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What is JaMarcus Russell's problem?

26
Vote

by Simms1156

As everybody knows the NFL drafts #1 pick , JaMarcus Russell, has still not been signed. This is the longest holdout since Bo Jackson chose flat out not to sign. Now if you are a player who has PROVEN yourself in the league then by all means get all the money you can, but as a rookie you should just be focused on getting into camp and work on becoming an NFL star. Its not like the Raiders are offering him a ridiculously low amount of money, he will still be getting paid a fair amount of money. I have a big problem with rookies asking for ridiculously high contracts. YOU have proven nothing, and should be greatful just to be in the league.

    I also doubt Jamarcus is helping himself out with this hold out, first off he may not be in great shape when he finally does come in. Secondly one of the questions about Jamarcus coming out was his work ethic, how is it making him look to his teamates if he completely skips out on training camp while they are sweating it out for their roster spot.

   So Jamarcus please sign for yourself, your teammates, your fans, and the orginazation that drafted you, in a few years after you prove yourself you can test the free agent market. Until then get into camp and prove you were worth the first pick.


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Behbigben15All-Star
824 days ago
Score 1+-
I def. agree, he is hurting himself, and he will probably be last on the depth chart by the time he signs. He hasn't proven nothing yet, I don't even like it when rookies holdout altogether, I thought Quinn was wrong when he heldout, but he helped himself out, and signed so he could get a chance to play during the preseason. And he has done well in his two preseason games. Russell is just being stupid by not signing. That is, by far, the stupidest move so far this offseason.
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ChristofMVP
824 days ago
Score 4+-
He was picked by the Raiders. That is Russell's problem. Would you want to play for Al Davis these days?
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
824 days ago
Score 1+-
As long as youre in the league it shouldnt matter where you play, if hes as good as he thinks he is he should sign, play well, and if he doesnt like Oakland get out once hes up for free agency.
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KelsdadAll-Star
824 days ago
Score -2+-
The only thing he has less than talent is brain matter.
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BermudamnkySoccer Kid
824 days ago
Score 3+-
I'm with Christof on this one. The Raiders are an absolute train wreck of an organization. He's going to be about as badly off by not playing at all as he would be playing four seasons behind the Raiders' offensive line.
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Ea34Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 0+-
If he didn't want to play for the Raiders, he should have pulled an Eli Manning and orchestrated a trade before they drafted him. But he didn't do that. He was more than happy to put on a Raiders cap and shake Roger Goodell's hand on draft day. He needs to sign and join the team very soon.
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Oh No RomoDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 3+-
Who the hell is representing Russell? That guy needs to be fired, clearly nothing is being done.
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BarkingclamVarsity
823 days ago
Score 1+-
I do believe it's Ari Gold, which would explain the no signing.
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Silencer76AAA-er
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Russell's agent is Eric Metz actually of Lock, Metz and Malinovicm with Melvin Bratton his recruiter.
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Silencer76AAA-er
823 days ago
Score 0+-
drop that last m on Malinovic...lol
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J CunninghamVarsity Captain
823 days ago
Score 3+-
From everything I've heard, all the problems were on the organization's side of things. Russell wanted to be in camp from day one, but the Raiders are -- apparently -- so inept they couldn't decide on a contract number, much less how much he's gonna get in guarantees (hint: probably a few million more than No. 2). On the one hand, I'd believe it -- the Raiders are so inept, I think there are one or two college teams who could beat them. But at the same time, it could be PR spin from Russell's camp. Either way, that boy needs to get in -- I still don't trust Daunte Culpepper's knee.
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Anonymous Fanatic #1
820 days ago
Score -1+-
Personally I think your a pussy. You look like you have no clue as to what the fuck you are talking about. As far as being inept, why don't you come to Oak town and run that mouth? I know why you would be getting your ass kicked while we all take turns fucking your better half.
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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
816 days ago
Score 0+-
He's a pussy yet you are the one who has to log on annonymously?
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 1+-
For everyone who is angry with Russell, why don't you just be honest and say it's about you? You aren't mad because he won't be prepared because he missed the preseason--this argument is given every time a player holds out, but I have yet to hear anyone ever say during the season "yep, he blew that play because he missed training camp." You are mad because his absence hurts your team, and by extension you.

Enough of this "he should be grateful to be in the NFL" crap. Suppose your boss said you had to transfer to BFE. Would you be happy about it? Would he say, "Aw, why are you complaining? You are lucky to have a job!" If Russell is unhappy with the organization, the contract offered, or anything else, he has the right to not sign, despite the wishes of Raider Nation. The consequence of this choice is sitting out the year, and as long as he is willing to accept that, I have no problem with him not signing.

