Raiders release former No. 1 overall pick (JaMarcus) Russell

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/6/10 | Josh Dubow - ap

[NormsRevenge]

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders released former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell on Thursday, ending a three-year tenure marked by his high salary and unproductive play on the field.

Senior executive John Herrera told The Associated Press about the move and said that "we wish him well."

The decision came less than two weeks after Oakland acquired Jason Campbell from Washington to take over at quarterback and signifies that owner Al Davis finally lost patience with the immensely talented but unproductive player he drafted first overall in 2007 against the wishes of former coach Lane Kiffin.

Russell will now likely be considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, joining Ryan Leaf, Ki-Jana Carter, Akili Smith and others on that list. He will have been paid more than $39 million by the Raiders, while producing only seven wins as a starter.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I was never impressed with him at LSU (in regards to his NFL potential). I never bought into why anyone would make him a #1 pick.

[GLDNGUN]

As someone else noted, JM did not work hard. He was lazy and refused to put in any extra time or effort to become an NFL QB. Jeff Garcia who had a cup of coffee with Oakland while JM was there noted JM's horrible work ethic. He wanted to help JM, but JM didn't even want that. JM already has what he wanted - Al Davis's $$$.

Al Davis and the Raiders are an absolute pathetic joke. They are the Clippers of the NFL. Davis will never give up control of the team, so the Raiders are doomed to remain stuck on stupid until Al Davis dies or is put in an insane asylum

[RayChuang88]

Al Davis and the Raiders are an absolute pathetic joke. They are the Clippers of the NFL. Davis will never give up control of the team, so the Raiders are doomed to remain stuck on stupid until Al Davis dies or is put in an insane asylum.

Remember the Chicago Blackhawks up until a few years ago? Bill Wirtz's insane policies when he controlled that NHL franchise nearly destroyed that team, but once he passed away, the specter of his influence went away, and now the Blackhawks are one of the most desirable NHL teams to play for, especially since they play in the modern United Center. Sadly, I think it will take similar circumstances for the Raiders to finally get enlightened leadership and bring the team back to its prominent place in the NFL.

[SmithL]

Maybe they should release Al Davis.

[scott says]

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[Canedawg]

Even moreso than that, he was a one-trick pony. He was truly a JAG until he had a phenomenal bowl game against a very weak ND team, and it jacked up his salary. That game he played was so far above his head it was foolish to not see that he wasnt as good as he looked that one day.

[Pinkbell]

Lol. (I’m a Bengals fan.)

[GreenHornet]

JaMarcus? He’s that Amish guy, right?

[Pinkbell]

Boy, that seriously is a load of money they basically just flushed down the toilet. If he’s wise, he’ll of saved that money he did so little earn, but somehow I get the feeling he’s not the brightest bulb in the box.

[kevkrom]

I blame the Raiders more for this bust, than him. How many head coaches, offensive cordinators, and assistant coaches have changed since he was drafted by them? No quarterback can succeed with that kind of dysfunction.

Ironically, this is the same situation that Russell's replacement Campbell faced in Washington.

[dfwgator]

I think it showed what he could do if he was motivated. Maybe this experience will make him wise up, and for certain they’ll be at least one team that try to find out.

[Badeye]

Said it was a dumb pick when it was made....move over Ryan Leaf, this guy was even worse than you.

[martin_fierro]

joining Ryan Leaf

Yeah, wotta nutball that guy was.

Once saw a video of him shrieking at teammate Junior Seau in the Chargers' locker room.

Which by itself is grounds for an insanity plea.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

This Raider fan is Happy!!!

<P.We may actually win a lot more games now!!!

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

He has all kinds of natural talent and arm strength. His problem is he is lazy. He would not stay in shape, he was always over weight, he would fall asleep in team meetings, and he would not go over film or bother to learn to the defenses he was facing.

JaMarcus has no one to blame for this but himself. Maybe he will learn from this and catch on a backup somewhere and learn and possibly turn himself around, but only time will tell. He has to lose his superstar attitude and be humbled by this first.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"I blame the Raiders more for this bust, than him. How many head coaches, offensive cordinators, and assistant coaches have changed since he was drafted by them? No quarterback can succeed with that kind of dysfunction.

Not as many coaching and coordinator changes and Jason Campbell has had. JaMarcus is lazy and sleeps during team meetings. He refused to stay in shape, he did not watch films or learn the defenses he was facing. He lost the locker room with his laziness and it showed when the Raiders beat the Steelers and the Bengals with Bruce Gradkowski at the helm.

JaMarcus is to blame, not the coaching changes.

[Canedawg]

I think it showed what he could do if he was motivated.

He has all kinds of natural talent and arm strength. His problem is he is lazy.

That game was very clearly an aberration. Sure he's big and has a strong arm, but he had a remarkably undistinguished career at LSU, and was on everyone's peripheral radar until he had one great game (which he had three weeks to prepare for) against the St. Mary's defense.

I was never impressed with him throughout his college career. I give him kudos for a tremendous bowl game, but I never thought it was a sign of things to come.