Raiders Release Former No. 1 Pick Russell

By Justin Worsley

After a tumultuous three years, the JaMarcus Russell era is over in Oakland.

The Oakland Raiders announced today that the team will sever ties with the 2007 first-overall selection. The move will save the team $6.5 million.

Russell, a star at LSU, has been widely known for having overwhelming talent, but little desire. Russell was consistently out of shape in the off-season and lacked leadership qualities.

Despite his consistent failures on the field, Raiders owner Al Davis refused to give up in the 24-year-old. Davis believed Russell would be the savior of the franchise and despite constant protests by then head coach Lane Kiffin, Davis drafted the strong-armed Russell. Prior to firing Kiffin, Davis sent a letter to the coach telling Kiffin that Russell is "a great player" and that Kiffin needed to "get over it and coach this team on the field."

Russell continued to struggle in 2009 and David gave permission to current head coach Tom Cable to bench Russell in favor of Bruce Gradkowski, a move that improve morale in the locker room as the Raiders pulled upset wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Only former defensive lineman Steve Emtman suffered a shorter tenure with a team after being selected first-overall. Emtman was released by the Indianapolis Colts due to injuries, but played for the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. No team has shown interest so far in Russell, who will still make $3 million this season from Oakland due to guaranteed money in his rookie contract.

Russell will also undoubtedly carry a "bust" label, joining the ranks of Ryan Leaf and Tim Couch as quarterbacks who never lived up to their hype after leaving college.

The beginning of the end for Russell came last month, when the Raiders traded their 2012 fourth-round draft pick to the Redskins for disgruntled quarterback Jason Campbell. Russell continued to show up to Oakland's off-season workout and stated that he would "continue to show up until he was told not to." Oakland was also linked to trading for several other quarterbacks, including suspended Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Russell has made a total of $39 million in Oakland, including next season's salary. In three seasons, Russell has produced only seven wins and a 65.2 passer rating.