Smart move is wait and see on Russell
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 11:40 am in Oakland Raiders.
Conventional wisdom seems to be the Raiders ought to rip the bandage off the wound and be done with it.
Dump JaMarcus Russell, as of yesterday, when he apparently arrived at the Palms in Las Vegas to begin serious preparation for an offseason of conditioning and work study.
Before even getting into the fact that what goes on in Vegas surely doesn’t stay in Vegas, here are some of the thoughts about why the Raiders should end it with Russell:
– It’s better to admit the mistake now than to carry it in to 2010.
– It would placate a dwindling fan base which boos at the very sight of him. Russell’s face showed up on the big screen as he sat courtside at the Celtics-Warriors game and was booed. Judging from a number of e-mails, there are some fans who have no intention of renewing their season tickets if he’s still on the team.
– It would send a message that slackers aren’t tolererated _ regardless of their status in the draft or what they’ve been paid.
It’s so sensible. So logical. It just feels right.
It’s also off-the-charts wrong.
Let’s get into the economics, the cold numbers which rule just about everything. If the figures presented by the National Football Post’s Andrew Brandt are correct, and being that he’s a former NFL exec I’m assuming he’s seen the contract and understands it better than I ever could, the Raiders have guaranteed $3 million of a $9.45 million salary for 2010.
They’re going to pay that amount if they cut him or not. Salaries are paid through 17 weeks of the season, starting in Week 1. The Raiders can wait all the way up to the final cut to determine whether they want to pay out the rest of the $6.45 million.
Keep in mind the financial future is a little cloudy with no collective bargaining agreement. There may or may not be a salary cap, and if there is not, there has been talk of penalties for teams that dump huge salaries.
Keeping Russell on the roster at present won’t cost them a dime. They’d simply be dumping him out of anger for his disinterest and lack of production.
The alternative is to put it in the most blunt terms possible to Russell that he is on notice. When Tom Cable benched Russell, it was with the blessing of Al Davis. Surely he sees his investment is in trouble. Davis should demand Russell hire a personal trainer and drop a significant amount of weight. He weighed in at the NFL scouting combine at 265 but was 256 at his LSU workout two weeks later. That’s a good place to start.
Hit the film room hard. Back away from the party scene and nightlife. In other words, grow up and be an NFL quarterback.
If Russell fails to heed the warning, he can always be cut before the regular season begins. And frankly, having him around with minimal reps and then dumping him right before the eyes of his teammates as the regular season approaches would send a better message throughout the locker room than doing it now when everyone has gone their separate ways.
The flip side is what if Russell finally gets it? As bad as those two turnovers were against the Ravens, didn’t anybody notice Russell looked better dropping back and throwing on target than at any time this season?
It’s not like Russell got any help from the running game or the Raiders inexperienced crew of wide receivers while he was the starter. It didn’t help that Chaz Schilens, the one wideout he connected with in camp, was lost with a broken foot and didn’t return to midseason.
Yes, the Vegas trip looks bad given that Russell was “excused” from the final team meeting. Richard Seymour was excused also, and if I remember correctly, neither Nnamdi Asomugha or Shane Lechler were around when the Raiders broke up after last season’s finale.
It’s a different perception with Russell because he’s not an established player and he doesn’t appear to have much support in the locker room. You’d rather have him upright and attentive, taking in everything there was to say about how the Raiders will attack next season.
But near as I can tell, he wasn’t actually in Vegas at the time of the meeting and he’s free to do as he wishes once the season is over. He’s an adult, if not exactly a mature adult. Rest assured Russell isn’t the only Raider or NFL player in Las Vegas at the moment.
This isn’t to be construed as a defense of Russell or a belief that he’ll attain the “greatness” Al Davis has predicted for him.
He looks to be cruising his Rolls Royce down the same road as Ryan Leaf, but not allowing him a chance to take one of the last exits with nothing financial at stake until September doesn’t make any sense.
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January 6th, 2010 at 11:42 am
no
January 6th, 2010 at 11:46 am
3rd?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:46 am
NFL’s All Time Worst 5 General Managers.
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Wow, a one-time genius is now stuck in the past. When an owner/general manager continues to use the phrase “commitment to excellence” over and over again to describe a team that has a record of 29-83 since 2003, 7 consecutive seasons of 11 loses or more, and 4 coaches in 6 years, you know he’s living in the past. The once proud franchise took a page out of Daniel Snyder’s business handbook on Football management. At one time, this franchise had the greatest winning percentage in all of professional sports, was a perennial playoff team and contender year after year. Somewhere along the way, Al Davis went completely insane, hired and fired coaches over and over again, and displayed a complete lack of understanding not typical of someone in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known as a ‘maverick’, he’s certainly that as he’s ignored the conventional wisdom of hiring good people and leaving them alone. Instead, he’s known to interfere in play calling, chasing over the hill free agents, and drafting complete duds like Jamarcus Russell whose 3 year quarterback rating is an abysmal 65.2%.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2557245/the_nfls_top_5_alltime_worst_general_pg2.html?cat=14
January 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Speaking of bush,fargas,mcfumble..wasn’t that long ago that far too many puffed out chest, bragging/guaranteeing raider posters detailed how ‘NO TEAM CAN STOP THE 3 HEADED MONSTER IN OAKLAND’.
