These are just some of the few comments recorded Raiders’ quarterback JaMarcus Russell for his three total seasons in the NFL. But some of these comments, in my opinion, are people taking it too far.
Really, I am serious. I like JaMarcus Russell. I don’t consider him a bust at all. I wouldn’t say he sucks right now. He does kind of, but not as much. Worst draft pick in Raiders’ history, I don’t think so. Worst draft pick of all-time? There’s been worse. Worst quarterback ever…seriously?
Let’s go on a case, a case for JaMarcus Russell.
Is He Really a Bust?
No, not necessarily.
Okay, sure, we didn’t expect him to be what we thought as being a number one draft pick. Truly, he’s only played two seasons and I think that’s early for being a bust.
In his last four games or so with the Raiders in his rookie year, Russell had thrown for 373 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. That resulted in a 55.9 QB rating. That really didn’t count as a year to me.
First of all, there were money problems and the Raiders decided to go elsewhere with playing their other QB’s. Russell really started during the 2008-09 season. And I really didn’t think he was that bad.
He put up 2,423 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight picks for a 77.1 rating. Wouldn’t you think that would be pretty good for a rookie quarterback? I mean, Mark Sanchez had worse stats and we don’t see him being called a bust.
Then why Russell?
Sure, his next season was just terrible but he got pressure. How about Alex Smith? He had that one season with only like one touchdown and eleven interceptions and now he is returning and people aren’t calling him a bust anymore.
Why Russell? Why?
He’ll never be a good quarterback?
I don’t get that. Didn’t Vince Young and Matt Leinart struggle as they both were being called busts. Now both are entering their fifth year and are considered to be futures of their teams.
Russell is entering his fourth year. This could very well show what he has with Oakland. Russell knows what coming towards him after he got benched from Bruce Gradkowski. This happened to Young and Leinart when they got benched by Kerry Collins and Kurt Warner.
Now both are starting and aren’t half bad.
Then why Russell? Young and Leinart had some pretty crappy stats in their first few years. Now they know what happened and have fixed themselves. Nobody is considering Brady Quinn a bust?
He will never succeed? Again, just like the Young and Leinart comments. They both succeeded. It could very well might happen to Russell.
JaMarcus has a good arm. He just needs to work better with his accuracy and all of that. Along with that, we heard those rumors of him weighing in at 290 pounds. Those were rumors. Just rumors.
How are we sure if that’s true?
Look at LenDale White, who was weighed in overweight. He fixed himself up. Why not Russell? Can’t he do it?
Worst draft pick in Raiders’ history? Um, I think Al Davis has made far more worse picks. I mean, look at Robert Gallery. Derrick Gibson? Marquis Tuiasosopo? There’s so many other picks that are worse than Russell.
Worst quarterback ever? Worst draft pick ever? No, no way. You gotta be kidding me. Look at Ryan Leaf. Russell has better stats than him. Look at Mike Williams, the wide receiver and the offensive lineman. How about Carter from the Bengals?
And here are some other reasons why it isn’t all Russell’s fault:
1. Offensive line anyone? Russell has been sacked so much because this team’s O-Line can’t block.
2. Al Davis. This guy sucks at decisions. He picks up the worst players and just ruins the Raiders’ reputation.
3. Russell doesn’t have any weapons. Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Zach Miller are his best weapons on the squad. The Raiders either need to draft some good players and wisely or sign players wisely.
4. Russell always gets down for the comments people throw at him. What did he do to you? He’s trying and he’s getting better. Russell still has it.
Russell has so many years to improve. Sometimes the top picks in the draft don’t turn out the way you want to. But they can if you give them a chance. It just doesn’t happen in just one or two years. It may take three-to-five years.
Look at the NBA. People are still giving Greg Oden a chance. How about Reggie Bush at the No. 2 pick? People kept calling him a bust and after last season, fans are now past that. Seriously, guys.
How about Mario Williams? He got good after his second year. Last season for Russell, which I would really call his second year, Oakland didn’t give him a chance. Nobody did. Stop giving him pressure.
Russell still has a chance.
The stats may not show it, but he still has many years to improve. He has so much time to improve. This offseason, he’s probably working on his throws and stuff. Raiders fans are still giving him a chance.
I would, too. I would just leave him alone. He has a chance.
He can improve.
Watch.
You would give your friend chances when he messes up? What about you fathers or mothers out there? Your son/daughter will make many mistakes. Would you give up on him? Russell hasn’t made that many mistakes.
Why give up?
Maybe he can turn out to be something special.
Just maybe.
I still see something in him.
I’m not giving up.
