JaMarcus Got Played By the Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus was doing what any #1 draft pick would do sit, wait and hold out till Al Davis would flinch and give him the largest NFL rookie contract in history. David Carr, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Alex Smith did it and even Mario Williams was able to negotiate better contracts with more guaranteed money than the previous #1 picks. Unfortunately for JaMarcus that trend went to a scratching halt with the signing of Dante Culpepper.
Dante Culpepper has just become the greatest bargaining chip the Oakland Raiders could have ever wished. Basically his signing presents THREE nightmares for Russell.
1) Dante Culpepper is JaMarcus Russell. Dante has all if not more talent than Russell IF he is 100% healthy. It is undeniable he has just the same amount of arm strength, speed, and size.
2) Dante is a proven NFL quarterback. He is only 2 seasons off of having his best season ever as a professional. He understands NFL coverages, and how to play smart. Something JaMarcus has yet to prove. In fact, if JaMarcus is anything like the past #1 draft picks who were quarterbacks, it will take him a good two to three seasons until he is able to compete at his full potential.
3) Dante is due to have a breakout season. If I were to put money down right now who is going to be the “NFL Comeback Player of the Year” I would put it down on Dante with no questions asked. He has had the worst luck of any elite quarterback in the past two seasons. First he severely blew his knee out and then he is rushed back too early to help out the helpless Miami Dolphins last season. Now that he has had a good 9-10 months to recover completely from his 2005 knee injury, he is due to return like the Dante we all came to know.
No doubt these three facts were a major reason why Oakland signed Dante Culpepper. Unfortunately JaMarcus’ conversations with his agent have turned from being,
“They have to pay me top money, they have no choice I am the savior to this organization.”
TO PREHAPS
“Why did you make me hold out? We should have taken yesterdays offer!!!!! You’re FIRED!!!”
Greed is a nasty human trait…To be continued….
