Sources: Long holdout for Russell

[Popps]

Always comical....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-raidersrussell080507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The holdout of No. 1 overall pick and quarterback JaMarcus Russell over contract talks with the Oakland Raiders figures to be a lengthy one, according to two sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

"This could go to September, easily, with the way the Raiders have approached it," a source said. "Their approach has been from the start of this that it's their way or the highway. They were told before the (NFL) draft that if that's how they wanted to do it, they shouldn't draft (Russell) … Look, this could be done in two days if they'd just realize it's not going to happen the way they think."

Moreover, the talks have grown increasingly tense after Raiders managing general partner Al Davis insinuated to the media on Thursday that part of the cause of the holdout was the inexperience of Russell's agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Lock. However, the agents have spent more than 30 years combined in the business.

Metz has been certified by the NFLPA since 1986. Lock has been certified since 1994. Together they have represented more than 25 first-round picks. By contrast, Raiders negotiator Marc Badain never had negotiated a contract for a first-round pick until this year.

Davis said a major issue is that Metz and Lock wanted a significant portion of the $29 million in guaranteed money Russell is eligible to get paid in the form of an option bonus. The Raiders are hesitant to pay an option bonus because such a bonus can't be recovered if a player retires, such as Barry Sanders, or gets in trouble, such as Michael Vick.

On Saturday, a source countered Davis' contention by saying an option bonus wasn't necessary.

"The Calvin Johnson contract is a perfect blueprint for how they can do it if they want," the source said. The Johnson contract features a combination of guaranteed base salaries and advances to Johnson. Ultimately, Johnson gets $27 million guaranteed as part of a deal that could be worth a maximum of $64 million.

The real problem, according to both sources, is Oakland has been unwilling to give a full "skill" guarantee to the $29 million. To this point, the Raiders only have guaranteed all the money in case Russell gets injured.

A skill guarantee covers a player in case he is cut because a team simply doesn't consider him good enough. Such questions of talent seem odd for the No. 1 overall pick.

"The Raiders were told that structure wasn't going to work then and it's not going to work now," a source said. "It's completely unacceptable. No No. 1 pick has ever agreed to that kind of deal in the salary cap era, and it's not going to start now."

There have been 15 players drafted No. 1 overall since 1993. According to an NFL Players Association source, none of them has received a contract that did not include the skill and injury guarantees.

In addition, both sources said Oakland has tried to push a large amount of the guaranteed money back to being paid in the fourth year of the contract.

"That's ridiculous, too, because if the kid turns out to be a great player, they're going to want to redo the deal after the third year, just like what the Bengals did with Carson Palmer and Atlanta with Michael Vick," the source said. "In that case, (Russell) is never going to see the money he was supposed to get in this contract. He's just going to have a new deal. The Raiders are trying every trick they can find to get around paying the money."

****ing dumbasses. I love it.

[broncos love]

With the Radiers nothing is easy these days. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't sign him at all and Al Davis drafts again next year.

[That One Guy]

I agree with teams trying to avoid paying the option bonus. The rest is all BS.

[Dukes]

http://www.xsltblog.com/archives/24805BP%7EThe-Simpsons-Mr-Burns-Excellent.jpg

[elsid13]

Commitment to stupidity

[Los Broncos]

I'm sure they are trying to figure when he will get paid and how much

[Los Broncos]

Commitment to stupidity

Hilarious!

[LonghornBronco]

Al Davis' problem is he hires these young inexperienced people and on top of that his ideas are antiquated. So he vertually has nobody capable of making intelligent decisions in the entire organization.

Blaaaahahaha!

[spdirty]

good.

[OrangeShadow]

Commitment to stupidity

LOL REP

[Raider Bill]

Calvin Johnson's deal doesnt contain an option bonus.

[RhymesayersDU]

I heard on the radio that the Faid are offering Russell not only less money than Calvin Johnson this year, but less money than Alex Smith 2 years ago.

Funny thing is, this offer was the same offer they had in April, and they just want Russell to blink first. You stay classy, Oakland.

[That One Guy]

Do agents support players before they are signed? How does that work? At some point this guy is going to want some money.

[400HZ]

Calvin Johnson's deal doesnt contain an option bonus.

I bet you guys are thrilled with this.

[Flex Gunmetal]

Lol

[CBF1]

I think that the $$$ is waaaaaaaaay out of hand. The clown has not practiced or played a single game in the NFL and EXPECTS 55+ million dollars. Sorry, but I see alot wrong with that. If Russell does hold out and misses a year of football, he will never recover the lost money. I think that signing Culpepper has made it alot easier for them to play hard ball .

