Jamarcus Russell A Perfect Example Of Why a Rookie Cap Is Needed

A masterful performance in the Sugar Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was the clincher for Jamarcus Russell's eventual selection as the No. 1 pick of the 2007 NFL draft. That night, Russell was 21-34 for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers coupled with this size and arm strength were enough to seduce Al Davis and his checkbook.

It's like a newly-wed couple arriving at their hotel on their honeymoon and then realizing that the groom forgot his Viagra. Looking back at that Sugar Bowl, what Oakland ended up getting is not what was advertised. Yes, Russell is big and has a cannon, but he left the completions and yards in Lousiana.

Many times, a football team is forced to sacrifice two, three, or even four seasons because it's trying to get a return on it's huge investment. The Raiders and Russell are no exception. Russell held out all of training camp two years ago because he wanted to get a huge paycheck. He got his paycheck, but the Raiders didn't get the commitment they expect out of their players.

The last two seasons, Russell has come to camp overweight and out of synch. Over the course of the offseason, Russell doesn't study or work. He was even called out by head coach Tom Cable at the beginning of training camp.

Other former No. 1 picks who've come to the league to steal a paycheck include Ryan Leaf, Rick Mirer, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Tim Couch, and Joey Harrington. These are players who got huge paydays and never produced for the teams that paid them. Why does the NFL allow teams to put themselves in a situation where they have to sacrifice a few seasons?

At this point, there is no rookie salary cap, so today's rookies hold NFL franchises hostage until they plunder their books. Two years ago it was Russell, last year it was McFadden, and this year it's Michael Crabtree. Why do these players hold out? They want guaranteed money. The result? Overpaid and underperforming players.

Because Oakland has paid Russell $30 million guaranteed, they will not bench him. He won't get benched if he misses 10 straight passes(including wide open looks at Zach Miller, Darren McFadden, and Louis Murphy for a possible TD). He won't get benched if he is 12 of 30 against the Chargers, 7 of 24 against the Chiefs, or if his passer rating is a microscopic 47.6.

Instead of guaranteeing such big numbers for unproven football players, NFL franchises should guarantee a smaller number and make rookies work their way up to such big numbers. The NFL draft is a lottery. Who in their right mind would pay $10,000 more just for getting a chance to buy the first lottery ticket for the week's drawing? That's what's happening in the NFL. No. 1 draft picks come with no guarantees for the franchise, but with huge guarantees for the pick himself. Is that really fair? 

After his disappearing act in the middle of the game, pulling Jamarcus Russell in favor of Jeff Garcia would have been ideal, but because the Raiders gave Russell such a fat contract, Garcia is no longer on the roster. Because there is no real capable backup on the squad, it appears Oakland really needs Russell to grow up and take his profession seriously. If he continues to play as he has in the first two weeks of the season, the Raiders' woes will continue.