Two Failures Failing

With the NFL Draft two days away two former First Round draft picks, who both wore #2, are in the news.

The failure that is JaMarcuss Russell, the 2007 #1 pick, has announced in a recent SI interview that he is willing to play one season in the NFL for free. He even sent a letter to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones saying that he will start from the bottom working with the practice team to learn the playbook. Jones is a big proponent of giving questionable players a second chance but Russell has not played a down since 2009 and has only had to one workout with a team since, in 2013 with the Bears.

Also in the news in Johnny Manziel who was indicted today in Texas on assault charges on his ex-girlfriend. Normally I wouldn't give Manziel and space on my blog but his life has been in free fall since January and he is flirting with jail time now, the assault charge is a misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines. America loves to watch a train wreck but when the person is destroying their body with drugs and alcohol he is beyond a train wreck and his family is fearing he may not live to his next birthday. In this case jail may be the best option to help Manziel. I am willing to bet that he won't see any jail time and a minimum fine because affluence seems to be a viable defense in Texas.

Personally I hope they both just move on and stop trying to add more of a media circus to the NFL.

Once Again I Give You JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell has his name in the news again after getting arrested yesterday in Mobile, Alabama for possession of a controlled substance, supposedly codeine syrup without a prescription. When you consider some other professional athletes have returned to the field/court after making bigger mistakes and even doing prison time, this is not something that can be overcome. The problem is that Russell is known for his laziness and lack of commitment on the field. That is something that will not be overlooked by most teams not to mention collectors. It makes me wonder if any team will actually pick him up even as a 3rd stringer or practice squad.

Doing a quick search of the bay and you can find around 1,700 JaMarcus Russell cards, scan through the pages and you will find no more then 6-8 total bids out of all of those auctions. You can get rookie cards for under a buck and most jersey and autograph cards are realistically posted under $5 each. You almost feel sorry for the people that were dropping hundreds of dollars on his cards back in 2007, sadly enough there are people still posting his 2007 Finest and Exquisite autographs up for auction at prices that they were selling for 3 years ago.

A true tale of caution for collectors, ability will always work out better then draft position.

JaMarcus Russell From Top Dog To Left Out

JaMarcus Russell may want to begin packing his bags, it looks as if his position as the starting QB has ultimately been sacked. Russell was benched when the Raiders brought in Bruce Gradkowski who led the Raiders to a pair of upset wins over the Bengals and Pittsburgh before tearing the MCL ligaments in both knees.

You would think that this would be an opportunity for Russell to step up and show that he is the true starter but the Raiders instead choose to use Charlie Frye, who has not played in a game in over a year, to be the starter. To add insult to injury they signed JP Losman, who was not even playing in the NFL, to be the Third string QB. You wonder how long it will be before Losman becomes the #2 guy and Russell is handing out water and towels during timeouts.