On May 6th 2010 JaMarcus Russell was cut by the Oakland Raiders. After being chosen as the number one selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, Russell was without a team only three years later. In his short time with the Raiders he threw 18 touchdowns compared to 23 interceptions, posted a shoddy quarterback rating of 52.1, and only played in 31 games. This wasn’t how Al Davis dreamed JaMarcus would perform, but what had to make Al even more sick is the $61 million 6 year contract the Raiders gave Russell after drafting him (his contract was the largest rookie contract in NFL history).

After being cut by Oakland the one question remaining about JaMarcus Russell was whether someone would give him a second chance. Obviously, he would not compete for a starting job but it wasn’t unfathomable to think that he might still land somewhere as a backup. Luckily for JaMarcus it appeared that at least one time still wanted to see what he could do; the New York Jets inquired in the offseason about JaMarcus Russell and said they would be willing to take a look at him. The Jets became the darlings of the NFL last season after reaching the AFC Championship game with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and rookie Head Coach Rex Ryan. Could it happen, could Rex Ryan shake the rust of the once prized quarterback and whip the often out of shape Russell in line? Unfortunately we will never know; JaMarcus couldn’t stay out of his own way long enough to make it to OTA’s and audition for the Jets.

Yesterday, Russell was arrested at his Mobile, Alabama home in a sting operation for possession of a controlled substance. This particular controlled substance was codeine syrup it is an ingredient used to make a recreational drug called “Purple Drank” (which is a combination of codeine, Sprite, and pieces of Jolly Ranchers candies). Russell was later released on $2,500 bond.

What is especially damaging about the arrest though is that it cooled the interest the Jets or probably any other NFL team had in Russell. For all of JaMarcus Russell’s red flags a coach could point to the fact that he has never gotten into any trouble off the field (so much for that argument now). I have seen too many incredible comeback stories in pro sports so I refuse to say that he will never take another snap in the NFL or that his career is 100% dead. If Russell never does anymore though and he ends his career on this note then I would put him right up there with Ryan Leaf as one of the biggest NFL Draft busts of the modern era.

There are a couple of main factors in particular why I would remember him as one of the ultimate draft busts. First, Russell has shown up for minicamp horribly out of weight (over 300 lbs). Any NFL player worth their salt will tell you about the need to stay in shape and work during the offseason. If you are truly serious about becoming a great NFL quarterback then you need to manage your body better than that. Second, he received the biggest NFL rookie contract in NFL history and still performed so poorly. This is not a knock on JaMarcus; the Raiders believed in Russell all the way and decided to give him this enormous contract before ever taking a snap in the league. I would never fault a rookie for taking that kind of money if it was offered, but the fact that he got such a big deal and never panned out puts him very high on the list. Finally, there wasn’t that much debate that Russell should have been taken with the number one pick. Some people saw Calvin Johnson (number two selection in 2007) as the better prospect but everyone was so impressed with Russell’s size and rocket arm that there was no serious debate about whether he would be taken first.

I will not say JaMarcus Russell’s career is over and that there is no chance he will make a comeback. I will say though that I thought his comeback trail would be tough after he got cut by Oakland, now after this arrest it will be an even longer and rougher climb back into the league. The only question remaining is if JaMarcus doesn’t get a chance to come back on with another NFL team then where will Russell land next?

Thoughts, comments, opinions