Besides, if what J Cunningham says is true, and it is certainly within the realm of possibility, you should be aiming your venom at Al Davis and the Raiders front office, not Russell. Surprise, surprise.
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NejoshiDiv-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Well said
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 2+-
No, you're right...

When another kid, just graduates for MIT or Harvard or Cal poly tech and tries to get a job, he should take less money, because he's just happy to be working...

"Nah, i'm just happy you guys gave me his shitty job, i'll take less money, thanks"

Noooo...you take as much as you can get...

Would you work for less money?
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IamthelummoxWaterboy
823 days ago
Score 1+-
I certainly wouldn't work for less money if it involved working for Al Davis.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 0+-
What's the minus for? Give me a reason...

If you think any person should work for less money, just because, then you deserve to make less money because you're an idiot...

Taytay is right, people are just pissed because its hurting the raiders...(or whenever a holdout happens, it hurts your team)...teams cut players who don't perform, all the time (Jeremiah Trotter)...so when a player wants to get all he can, how can you hold it against him?
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WoodsmeisterVarsity Captain
823 days ago
Score 3+-
Not playing behind that offensive line may actually add years to his NFL career once he does sign. His holdout pretty much guarantees that Culpeper spends most of the year taking a beating instead of Russell, while Russell holds a clipboard, wears a baseball cap and jokes with teammates on the sidelines. I'd say he's getting pretty good advice from his representation, especially if the Raiders haven't offered him fist pick money yet.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 0+-
That is the speculatory side (which i agree with)...this holdout, besides money, may have something to do with actually avoiding playing... Would you want to play behind robert gallary?
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 1+-
I am a Giants fan as im sure alot of you know by now. I just think it is ridiculous when a player who hasnt proven himself in the league holds out, its not like he i s being offered a low amount of money as compared to most other NFL qb's. THe last I heard on ESPN they were like 4 mil apart.
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 0+-
This is another common yet weak argument. If he hadn't proven anything, they wouldn't have drafted him. Just because he is a rookie doesn't mean that he has to accept what they offer--he still gets to negotiate his contract. All a draft does is claim negotiating rights, not lock a rookie in whatever the team feels like offering.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Because 4 million dollars isn't a lot of money?

Once again...How would you like it, if you graduated, knew you could get 50k a year on the open market, but the company you worked for offered you 48k...would you just take it because "you haven't proven yourself?"...there isn't a sound comparable argument, but i hope my point is clear...

The NFLPA is already allowing players to basically get ripped off (the NFL clearly makes more money than the MLB and yet A-Rod makes almost twice, annually, what the highest paid NFL player does/did)...
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Ju, your comment reminds me of some Texas Lottery commercials that aired a few years back. They were having trouble with people not buying enough tickets whenever the lotto would reset to $4 million. The commercials would show people ignoring large bags of money on the sidewalk, or not bothering to collect $4 million dollars as "change" or some other similar situation. The voice-over then said "Four million dollars is still a lot of money." Funny stuff.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 2+-
JuT, did you actually go to college, or did you graduate a long time ago or something? I know, I for one, had to take a salary for less than I felt I was worth right out of college and many other poeple do too. Why? Because they are lucky to get a job strait out of college. Some college students take unpaid internships just for experience. Why? So they can proove themselves. I bet if you ask, most people on this forum feel they deserve more money than they are getting. That is the reallity of life and it is a very valid argument.
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Chances are that the guy who graduated top of your class didn't have to take less. My wife didn't.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 2+-
Finishing my 5th year (and its a co-op school, don't hate)...I'm working on my 3rd part-time/full-time year of work experience...specifically, right now, for a major insurance company...I've interned for next to nothing and have also been paid relatively well (very well for someone of my age with essentially no degree)... But i think you're missing my point. if you can get more money, you shouldn't turn it down (that's dumb). Russell and/or his agent knows he's worth more and so they can negotiate to reach the best deal for both (rather, meet in the middle)...I mean, Russell knows another team would pay relatively hansomly for his services and moreover, the raiders already have sunk the 1st pick in on him, so they essentially need to sign him...
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Steel TownDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 4+-
So your wife made more strait out of college than most of the other people in her company? She makes more then employees who have been with company for 5 or more years? Think about it, this guy is probably going to be the highest paid guy on the team after this contract is signed. I believe he deserves a fair wage, but apparently his idea of a fair wage is about 4 million off from what the raiders feel is a fair wage. Also, your wife graduated at the top of her class (I assume) with actual numbers to proove that (GPA). Russel has nothing but speculation to show he was the best in the draft.
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score -2+-
No, she was not the highest paid at her company, but she didn't have to take a lesser deal as you claimed. As for Russell's proof, I would say he has more than she did. Surely his highlight reel is more meaningful than her GPA. The real life argument is poor anyway. There is very little "real life" about professional sports, salaries least of all.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 2+-
besides, coming out of college, companies usually don't have "exclusive negotiating rights" which makes the analogy a bit less valid... Point is, you might have felt you were worth more, but the company disagreed...In Russell's case, he has a point (and can't go anywhere else)...in your case, you could have, hypothetically, gone to another company...
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Steel TownDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Perhaps she didn't have to take a lesser deal because her expectations were grounded relative to the market. Like I said, Russell's epectations are not. And no, you can't just go to another company. It is not easy to get interviews strait out of college (and I was 3rd in my major at my school). Furthermore, Russell does at least have the option of the CFL. I think the NFL should get a structure like the NHL with rookie maximums, make the rooks prove themselves before they can negotiate the huge deal.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 0+-
You're welcome to think that...but I don't think Russell wants to go to the CFL... I've never had (or seen) serious issues with myself or my friends getting jobs after college...then again, my major is finance...and the financial industry, as a whole, is doing relatively well (the current market activity withstanding). Can't speak for everyone, but I haven't had problems finding internships and already have job offers...
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Or perhaps, Steel Town, you are grasping at straws because you don't know about her situation, or for that matter, Russell's. Allow me to throw a "perhaps" back to you. Perhaps you didn't consider all of your opportunities. My wife could have accepted a marginal job, but instead she enlarged her search field and that is how we ended up in Sydney, Australia. If you have the credentials, chances are you can find a job where you aren't treated or paid like crap while you "prove" yourself.