Was reading this morning how the equally as bad SF offense, with the same oline problems, had more yards rushing with Gore, than the top two on the raiders, bush and fargas, combined.
Now that’s sad.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
More drivel….
Yeah give his sorry fata$$ another chance,he deserves it right?He’s earned it right?
What a crock!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:52 am
The flip side is what if Russell finally gets it? As bad as those two turnovers were against the Ravens, didn’t anybody notice Russell looked better dropping back and throwing on target than at any time this season?
It’s not like Russell got any help from the running game or the Raiders inexperienced crew of wide receivers while he was the starter. It didn’t help that Chaz Schilens, the one wideout he connected with in camp, was lost with a broken foot and didn’t return to midseason.
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Careful Jerry!
You might get labeled a Russell supporter, lol!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Who gives a sh*t if it makes sense financially to keep him around.
It makes sense FOOTBALL wise to dump his ass now before anymore damage can be done to this franchise by keeping him around.
Sound financial decisions aren’t exactly Al’s strong suit as of late,see J.Walker,T.Kelly,D.Hall,etc.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:53 am
OK, don’t cut him yet. Make him the last cut before the regular season.
Fire Cable!
Cut JaMarcus!
Go Lakers!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Careful Jerry!
You might get labeled a Russell supporter, lol!
***
does this automatically qualify Jerry Mac or make him a front runner for the HC opening to replace Tom Cable?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:55 am
What’s the point of waiting to see if he improves? Let’s say that he does improve signficantly. In my book that bring him maybe 3 steps up the ladder from “absolute garbage” to maybe “mediocre”. He will never, and mean NEVER be an elite NFL QB, let alone even a very good one.
That’s just too far of a hill for him to climb based on the limitations that he’s shown so far — mainly between the ears where no amount of conditioning, footwork practice, or reps throwing crossing patterns is going to help. Face the facts. All of the best QBs in the league have above average IQs. It’s a requirement to quickly process all of the information that happens before and during a play. The rest of the mechanics only take you to mediocrity at best.
So why continue to spend millions of both dwindling team capital and precious cap space on someone that, if all things work out perfectly, can reach the eschelon of “dependable backup” caliber quarterbacking? That kind of player (let’s call them “Frye”) can be had for much cheaper, with far less negative publicity, and without underperforming against expectations.
Put another way — I’d much rather have Andrew Walters back right now in Russell’s place. He has nearly as strong of an arm, the same slow feet, but he can read a defense and make most of the throws when the line can protect him.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Richochet Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Speaking of bush,fargas,mcfumble..wasn’t that long ago that far too many puffed out chest, bragging/guaranteeing raider posters detailed how ‘NO TEAM CAN STOP THE 3 HEADED MONSTER IN OAKLAND’.
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Yeah, I was one of them, lol!
Who’da thunk Cable could’ve fugged that up? I mean, we were top 10 despite the 11 man fronts when Kiffin was running the ball 95% of the time.
Cable preferred to do everything opposite of what Kiffin was trying to get done, thus the air show.
FUGG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Al will probably wait until Russell starts the first 8 games of next season and we’re 2-6 or 1-5. then dump him when we’re basically OUT of the playoff hunt
doesn’t that sound like Al?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:57 am
You’re right, I’d like to see him fully embarrassed during training camp. Wait to cut him, but do cut him when it can have its maximum impact. Worst case scenario is we have to scramble for a different 3rd string QB.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Black Moses stinks!
The end.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:57 am
I bet N.E. is lickin their chops thinking about that top 5 pick they get next year for that busted a$$ DL they pawned off on us.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Russell has been criticized by Cable publicly, and teammates privately, for not working hard enough off the field. The reason reporters knew about Russell’s absence Monday was because of a tip from a teammate in the locker room who couldn’t hide his disgust.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?entry_id=54655#ixzz0brdaDpTu
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I wonder who that was???????
January 6th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I bet N.E. is lickin their chops thinking about that top 5 pick they get next year for that busted a$$ DL they pawned off on us.
***
trade Nnamdi there.
get Vince Wilfork & that 1st rounder back!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I wonder who that was???????
***
probably Zach or Chaz!
the only 2 players with ballz on offense…
January 6th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I bet it was Gradkowski, lol!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
The real “smart move” would have been to draft Calvin Johnson or ANYBODY else that year and we might actually be moving gradually forward instead of taking giant steps backwards.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Black Moses? LOL
he’d probably strike a rock and make hawaiian punch gush out to drink
then throw his staff down to make a twizzler appear
January 6th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Russells team mates hate him. The coach hates him. The owner is disgusted at the very least. The fans hate him.
Really the only jacka$$ that likes Russell is priesttj
lmao
January 6th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Stabler76 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I’d really like to see a big mean Pro Bowl caliber center for 2010
________________________________
I wanted one of those in last year’s draft…we passed and went with Satele. Cable has already endorsed Satele…so if we keep Cable, look for Satele to remain…and the o-line problems will continue…especially if Cable keeps Green and Cooper too. The Cable Guy is in deep denial.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
So now it was a team mate who told Cam Inman Russell was in Vegas?
