Despite the Oakland Raiders being an absolute mess this offseason, I am going on record right now to say that things are going to get worse for the Raiders, much worse, before they get better.

The team’s No. 1 overall draft pick two years ago, quarterback JaMarcus Russell, continues to struggle in his third season in the league – and has the look of a player that is going to turn out to be one of the biggest quarterback busts in recent draft history.

If Russell doesn’t prove that he has what it takes to become a legitimate starting quarterback at some juncture of the 2009-10 regular season, Oakland will have wasted three seasons – and a whopping $32 million in guaranteed money – in the strong-armed signal-caller, only to find themselves back in the hunt for a long-term solution to their long-standing quarterbacking problems.

After an extended holdout during his rookie season robbed Russell of any chance of starting that year, Russell started 15 games last season, throwing 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing an uninspiring 53.8 percent of his passes for 2,423 yards.

Russell’s immaturity also showed as he lost seven of the 12 fumbles he laid on the carpet last season – and worse yet – he hasn’t looked any better through two games this season.

Russell has completed an absolutely abysmal 35.2 percent of his pass so far this season while going a Mr. Magoo-like 7 for 24 (29.2 percent) in a 13-10 Week 2 win over Kansas City.

Russell has thrown just one touchdown pass and two interceptions so far this season, bringing his career totals to 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, pedestrian statistics no matter how you break it down.

While Raiders fans are in an uproar and even head coach Tom Cable hasn’t been too pleased with Russell’s play, franchise owner Al Davis has made it clear that he is committed to Russell on more than one occasion no matter how horrific he plays.

Making Russell look even worse is the fact that two rookie quarterbacks led their respective teams to impressive 11-5 regular season records in 2009-09 with Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco opening a lot of eyes with the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens – while simultaneously breaking the stereotype that says rookie QB’s aren’t ready to contribute right away.

Heck, even New York Jets rookie starter Mark Sanchez looks much better than Russell ever has in his brief NFL career.

Add it all up – and Russell looks like a big minus for the Raiders – and one that may be talked about in a negative light for years to come.