On the other hand I am glad it is the faider organization

[Willynowei]

As sh*tty as the raiders are. I can't manage to wipe the grin off my face right now.

[That One Guy]

Who does it hurt more? The organization for not signing the #1 overall pick or the player? If he rejoins the draft next year, does he maintain his high draft status or become a 3rd round pick?

[orinjkrush]

as if the NFL (and Chokeland) can't afford paying workers who have an AVERAGE career of 5 years. NFL WORKERS UNITE!
(with images of dick butka hobbling in their heads)

[RhymesayersDU]

I think that the $$$ is waaaaaaaaay out of hand. The clown has not practiced or played a single game in the NFL and EXPECTS 55+ million dollars. Sorry, but I see alot wrong with that. If Russell does hold out and misses a year of football, he will never recover the lost money. I think that signing Culpepper has made it alot easier for them to play hard ball .

On the other hand I am glad it is the faider organization

I don't have a problem with Russell holding out, the system allows him to do it. Personally, I dislike the system. But Russell would be dumb to take less money than somebody drafted lower than him.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Ultimately Russel will have to cave in. If he sits out, there is no way he goes #1 next year. He would potentially stand to loose millions if he becomes unsignable. The Fade probably has no intentions of him doing anything besides holding a clipboard this year... so a long holdout does nothing but give leverage to the Fade.

[SoCalBronco]

Russell is not holding out.

[Kaylore]

This is good news. The longer he's out the less productive he'll be. I was really hoping for Bowe to make it a long one as well. Oh well.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Gets so old watching people bitch about the total money in a rookie contract, when none of them ever hit every built-in incentive. Hence every rookie's desire for a large guaranteed payout.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3608

There's Jay's contract. The "max" under his deal is around $48M, but 45% of that is in performance incentives.

These guys have play, and play well, to get paid.

[Sassy]

Glad to see another rival has money issues with their players...Ha!
Meanwhile, the Broncos are concentrating on training camp.
;D

[Broncos_OTM]

so if he goes unsigned this year he goes back into the Draft? ouch that has to hurt both of them. oakland loseing a first rounder and russell alot of dough that he probably has taken loans out.pfft funny stuff

[Malcontent]

Why would we care about Calvin Johnson and his deal. Sure is good to hear the faid are right on track to complete failure once again!

[ZONA]

I think the league should change the rule of cap hit if a player retires, or like Vick and Pacman, screws up and is out of the league. Teams should not be held liable for that kind of BS. It would help negotiations with player contracts in the future. This will not be the first now that the maga attention given to Vicks case. Owners will want protection on those mega contracts.

[Elway148]

I think the league should change the rule of cap hit if a player retires, or like Vick and Pacman, screws up and is out of the league. Teams should not be held liable for that kind of BS. It would help negotiations with player contracts in the future. This will not be the first now that the maga attention given to Vicks case. Owners will want protection on those mega contracts.

Roger Goodell is making teams accountable for bringing in guys with questionable character. Forget the cap hit. Goodell has a policy that will strip teams of picks and fine them if they have too many guys getting into trouble off the field.

[ZONA]

Roger Goodell is making teams accountable for bringing in guys with questionable character. Forget the cap hit. Goodell has a policy that will strip teams of picks and fine them if they have too many guys getting into trouble off the field.


True - if a guy has a broken the law before he was drafted or signed to a FA deal then fine, you have a lagit point. But what about the kids drafted that have no history of breaking the law and then they just make a stupid mistake once they get in the league? I don't think the team should be held responsible? These guys are older then 18 and therefor respnosible for themselves. "Questionable Character" is a mighty vague term and would not hold up in a courtroom nor should it hold up in how teams draft picks or FA signing are perceived by Goodell. Like I said, if the guy has an arrenst or indightment, fine. Otherwise, no way.

[DukeWoody]

I find it extremely funny watching the mullets and raturds haveing to deal with player holdouts and unsigned draft picks...
I would say that other players will take notice to the way some these matters are being handled, and will assume,from a players and agents perspective,that this can only have a negative influence on these teams with future signnings and contract demmands...
The mullets and raturds will be battleing for the cellar for many years to come,indeed...:kcbard: :raidersux :chefstink :raidstink

[DeuceOfClub]

As much as I’m happy from the situation the Raiders are putting themselves in I have to admit I think rookies in the NFL gets too much money and always smile when any team is fighting unreasonable contract demands.

And frankly J.R is not worth (IMHO) more than 500-750K / year.