Leaked it to the papers?
I guess simply going to Al with it or Cable obviously meant nothing, lol!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
2007 was an awful year to draft a QB.
I think Kevin Kolb is the best of the bunch…
Tyler Thigpen (round 7) that year even looks better than JaWalrus at this point. Isn’t that pathetic?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
i vote for chaz as the tipper.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Pathetic is the contract and the loyalty that Alice has given his sorry fata$$!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
This is a freakin’ CIRCUS !!!!
8 bad games causes this circus?
Ok, what about the last 7 games? Who are we mad at about that? How about the previous 6 years?
Unbelievable!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
How bout we keep Russell one more year pay him his contract make him wanna do better and compete for starting job next summer, how mad would raider fans be if he did turn into a top qb, we need to trade of pick up a decent number 1 already proven wide reciever, who knows Owens might put Russell in his place and be a great one year mentor for our recievers, how how bout trading fargas for a 4th or 3rd round pick and pick up another offensive tackle how bout we draft tebow or McCoy let Russell no he has to prove him self and use one as trade bait
January 6th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Jhill Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
So now it was a team mate who told Cam Inman Russell was in Vegas?
Leaked it to the papers?
I guess simply going to Al with it or Cable obviously meant nothing, lol!
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Good point!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
The only thing I still really love about the Raiders is the history and the uniform.
Some good young players on the squad but no hope for the near future.
Davis is the past and there is no future with him in charge.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Cut him now, I mean TODAY
January 6th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
6 years?
Try 8
January 6th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
If a team mate had to go to the papers with this, then that should tell you all you need to know.
Russell will be here next year.
Do you really think that Russell didn’t meet with the ONE person who mattered prior to bolting?
Al: I have a limo waiting for you outside, son! Go and relax for a week or so and I’ll see you back here after I clean up this mess!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Shanahan said he is going to keep Jason Cambell in Washington
January 6th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
# RaiderRockstar Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Russell has been criticized by Cable publicly, and teammates privately, for not working hard enough off the field. The reason reporters knew about Russell’s absence Monday was because of a tip from a teammate in the locker room who couldn’t hide his disgust.
***
blame the OL & WR’s. right KK?
JaWalrus for 4000 yards & 30 TD’s in 2010
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No, it’s now the coach’s fault. He didn’t motivate him enough. LOL.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
im guessin murphy.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
He probably didn’t have to meet with him,he has carte blanche,and the keys to the Cadillac.
Davis is so enamored with the bum that he probably booked his room at The Palms.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
All jokes aside ..
Where is the guy on the team who will get in Russell’s face. Say something to HIM, kick his ass (happened to Lechler), or simply fuggin address it in practice.
Leaking shyt to the media is kinda cheesy!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Jhill,
theres a reason people arent getting in his face.
protected by the dark side he is!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I hate to give up on young players. I said over and over that I wanted to see what Michael Huff could do under a legit DC. I don’t know that we have a legit DC, but Huff did play better this year.
I would hate to let McFadden and DHB go for the same reasons. They both appear to be hard workers, and maybe a legit HC/OC can get them going.
But Russell…man…Russell is another story altogether. I defended him and his stats after last season, but once he started missing OTAs and when he showed up looking like a fat fuk this past offseason I had to question his work ethic. The guy obviously does not take his job seriously and 99.99999% of the time, those type of guys will NEVER turn it around. He has probably been lazy since birth and he will be lazy till the day he dies.
Hey, if cutting him right before the season gives maximum affect to the message, then great, do it…and it would give him one last shot to change his spots, but we all know that won’t happen.
Maybe if we hired an ass kicker like Gruden or Cowher that might scare Russell into getting his schit together, but if Cable is coming back, or some other HC that will be an Al Davis shoe shiner, then we gotta get rid of him.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
There are SOOOO many heads that need to roll from that locker room!
We need an entire culture change. I know that’s no newflash, but we LITTERALLY are stuck in a bunch of biotch shyt now.
Fast Times at Raider High!
FUGGGG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
No, it’s now the coach’s fault. He didn’t motivate him enough.
***
It’s Al Davis’ fault. he didn’t buy enough treadmills for the workout room. I also blame Baskin Robbins for having a shop within 30 miles of the stadium
January 6th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Jhill Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
All jokes aside ..
Where is the guy on the team who will get in Russell’s face. Say something to HIM, kick his ass (happened to Lechler), or simply fuggin address it in practice.
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Another good point!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
RaiderD Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Jhill,
theres a reason people arent getting in his face.
protected by the dark side he is!
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Would that stop you?
Look at the alternative!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
time to get some work done. later gents!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
on any other team im sure cable would have gotten the green light to give JRuss a good ole right cross to his face to wake his butt up.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
JR is a bum,he was a bum then and he’s a bum now.
It’s players like him that give the Raiders a bad name.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
yea i get where your coming from, and im not agreeing with how its going down in the lockerroom. but im just saying, whose signature is on their checks?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I mean really …
Don’t you think the practice after the KC game week 2 would have been a PERFECT setting for the team captains to take over practice?
