Oakland Raiders - Raiders Insider: Could two days of talks end Russell stalemate? - sacbee.com
All it would take is 48 hours.
That's the opinion of sources familiar with both sides of the stalled JaMarcus Russell contract talks.
After months of haggling, both sides want to complete a deal that would get Russell, the first overall pick in this spring's draft, to Alameda and join his teammates. However, each side claims the other refuses to negotiate, and neither party believes the other is operating in good faith, with heated exchanges the norm during conference calls. That hasn't happened in recent days because the sides haven't talked.
A source familiar with the negotiations, who asked for anonymity because of the delicate nature of the contract talks, said the Raiders' current offer meets the basic parameters Russell's agents, Ethan Lock and Eric Metz, are seeking.
The agents were believed to be looking for a six-year deal worth $60 million with $30 million to $32 million in guarantees.
The Raiders contend their deal exceeds $30 million in guarantees and includes the skill and injury protection Metz and Lock have sought, but the agents now want more guaranteed money. A skill and injury clause would guarantee Russell's money if he were cut or injured while with the Raiders.
Meanwhile, Russell's camp said the Raiders' offer puts Russell at risk of not receiving all his guaranteed money.
The Raiders said Metz and Lock want all the guaranteed money in an option bonus, which can't be recouped should Russell be unable to play for any reason.
Metz and Lock want a deal they believe provides adequate protection for Russell.
Both sides had hoped Calvin Johnson's contract, which included $27.2 million in guarantees, would provide a blueprint of how to deal with the option bonus issue. But two weeks after Johnson -- the No. 2 overall pick with the Detroit Lions -- signed his contract, there is still no deal in Oakland.
Both sides say they believe a deal eventually will get done, and nobody wants that more than Russell, who waits and works out in his home state of Alabama.
Could two days of talks end Russell stalemate?
Could two days of talks end Russell stalemate?
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