Analyzing the Downfall of JaMarcus Russell

As Jason Campbell prepares to lead the Oakland Raiders in the 2010-11 NFL season, the Raiders seemed to be giving up on NFL bust JaMarcus Russell. There isn’t a quarterback who came under as much scrutiny in his time as an NFL starter as Russell. The number 1 pick from LSU was given a ton of money to be clearly the worst quarterback in the game. He ends his run as a starter in Oakland with 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He’s accumulated a mere 4,000 passing yards and an embarrassing QB Rating of 65.2.

So how does a player with the obvious physical gifts of Russell bust out and become an NFL punchline? While there are a million factors that can lead to a player not living up to expectations, we can narrow it down to 5.

5. Sugar Bowl – Coming off a 10-2 season in the SEC for LSU, the Tigers earned themselves a BSC bowl bid. This was seen as JaMarcus’s coming out party. He had a combined 350 yards rushing and passing and scored 3 TD’s against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They blew out the Irish and Russell was named the Sugar Bowl MVP. It was after that game that Russell decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft. This game did everything for JaMarcus’s public perception. This couldn’t have been a bigger mistake.

There is no disputing that Russell had a great game and single-handedly destroyed Notre Dame, but anyone who followed the Irish that year had to know that Notre Dame didn’t deserve to be in that game and wasn’t good enough to play with an SEC team. This was virtually the same Notre Dame team that got shredded for over 600 yards by an Ohio State team that wasn’t nearly as fast as the LSU team Russell led.

So it’s no wonder Russell dominated them. But it wasn’t a coming out party. It was an exposure of ND. Vince Young’s performance against USC was a coming out party. Russell’s was just a party.

4. The NFL Pro Day – I’ll never forget it: Mel Kiper on Sportscenter talking about how Russell could throw 50 yards from his knees. This had to rank at the top of dumbest things to rave about a player. It’s like being able to shoot a free throw from your butt. It doesn’t matter. But this is sort of what the combine and the pro day has become. It’s a party to show off a players physical skills while often ignoring the kind of player they’ve always been.

It’s best to be used for players coming off injuries, and players with character issues who need to be further evaluated. But it’s not an accurate indication of how good of a football player someone is.

Russell impressed scouts with his amazing arm strength. He had a great arm and that couldn’t be denied. And after that day the Raiders seemed to have a one track mind, but they seemed to ignore looming issues with Russell.

Early reports were that Russell had real issues. This is from warroomreport.com:

Russell still must work on reading defenses better. At times he exhibits too much confidence in his arm, forcing the ball into spots and leading to turnovers. For a player projected as the #1 QB in the draft and who is getting compared to prospects like Vince Young or Peyton Manning, Russell did not dominate in college, despite having two first day picks at WR.

Doesn’t sound like the ringing endorsement a number 1 pick should get.

3. Contract Hold Out – You hear so many players say that the Rookie season is so important. Apparently Jamarcus Russell never got the memo. Instead of making important training camps with the team to learn the offense and get the coaching everyone knew he so desperately needed, Russell decided to hold out for top dollar.

It wasn’t until September when Russell signed his 68 million dollar contract. Lots of guaranteed money for a guy who was anything but a guarantee. We’ll never know how much sitting out that Rookie Season set Russell back, but we do know one thing: that holdout changed expectations.

2. The Contract – The holdout is one thing. Missing all that time was so hurtful to his development, but the Contract changed everything. Russell was no longer the eager rookie looking to learn the ropes. He was a 68 million dollar investment. Now he couldn’t fail. If he failed it was an epic failure.

That kind of pressure is hard for most people to endure. From all you hear it seems as though Russell was a nice kid who did want to do well but when you need as much work as he did it was easy to get overwhelmed knowing it would be impossible to live up to a 68 million dollar contract. You can’t blame him for getting everything he could in a game where you’re only one hit away from being out forever. But when you make that money you need to produce. Russell just never came close.