Take some fuggin fines for hitting the QB and starting some fights!
Where the fugg is Steve Smith when you need him?
You’re telling me no one was mad enough about what was going on to break Russell’s nose?
Don’t give me this fuggin quitting on Sunday’s in front of the FANS, and leaking shyt to Can fuggin Inman!
EMBARRASING!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Jhill,
As to your point, I’d think it has to do with something like this,
Skrepenak signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in February. “The problems were selfishness and a lack of cohesiveness. You had guys walking out of meetings, coming in late or not showing up at all. There were guys talking back to coaches and coaches yelling at each other. You’re never really sure where the decisions are coming from, and it seems like everything’s a big secret. Ultimately the decisions fall on Al Davis.”
S.I. 1996
January 6th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
happened to Lechler?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Raider D,
CMON Bruh!
It’s not Cable who should’ve handled it, it’s the players! And the ones who are more concerned with their checks are part of the problem too. That’s my point! Get those cats outta here AS WELL!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
i think thats where Al D is getting it all wrong. how do you not focus on chemistry? individual efforts that arent focused into a TEAM effort will get you nowhere as we’ve witnessed these past horrible seasons. We need a strong leader that will bring this team together. and until we can get all of our players to buy into the “Team” mentality fixing the OL or DL or overhauling the whole damn team isnt going to get us anywhere.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
You had guys walking out of meetings, coming in late or not showing up at all. There were guys talking back to coaches and coaches yelling at each other. You’re never really sure where the decisions are coming from, AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHINGS A BIG SECRET!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
You’re right Kell …
What can I say?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Jhill im not disagreeing with you at all!
i was just playing devils advocate and trying to picture what these guys are thinking and wondering why the “intervention” has not occurred.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Lechler got the shyt slapped outta him by Terdell on a plane ride home …
January 6th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Gothca D …
Head scratching, isn’t it?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
YOURE NEVER REALLY SURE WHERE THE DECISIONS ARE COMING FROM, AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS A BIG SECRET
————————
Maybe that’s why it was leaked to the media.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
more like, “want to pull all my hair out!”
January 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Draft Brandon Spikes and let him eye gauge JaMarcus indefinitely until he decides he prefers to retire rather than comeback to practice
January 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Kool Kell – it seems in general he kept the team pretty with it and playing and practicing hard with the exception of Russell who was forced upon him. If he can keep others working hard despite that $hit forced upon him, I’d say that’s pretty much a miracle.
I probably would quit after seeing the QB of our team giving free reign without having to work for it and running the team into the ground.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
gotta field a 53 man roster,getting rid of the dead weight on this “team” woulda made that impossible.
really…how many would be left if only the ones who “really wanted to play” were kept around…?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I think that speaks wonders for where Cable is as a Head Coach.
Now as a playcaller he SUCKS and needs an O-Coordinator BADLY.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
KoolKell Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
You had guys walking out of meetings, coming in late or not showing up at all. There were guys talking back to coaches and coaches yelling at each other. You’re never really sure where the decisions are coming from, AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHINGS A BIG SECRET!
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It’s the exact thing Faulk, Mooch, and the panel were talking about around week 5 or so. Where are the examples for the young guys the Raiders drafted? How did Louis Murphy NOT know that he could come to work on Tuesdays? How can a coach give a guy 4 tapes to watch, that are blank, as a test? And the guy fail the test and say the tapes were helpful? LMFAO!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
KK hows that hope & change ?
Still got your head in your a$$ while the rest of the Country wakes up?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
jhill Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Richochet Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Speaking of bush,fargas,mcfumble..wasn’t that long ago that far too many puffed out chest, bragging/guaranteeing raider posters detailed how ‘NO TEAM CAN STOP THE 3 HEADED MONSTER IN OAKLAND’.
——————————————————-
Yeah, I was one of them, lol!
Who’da thunk Cable could’ve fugged that up? I mean, we were top 10 despite the 11 man fronts when Kiffin was running the ball 95% of the time.
Cable preferred to do everything opposite of what Kiffin was trying to get done, thus the air show.
FUGG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
———————-
What was sad was listening to Cable say, in week TWO of TRAINING CAMP that he’ll know the following week on who’s going to start…
By week 12, Cable STILL was saying that “next week I’ll know who’s going to start”
Trick question: WHO WAS THE STARTING RB FOR THE RAIDERS IN ‘09?
lol..no one knows.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
raiderzmaverick Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Kool Kell – it seems in general he kept the team pretty with it and playing and practicing hard with the exception of Russell who was forced upon him. If he can keep others working hard despite that $hit forced upon him, I’d say that’s pretty much a miracle.
I probably would quit after seeing the QB of our team giving free reign without having to work for it and running the team into the ground.
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Do you think Al Davis told Lane Kiffin to play Jamarcus over McClown and all those bad performances?
I wonder why he didn’t play him?
I wonder why he didn’t let him pass much when he did play him?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Dysfunction starts at the top.
And the top couldn’t be more dysfunctional.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Now as a playcaller he SUCKS and needs an O-Coordinator BADLY.
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Are you sure?
According to him, he was excellent in that role and would have had his team in the playoffs if not for Russell!
