Russell makes history

[44Page44]

As they had hoped, the Oakland Raiders and quarterback JaMarcus Russell made history together. Unfortunately for both sides, it is not the type that either wanted.

Russell’s holdout reached 34 days on Wednesday –- one more than former No. 1 overall pick Orlando Pace’s holdout reached with the St. Louis Rams in 1997.
Signing dates of No. 1 picks since 1977
Year Player Date
2006 Mario Williams April 28
2005 Alex Smith July 26
2004 Eli Manning July 29
2003 Carson Palmer April 25
2002 David Carr April 20
2001 Michael Vick May 9
2000 Courtney Brown May 10
1999 Tim Couch April 17
1998 Peyton Manning July 28
1997 Orlando Pace Aug. 16
1996 Keyshawn Johnson Aug. 6
1995 Ki-Jana Carter July 19
1994 Dan Wilkinson May 5
1993 Drew Bledsoe July 6
1992 Steve Emtman April 26
1991 Russell Maryland April 22
1990 Jeff George July 12
1989 Troy Aikman April 26
1988 Aundray Bruce April 6
1987 Vinny Testaverde April 3
1986 Bo Jackson Never signed
1985 Bruce Smith Feb. 28
1984 Irving Fryar April 11
1983 John Elway May 2
1982 Kenneth Sims June 9
1981 George Rogers June 18
1980 Billy Sims June 11
1979 Tom Cousineau Never signed
1978 Earl Campbell April 28
1977 Ricky Bell May 3

Now, if and when he signs with the Raiders, Russell’s holdout will mark the longest one in the common draft era by a No. 1 overall pick that eventually signed with the team that drafted him.

If the Raiders fail to sign Russell, they would hardly be the first franchise not to wrap up the No. 1 overall pick.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d801edb28&template=with-video&confirm=true&campaign=ec0005

[Crashride]

good for us

[44Page44]

good for us

Who has a # 1 pick and no agreement or contract before hand?

They deserve it then.

[CoMoChief]

Hahaha Raiders have had this happen to them twice. First time with Bo Jackson.

[macdawg]

Crashride those are some impressive gifs in your sig....wow

This is a huge mess for the Raiders and good for us!

Learning process isn't there, if they do give in they give up a huge amount of money for a totally unproven rookie qb thats huge with a big arm....

[Valiant]

If he does not sign does he go back into next years draft?? And if so do the Raiders hopefully lose that pick all together... Please say yes..

[Ebolapox]

Hahaha Raiders have had this happen to them twice. First time with Bo Jackson.

wrong. bo jackson didn't sign with the tampa bay bucs. he went in like the seventh round the following year to the raiders.

THIS, however, would be cosmic justice for the screwing the bucs received from bo.

[ClevelandBronco]

If he does not sign does he go back into next years draft?? And if so do the Raiders hopefully lose that pick all together... Please say yes..

Yes. Really, yes.

[Braincase]

I wonder if Casey Printers can beat out Russell for a CFL job.

[Skip Towne]

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.

[CoMoChief]

wrong. bo jackson didn't sign with the tampa bay bucs. he went in like the seventh round the following year to the raiders.

THIS, however, would be cosmic justice for the screwing the bucs received from bo.
Really? I didnt know the Bucs drafted him. I just thought he was a first rd pick drafted by OAK.

[meStevo]

I like the quote on ESPN radio... something to the effect of 'at this point, as soon as Russell signs, the Raiders do not get better, they only get poorer'. A sound bite they play advertising Mike and Mike i think.

[Stewie]

Really? I didnt know the Bucs drafted him. I just thought he was a first rd pick drafted by OAK.

The story goes that Ewing Kaufman convinced Bo to play for the Royals and skip football after having dinner with Bo and holding up a wet napkin - inferring that the napkin represented the Tampa Bay Offensive Line.

[Oh Snap]

cashride gets my vote for best avitar and sig this year.

And the raiders suck. nothing new there.