Raiders' 2007 No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell is 26 years old and out of football, and in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated, Russell tells his side of the story as to why his short-lived career in Oakland was a complete disaster. Addressing previous reports that he would fall asleep during team meetings as a rookie, Russell said it was a result of having sleep apnea. "In the NFL, my first year, I had to be there at 6:30 (a.m.) before practice and be on the treadmill for an hour," Russell said. "Then meetings come, I sit down, eat my fruit. We watch film, and maybe I got tired. Coach Flip (quarterback coach John DeFilippo) pulled me aside and said, 'What are you doing for nightlife?' I said, 'Coach, I'm just chilling.' He said, 'I need to get you checked out.' I did the sleep test, and they said I had apnea." Clearly, Russell's career got off to a bad start -- and only worsened. After Lane Kiffin was fired in 2008, new Raiders coach Tom Cable apparently didn't help matters much and Now, Russell said he feels betrayed by Cable, who's now with the Seattle Seahawks after being let go in Oakland. "I stuck my neck out for him," Russell said. "Didn't complain when he benched me as the starter. Didn't complain when he called the same plays five damn times. Didn't (badmouth) him to other coaches. When the (media) asks me, I say, 'He's a good coach, a good guy.' Then I hear he says I was the worst thing that ever happened to the Raiders, if it weren't for (me) we'd be in the playoffs? ... It just got to where the game wasn't fun for me." Russell, who went 7-18 as a starter before being released after the 2009 season, also said he hates the fact that he's the face of the Raiders' losing during his three years with the team. "Things weren't going right, and it felt sometimes like everything fell back on me," he said. "I take some responsibility, but I was one guy. ... I may have missed a throw, but I didn't give up 42 points. I didn't miss a block." Source: NFL.com
So, does this dumb crap REALLY think that people are going to read this and go "OHhhH!! That's what it was. NOT the Purple Drank!" Just own up to being a freaking failure and move on with your life. Have an OUNCE of dignity.
What tremendous upside this kid had... I mean arm strength 2nd to none. Complaining about having to be at work by 6:30, Really Baby Please. I just see a huge waste....Waste of Money, Waste of Talent & Waste of skin.
Russell hasn't hit rock bottom yet. He still has his freedom. Once he winds up in jail, and has that freedom taken away, then, and only then, will he realize that his problem isn't sleep apnea. It isn't Tom Cable. It's him.
