Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

[jWILL253]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

Some of the posts in this thread are bordering on self-righteousness.

Surprise, OS... the guy is actually human, and he fell victim to his own human nature: not trying with effort. We like to put his feet to the fire, but if we're being honest with ourselves, half of us would've done the exact same thing. Hell, some of us ARE doing the exact same thing within our perspective industries. Some of us ARE only looking at our careers only as a means to an end, and nothing more than that. Some of us ARE coasting off of potential while putting in little effort.

But, if you had your bluff called and gotten ****-canned, wouldn't you think YOU deserve a second chance? Because some of you are holding people you don't know to a standard that you might not even hold yourself to.

Jamarcus Russell deserves a second chance just as much as Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, Brian Banks, or Ricky Williams deserved second chances. So, I'm happy that he seems to actually care and seems to be trying to finally get it right. I hope he succeeds.

And, the Raiders were terrible at evaluating talent during those years. To those that say you can't measure desire, you should talk to Bill Bellichick, Pete Carroll, or the Harbaugh Brothers, who always get the most out of every player... even players that other organizations gave up on...

PS: I'm starting to dislike sports websites. Every time a story about a particular athlete comes out, people will drag said athlete's name through the dirt, regardless of whether or not such treatment is deserved. Sure, Jamarcus Russell is a bust, but a thief? Chill. He signed a front-loaded contact with guaranteed money. Blame Al Davis, or whoever wrote up that contract...

[RJTurneR]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

Nice post jWILL. Ok, it's funny to make jokes about his weight, or the mistakes his made. But the guy can obviously play football. Otherwise he would of never gotten into it. As mentioned, whoever loaded his contract like that most likely messed with Russells head. Some guys can't handle that all in one go.

Money corrupts the best of us. I'll be honest if someone offered me that much money without me even having to prove myself at the highest level, I'd most likely end up the same. Dollar signs in my eyes and all. Money ****'s with people. Give the guy a chance to prove himself. If it doens't work out, fine, move on.

[coogrfan]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

Some of the posts in this thread are bordering on self-righteousness.

Surprise, OS... the guy is actually human, and he fell victim to his own human nature: not trying with effort. We like to put his feet to the fire, but if we're being honest with ourselves, half of us would've done the exact same thing. Hell, some of us ARE doing the exact same thing within our perspective industries. Some of us ARE only looking at our careers only as a means to an end, and nothing more than that. Some of us ARE coasting off of potential while putting in little effort.

But, if you had your bluff called and gotten ****-canned, wouldn't you think YOU deserve a second chance? Because some of you are holding people you don't know to a standard that you might not even hold yourself to.

Jamarcus Russell deserves a second chance just as much as Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, Brian Banks, or Ricky Williams deserved second chances. So, I'm happy that he seems to actually care and seems to be trying to finally get it right. I hope he succeeds.

And, the Raiders were terrible at evaluating talent during those years. To those that say you can't measure desire, you should talk to Bill Bellichick, Pete Carroll, or the Harbaugh Brothers, who always get the most out of every player... even players that other organizations gave up on...

PS: I'm starting to dislike sports websites. Every time a story about a particular athlete comes out, people will drag said athlete's name through the dirt, regardless of whether or not such treatment is deserved. Sure, Jamarcus Russell is a bust, but a thief? Chill. He signed front-loaded contact with guaranteed money. Blame Al Davis, or whoever wrote up that contract...

I would be more inclined to accept this reasoning if Russell had simply failed because he didn't have the ability to play at the NFL level. He certainly wouldn't be the first college stud to find himself in over his head in the pros.

But as we all know, that ain't what happened. Russell was out of the league after only three years because once he got paid he simply didn't feel the need to try. That, in my mind, is utterly unforgivable from a #1 overall pick.

[coogrfan]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

Nice post jWILL. Ok, it's funny to make jokes about his weight, or the mistakes his made. But the guy can obviously play football. Otherwise he would of never gotten into it. As mentioned, whoever loaded his contract like that most likely messed with Russells head. Some guys can't handle that all in one go.

Jesus...the lengths some people are willing to go to to defend this guy just boggles my mind.

Up until just a few years ago, every #1 overall pick got a front loaded contract that paid them huge amounts of money before they ever set foot on an NFL field. Few if any slacked off as spectacularly as young Mr Russell.

Money corrupts the best of us. I'll be honest if someone offered me that much money without me even having to prove myself at the highest level, I'd most likely end up the same. Dollar signs in my eyes and all. Money ****'s with people. Give the guy a chance to prove himself. If it doens't work out, fine, move on.

