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JaMarcus Russell #2 | Quarterback | Oakland Raiders
Height: 6-6    Weight: 263    Born: , Mobile, AL

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2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
Newsbreakers
October 12, 2008
JaMarcus Russell was only 13-of-35 for 159 yards and an interception vs. New Orleans on Sunday.

Our View:The Tom Cable era in Oakland didn't start off very well. The Raiders scored just three points on the day, and Russell had one of his worst games of the season.
October 7, 2008
Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will be the one who is calling plays for the Raiders, taking over for the fired Lane Kiffin in that regard, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Our View:Knapp had previously called plays for the 49ers and Falcons. He may also be remembered as the coach who simply sat there as Terrell Owens lit into him during a game for not getting him the ball enough when T.O. was still with San Francisco.
October 5, 2008
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported this morning that Lane Kiffin is preparing a grievance against the Oakland Raiders to retrieve the $3.5 million remaining on his contract.

Our View:Kiffin's grievance has been expected and it will likely take several months before a decision is made. Raiders' owner Al Davis said Tuesday that he fired Kiffin "for cause" and that he will not pay him.
October 4, 2008
Owner Al Davis think it's time to unleash JaMarcus Russell in the passing game, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "If this kid is going to be what I think he is, we have to let him go," he said. However, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is more hesitant to demand so much of Russell right away. "This is truly his rookie year," he said. "To answer your question, probably not just yet. I know everybody wants that to be the case, but let's be real. A young quarterback has a lot of growing to go through, and it takes a season or two. It's probably not until your third or fourth year (that) you have a good comfort zone."

Our View:As we all know, Davis calls the shots, so it's possible we could see Russell given more freedom. We already saw a difference last week when Knapp shared the playcalling duties with Kiffin, as Russell attempted a career-high 37 passes in the loss to the Chargers.
October 3, 2008
After Raiders owner Al Davis said in his news conference that former coach Lane Kiffin did not want to draft quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Russell maintains that there are no hard feelings, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "I appreciate the opportunity he gave me to play in the National Football League. Wish for him to go out and get him a job because he's a good guy, a good coach," he said.

Our View:Russell has played fairly well this season, despite his 54.5 completion percentage. He has tossed just one interception compared to four touchdowns, and has a QB rating of 84.9. Still, he is not a recommended player for fantasy owners except those in very deep leagues.
September 30, 2008
In a fascinating 45 minute press conference, Raiders owner Al Davis blasted former coach Lane Kiffin, and threw a plethora of accusations at him. Davis said Kiffin did not want to draft JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick last season; that he wanted to leave Oakland in the middle of last year to take the job at Arkansas (which eventually went to Bobby Petrino), but Davis would not let him go until the end of the season; and that Kiffin was not fired for what happened on the field, but for his continued lying.

Our View:The press conference was quite unlike anything we had ever seen, or are likely to see again. At one point, Davis used a projection screen to show the media a three-page letter he sent to Kiffin that warned him to get in line with the situation and concentrate solely on coaching. Davis also called ESPN's Chris Mortensen a liar on a number of occasions, essentially accusing Kiffin of getting his message out through him.
September 29, 2008
ESPN.com reports that Al Davis has begun to interview Raiders assistants to discuss replacing head coach Lane Kiffin. The assistants interviewed were offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, offensive line coach Tom Cable and longtime NFL offensive coordinator and current Raiders consultant Paul Hackett

Our View:Kiffin is seemingly fired every day, but this seems to say there is a plan being developed for his inevitable departure. We'll keep you updated. Kiffin is 5-15 since taking over the Raiders.
September 28, 2008
JaMarcus Russell had his best game of the season vs. San Diego on Sunday, completing 22-of-37 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown. He also threw one interception.