But again, trying to compare this to the "real world" is a waste of time. There is nothing resembling the NFL draft, salaries, or job opportunities for the rest of us.

I'm not sure what it is you don't understand: a draft selection guarantees exclusive negotiating rights, period. If they don't offer what Russell demands, he sits out a year and re-enters the draft next year. As long as he is willing to abide by that, I've got no complaints.

The Raiders chose him number one overall. If they didn't have this worked out prior to the draft, much less the middle of training camp, they have no one to blame but themselves.

If you think the NFL should have a slotted system like the NBA or the new one that MLB is trying to enforce, fine. But don't blame Russell for that. He is playing by the rules as they are currently written.
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 2+-
Im not saying he shouldnt have the right to negotiante. What Im saying is that at a certain point he needs to be in camp. And the 'open market' would be free agency, he has not earned the right to go to free agency yet and he can by proving that he is an NFL calibur player.
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Hey, I agree that it would be great if he was in camp working with the team. But the arguments that he (or any other rookie) is beholden to the Raiders because they drafted him, that he hasn't proven himself, or that he should be blindly grateful don't hold water. When a team drafts a player, they get exclusive negotiating rights. That's all.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 2+-
Correct...welcome to a capitalistic society...which even exists in the anti-"anti-trust" world of the NFL
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 1+-
I agree with what you say to a point but the fact is he is not helping himself by not being in camp. I mean if you are getting all the Raiders will give you then you should just sign. If he flat out doesnt want to play for the Raiders he should have conveyed that to them before they took him with the first pick.
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Taytay 24All-American
823 days ago
Score 0+-
As I said before, I have never heard anyone say during a season that someone really hurt themselves by not being in camp for the preseason. That line is simply used because there is nothing else going on right now.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 2+-
I think he wants to play. Worthy of note, is allowing the raiders another year to fix the line (because he would get wrecked) and essentially setting himself up to get more time to learn the system. I mean, look at QBs of similar style and ability...who better than a big athletic runnign QB to learn from than Culpepper (who is essentially the same QB)... Another example...Donovan McNabb didn't play till late in the eagles '99 season...
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 1+-
The thing is if he comes to play he wont be starting anyway so he wont have to worry about playing behind the bad offensive line, at least not this year. He would most likely get more valuable experience by being in camp and learning the terminology in a hands on fashion.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Now this is a different argument, however prior to the culpepper signing, it appeared as though Al Davis wanted russell to start ASAP (I don't really know). Of course the extra experience in camp would only benefit him (I think we all would agree), learning in camp for a few weeks in starting may (don't know, again) be tougher than learning as the weeks go by during the season...that is entirely speculation, however.
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 0+-
I personally dont think Jamarcus is ready to start for an NFL team yet. I think he has amazing talent but is unrefined. Thats why getting as much time in camp will be beneficial to him. He is the type of player who would actually be hurt by missing camp time which is something I dont say often.
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CheezerAll-Star
823 days ago
Score 3+-
If the Raiders cave and give Russell more money, or more guaranteed (I don't know the details), how can they afford to fix the offensive line?

By the way, his highlight reel isn't that impressive. He's getting by on the fact that he and his team outperformed Quinn and his team in the bowl game. Remember that the start of last season, he wasn't even a lock to start for LSU.