[Malcontent]

As much as I’m happy from the situation the Raiders are putting themselves in I have to admit I think rookies in the NFL gets too much money and always smile when any team is fighting unreasonable contract demands.

And frankly J.R is not worth (IMHO) more than 500-750K / year.

JR was at least a 3rd rounder before last year. His talented LSU teammates last year are what helped him get drafted so high. Dude has a high BUST probability.

[Kaylore]

The Fade go 2-14 and aren't even getting their first over all pick for the trouble. How awesome is that? ROFL!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Johnson told the Raiders not to draft him or he would not sign and go back into the draft next year.

[skpac1001]

Who would be hurt more if he holds out the whole year? I think the Raiders, since even though Russell would make less money when he was redrafted, at least he would not be on the Raiders.

[RhymesayersDU]

Who would be hurt more if he holds out the whole year? I think the Raiders, since even though Russell would make less money when he was redrafted, at least he would not be on the Raiders.

The Raiders would be way more hurt, mainly because they pissed away an asset. That 1st pick was valuable, it could be have been dealt, etc. To just lose it for nothing would be a huge mistake.

Even if Russell were a bust, you at least have got to let him have a chance. And if he is a bust, they could have traded out of the spot and pawned him off on somebody else and looked really smart.

[theAPAOps5]

Thats what you get Al Davis. He hires new, young, and less experienced coaches and management. Why? So he can control them and make them accept his methodolgy. Now these guys are in over their head and about to make his team the laughing stock ONCE AGAIN.

Al you lost your touch in 1988, just right the checks and leave the rest to people who can walk, talk, and know todays football!

[serious hops]

Russell may be dumber than a box of rocks, but even he's smart enough to be afraid of playing behind that fader O-line.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I heard on the radio that the Faid are offering Russell not only less money than Calvin Johnson this year, but less money than Alex Smith 2 years ago.

Funny thing is, this offer was the same offer they had in April, and they just want Russell to blink first. You stay classy, Oakland.

Al Davis is officially comprehensively incompetent.

[elsid13]

It is absolute joke that they want this kid to be the face of thier franchise and they are treating him like 5 rounder. Way to be a good working relationship Al.

And Russell was always a first rounder he has that talent.

[no-pseudo-fan]

I love the Raiders. They keep it real, real stupid. They draft a kid that has bust written all over him, and then chose to play hardball to save money on their future bust.ROFL! I really believe that Russell is the product of one great game against a bad ND defense. Raiders are going to be the laughing stock of the NFL ( like they already aren't) if they don't sign him. If they trade him now, they get very little. If they let him hold out and go back into the draft, they lost the 1st pick in the draft.

I say, bite the bullet. You chose him, pay him. Too late to turn back now. Jamarcus = Jeff George

[Crushaholic]

If this was a team not in our division, I would say "bravo" for standing their ground on not paying outrageous money. As it is, it's just hilarious that the Raiders can't sign their "franchise" quarterback...Hilarious!

[Tombstone RJ]

Russell, IMO, has more bust potential than Vince Young. Young seems to be panning out but he's working hard at it too. I don't know if Russell has the same work ethic. Also, Young is playing under a very good HC in Tennessee, while Russell has to lead a bad team with a freshman HC.

In Al Davis's defense, he's trying to protect the franchise from the very strong possibility that Russell is a bust. Fact is, Russell has alot of upside, but just as much downside.

I kinda like the way this is all playing out. The Crypt Keeper is stamping his authority all over these negotiations, sending a strong signal to Russell and his agents that Al runs the show. Good. Let them drag this out. It's only gonna hurt the faiders in the end, and vice versa, help the rest of the league in negotiating future contracts with #1 picks.

IMO, #1 picks are the biggest risks in the draft and nobody wants another Ryan Leaf, esp. Al Davis. If Russell walks, good. If Russell stays, good, I think he's gonna struggle anyway.

[baja]

Well they can draft him #1 again next year. ;D

Long live Al Davis

[Beej]

If they trade him now, they get very little.

If another team wants him, they could get a first rounder, maybe even a first & second. But then what would they do, pick a QB next year and not pay him?

Atlanta would probably trade Vick for him. ;)

[sixtimeseight]

Johnson told the Raiders not to draft him or he would not sign and go back into the draft next year.

Link?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Link?

Personal conversation with a GT contact in Atlanta

[TheNextStep]

Funny... because before the draft, Russell was telling LOTS of people that he wanted to be the #1 overall pick. That's an odd thing to say for somebody who doesn't want to be drafted by the team that holds the #1 overall pick, would you agree?

