in the Sugar Bowl.
It was the best of times. Saturday, April 28, 2007, and the Oakland Raiders had the first pick in the NFL draft. It was a consensus belief that after a season filled with offensive ineptitude the Raiders were going to use their top pick on a quarterback. Russell fit the prototype of what Raiders owner Al Davis wants in a quarterback: Tall and cannon armed. New commissioner Roger Goodell strode the the podium to open his first draft and announced that the Raiders first pick would be JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, LSU.
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As the top pick in the draft, Russell knew that he was about to become instantly wealthy. He missed his entire rookie training camp as part of a holdout to ensure that he was getting the maximum payout. The deal was ultimately signed immediately prior to their opening game against the Detroit Lions.He would get his $30 million in guaranteed money to go along with a $60 million contract.
This contract dispute would ultimately play a part in Russell's inability to evolve into an NFL quarterback. Training camp is a time of intensive work and study of the playbook, and learning all of the subtleties of the pro game. This would cost him the ability to play for much of his rookie season.
It was the best of times. Sunday, December 2nd, 2007. JaMarcus Russell trots on to the field to a thundering chorus of cheers and completes his first pass in the NFL. Russell manned the helm of the Raiders offense for two series and went 4-7 56 yards. The fans had caught a glimpse of their future, and it looked promising.
Russell would be used in fill in duty for two fo the next three games. His coach Lane Kiffin was bringing him along slowly. He would get his first start in the final game of the 2007 season. His numbers were not eye popping, but he did have a chemistry with his tight end Zach Miller that seemed to bode very well for the Raiders future.
Russell's stat line for his rookie year 4 games with one start, 36/66 373 2 TDs 4 Ints 55.9 rating.
It was the best of times. Russell entered the season as an undisputed starter. Neither of the former Raider quarterbacks of the future on the roster behind him were any kind of threat to his place as starter. There was a black cloud hanging over the higher reaches of the organization, but on the field "The Chosen One" was set to lead his team.
After a monumental disaster to open the season, JaMarcus rode the running game to a Raiders win. His numbers 6-17 55, but rookie running back Darren McFadden carried the day. The chaos in the organization grew over the next couple of weeks, which would find the Raiders losing close games to the Bills and the Chargers.
It was the press conference heard around the world. Al Davis announce that Lane Kiffin had been fired, and read aloud a laundry list of transgressions by the now-former coach, including arguing against drafting Russell in the first place. Davis threw his unequivocal support behind the young signal caller with the now infamous, "He's going to be a great quarterback--get over it." The new coaching staff had their mandate from the boss-make it work with JaMarcus Russell, or you will be on the overhead projector next.
It was the worst of times. After the regime change came to the head coaching position, the Raiders offense continued to struggle, culminating in an absolute disaster against the Atlanta Falcons where only 10 of the Raiders 77 total yards came through the air. Russell would miss the following game with an injury. He would return the following week, but not surpass 200 yards passing for three more games.
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Much of the blame for the struggles of the offense were deflected from the young signal caller. Ronald Curry had lost his effectiveness as a receiver. Javon Walker was on the injured reserve. Tim Dwight was used as a receiver. However, some were beginning to question the second year quarterback. It was usually done in hushed tones. More of the blame went to everywhere else on the offense.
It was the best of times. The team rallied and won their final two games of the season. This was being hailed as the turning point for Russell and the Silver and Black as a whole.
Russell's second season numbers: 15 games all starts, 198/368 2423 13 td 8 int 77.1 qb rating.
The focus of the Raiders offseason was to provide support to Russell. The selected two wide receivers in the draft. They hired Paul Hackett who is considered among the top quarterback coaches in the NFL.
It was the worst of times: The rumor started with an article from Sports Illustrated's Don Banks a year before that said that Russell weighed 300 lbs. Thus Russell's weight became a topic of consternation. Russell did not help himself by performing poorly in minicamps and OTAs. His throws were inaccurate. He slipped out of the final OTA early. This was but a portent of the disaster that was to come, and ultimately undo him in Oakland.
