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		Russell could be back just before opening day By Stefani Rebekah Black August 17, 2007

	ESPN reported on Friday night that JaMarcus Russell could be back in an Oakland Raiders uniform just before opening day on September 9th the day the Raiders play host to the Detroit Lions. Russell, his agents and Raiders Reps were still negotiating a final draft to get a contract done this past week. Russell walked out of camp at the beginning of August just before pre season started. Russell's camp was asking for $30 million in guaranteed money and the Raiders were offering $26.5 to the rookie number one NFL draft choice out of college. Russell's agents reportedly advised Russell at the time to hold out for $3.5 million dollars more which Raiders managing partner Al Davis calls "option money" that would go in the pockets of his agents. Then this week the Raiders went as high as $31 million in the final drafting of the deal but Russell agents and advisers now are asking for $3 million more on the table a cool $34 million total guarantee. Davis had stated before that the increased asking price of the negotiation at this phase of the bargaining is primarily agent residuals. The Russell camp although tight lipped about the negotiations have only said that their offer is on the table and the Raiders who now may start using quarterback Andrew Walter until something is worked out with Russell as they seemed to be more impressed with his play then Daunte Culpepper in camp. Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin said that Walter brings something to camp and that it's his job to win. Culpepper when he was signed right after Russell walked out of camp quarterbacked the first pre season game and Kiffin was expecting a little bit more from Culpepper than he displayed and like what Walter did in the ball game last Saturday night last week against the Arizona Cardinals. Walter is getting the call from Kiffin to start on Saturday night at Candlestick and Walter wants to answer the bell. So if your asking is there a quarterback controversy in Oakland yes and no. Yes because Culpepper was supposed to step in and start games while Russell remains a question mark, and no Walter who could have been a cut player if he didn't get a good read on camp and is getting it done hitting receivers, getting his timing down and looked good with the offense last Saturday night against the Cardinals. Culpepper in the meantime hit 5 of 12 for completions and Kiffin was looking for a lot more than that. Walter hit most of his receivers and again hence the start for Saturday night. Walter right now has the edge to win the job but lets see what happens against the 49ers on Saturday night. Russell who has been working out in Alabama is still working on his deal with the Raiders might have to step in a few games after the first few regular season games get started to learn plays and get the bugs out if and when he gets back on board. Kiffin is sniffing to just let out a yell: Coach Kiffin was told not to get too excited, not to yell at anyone and take things slowly. First your 32, it's your rookie year coaching, your play calling drills, you have to be kind of stress free and you got out of the hospital for viral infection of mononucleosis and returned to the job a little earlier than you should have and you have to bottle up your emotions. Kiffin could get ill from just not letting it out in the first place. Kiffin was told not to get too excited or he could land back in the hospital again. He was told not to exert himself under doctors orders and team physicians and trainers are trying to keep coach Kiffin from out pacing himself which is very difficult to do. "I guess a lot of head coaches coach that way anyway, so I'm going to get to see what it's like." said the every so excitable young coach from USC and is going to have to be like oh someone like Tom Landry. Maybe the Raiders will have to get film on Landry and have Kiffin study him for a while and yes it worked for Landry when you think back on it. Kiffin lost 11 pounds during his stay in the hospital. Kiffin felt ill on Thursday the 9th and through the next four days after that was drained and realized it was not a common cold. The team doctors got him to the hospital where he was diagnosed for Mono. It was scary moments for Kiffin. Kiffin also tried coaching through the game last Saturday and was amazed that he got through that considering his condition, "You're out on Saturday night, it gets a little cold and you're out there and you suffer for hours. You're not helping the situation at all,"said Kiffin. Kiffin after the game on Saturday night woke up on Sunday morning with a 103.7 temperature. Kiffin said he couldn't move at times and couldn't get out of the house. He had to call someone to help him and go to the hospital. During Kiffin's down time which lasted between Sunday through Wednesday coaches Bob Ryan defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp handled the team. "You could tell he's not 100%. He's obviously pretty tough being out there. They said he wasn't really supposed to be out there, but he is. So it shows me how much he cares." said Walter. Cares he does he's on tap to coach his second pre season game at Candlestick Park at 7:00PM Saturday night against the 49ers. Stefani Rebekah Black covers Raiders football with Jeremy Harness and Jeremy Kahn on 1690 KFSG Sportstalk. quote source: espn.com