And, honestly, guys... while it might be a nice daydream, how many first round picks have ever held out and re-entered the draft the following year?

While I don't like the idea that he's missing camp, Russell will sign.

[Beantown Bronco]

Funny... because before the draft, Russell was telling LOTS of people that he wanted to be the #1 overall pick. That's an odd thing to say for somebody who doesn't want to be drafted by the team that holds the #1 overall pick, would you agree?

Ummmm....Read his post again. Calvin Johnson supposedly said he didn't want to get drafted by the Raiders....not Russell.

[Jason in LA]

I'm on the fence on this one. On one hand, I find it funny that Al Davis says that Russell's agents are inexperienced, when they have represented a number of first round draft picks, and the guy on the Raiders is the one who is very inexperienced. It's great to see the Raiders in this position. What free agent would want to sign there? The only free agents who go there are ones who do not have very may options.

On the other hand, these rookie contracts have gotten way out of control, and it is about time that somebody stood up. Al Davis used to be a mavrick. Maybe he has one more trick up his sleeve before he finally kicks the bucket. Maybe Davis wins this battle and it brings about change to the system. It won't help them much on the field, because they are looking at another last place finish...unless Culpepper can figure out how to play football again. But maybe teams in the future will not be held hostage by these agents.

[Raider Bill]

You guys are putting the cart before the donkey

RUSSELL HOLDOUT TO LINGER?

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that the holdout of Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell could continue to drag on, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations.

Said one source: "This could go to September, easily, with the way the Raiders have approached it. Their approach has been from the start of this that it's their way or the highway. They were told before the draft that if that's how they wanted to do it, they shouldn't draft [Russell] . . . . Look, this could be done in two days if they'd just realize it's not going to happen the way they think."

Though Raiders owner Al Davis has said that the primary sticking point is the amount of money that Russell's camp wants to be paid as an option bonus, Cole writes that the real problem is the manner in which the guaranteed money is protected against the possibility that Russell will be a bust. But, frankly, Cole's article is a little murky on this point, and we need to see more details about the structure of the offer before concluding that Russell's guaranteed money won't really be guaranteed.

We also get the feeling that Cole is carrying the water, at least a little bit, for Russell and his agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Lock. Cole points out that the decision of Davis to mention the inexperience of Russell's agents is off the mark, given that Metz has been in the business for 20 years and Lock has been in the business for a decade. (Cole characterizes the pair as having "30 years combined experience," but in our experience a group is only as experienced as the most experienced person in it.)

The overriding point regarding experience, however, is that Metz and Lock have never had a No. 1 overall pick, which is a completely different stratosphere of first-round contract.

There are other things that we don't fully understand about the report. For example, Cole's explanation of the lack of an option bonus in the Calvin Johnson deal seems to be presented as a counter to the Raiders' position on the issue when, in reality, the Johnson contract undermines the Russell camp's position that the option bonus should be maximized. Because Johnson got no option bonus, Russell needs to abandon the position that as much money as possible should be pushed into his.
Finally, we think that the notion that guaranteed money to be paid in the fourth year of the deal is separate and distinct from the concept of guaranteed money being earned in that year. Many contracts defer the actual payment of signing bonus and related guarantees that are earned by the player on an earlier date. Surely, agents with "30 years combined experience" will be sufficiently competent to prevent the Raiders from including those earned-but-unpaid amounts in any extension offered in the season in which that money comes due.

Also, Cole's source was only partially correct when explaining that, if Russell plays well, the team will want to extend his deal after three seasons, in comparison to the timing of extensions paid to Carson Palmer and Mike Vick. But while Palmer indeed received his extension at the end of his third season, Vick didn't get his second contract until the completion of his fourth season.
It's even more beneficial in Oakland, since Russell's rookie year is also year one of the new coaching regime. So why not take a year to let the new staff get acclimated before dropping Russell onto the field?

In Cleveland, the holdout of Quinn might also buy another year for G.M. Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennell. Both are viewed as being in trouble, but owner Randy Lerner might decide (even after a 3-13 season) that they should get a chance to show what Quinn can (or can't) do before passing final judgment on either or both of them.

Though our guess is that a holdout wasn't engineered by either team, both franchises now have an easy excuse to offer if/when folks start clamoring for the new guys to play in October or November. And both quarterbacks might be better off for it over the long haul.

[TheNextStep]

Ummmm....Read his post again. Calvin Johnson supposedly said he didn't want to get drafted by the Raiders....not Russell.

My mistake.