I just don’t understand why we need to change at OC if we are/were on track for the playoffs?
Can someone help me with that?
Seems like the only change we need is for Grads to get healthy, lol!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Oh..and yeah..Raiders were 6th in rushing in ‘07
10th or so in rushing in ‘08
‘09? WAYYYYY down there, at 21st with 106 yds per game..shouldn’t that have been yds for just ONE of those rb’s…per game?
What is wrong with this picture, Cable?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
OFL71 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
gotta field a 53 man roster,getting rid of the dead weight on this “team” woulda made that impossible.
really…how many would be left if only the ones who “really wanted to play” were kept around…?
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We seem to do pretty good with UFA.
I’m telling you man! I would be cutting fools left and right. What? We would be like 4-12 instead of 5-11?
January 6th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Russell deserves whatever “cheeze” come his way
January 6th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
ill give him some fromunda cheeze.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Jhill,
Don’t forgot Cable’s famed “game-management” where he said he received props from other coaches about it, lol.
The guy screwed up some under 2 minute at the half situations so badly it was laughable.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Jabustzilla is gonna get booed everywhere he goes for some time to come.
Raider Nation is everywhere.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
If Russell fails to heed the warning, he can always be cut before the regular season begins. And frankly, having him around with minimal reps and then dumping him right before the eyes of his teammates as the regular approaches would send a better message throughout the locker room than doing it now when everyone has gone their separate ways.
******************************************
I like where Jerry’s head’s at here. Make an example out of him.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
vegas raider Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Jhill,
Don’t forgot Cable’s famed “game-management” where he said he received props from other coaches about it, lol.
——————————————————
LMFAO!
I bet it was Norv in SD and Haley at home, lol!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
You can’t really mandate that employees overcome a dysfunctional management.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Al should cut his losses, give JR the 3 million, and release him. Then sign Michael Vick with the saved
6 million… The type of qb Vick is (triple threat) would open the door for Mcfadden/Vargas to shine, and have opportunity for our receivers to get the ball on time..
I dont think Grad is the qb we need to take the Raiders to the next level…
January 6th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
KK are you still licking 0bama’s boots? He could very well be the worst Pres this Country ever had in less than a year after he took office..
January 6th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Case in point, the 3 million is guaranteed, the other 7 is not, can the Raiders eat the 3 mill and get a better QB than Russel for 7 million? Almost 100% yes. Thats the break even point. Bringing Russell back with anything other than a restructured contract makes no sense at all. You cant do it again with Fry and Gwski, a seasoned quality QB would make Russel at 10 million out of the question. The answer is simply, no matter what Russel does in the offseason, he needs to redo his contract, or try his luck elsewhere.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Did anyone notice Jamarcus was dropping back only 3 to 5 steps against the Ravens? It seemed to help him sense the pocket better…
January 6th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
The NFL’s All Time 5 Worst General Managers.
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Wow, a one-time genius is now stuck in the past. When an owner/general manager continues to use the phrase “commitment to excellence” over and over again to describe a team that has a record of 29-83 since 2003, 7 consecutive seasons of 11 loses or more, and 4 coaches in 6 years, you know he’s living in the past. The once proud franchise took a page out of Daniel Snyder’s business handbook on Football management. At one time, this franchise had the greatest winning percentage in all of professional sports, was a perennial playoff team and contender year after year. Somewhere along the way, Al Davis went completely insane, hired and fired coaches over and over again, and displayed a complete lack of understanding not typical of someone in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known as a ‘maverick’, he’s certainly that as he’s ignored the conventional wisdom of hiring good people and leaving them alone. Instead, he’s known to interfere in play calling, chasing over the hill free agents, and drafting complete duds like Jamarcus Russell whose 3 year quarterback rating is an abysmal 65.2%.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2557245/the_nfls_top_5_alltime_worst_general_pg2.html?cat=14
January 6th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Jerry-
I’d like to acquaint you with the economic principal of sunk costs. The money spent on Russell cannot be recovered, so any evaluation of how to spend future money should not be based on the fact millions have already been sunk, but on the likelihood of the investment to pay dividends in the future. In this case, the fact that Russell is third on the depth chart and showing nothing in the way of improvement ought to be reason enough for any rational actor to cut their losses and move on, especially since most of his guaranteed money has been paid and there is no salary cap.
Therefor keeping Russell on the basis of costs already incurred is not a sound economic decision, it’s an emotional/psychological one.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
SWING THAT AXE THEN Big Al
January 6th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Vegas,
So you really think Russell has had enough of the celebrity life? You think he likes being on this side of it versus being somewhat of the man last offseason coming off those 2 wins?
You really don’t think he is going to work on his game this offseason and try and get back in there?
Personally, I just don’t think he’s ready to go back to Alabama, lol.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Jhill – you’re right, and that boils down to playcalling. I think Cable is a horrible playcaller. I think he needs an O-Coordinator.
I don’t know who else I’d prefer? Everyone is stuck with the same restrictions at this point. Only after a bit of success do they gain a bit of freedom. Or after they learn the ropes a bit. I think that Cable knows he has the ability to make his own choices and just needs to prove them to be right now. So next year he will be more “sane” in those choices. But he needs O-Coordinator help FOR SURE.