No; money only corrupts the corruptible.

The vast majority of high NFL draft picks have gotten big signing bonuses over the years without going into "mission accomplished" mode.

[RJTurneR]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

I'm not defending nor am I saying is acceptable for what he did as a No. 1 pick. But if he has realised his mistakes and genuinly wants to start trying and wants to play football, then why should he be told he can't?

And yes, you are right in saying a lot of rookies have been offered large, front loaded contracts. How many Top 10 picks have we seen though come in and have a huge drop of in performence/work ethic/attitude.

Loads.

How many guys already in the NFL have we get re-signed to a big time contract or signed by another team with a big contract, then suddenly have a drop off performence.

Say what you want, some people can't handle large amounts of money in one go, and there are quite a lot of examples here and there, not just in the NFL either.

A lot of people have said he is a bigger bust than Ryan Leaf. Some people say his the 2nd biggest bust behind Ryan Leaf. Either way, at least his not travelling the same road as Leaf. His trying to right his own ship. And if his serious about it, you can't knock him for that. As I said, if it still goes to crap, so what.. Move on, forget about him.

[jWILL253]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

I would be more inclined to accept this reasoning if Russell had simply failed because he didn't have the ability to play at the NFL level. He certainly wouldn't be the first college stud to find himself in over his head in the pros.

But as we all know, that ain't what happened. Russell was out of the league after only three years because once he got paid he simply didn't feel the need to try. That, in my mind, is utterly unforgivable from a #1 overall pick.

If American society has reached a point where someone can never gain a second chance at accomplishing his/her dream because the court of public opinion won't let said person get past his/her mistakes, then it's time to move to Canada.

Anyways (before I completely violate the TOS), there are plenty of picks you can use that sort of logic with. At least he's trying. Ryan Leaf, on the other hand, keeps getting arrested for drug usage...

[rangerrick012]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

And, the Raiders were terrible at evaluating talent during those years. To those that say you can't measure desire, you should talk to Bill Bellichick, Pete Carroll, or the Harbaugh Brothers, who always get the most out of every player... even players that other organizations gave up on...

I guess we're forgetting the Pats' failures w/ Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco in recent years...

And Russell was pretty much a consensus pick for Oakland given the circumstances that year. It was a weak draft for QBs, similar to this year, but they had to take one to start anew after being down for years. They were coming off a year where Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter were the starting QBs, so of course they were looking to draft one and Russell seemed like he had the tools. Al didn't want to pay him that money, but he held out and eventually Al caved.

I think he tried in the first year or 2 and actually showed some flashed of what he could have been. But by season 3 he had totally checked out and was just collecting money. Also threw coaches under the bus to boot for his own failures.

I know the Raider culture hasn't been perfect the past 10 years or so, but to blame that on Russell's shortcomings is absurd. The guy simply gave up on trying to be a great NFL QB. Given that, its completely understandable why some wouldn't think he merits a 2nd chance.

[TheShizNo1]

Idk if I can judge whether a person deserves a second chance or not, but I'd have a difficult time trusting a guy whose heart and focus I have to question.

[bichettehappens]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

He deserves a second chance. By that I don't mean he should be a starting QB this year, but he certainly deserves the opportunity to attempt to prove to teams that he's had an epiphany and returned focused. If he has and proves it on the field in training camp, I see no issue with him getting a second chance. It won't be easy, though. If he earns it, he deserves it.

[kehlis]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

He deserves a second chance. By that I don't mean he should be a starting QB this year, but he certainly deserves the opportunity to attempt to prove to teams that he's had an epiphany and returned focused. If he has and proves it on the field in training camp, I see no issue with him getting a second chance. It won't be easy, though. If he earns it, he deserves it.

I agree.

I know people here are quick to judge but truth be told, everything is on him and it is an uphill battle.

He has to first prove to a team he is fit enough to play. That isn't something done through conversations.

He then has to go through a camp and prove he will work, he is going to have to earn a spot on a team and even then, he will have to keep it up because his contract will be minimal.


Bottom line, it's not up to anyone but him to determine if he get's a second shot or not.

[N51_rob]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

I just mentioned this in another thread. The rules are different for the top 1% of any profession. So Russel does deserve a second chance. But that doesn't mean it has to come in the NFL. People are saying that Tebow should go to the CFL, why not this guy.