Our View:Russell certainly didn't look as lost at the wheel as he has over the last couple weeks. He is still an iffy option in even the deepest of leagues.
September 20, 2008
The Oakland Raiders will no longer play in McAfee Stadium, as it is being changed back to it's original title on Saturday: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Our View:Network Associates had a ten-year contract with the team worth more than $13 million, but it expired and they did not renew the deal. Assuredly, another company will have their name on the stadium soon.
September 16, 2008
Coach Lane Kiffin will not be fired this week, according to ProFootballTalk.com. It had been previously reported that Kiffin could get the axe as soon as Monday.

Our View:Did Lane save his job with a win Sunday? We're not going to pretend that we know what Al Davis is thinking.
September 14, 2008
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is prepared to fire head coach Lane Kiffin before season's end, perhaps as soon as Monday, regardless of the outcome of today's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Our View:Davis has fired a coach during the season only once in 46 years with the Raiders. That happened in 1989, when he jettisoned Mike Shanahan after four games. However, the relationship between the owner and Kiffin has been rocky for several months.
September 9, 2008
JaMarcus Russell could not handle the Broncos as the Raiders fell 41-14 on Monday Night Football. Russell completed 17-of-26 passes for 180 yards and two scores. He didn't throw an interception but lost two fumbles.

Our View:Russell has a bright future with Oakland, but he really disappointed the Raider Nation in the home opener, as well as fantasy owners who decided to give him a start.
August 30, 2008
Reports from Oakland indicate today's roster cuts, the final transactions to get the roster in regular-season form, are likely to put the Raiders in place with just two quarterbacks, including JaMarcus Russell and Andrew Walter, making the final menu, in stark contrast to last season with four passers were employed and found snaps during the season, according to the Sporting News.

Our View:Coach Lane Kiffin has noted those roster spots are likely to be needed in other positions due to injuries, and if problems were to arise at quarterback, both receiver Ronald Curry and rookie rusher Darren McFadden have experience at the position and could fill in if needed.
August 15, 2008
The Raiders babied JaMarcus Russell Friday, but the former first overall pick had a solid game, completing 10-of-17 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Our View:We have to think Lane Kiffin will loosen the reins eventually, but for now this may be the best way to utilize Russell, who has had a poor training camp.
August 14, 2008
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was not impressive overall in training camp, according to Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times.

Our View:Quarterbacks traditionally take some time to develop, and Russell is on that path after missing so much time due to his contract impasse last season. He has little to no fantasy value.
August 7, 2008
JaMarcus Russell is nursing a sore right elbow, but said he is good to go for Friday's exhibition against the 49ers, according to the SF Chronicle. Andrew Walter is also nursing a tired arm, but Coach Lane Kiffin said the injury is not a long-term concern.

Our View:Russell has been performing well in training camp, and his fantasy stock could rise with a solid showing in preseason action, starting Friday against San Francisco.
July 30, 2008
Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell returned to the field on Wednesday and participated in a limited practice after missing Tuesday with elbow discomfort, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Our View:Russell came out with his teammates wearing a protective long sleeve on his throwing arm. He took part in individual drills but retired for the day about halfway through practice. Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo are the only legitimate backup options in camp, and that leaves questions about depth. Walter is not a system fit for Kiffin's offense because of his limited mobility. Tuiasosopo is better geared for the rollouts but doesn't strike many as a starting quarterback after eight years of trying. As a result, we would not be surprised if the Raiders seek to find a veteran alternative as a backup if one should shake out due to release during training camp. We'll keep an eye on this situation.
July 30, 2008
Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was held out of practice on Tuesday night due to a sore elbow, according to the AP. "If we were playing a game he could have very easily played, so I don't foresee it being an issue at all," Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin said.

Our View:Russell will be fine as he simply hit his elbow on teammate Darren McFadden's helmet. In time he may become a fantasy asset, but the second-year QB is likely still a ways off from reaching that point.
July 27, 2008
JaMarcus Russell is reportedly throwing the ball at incredible velocity, as well as completing perfect spirals on the run and showing great touch on soft passes in tight spaces, according to the SF Chronicle. Coach Lane Kiffin said, "We're not going to coach those special throws that he makes. That's who he is and very few people can do that. But those happen one time a game, maybe two. That's all the stuff that wows the fans, but that's not what makes you a good quarterback. We've got to get him to do everything right, the little things, the little completions and the timing of everything."