Gilbride…I don’t think he’d do better. Maybe Fassell. I don’t know any young Offensive Coordinators for Al to promote to Head Coach. The only one is Shannahan’s kid in Houston and he’s going to Washington with papa.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Jhill,
He has created a massive mountain to climb. At this stage, he really doesn’t even stand that much of a chance. He has to really do everything right, in the minds of the media and his teammates, at least.
He’s really only on this “side” of celebrity, in the mind of sports fans, and those are just a bunch of dorky guys. You think the girls at the club knew who he was last night? You don’t think he had the time of his life last night?
I’m sure he wished it worked out better, but if he left the league next year, I don’t know how much regret would set in. Probably not as much as guy’s like me wish.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
just dump him now. AD Football, Inc had operating profit of over $150 million over the last decade according to Forbes Magazine report & can take the hit.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Did anyone notice Jamarcus was dropping back only 3 to 5 steps against the Ravens? It seemed to help him sense the pocket better…
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It actually just set up the protection better instead of him drifting back out of the pocket.
Like Jerry said, he did a lot of things better this weekend. The only bad play was really the pick. He was doing the right thing on the fumble by trying to dump it to the FB. Just happend a half a second late. I guess you can fault him for looking downfield a bit longer to make a play, but you could at least see a thought process on that play instead of a big arss question mark.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
My feeling is that Davis will be forced to offer Russel a new contract almost 100% incentive based at or near the NFL minimum, with potential earnings worthy of an above avg NFL 4-6 year QB, he either takes it, or goes to Canada. Neither Cable or a new coach could operate otherwise. Waiting until next year in order to see what happens has no value to the Raiders, they cant pay 10 million for this nonsense based on anything other than complete lunacy, however, I wont rule it out. This would allow them to bring in other QB’s, cut Russel, etc.. and start acting like a real pro franchise.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Mike Florio of pft was on the local sports radio show today and was talking about football in LA.
He said the easiest and most obvious scenario was Oakland, but he heard the guys in charge in LA want nothing to do with them (Al). He said than it will be either Jacksonville, Buffalo or Minny.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Jerry McDonald,
You must be Out of your $%&*#$%&+$# mind!!!
Nothing can be more expensive than keeping Russell.
You really made me laugh this time… this is a joke…
January 6th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
no one dispises Russell more than i do,but i agree with Jerry’s article.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
You can probably take that $7 million savings and sign Vick and resign Gradowski.
I would feel much better going into next season with those two competing for a starting job.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
despises-sorry
January 6th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
My feeling is under the current labor agreement AL has no authority to force a contract on a player already under contract therefore a incentive based contract will not be forced on Russell unless he wants to renegotiate a deal like that and even he isnt that dumb.
# Geright Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
My feeling is that Davis will be forced to offer Russel a new contract almost 100% incentive based
January 6th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I put the odds of Lane Kiffin coming back to Oakland better than Davis giving Russel $10 million bucks for next season.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
# Bo Schembechler Jackson Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Did anyone notice Jamarcus was dropping back only 3 to 5 steps against the Ravens? It seemed to help him sense the pocket better…
—————————————-
I didn’t notice him have better pocket presence really. I didn’t see him once move to evade a pash rush. I didn’t see him check down to other receivers. I saw him stand where he was while the rush was coming and try to get it off quick enough and when he couldn’t he was sacked and/or fumbled.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
I don’t see the value of bringing Russell back, restructured or not, and having him on the bench most of the year like how this year ended.
You only keep him, if you seriously think he can start games next year. He might just re-structure, sulk his way into 3rd string and laugh his fat azz off to the bank with more than $3 million in guaranteed money.
It’s sink or swim at this stage.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
# Geright Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I put the odds of Lane Kiffin coming back to Oakland better than Davis giving Russel $10 million bucks for next season.
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I’d put the odds of Davis giving Russell $10 mil quite a bit higher. In fact I think about 80% sure he will keep him even if he doesn’t take a pay cut.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/117194-nfls-least-valuable-franchise-is?cnn=yes
Forbes magazine, famous for its rich lists, just came out with its evaluations of the 32 NFL teams. No surprise, Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys tops the list with a current value of $1.65 billion. Only two NFL teams are unprofitable: the Seattle Seahawks, who lost $2.4 million, and the biggest loser of them all, the Oakland Raiders. Al Davis’ once wondrous franchise is now the least valuable NFL club at a “mere” $797 million, plus the Raiders had the biggest operating loss in the league at $5.7 million.
Los Angeles Times
January 6th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
My error, Davis will not force a contract, he will find himself forced to offer the contract re structure in lieu of cutting him otherwise, I assumed this was understood, my mistake.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Im sitting here thinking what would be the most illogical thing to do and usually that is what the Raiders will do.
Sorry guys, Al will keep him and pay him the $10 mill.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Yeah, Russell won’t take a pay cut. He’s got guaranteed money and doesn’t gain anything by restructuring. If he’s cut he still gets paid.
