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Raiders have no money to pay Russell
By Jeremy Harness July 31, 2007 |
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Have you ever walked into the store to make your selection and get ready for purchase but when jingling for change you count it out and your short and have to put the item back on the shelf? Well that is exactly what is happening with the Oakland Raiders as they have consulted with four team representatives in trying to ink quarterback JaMarcus Russell who has skipped camp as a hold out and has missed six practices so far. Russell is holding out because the Raiders are some $3.5 million short of reaching an agreement with the rookie quarterback. The Raiders are offering $26.5 million and Russell is asking for a cool $30 mill. The wrinkle is that when the Raiders had four inexperienced negotiators trying to seal the deal, and each rep looked at each other on how they were going to bean count this deal to finance Russell's request. Russell's asking price is the highest a rookie would have ever received in NFL history if the Raiders added another $3.5 million. What makes this all embarrassing is that the Raiders who have already been noted for watching their spending on talent which has led to some bad years the lack of is now on their way to another confusing start like some past seasons. Not only the reps can't get it right but the Raiders simply don't have the budget to reach a deal with Russell. That leaves Russell to ask why did the Raiders draft him if they could not afford the price tag on him? The Raiders appear to be serious about not paying Russell's asking price and have picked up Dante Culpepper who was released by the Dolphins in July. Culpepper is soon to be joining the Raiders in camp in Napa and this further clouds Russell's situation. JaMarcus Russell's selections as the number one overall draft choice makes him something that the Raiders could build around but with questions already about an offensive line to protect him Russell may not even join the Raiders until they can have a happy a medium on his terms which is $3.5 mill apart. NFL sources are stunned by this revelation or maybe not the Raiders have had so much trouble over the last few years, the attendance is down, they had a dysfunctional year last season, and they have almost no television revenue to speak of since they've been blacked out locally for a great number of home games. Which leads us to the team budget and the Raiders although $3.5 million apart will pretty much say without saying "take or leave it" to Russell as they look for another option with Dante Culpepper loosening up. This would be the biggest bust in recent memory that a number one draft pick, excited ready to go can not be signed due to bad negotiations and a lack of money. Raider head coach Lane Kiffin who was expecting Russell in camp said he would roll with it and work with what he has, "I have great confidence in our people back in the office. Things are going well at this time. At the end of the day, we have to do the best thing in the interest of the Raiders and for our future. I know our people are doing that right now." Sounds more like the company line and with all the changes the Raiders made to get Russell he looked like the sure shot in the arm the club would need. Russell could get away: If the Raiders say take it or leave to Russell they could release him and Russell would have no problem signing with a club that could afford him and he could land with a club that has post-season potential. Right now even if the Raiders and Russell came to an agreement the Raiders who had one of the worst records on sacks in the NFL last season have not much of a guarantee in protecting Russell whereas a release would allow Russell to explore better options like a team that has an offensive line. Jeremy Harness covers Raiders football with Jeremy Kahn and Stefani Rebekah Black and all co-host on Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. quote source: foxsports.com |
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