Our View:Russell is off to a great start in camp, in his second season in the NFL, and the Raiders have a good enough supporting cast for him to succeed this season with Javon Walker (if he can remain intact), Ronald Curry, tight end Zach Miller (excellent safety-valve), and rookie running back Darren McFadden.
June 19, 2008
Oakland head coach Lane Kiffin continues to laud quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s preparation and work ethic, and Russell said he is working as hard mentally as he is physically, according to the Contra Costa Times. “I have everything on DVD and I watch it at home myself,” Russell said. “Everything - runs, steps or pass settings - anything that I can become good at I go home and look it over myself.”

Our View:There have been conflicting reports regarding Russell’s conditioning, which has raised some red flags in the fantasy community. But there is no debating the fact that Russell has all of the physical tools to be an elite field general at the professional level. Dynasty leaguers should have him on their radar as a QB2 this season, as he could provide substantial dividends down the road.
June 3, 2008
JaMarcus Russell looked shaky at times during the Raiders' first day of minicamps, according to ESPN.com. The report also noted that the QB still looks out of playing shape.

Our View:Russell has loads of physical ability, but he's got a ways to go before fantasy owners can trust him.
May 29, 2008
Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell appears to be on the fast track toward a leadership position with the team, according to Pro Football Weekly. Sources in Oakland say Russell has gained his teammates’ respect through showing a commitment and strong work ethic in offseason workouts.

Our View:Russell has looked in command of the offense during offseason practices thus far, which is a big departure from where he left off at the end of last season. While he doesn’t represent an optimum choice for re-draft leagues, he is definitely a top target for those of you who participate in dynasty leagues. Given his limited production last year, it might be a good time to try to pry him from the roster of your fellow owners.
May 15, 2008
JaMarcus Russell is ready to make his mark in 2008, and that starts by being in good physical shape, according to NFL.com. "It was funny to me," Russell said. "But most of my family, like my grandmother, she kind of took it hard. But at the same time I think it's all fun and jokes, just a reason to get myself better and just keep myself in shape."

Our View:Russell weighs 269 pounds and appears to look a little leaner than he did last season according to the report. Russell will always be on a short leash when it comes to his weight, but some big offensive production would likely lesson the calls for him to hit a treadmill.
April 25, 2008
Lane Kiffin has been floating the possibility of trading the No. 4 overall pick, moving down in the draft, according to the Contra Costa Times. “With the upcoming draft, obviously with the fourth pick overall, a number of great players will be sitting there for us to take,” Kiffin said. “More than ever, not in Raider fashion, we may trade back. It hasn’t happened before but it is something we’re seriously looking at. And that stems from the lack of picks and not having a fifth, a third or a second, it’s something we’re really looking at and having conversations about because of the lack of picks.”

Our View:Kiffin said there have been “a number of calls, and a few serious conversations” about trading the pick. The trade partner would most likely be a team like the New York Jets that covets Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, a player who also happens to be listed on most mock drafts as the Raiders' primary target.
April 24, 2008
There have been plenty of rumors about the enormous weight of QB JaMarcus Russell, but they aren't true if you listen to the words of his HC Lane Kiffen, according to the Contra Costa Times. “He’s having a phenominal offseason. He came back 10, 11 days before we even started,” Kiffin said. "By far he’s in the best shape since I’ve seen him, even if you go back to his pro day at college."