So, Al’s forced to keep him with the current contract and he will – no matter how idiotic it is.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
The celebrity ends when the paper ends …
If Russell is as dumb as a lot of you say he is, how much of that 20 million do you think he has left?
30 million minus the IRS part is about 20.
The rolls, house, bling, and party favors?
Can’t be much left.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I don’t think Jerry is saying they should keep Russell next year. His point is that it cost you no more and no less to keep him through training camp. Then, if he’s still that fat lazy tub of sh1t that he is now, dump him before you have to pay the weekly salary.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
KK sits in his dirty shorts 18 hours a day cutting & pasting articles into a blog that nobody takes the time to read.
Great work KK!
January 6th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
lefty12 Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
no one dispises Russell more than i do,but i agree with Jerry’s article.
——————————————————-
You’re a great Raider fan Lefty!
January 6th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Jamarcus does roll with his entourage, but he has a legit agent and I’m sure some smart money guys.
He probably blew his chance at being ultra-wealthy and a mulit, multi-millionaire, but I’m sure he’s set for life.
Just don’t get married Jamarcus!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
yep
January 6th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Hey – and next year we’ll draft a CB who runs a 4.2 40. Who cares about DT or MLB……you’ll see….
January 6th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
The best thing jamrcus could do is get married. And, as Cat Steven’s would say, get a HARDHEADED WOMAN!
January 6th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Aren’t their usually roster bonuses that get paid on March 31st and July 31st? You always hear about guys getting cut before some roster bonus was due.
I don’t know if it is part of the salary of a bonus on top of it. If the Raiders go by what Jerry says and keep him around, if they did cut him, it would probably be around those dates.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Jhill no one will get in JR’s face becuz they will face the wrath of Darth Vad………..er I mean Al Davis
January 6th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
# Mistabrown Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
KK sits in his dirty shorts 18 hours a day cutting & pasting articles into a blog that nobody takes the time to read.
Great work KK!
*******************************
Pitiful person
January 6th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I think Jerry’s right. See how he performs at OTA’s and Camp.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Yea forget getting an NT and true MLB to really stop that garbage run defense………….no way should we do that. We will draft Joe Haden lol the cornerback
January 6th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
# KoolKell Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I think Jerry’s right. See how he performs at OTA’s and Camp.
***************
LOL you are suck a weak man
January 6th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
If you actually watched Russell’s LSU games you would have seen that he really wasnt that good. He was throwing to three of the best WRs in the country.
All three went on to be first round draft picks. Watch his LSU highlight tape on youtube. Half of his passes were just thrown in the air and the WR adjusted and outjumped the DB.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
The Return of Godliness Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Jhill no one will get in JR’s face becuz they will face the wrath of Darth Vad………..er I mean Al Davis
——————————————————
The wrath meaning what?
Cut?
Seems like they would jump at the chance to play elsewhere if it’s to the point where a guy like that if forced on them as most seem to say.
Cmon B, You know there have to be a few alpha males on that team that don’t care about their check. A practice squab?
Versus stomping up and down on the field like a 2 year old, lol?!?!?!
January 6th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Jhill……..Antoine Walker blew 110 million…………no russell isnt set for life
January 6th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Maybe the problem has been Cable’s way of dealing with JaBustus. Rather than bowing & saluting when Jabustus approaches, Cable should have given him a little Randy Hanson action and make it clear right up front that he either shapes up or ships out right after he smacks him around for awhile to make sure he was paying attention to the message.
JaBustus needs his ass kicked if for no other reason than to remind him that it’s time to grow up and act responsible.
I personally do not think he will ever make it in the NFL. He has developed too many bad habits, is not willing to get down to playing weight (250 or less), has both bad footwork & throwing motions, is overall slow in everything he does and appears to NOT be very bright. He may also have learning disabilities. A QB in the NFL who is not quick & intelligent is dead meat. And, I think that’s what we have in JaBustus – DEAD MEAT.
I SAY PUT HIM OUT OF OUR MISERY AND LET’S MOVE ON. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH HIS BS.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Jhill there are few alpha males period left in america
January 6th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
anyone who can look at all the dumb shyt going on in oak and blame a 24 yr old qb for everything is just an idiot.. Raiders had to be the worst team in the league already just to get him in the first place…no o line no wr’s…Did anyone notice that BOTH of the other qb that played behind that o line in that putrid system got the shyt kicked out of them and were injured? He hasn’t even had 3 full years oe experience yet.. Most of you are dumb or jealous of his money…im sure all of you were perfectly mature and professional at 24 years old huh?… If you were 24 with money to burn you would never make any mistakes huh… Idiots… What if he does get it? Think about that
January 6th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I don’t think he’s “developed” bad habits.I think they were already there but were well disguised under the veil of a college system that lets some guys get away with being lazy fu(kin bums and still seem like they’re great guys.
Any personnel guy/scout worth a damn would have seen right through JMs shortcomings and stayed the hell away from him.
Unfortunately either Oakland doesn’t have guys like that in place or their opinion means zilch in the face of want Alice wants.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Think about this “New GM”:
if he was even close to “getting it” there would be at least some glimmer,light coming on,smallest sign of that in his play,his attitude,his approach.
But there is NONE of that.
