It wasn’t bad enough that JaMarcus Russell was benched for Bruce Friggin’ Gradkowski after throwing three touchdown passes in nine starts.
Or that after Gradkowski replaced Russell, the new guy’s ridiculously journeyman, mediocre level of play immediately made the Raiders competitive (Gradkowski was 2-2 as the starter).
Even the acquisitions of Kyle Boller as a free agent and Jason Campbell during a draft day trade this past weekend weren’t enough incentive for Russell to stay active and prepare for the 2010 football season.
Doesn’t pride kick in at some point?
The top pick in the 2007 NFL draft will soon be approaching Ryan Leaf levels of bust-dom if reports from the National Football Post are true. The publication reports that Russell has ballooned above 300 pounds during the offseason.
Raiders coach Tom Cable indicates that Russell will be able to compete for the starting position with Gradkowski, Boller, Campbell and Charlie Frye. Indications are that he is likely to get cut.
But if he keeps up his eating regimen he might be able to trade his shoulder pads and helmet for a mawashi and compete in a different sport where added weight is almost always a benefit.
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Here’s what should go down. Bills trade Marshawn Lynch and picks for Russell. He will have a fresh start with the Bills. The Bills are going to get rid of Lynch anyway, so why not get value for him? It will help both teams.
Brad, I respect your thoughts as a football fan and your input on the blog…
That said, I couldn’t disagree with you more on this one. To me it makes no sense for either team. One thing the Raiders have is decent running backs in Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. I could be wrong but I’m not 100% convinced that Lynch is any better than what they have.
And while the Bills have crappy quarterbacks J. Russell has shown no initiative or desire or anything that would indicate to me that he is worth draft picks in a trade. The Raiders are going to cut Russell in the next few days anyway so if the Bills want to give him a chance they can do so without giving up picks.
And in all likelihood, with as crappy a work ethic as he reportedly has, Russell is going to go back home and fade into nothingness.
I can’t see anyone, at this point, giving up anything of any worth at all to trade for him.
I think Brad was thinking that Russell might shore up the Bills LT spot, protect Trent Edwards blind side.
Mcfadden is overrated and bush is ok. I respect your opinion. But, Russell is not good and he is doing no good sitting on the bench.
Brad,
I think you just made my point for me. Russell is not good. You are right about him not doing any good on the Raiders’ bench. But why would the Bills give up Lynch, who might be a goofball, but is at least a decent RB, AND picks for Russell?
If I were the Bills I wouldn’t trade Lynch straight up for Russell. And the Bills already have two or three mediocre to bad quarterbacks. Why add another? Especially a fat one with no work ethic?
I agree that the Bills can use Lynch as trade bait but I don’t see anyone being willing to give up more than a late round pick for Russell, if that. I expect he will get cut.
Just my opinion.
the bills should pick him up..he was cut