1. Work Ethic – You can give a guy the best coaches and trainers in the world. You can give him Ron Jaworski to help him break down game film but all those things don’t matter if you don’t have the work ethic.

Russell, from various accounts, never wanted to work that hard and it’s a shame. A kid with that much talent should want to use every gift he’s been given, but you can’t teach someone to be a hard worker. At best it’s a personal choice. At worst it’s something that is either innate in you or not. Peyton Manning is a work horse. Tom Brady is a work horse. JaMarcus Russell isn’t.

At the end of the day, excellence is about want. What is someone willing to give to be great? What are the willing to endure? Russell never gave much and for that he lost the respect of his teammates. And when a quarterback can’t command the respect of those players he commands then he can’t hope for success. It just won’t happen.

If Russell is eventually given his walking papers he’ll find that there are suitors for him. Teams will love to take a flier on a physically gifted athlete who might be one good coach away from living up to some of the amazing potential he has. I just hope Russell will see that as a new beginning and not an ending. He’ll have a chance to redeem himself. It can happen. Tony Mandrich did it. It can happen. The question isn’t if it’s possible, it’s if Russell wants it? Only he can answer that.

Dude, You Were A Seahawk?

Over the years, many players have chosen to keep their careers going well past their prime like stars Johnny Unitas (San Diego) or Joe Namath (LA Rams). But off the beaten path in the Pacific Northwest, several big name stars have found their last playing days in Seattle including 3 Hall of Famers. Take a look at 5 players who you might not have guessed who wore a Seahawks jersey.

New Style NFL Draft a Ratings Success

The viewers have spoken and interest in the NFL draft was not hampered by the expansion of the event to three days and its first ever airing in primetime. ESPN is reporting successful ratings for the new format which used to take place on the weekends in the afternoon.

That overall ratings are up 27% from last year as the first round aired Thursday night in primetime on ESPN and the NFL Network.

Between the two networks, Zap2it reports “the draft averaged 8.3 million viewers (7.3 million on ESPN and 1 million on NFL Network) — more than most of what aired on broadcast TV for the night. Only CBS’ lineup (“Survivor,” “CSI” and “The Mentalist”) and FOX’s “Bones” drew more viewers.”

The draft took a big bite out of the broadcast networks Thursday night as well after beating the NBA playoff game that night. NBC’s comedies and FOX shows were all below their season averages.

Draft Dodging the NFL

The pride of Mt. Tuskegee State, Willis Jackson, talks about why you should fear the draft and his plans for draft day 2010. Since 1936, the post-college careers of 13,000 young men have been altered by the draft of the NFL.

They are called up into the league and immediately sent to training camps to begin their work. These young men also end up in some of the most dangerous in the country, like Detroit or Cleveland. It’s tragic.

Funny or Die’s “Gamechangers” series takes a look at Jackson’s acceptance of his fate and his decision to head to Canada to escape the NFL Draft.

NSFW: Funny video but it does have some language.

10 Great Undrafted NFL Players

Jason Campbell is now a Raider

The drama in D.C. is now over for quarterback Jason Campbell.  Trades are making up the big news for the day as Seattle is building a backfield and Oakland is grabbing a QB.

The Redskins traded the five-year veteran quarterback to Oakland in exchange for the Raiders’ fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft.

“I’m just glad the situation is over and I’m moving forward,” Campbell said this afternoon. “Sometimes change comes in your life, change comes in your career, and you’ve just got to be ready to adapt. I’m going to go out to Oakland and give 110 percent and do everything I can to help that organization become a winning team.

“Obviously, that was my goal here. Of course, a lot of things happened and we weren’t able to accomplish that goal. But hopefully this time around it’ll happen. I just wish the best of luck to the Redskins, and I’m moving forward in my career and my life. This is a great opportunity for me, and that’s the way I’m looking at it.”

The addition of Donovan McNabb from Philadelphia earlier this month new coach Mike Shanahan signaled the end of the up-and-down era of Campbell who experienced a rotation of coaches and offensive coordinators during his stay.