All there is,is lazy,blamegame,laughing on the sideline during a blowout,ditching the media after a terrible performance nonsense.
This guy gets it about as much as you do.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Come to think of it you(New GM)would be a perfect fit for the Raiders right now.
Inept and clueless is the flavor of the decade and obviously that’s your style.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
i read this blog daily and you same guys comment on every gd article and never have anything interesting positive or new to say.. Ja(fill in the blank with a food or weight reference) is fat, is dumb, will never make it. Every gd day the same shyt. Bunch of wet blankep HATING BEECHES
January 6th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
i read this blog daily and you same guys comment on every gd article and never have anything interesting positive or new to say.. Ja(fill in the blank with a food or weight reference) is fat, is dumb, will never make it. Every gd day the same shyt. Bunch of wet blanket HATING BEECHES
January 6th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
What exactly,is a blankep?
January 6th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
so he is supposed to prosper with no oline no recievers and a horrid scheme? Thats just dumb
January 6th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
yeah comment on the typo
January 6th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
No but he’s not supposed to use it as an excuse to tank every performance.
Guys like you want to put it on everything else but he’s just as much to blame for mailing it in every week.
Guys like you are why he’s the way he is.Blamegame,instead of accountability.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
When you here calling people dumb your godamn right I’ll call out your typo.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
And by the way genius Gradkowski was doing pretty well behind that same line with the same WR under the same scheme.
So what about that…?
January 6th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
he tore his knee up because somebody didnt get blocked
January 6th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
people like me?… You dont know me… Gradkowski won a couple games and you want to annoint him the next best thing.. Give me a break
January 6th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
[...] Read more. [...]
January 6th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
“Gradkowski won a couple games and you want to annoint him the next best thing..”
Who anointed him anything?Not me.
And you don’t know me either but you’re calling me dumb,so swing from my left nut douchebag.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Injuries happen all the time idiot,so blame every injury on someone else and then PEOPLE LIKE YOU can continue to place blame instead of realizing that these are professionals who need to be accountable.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
The FACT is that lots of QBs play behind suspect lines and some do ok,some do well and some do poorly but almost all of them take responsibility for poor play and are accountable to their teammates,coaches and the media.
JM is accountable to no one and places blame on anyone but himself.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Try looking at JMs shortcomings,his complete lack of work ethic,desire,motivation,leadership,accountability, nevermind…you’re probably too busy sucking JMs balls to do anything else.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
#104 KKell–the graph in the article shows a profit of $150 million for the decade 2000-2009 — despite the est loss in 2009
January 6th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I laughed when Al Davis signed Ja Mark Ass Punk Russell. I have to admit I like seeing Al Davis get Raped in the Rear over & over again with Punk-Ass has- been players & “Superstars” that NEVER produce. But in this case with Ja Mark Ass, this Punk is ruining the Team & the Fans have had enough. It’s bad enough that the Fans’ Billboard was Dissed by Weird Al Davis – but Many Fans will NOT buy Tickets to this Crap they call the Oakland Raiders next Season if they keep this Baby Huey Looking Freak in a Uniform. My Brother-in-Law works for ESPN & has personally met & knows many Pro Athletes from ALL the Sporting World – He is a Life Long Raider Fan & He says that Ja Mark Ass is one of the Dumbest Athletes He has ever met in His entire Career of 15 years in Pro Sports. If the Fans don’t buy Tickets & the Raiders keep Baby Huey then I have to guess that Al Davis is betting huge money every week against “His Team” beacause I don’t see where the Raiders make any Money unless it’s “Dirty Money”.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I am completely in agreement with Jerry on this one. Wait till the last possible moment, if he pulls the ol rabbit out of the hat keep him. Otherwise dump him just before the season starts…
January 6th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I agree with EXRaiderfan the best way to hurt Al Davis is stop buying tickets, and any and everything that has the Raiders Shield on it. Make that goofy old man sell the team to someone who knows what to do with it. Hey at least I have the mets right?
January 7th, 2010 at 2:09 am
JaMarcus’ contract is voidable 2012. He has 2 yrs to “get it” or he’s gone. He needs to be Raiders #3 QB going into 2010 with the best available free agents battling for #1 & #2.
Gradkowski and Frye aren’t durable enough to start 16 wks. Losman hasn’t done anything impressive. One of them may be a good #2 QB since they have experience in the system. Vick was advised not to go to Oak by Dungy. Troy Smith is the best of the free agents and the draft looks weak for QBs.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:30 am
_New_GM had some valid points about the dysfunctional organization, injury ridden OLine and inexperienced WR core being the worst kind of support for a young QB. HOWEVER, Russell’s lack of fitness, pocket presense, decision making, accuracy and perpective (He didn’t understand why he was benched!) shows that he clearly was not ready…and we as fans cant expect him to be.
Keep Cable. Draft DE Dunlop- FL
January 7th, 2010 at 5:55 am
[...] McD: Smart move is wait and see on Russell Smart move is wait and see on Russell – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the … __________________ RaideroftheSith aka [...]
January 7th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Thanks, Jerry, for a rational, eloquent analysis of the situation. Hard to find these days, either from the media or the fans.