In the opening game, Russell led the Raiders to a late lead over the Chargers, but the defense allowed the Chargers to answer and take the game. The following week, after a dismal performance, Russell was able to lead the Raiders to a late win. Then the wheels fell off. The Raiders would have a four game streak of sub 200 yard total offense performances that were accompanied by double digit passing yards in three of the four contests.
Russell was benched for the first time in a week seven drubbing at the hands of the New York Jets. Russell's first two plays from scrimmage were turnovers, and by halftime Tom Cable had enough, and the crowd erupted in cheers as Bruce Gradkowski took the field. Russell would start two more games before his final benching during a week nine loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Russell would have fill in performances in three more games. He would lead the Raiders to a come from behind win in Denver, but he had lost the team and the fans. Anytime Russell took the field in Oakland, the boos were loud and raucous. His teammates no longer had any faith in him.
Russell's stats for his third year: 12 games 9 starts 120/248 1287 3 TDs 11Ints
To make matters worse for Russell, he skipped out on the final team meeting to go to Las Vegas. The weight issues resurfaced. Reports had him with a reduced weight, then conflicting reports had him increasingly higher.
Prior to the draft the Raiders added free agent quarterback Kyle Boller, then traded for Jason Campbell during the draft. These moves, with the pending return of Bruce Gradkowksi spell the end for Russell in Oakland. He got his payday, but never put in the work to live up to his skills.
Comments
It is a sad story for a young man who had so much to gain and little to lose, but Jamarcus never put in the effort for success. He has the money, but listening to him and watching his actions the future could be a disaster if he doesn't pay attention to the money he received. His posse will use him and take whatever they can (and that includes close relatives) and they will walk away when the money is gone, and Jamarcus will be by himself dreaming about what could of been. Lets hope he takes a look at what he has done to himself and can fix it. No one should feel good about what could be ahead for Jamarcus. I wish Jamarcus the best and just hope he takes care of himself before its to late. Jamarcus is going to get a look at the real world after having lived in a fantasy world. Jamarcus needs to look around and see who his real friends are, and he may not like what he is looking at.....
So Willie Brown goes on the TV and claims Russell was working hard at some big deal sports training facility in AZ. Claims the guy was working the program and had dropped a just a huge amount of weight.That he was on track.Then the non-team source reports come in. The last has him at 290 lbs! If he lost a tremendous amount of weight and is down to 290? My god, how much did he weigh before he 'lost all the weight'? 340? 360?
Thank God! I can't believe this is happening!
A lot of Jemarcus Russell's failures has to lie on the owner, Al Davis. Davis never provided a great and stable coach for Russell to learn under, built a horrible offensive line that even the great Peyton Manning would struggle behind, drafted questionable wide receivers (Heyward-Bey) and injected a very toxic atmosphere for his players to play in...That said, JaMarcus just wasn't the "type" of quarterback that could be successful under the conditions given to him, and the "type" of quarterback needed is a mobile guy with a solid arm, who can take a hit. Campbell seems like he could be that guy, but only time will tell, as Campbell will soon feel the pain of playing behind an Offensive Line that will give up a lot of sacks, hurries and hits, and will test his will not only as a quarterback, but as a person as well.
J Bust has no one to blame but him self. How come gradkowski and frye played better than him last year?
Campbell already played behind an O Line that couldn block in washington and still put up solid numbers learning a new system every year. And the Raiders O Line got a lot better. Cable said Bruce Campbell will start out at right gaurd. We will have one of the biggest most atheltic o lines in the history of the NFL. And theres rumors of getting kevin Muwae. that would just be rediculous. Heres how i see the O Line shaping up. Mario henderson at LT, Gallery at LG, Mawae or Satele at Center, Bruce Campbell at RG, and Jered Veldheer at RT. Scary O Line!
