One Big Bust

 I don't enjoy making fun of people. My title is even a little sensational. Unfortunately for Jamarcus Russell, it fits perfectly.


Adam Schefter recently reported that Russell weighed in at 290 pounds at Raiders camp. Combine that with the rumors that the Raiders were the team in hottest pursuit of Donovan McNabb, and I believe the writing is on the wall.


So if that is the case, one could ask the question: is Jamarcus Russell the greatest draft bust in NFL history? 


I discussed the unanimous incumbent for greatest draft bust, Ryan Leaf , in a recent post. To make a fair accessment, I believe we have to look at the other available players in Russell and Leaf's respective drafts.


In the 1998 draft, Leaf was coming off a huge season, in which he helped lead Washington State to the Rose Bowl. His immaturity problems were not known to the public, and the Colts liked him enough to print him a jersey with his name on the back. The consensus was Peyton Manning and Leaf were the top two players regardless of position. The only other player in that draft worthy of the top pick might have been cornerback Charles Woodson, who went to the Raiders with the fourth overall pick.


In the 2007 draft, wide receiver Calvin Johnson was widely considered the best player in the draft. Despite his injury concerns, Adrian Peterson was the type of freakish athlete that the Raiders covet. It was made known that the Raiders went into contract talks with not only Johnson and Russell, but also brought Brady Quinn into the bargaining process. Russell's weight issues and questionable work habits were widely publicized, despite the fact of him having an excellent junior season at LSU.

I hope Jamarcus can turn his career around, but with the competition from Bruce Gradkowski, the trade rumors about McNabb, and now Sage Rosenfels (ouch!), it seems that the Raiders have already moved on.


Some may argue the fact that since Leaf was expected to be great and Russell to be a bust, Leaf is the larger disappointment. When you compare the level of talent available to the Raiders at that pick, there is no argument in my book.  Russell is the worst draft pick in NFL history.


 


 Every Morning Quarterback by Aharon Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.everymorningqb.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.everymorningqb.com.