Campbell was drafted in 2005 by Joe Gibbs and started 52 games for the Redskins.  He threw for 55 touchdowns and 38 interceptions.

Jon Gruden Swearing During Draft

Now this is the Jon Gruden I would like to see doing NFL analysis more often. During the 2010 NFL Draft on Thursday night, Gruden stepped aside and let his ‘Chucky’ out. He was checking a text before cameras came back to him and let slip this little nugget of fun just as his mic went live:

“It’s a crazy league, there’s a lot of dumbass coaches”

Check out Chucky’s slip-up below.

Draft News: Leon Washington, LenDale White Traded to Seahawks

Tennessee Titans RB LenDale White will be reunited with his college coach Pete Carroll after a surprising draft-day trade early on Day 3 that sent White to Seattle along with defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson in exchange for Seattle’s fourth-rounder and sixth-rounder. The Titans selected UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner with the spot acquired in the deal.

Carroll was not done trading as he soon acquired the talented Leon Washington, who is returning from a serious leg injury, from the Jets and a seventh-round pick for the ‘Hawks fifth-round choice in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Jets moved up to the spot to use their last draft pick to add RB John Connor from Kentucky.

The moves by Carroll indicate his desire to ramp up a weak Seattle running game that ranked 26th in rushing last year. Justin Forsett and Julius Jones will now be competing for a job in the crowded Seahawks backfield and it will be interesting to see if they all make the final roster. Jones has never really hit big in Seattle and may be on his way out.

LenDale still has a lot of gas in his tank and gives the ‘Hawks a power running back, something they have lacked for years.  Washington, who earned a Pro Bowl bid as a kickoff returner in 2008, could help form a dynamic new backfield duo with the crushing White.

Julius Jones was the Seahawks leading rusher last year with 663 yards.

NFL Draft Contest Sponsored by OCNN

NFL fans, get ready for The Pigskin Doctors NFL Draft Contest! This one is sponsored by OCNN, and we are happy to give away an XL OCNN T-shirt to the winner!

This year’s NFL Draft got off to a great start last night with a flurry of trades and surprise picks. And covering the draft this year are our good friends at Chad Ochocinco’s OCNN.

And they are rolling out some new reporters in the form of rookie reporter Gerald McCoy and veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Pigskin Doctors and OCNN want to know which one you think did a better job covering the events at the NFL Draft weekend. And we’re giving away a free OCNN T-shirt just for letting us know!

Like all of The Pigskin Doctor’s contests, they are free to enter and winning is easy! Just follow this easy step to enter:

1. View this video below and let us know who you think is the better reporter, Revis or the rookie McCoy. You can either submit your choice as a comment to this post, or you can email your choice to (dave@thepigskindoctors.com). If submitting a comment below, be sure to enter a valid email address that we can reach you at, so we can notify the winner and coordinate prize delivery at the conclusion of the contest. Enter now, don’t wait!

So let us know who you prefer. The contest deadline is Monday, April 26, 2010, at 12 P.M. EST. Check The Pigskin Doctors website then for our winner’s announcement.

OCNN Covers NFL’s Play 60 in Central Park. OCNN’s Darrelle Revis and Gerald McCoy hit Central Park to cover NFL’s Play 60. Find out how Darrelle Revis and Gerald McCoy end up in a pedicab together.

Live Updates: First Round of the NFL Draft

The Pigskin Doctors are proud to present our first Live Blogging event of the NFL Draft.  This year marks the first primetime Draft as the NFL stretches out the event over 3 days.

Thursday night we will see the first round of the draft.  Rounds 2-3 will go tomorrow night starting around 7 pm and then the remaining 4-7 rounds will finish up this weekend.

Follow the action below as we update the events of the first round of drafting news and events.  If there’s a trade or surprise, we’ll have it.

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7:30 Let’s get started.  The St. Louis Rams are now on the clock.

7:37 No surprise.  Rams take Sam Bradford with the #1 pick.  Lions are now on the clock.

7:44 Wise pick. Lions take Ndamukong Suh.