Jabust has no one to blame but himself. I know the guy got a ton of money at a very young age, but that is no excuse. If he wants to turn it around, it will take a lot of work to get that done. He has the physical tools to do it. It is the mental part of the game that he has no clue about. He never had the passion or desire to compete at the NFL level. This is what he has become. The biggest bust next to Ryan Leaf. He may turn out to be the biggest bust in the history of the NFL!!! The Raiders had a great draft and made a great move in picking up Campbell (QB). Let us hope that it translates to the field.
hopefully he restructures. hey look at the bright side.... if its not russell, then thank goodness it won't be gradkowski either. they should cut him too. injury prone.
I dont feel sorry for him.There is no excuse at this age and this level of foootball to not at the very least is to work out even 2 months before camp starts.He laid around and did nothing.I have never seen a player(besides T.o) lose a dressing room like him.You half to except responibility for youre own behavior.LOVE THE DRAFT.
Man coverage continues to embarass us realistic raiders' fans by saying: "We will have one of the biggest most atheltic o lines in the history of the NFL. And theres rumors of getting kevin Muwae. that would just be rediculous. Heres how i see the O Line shaping up. Mario henderson at LT, Gallery at LG, Mawae or Satele at Center, Bruce Campbell at RG, and Jered Veldheer at RT. Scary O Line!" Wow - so we're going from one of the worst lines in the NFL to one of the 'biggest and most athletic' IN HISTORY on the backs of two rookies who haven't even set foot on the field and one dude we don't even have. Good one!!
@ Slayton, you sound like a Donkey fan. Sorry for the optimsim. But it will be a fact that we are the biggest most atheletic O Line. Also Cable already said Campbell can play Gaurd, and getting Kevin Mawae, i did state that is a rumor, call it wishful thinking. But its still a possibilty. Get over your self. And i also say OR, key word or Satele meaning if we dont get Kevin Muwae. And to have 2 rookies start on the O Line and play well is not a stretch. Its happend many times. Step your game up and bring some fact next time instead of just saying good one!!
@ Slayton, the only one you "embarass" is your self. You make Raider Fans look bad with your spelling. I think you meant embarrass. Good one!! And you want to talk about ignorance? LOL
Thank You Patrick for a insightful accurate display of the best and worst of times of Jamarcus Russell. I thought he was exactly what we needed at quarterback in leading us back to the glory days of the silver and black when he was drafted
What a horrible, horrible display of persona, appreciation, and regard. He deserves to be cut and actually deserves to give back money in the fact that he isn't interested in being a athlete in a athletic league. I, like you patrick am a BIG guy and know by jamarcus size he was playing last year at a minimum of 320lbs probably more like 340. That is his issue. If jamarcus doesn't want to be an athlete and desires nothing more than the money them farewell you're DONE.
Again Thank you for such a great read well done.
It is a shame. I do not care if you are a bust in the NFL but you need to work hard study film be in top physical shape and do all the htings a NFL player should do. He did not he took his money and said I dont care. It is a shame I hope he has sound financial advise because with his attitude and the way he carries himself(bling,bling,i have my homies with me it is all i need) he could be broke in 5 years. This is a great lesson for young athletes as what not to do.
great article!
He will probably stay with us. He will have no choice but to take a huge pay cut. Because if he gets cut he will be done. He has no problem being a third string making a million dollars. I like the idea of Campbell, Grads, and Boller. But watch, if he takes a paycut, he will probably stick around.
I doubt if he will stay and why would the team want a fromer 1 overall on the roster at all... He is due over 9 mil if he stays versus 3 mil if he get cuts soon... The lawyers are just goin over his contract trying to find a loophole outta the 3 mil he could get! Cut him hes dead to me and the Nation!
Yes, he should be gone. No, let me rephrase that, "JaMarcus, get your fat, lazy butt the heck out of here.!" That said, I'm a little scared, maybe 5%, that once let go this dude could find new life and somehow come back to bite us(no pun intended). For example, he becomes a vegetarian, begins daily workouts with Jerry Rice and gets his frame down to 230 lbs. Denver picks him up after Tebow goes bust and JRuss becomes the Bronco's version of Jim Plunkett, i.e., enjoys a resurgent career after being left for dead. Well, a bit far fetched but...
this is a great article, it literally brought me back to all those moments.
Excellent work!!!
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