According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was a no-show for the beginning of the Raiders off-season conditioning program.
Russell, a guy who is often criticized for being over-weight cannot afford to miss any time for any off-season event, period, despite the workouts being voluntary. Over-weight is quickly turning into dead-weight, and it’s time for the Raiders to move on.
The former first overall pick is facing a make-or-break year in 2010, but it’s clear why Russell plays the game of football. Once he got his $30 million guaranteed from the Raiders, he shut it down. Those are the kind of guys that you don’t need on your football team.
Even current Raiders players ae disgusted with Russell’s effort, or lack thereof. When asked about Russell’s off-season work ethic, one Raider described it as “a horror show.”
With Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye sitting behind him, Russell is on the hot seat. Both Gradkowski and Frye showed up for the workouts.
Gradkowski filled in admirably upon Russell’s benching putting together a 2-2 record in his four starts with the team. Gradkowski can be a quality stop-gap player until Russell’s replacement is found, but the fact remains that Russell’s time is over in Oakland.
Russell’s laziness is nothing new. In an interview last season after his benching, Russell claimed to be “satisfied” with his progress in the league. I guess a 9-22 career record, with 52% completion percentage is enough for him.
As an NFL player you cna never be satisfied. It’s vital to always strive to get better. There’s a reason that a guy like Peyton Manning who is constantly watching film to get better because he is never satisfied is the best quarterback in the NFL and has four MVP’s under his belt.
Once you become satisfied, you’ve lost the battle. NFL games are not won on Sunday. Football games are won in the off-season. From the beginning of the off-season conditioning workouts until the end of the pre-season. Games are won in the weight room. Games are won at practice.
JaMarcus Russell appears to be blinded by all the shiny bling he bought with his $30 million to see the truth about winning football games and being a football player. It’s guys like Russell that ruin the image of the greatest game of all, and he needs to go.