Russell is starting to believe his own hype. I think he has potential to be a very good NFL QB, but is he worth what he thinks he is? I don't think so.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 3+-
It only matters what he and the raiders think he's worth (together)... A player (or for that matter, just about anything) is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it...
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CheezerAll-Star
823 days ago
Score 1+-
And he and the Raiders obviously don't agree.
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 1+-
I personally would not mind seeing the NFL adopt a policy of giving a set amount of money depending on where you were drafted. (I think this is either what the NBA does or similar but would like confirmation.) This would prevent contract disputes, to get the players union to accept this you can offer more guarantees for less years that way players can test free agency earlier
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 1+-
You're correct Simms, the NBA does something similar (not sure how it works)...I think it could happen starting in 2009 (CBA renegotiations start soon, i believe)...

Of course, this is a horse of a different color as far as the argument goes...

I'm on the fence about it...and you can bet the owners will strong arm the NFLPA into doing what's best for themselves and partially best for the league...I could see this happening (or something similar)
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Yea my only problem is this gives the NFLPA even more power, but I cant see another way to get players in camp quickly. Maybe if you put a deadline on teams having exclusive negotiatiang rights, and then open it up to the league? I doubt the owners would allow that. It would probably kill teams that have bad years and create more dynasties which would be a bad thing for football in this age of parody. Just throwing some ideas out there
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Sure... I think, as it stands now, if you don't sign with the team that drafted you by X date (i'm guessing next feb, i don't know) then you can reenter the draft...
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Steel TownDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Three years, ask Drew Henson.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Drew henson decided to play baseball...

John elway threatened the same thing against the colts...

And its 1 year, for the record...According to Wikipedia - Drafted players may only negotiate with the team that drafted them (or to another team if their rights were traded away). The drafting team has one year to sign the player. If they do not do so, the player may reenter the draft and can be drafted by another team. Bo Jackson famously sat out a season in this way. - See the section on "The NFL Draft"
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Steel TownDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Interesting JuT. I wonder though, why Hanson had to wait three years, was it because he played another sport or did he indeed sign a contract and then balk on it. Oh well, doesn't really matter. Look into Kirk gibson a little. He actually entered the baseball draft as an attempt to up his value in the football draft but ended up finding a home in baseball.
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Simms1156Div-I Stud
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Yea I think thats what Bo Jackson did, not sure though.
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 1+-
you are correct, Bo Sat out and reentered the following year...
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CheezerAll-Star
823 days ago
Score 1+-
Remember Elway. He was drafted by the Colts in '83 and held out because he didn't want to play for the. They were a terrible organization at the time, by the way. He asked to be traded. Two years later, they traded him to Denver. Near as I can tell, the exclusive negotiation rights last forever. I would appreciate it if someone who knows more can enlighten me.
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CheezerAll-Star
823 days ago
Score 1+-
I see I'm late
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JuTMSY4Legend
823 days ago
Score 0+-
see the above wikipedia link...specifically this quote: "Drafted players may only negotiate with the team that drafted them (or to another team if their rights were traded away). The drafting team has one year to sign the player. If they do not do so, the player may reenter the draft and can be drafted by another team. Bo Jackson famously sat out a season in this way."
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The oldest manVarsity
823 days ago
Score 0+-
Russell hasn't proven anything to anybody except that he is getting bad advice from someone. He loses one year laying around and completely out of football and for a quarterback that could mean being out for 2 or 3 years. Time goes by and you don't learn anything about the new system you have to learn and don't practice except maybe with you friends who may or may not be football players and what do you live on in the mean time. Your parents or friends? The Raiders are offering the going rate for his position based on the leagues average. If he thinks he is better than what they are offering he has only one option and that sorry to say is walk away for the year but he really takes a huge chance in doing that. If he doesn't want to play for the Raiders than be a man and tell them. No question that the kid has talent but is it worth what he is asking or is he asking anything. I haven't read anything that he is asking for but I don't follow the Raiders very closely so I wouldn't know. Hell, Bo Jackson was one who came along once in a lifetime. If he hadn't gotten hurt we may have been looking one of the greatest running backs in history. If he had stayed only in baseball he may have still been playing today.
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Steel TownDraft Pick
823 days ago
Score 0+-
I would like to second that opinion that Bo was a once in a lifetime player. Not only have we not seen a two sport athlete of that caliber since, but he probably would have dominated in either if the circumstances were different.
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Anonymous Fanatic #2
821 days ago
Score 0+-
The other jamarcus russell article is far better than this one.
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Anonymous Fanatic #3
816 days ago
Score 0+-
JuTMSY4, your wife is a whore.
Permalink | Reply
MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick
816 days ago
Score 1+-
Why don't you man up, get a username, log in, and stop being such a fargin arsehole?
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JuTMSY4Legend
816 days ago
Score 0+-
I'm still trying to figure out how who knew my wife was a whore...weird...
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