He clearly didn't care enough about being an NFL player early enough in his career. A part of me thinks that his comeback is motivated by $$$. I hope I'm wrong about that.

All the best to him, but he has an uphill battle of epic proportions if he wants to have a sustained NFL career not just be guy number 53 on the roster.

[bichettehappens]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

I just mentioned this in another thread. The rules are different for the top 1% of any profession. So Russel does deserve a second chance. But that doesn't mean it has to come in the NFL. People are saying that Tebow should go to the CFL, why not this guy.

He clearly didn't care enough about being an NFL player early enough in his career. A part of me thinks that his comeback is motivated by $$$. I hope I'm wrong about that.

All the best to him, but he has an uphill battle of epic proportions if he wants to have a sustained NFL career not just be guy number 53 on the roster.

Why does it matter what his motivation is? Whether his motivation is purely financial or a desire for football success, he won't get that chance unless he proves he deserves it by working hard and he'll lose it the second he wavers from that. If it's motivated by $$$ but he puts in the necessary work to earn and keep a roster spot somewhere, I see nothing wrong with him getting that opportunity.

Definitely agreed about it being an uphill battle though, regardless of what his motivations may be.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

PS: I'm starting to dislike sports websites. Every time a story about a particular athlete comes out, people will drag said athlete's name through the dirt, regardless of whether or not such treatment is deserved. Sure, Jamarcus Russell is a bust, but a thief? Chill. He signed a front-loaded contact with guaranteed money. Blame Al Davis, or whoever wrote up that contract...

Nice post jWILL. Ok, it's funny to make jokes about his weight, or the mistakes his made. But the guy can obviously play football. Otherwise he would of never gotten into it. As mentioned, whoever loaded his contract like that most likely messed with Russells head. Some guys can't handle that all in one go.

Money corrupts the best of us. I'll be honest if someone offered me that much money without me even having to prove myself at the highest level, I'd most likely end up the same. Dollar signs in my eyes and all. Money ****'s with people. Give the guy a chance to prove himself. If it doens't work out, fine, move on.

Why are we talking about blame whoever front loaded his deal and him being OFFERED all this money like dude was just chilling on the park bench and old crazy coot Al came along with his bag of money to innocent Jamarcus and handed it over? Correct me if I'm wrong, but did this dude not HOLDOUT after the draft for like six or seven weeks for that contract? That was how long summer vaction was from school back in the day.

[N51_rob]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

Why does it matter what his motivation is? Whether his motivation is purely financial or a desire for football success, he won't get that chance unless he proves he deserves it by working hard and he'll lose it the second he wavers from that. If it's motivated by $$$ but he puts in the necessary work to earn and keep a roster spot somewhere, I see nothing wrong with him getting that opportunity.

Definitely agreed about it being an uphill battle though, regardless of what his motivations may be.

I never said it did. That was one sentence out of everything I wrote. His motivation is his own.

[rangerrick012]

Re: Jamarcus Russell attempting a comeback

Why are we talking about blame whoever front loaded his deal and him being OFFERED all this money like dude was just chilling on the park bench and old crazy coot Al came along with his bag of money to innocent Jamarcus and handed it over? Correct me if I'm wrong, but did this dude not HOLDOUT after the draft for like six or seven weeks for that contract? That was how long summer vaction was from school back in the day.

Exactly. Held out into the preseason, lost out on any chance of starting from day 1 and trying to be a true leader, from the get-go it was about the money. Just some perspective:

The real problem, according to both sources, is Oakland has been unwilling to give a full "skill" guarantee to the $29 million. To this point, the Raiders only have guaranteed all the money in case Russell gets injured.

A skill guarantee covers a player in case he is cut because a team simply doesn't consider him good enough. Such questions of talent seem odd for the No. 1 overall pick.

"The Raiders were told that structure wasn't going to work then and it's not going to work now," a source said. "It's completely unacceptable. No No. 1 pick has ever agreed to that kind of deal in the salary cap era, and it's not going to start now."

There have been 15 players drafted No. 1 overall since 1993. According to an NFL Players Association source, none of them has received a contract that did not include the skill and injury guarantees.

In addition, both sources said Oakland has tried to push a large amount of the guaranteed money back to being paid in the fourth year of the contract.

"That's ridiculous, too, because if the kid turns out to be a great player, they're going to want to redo the deal after the third year, just like what the Bengals did with Carson Palmer and Atlanta with Michael Vick," the source said.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-raidersrussell080507