7:50 Big night for the Big 12. McCoy goes to Bucs

7:59 Redskins go with Trent Williams.  Small surprise but he has the necessary elements for the Redskins system

8:07 Chiefs nab my favorite defensive player, Eric Berry from Tennessee

8:12 Seahawks grab OT Russell Okung to replace Walter Jones

8:25 Joe Haden, CB from Florida goes to the Browns

8:30 Oakland Raiders don’t upset w/being different.  Grab a surprise pick of Ronlando McClain LB from Alabama

8:33 Buffalo grabs C.J. Spiller from Clemson.  Great talent but questionable pick.  They need bigger things than a RB

8:38 Jacksonville goes with Tim Tebow.  Just kidding. They surprise with the underrated Tyson Alualu of Cal

8:40 1st trade of the night. SF trades up 2 spots w/Denver and give up 4th rounder

8:45 SF jumps Miami to grab OT Anthony Davis of Rutgers

8:50 Another trade. San Diego swaps with Miami for injury-prone Ryan Matthews from Fresno.  Questionable pick

8:51 More on the Miami trade.  SD gets 12th pick and LB Tim Dobbins.  28th overall pick, 2nd round pick (40) and 4th Round pick (126)

8:55 Broncos trade again…with Philly to get 24th overall pick, 3rd round picks 70 & 80

8:57 Philly selects Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

9:00 Seattle grabs S Earl Thomas, a solid pick from Texas

9:08 Giants take the gamble on Jason Pierre-Paul

9:16 Titans grab DE Morgan from Georgia Tech

9:24 SF taps Idaho OG Lupati

9:30 Steelers make a good choice with C Maurkice Pouncey from Florida

9:35 Atlanta drafts LB Weatherspoon from Missouri

9:40 Texans add Kareem Jackson CB from Alabama

9:45 Bengals add the talented TE Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma

9:48 Broncos don’t trade this time, draft Demaryius Thomas, WR, Ga. Tech

9:53 Packers draft Brian Bulaga OT, Iowa

9:58 Cowboys via many trades get Dez Bryant, WR, Ok. St.

10:08 The answer to everyone’s question. Who will pick Tim Tebow?  Denver will

10:15 Cardinals draft Vols Dan Williams

10:25 Patriots draft Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

10: 29 Dolphins, from Chargers, draft Jarod Odrick

10:35 Jets Draft CB Kyle Wilson from Boise St

10:43 Vikings trade out to Detroit who grab RB Best from Cal

10:52 Colts Draft Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU

11:00 Patrick Robinson, FSU, DB

1	St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2	Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
3	Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gerald McCoy, DT,
4	Washington Redskins Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
5	Kansas City Chiefs Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
6	Seattle Seahawks Russell Okung, OT
7	Cleveland Browns Joe Haden, DB, Flordia
8	Oakland Raiders Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
9	Buffalo Bills C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
10	Jacksonville Jaguars Tyson Alualu, Cal
11	Denver Broncos traded to SF Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
12	Miami Dolphins traded to San Diego SD picks Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
13	San Francisco 49ers to Denver to Philadelphia Philadelphia Eagles pick Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
14	Seattle Seahawks Earl Thomas, S, Texas
15	New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
16	Tennessee Titans Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
17	San Francisco 49ers Mike Lupati, OG, Idaho
18	Pittsburgh Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey
19	Atlanta Falcons Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
20	Houston Texans Kareem Jackson CB from Alabama
21	Cincinnati Bengals Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
22	New England Patriots to Denver Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
23	Green Bay Packers Brian Bulaga OT, Iowa
24	Philly to Den to NE to Cowboys Cowboys pick Dez Bryant, WR, Okla. St.
25	Baltimore Ravens to Denver Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
26	Arizona Cardinals Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
27	Dallas Cowboys to New England Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
28	San Diego Chargers to Dolphins Jarod Odrick, DT, Penn State
29	New York Jets Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise St
30	Minnesota Vikings to Detroit Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
31	Indianapolis Colts Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
32	New Orleans Saints Patrick Robinson, DB, FSU

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