Nixon

POSTED 11:08 p.m. EST, January 5, 2007

RUSSELL COMING OUT

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell has signed with agent Eric Metz, a league source tells us.

And this means that Russell will forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2007 draft. Once a college player signs with an agent, there's no going back.

Coming off of a great performance in the Sugar Bowl, the 6-6, 260-pound Russell could be one of the top picks in April. He might even leapfrog Notre Dame's Brady Quinn.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2723407

Thanks for the link, Mouse.

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imported_JARHEAD

To the Buccaneers maybe?

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imported_MANNING-TO-SHOCKEY

I still think there is a chance the Raiders take him

ILOVEFOOTBALL

He's a Raider.....oh well. He's gonna be a bust if he goes to Oakland....thats where you go to end your career.

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imported_nowayguy

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ILOVEFOOTBALL @ Jan 6th ) [snapback]1848534[/snapback]</div>i want to laugh but really it's just a cold hard fact.........

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imported_Lsuredskinman

Raiders will be a great fit and hopefully he starts from day one (can't be that hard to beat out Walter). If they can pick up a good TE (Olsen or Miller at the top of the 2nd?), settle on a RB and keep those 3 WRs together... this could be a suprising team next year. The o-line scares me a little bit, but there is talent there and the defense is ok. Just need to find the right coach...

Fatman

Yea he's most likely the first draft pick since he has a cannon for an arm, great size, and a crazy upside so AL Davis will draft him.

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imported_ejruiz

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lsuredskinman @ Jan 6th ) [snapback]1848553[/snapback]</div>Here I was thinking that you liked JaMarcus Russell, but now you show your true colors and it turns out you hate him and you want to see him fail! The Raiders might have a lot of "talent" on offense, but it only looks good on paper and they only play well in video games.

2/3 of those WR that you seem to like so much prefer to quit, whine or both instead of catching passes and playing football. I honestly don't expect either (certainly not both) to be back in the Silver N' Black next season.

Once upon a time, we all thought that the Raiders had a promising o-line, but that time is long gone now. If you honestly doubt that, ask any of Oakland's QBs and they'll let you know that.

Sure, a sweet pass catching TE would make things look even better, but he'd be another guy that can't block, so things would not get any better. Russell does have a quick release and a cannon for an arm, he's big and he can move, but even he needs some time in order to run the offense. I mean, Lamont Jordan's a good RB and he struggles to look average behind that line.

Oh, the defense isn't good... it's VERY good, but they can't win games. At least not yet, thankfully.

Yes, Oakland's closer to being competative than a lot of the teams that are picking directly after them in the draft, but it's not a good situation for a rookie QB to jump into as the instant starter. I believe Russell could be a HUGE success in the NFL, but he will stumble out of the gate if he's starting for the Raiders come opening day 2007.

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imported_Lsuredskinman

I think your underestimating what a new coach can bring to a team. The Raiders certainly had problems this year. But the slate has been cleared and it's all about fresh beginnings. Moss and Porter are still hot commodities and if they choose to go else where, Oakland will get some value for them. But the team would have to know that they won't get what they are worth, so keeping the pair and smoothing everything over is in everybody's interest.

I certainlly don't believe that the o-line is promising, but there are a couple of decent players there and it can be fixed. A more uptempo attack with quicker reads could help mask some of those weaknesses. Which is where I thought a good receiving TE would help out.

I really don't think Jordan is the answer at RB, but he is serviceable and I was impressed with Vargas as a change of pace guy. There will be a couple of guys looking for new homes this year though (perhaps Portis?) and I don't think it'll be hard to find someone.

I don't buy the whole Oakland as a QB graveyard argument. The Raiders haven't made a strong commitment to a young QB in at least 10 years and it's time to start. Whether they go with a vetren for the first few games or throw Russell right into the mix from day one, I would expect alot of rookie mistakes. But any offense would be better than what the Raiders got last year, which is why I think they could suprise some people. Nothing like the playoffs or anything like that. But 6-7 wins could be possible.

r8erray

First off we need to trade down a little bit so we can get some extra picks but still stay in range to take Russell. I would trade an extra 2nd round pick and Randy Moss to get back into the 1st round so we can take Marshawn Lynch. I really think this is the direction we need to go in so we can get a stud QB & RB in the draft, if we have an extra 2nd round pick from trading down we should go after a TE like Zach Miller. In free-agency and later in the draft is where we have to go after the OL, we really need a new C & RT and our OL can be legit. On defense get another run stuffer DT and we're good to go. We have the #1 pick in the draft we really need to work this pick and get everything we can get out of it because this offense needs serious help

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