Our View:Russell has a lot of pressure on him as he enters his second season as the presumptive starter after a rather unimpressive rookie campaign. At least he will be in camp on time this season to give himself a real shot at success.
April 4, 2008
Anyone who had any questions about who was making the decisions for the Oakland Raiders had them answered this week, when head coach Lane Kiffin described the role of team owner Al Davis, according to NFL.com. About Davis’ role, Kiffin said: “Because of the fact that we don’t have a general manager, he’s really the general manager. He’s kind of the general manager, director of college scouting, director of pro personnel and sometimes the defensive coordinator.” Nothing groundbreaking here, we already knew this, but it’s refreshing that Kiffin had the guts to say it publicly.
April 1, 2008
Earlier in the offseason it had been reported that second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell was tipping the scales at 300-plus pounds, but head coach Lane Kiffin says that isn’t so, according to ESPN. Kiffin wouldn't say how much his prized player weighs, but emphasized that Russell is in good shape. Kiffin said he is fine with Russell playing in the 275-pound range and if Russell trimmed down to 260 or so he wouldn't be as effective because of his body frame.
April 1, 2008
The Oakland Raiders don’t have any second-, third- or fifth-round picks so head coach Lane Kiffin made it clear the organization, which is still very much in the rebuilding phase, will look at the possibility of trading out of the No. 4 pick, according to ESPN. "[Trading down] is something we're looking at," Kiffin said. Teams such as Carolina, at No. 13, or Chicago, at No. 14, or Dallas, which has the No. 22 and No. 28 picks, could be attracted by Oakland's top pick. Once again, we have questions about how much power Kiffin has in Oakland, but this report certainly adds to the intrigue at the top of the 2008 NFL draft.
March 31, 2008
The Oakland Raiders will host the Denver Broncos in the second half of the ESPN’s 2008 Monday Night Football doubleheader, according to ESPN. As we reported earlier, the Green Bay Packers will host the Minnesota Vikings in the in the Monday night opener. This will mark the third straight season that ESPN has televised a doubleheader to kickoff their television coverage of the NFL.
March 27, 2008
The Oakland Raiders have shelled out contracts worth $178 million among four major acquisitions during free agency, according to the Sacramento Bee. Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, wide receiver Javon Walker, safety Gibril Wilson and cornerback DeAngelo Hall have all broke the bank in offseason deals with the Raiders. The reason for the spending is simple: Owner Al Davis is tired of losing. But as Daniel Snyder learned after buying the Washington Redskins, quick turnarounds are not bought. Rather, they're cultivated through good drafting, talent development and the occasional free-agency splash. Bottom line… Oakland is improved on paper, but as we all know that doesn’t always translate to success on the field.
March 12, 2008
JaMarcus Russell does not weigh 300 pounds and he has worked out at team headquarters since season's end, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The article cites two team officials who were addressing rumors that Russell was pushing three bills and missing in action in Alameda this offseason. "Ridiculous," said a front-office employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak on the issue. "JaMarcus is nowhere near that. He's been here. He's been working out. He's in great shape. "That's something everyone's going to see at our first mini-camp." Russell will be under immense pressure in 2008 to start earning some of that $31 million in guaranteed money the Raiders are paying him. Hopefully, this report is more accurate than the previous ones suggesting he was in the neighborhood of 300 pounds.
March 10, 2008
According to a report in the Sacremento Bee, JaMarcus Russell is much closer to the 260 pounds he finished with last season with than the 300 pounds that SI.com reported he weighed earlier in the day. Russell doesn't figure to be in great shape given the fact that the report of his obesity likely wouldn't have started if he was in good shape. One things for sure and that is that Russell could stand to lay off the donuts and hit the weights this summer.
March 9, 2008
SI.com reported Friday that Raiders' quarterback JaMarcus Russell is still an unknown. There is no real proof he is ready to take over the starting job. The most disturbing note in the report was the rumor that he's close to 300 pounds and not exactly prepared for offseason programs.
February 26, 2008
There is still a chance that Oakland owner Al Davis could fire HC Lane Kiffin, according to a report on FoxSports.com. John Czarnecki is reporting a rumor that the team could replace Kiffin, with new receiver’s coach James Lofton. He also speculates that it’s no secret that current Oaktown assistants Greg Knapp and Tom Rathman will join Jim Mora’s Seattle staff in 2009. Nothing that comes out of Oakland surprises us anymore, it's the most dysfunctional organization in the league.

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