Raiders Could Afford to Release QB Russell

[theFRANCHISE]

Per the Contra Costa Times ([url="http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_13923383?nclick_check=1"]LINK[/url]):

[QUOTE]The Raiders signed Russell to a six-year contract that guaranteed him $32 million as the No. 1 pick of the 2007 NFL draft — he earned a base salary of $7.8 million this season.

The Raiders could cut Russell after this season and take just a modest salary-cap hit.

He is slated to earn base salaries of $9.45 million next season, $9.35 million in 2011 and $5.83 million in 2012.

By comparison, the Raiders are paying Gradkowski $535,000 this season and No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye $620,000. Both players' contracts expire at season's end.

The sticking point could come if the Raiders ask Russell to restructure his contract to better reflect his current status. If Russell refuses, that might force the Raiders' hand once and for all.
[/QUOTE]
Though the article states that Al Davis is unlikely to part willingly with JaMarcus Russell due to his history of patience with draft picks, there will come a time in the near-future where a decision must be reached on Russell's future, particularly if he doesn't earn his starting job back.

The article explores Al Davis' possible options, but the most likely scenario is one that involves bringing in another QB while gutting the rest of the team. The foundation isn't as strong as Davis or Raider Nation would like to believe, and though there are a couple of bright spots, there needs to be a talent overhaul as well as a culture change in the locker room.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='04 December 2009 - 03:05 PM' timestamp='1259953557' post='301905']
Per the Contra Costa Times ([url="http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_13923383?nclick_check=1"]LINK[/url]):


Though the article states that Al Davis is unlikely to part willingly with JaMarcus Russell due to his history of patience with draft picks, there will come a time in the near-future where a decision must be reached on Russell's future, particularly if he doesn't earn his starting job back.

The article explores Al Davis' possible options, but the most likely scenario is one that involves bringing in another QB while gutting the rest of the team. The foundation isn't as strong as Davis or Raider Nation would like to believe, and though there are a couple of bright spots, there needs to be a talent overhaul as well as a culture change in the locker room.
[/quote]

I'd be surprised if Davis lets him go. How can they pay him that much money? It will be interesting to watch to see if they ask him to restructure his contract. As bad as he's been, he doesn't deserve anything over the league minimum, IMO.

[H8R]

Those guys work a magic calculator. Asomugha, Seymour, DHB, Russell Morrison.. They all make big dollars.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='H8R' date='04 December 2009 - 02:33 PM' timestamp='1259955231' post='301922']
Those guys work a magic calculator. Asomugha, Seymour, DHB, Russell Morrison.. They all make big dollars.
[/quote]
They make big money because everyone else is making so little on that team.

[Shawn`]

I don't know what it is with that organization.

Al Davis should just keep his mouth shut when it comes to draft day.

Why would you picked DHB in the top 10 draft picks when you have Crabtree or even Percy Harvin.

Fail on so many levels.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='Shawn`' date='06 December 2009 - 01:33 AM' timestamp='1260081228' post='302646']
I don't know what it is with that organization.

Al Davis should just keep his mouth shut when it comes to draft day.

Why would you picked DHB in the top 10 draft picks when you have Crabtree or even Percy Harvin.

Fail on so many levels.
[/quote]

not to mention OT's and Maclin