Poor JaMarcus Russell. Here's a guy that's simply plugging away as the Raiders quarterback, minding his own business, trying to establish himself as an NFL player in the middle of a three-ring circus. Then, all of a sudden, without warning, he finds his name in the middle of the fray between Al Davis and Lane Kiffin. It was during that bizarre press conference earlier this week when Davis, the 79-year old owner, let the cat out of the bag and informed us that Kiffin never wanted to take the LSU quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. Russell seems to be taking the news quite well.
"It just kind of came out of nowhere. I really don't think myself or Coach Kiffin or anybody else were looking for that to come out that way." "I appreciate the opportunity he gave me to play in the National Football League. Wish for him to go out and get him a job because he's a good guy, a good coach."Interesting.
Meanwhile, former Oakland defensive tackle -- and current dancing with the stars, uh, star -- Warren Sapp continued to make his voice heard on all things Raiders.
Earlier this year, Sapp told us that the Raiders were, pretty much, going to suck, and now he's been kind enough to explain to us why the Raiders suck. It's because Davis still thinks Cliff Branch and Jim Plunkett are walking through that door.
"[Davis] is the common equation," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL." "You take him out, put him at home watching film or whatever he is doing -- you have a functioning football organization. But once he comes over the top, he goes and starts moving it around. "Al Davis knows football -- it's just '60s and '70s football. That's what it is. He's thinking that Cliff Branch is outside and [Jim] Plunkett is dropping back and you can throw it 80 yards down the field -- deep ball, deep ball, deep ball.Sapp also threw in a reference to Davis phoning plays to the sidelines, which if true, should be a surprise to no one.
Just another day of news in Raider land.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-03-2008 @ 2:17PM
#1SkinsFan said...
Pretty sad when the players are openly stating that they can't stand the guy that signs their paychecks.
I actually feel sorry for Raiders fans, and that is saying a lot because I usually can't stand them.
Most telling of all is that Sapp, the once brash and T.O.-like Buc and Raider, is now a voice of reason in this madness.
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10-03-2008 @ 2:56PM
ncae said...
Gee Whiz! Warren Sapp, please give us a break and quit trying to keep your name in the news. You didn't earn one penny of your contract with the raiders. You couldn't stop the run, you couldn't sack the quarterback and you lived off your exploits with the bucks. Not once did i see Mr. Davis line up at tackle. It was partly your fault for the mess the team was in. You showed no leadership whatsoever. It is so typical to blame others when you've moved on. Why don't you tell the truth that you were washed up when you came to the Raiders and stole money from the faithful fans who paid to see you perform and earn you salary. As far as i'm concern you should pay Kiffin for contributing to his eventual demise.
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10-03-2008 @ 9:59PM
Matt said...
hey if you knew football, you wouldn't be writing that email to Sapp. Sapp is right....Ask Shanahan....ask Gruden...ask Calahan....enuf said.
10-07-2008 @ 1:06AM
raiderpops said...
right on ncae.Sapp cant find a gig anywhere beacuse he is a truble
maker He should have given Mr. davis his money back he was a complete fake as a football blaper P.S. he cant dance eather
pops
10-03-2008 @ 9:59PM
CURTIS B said...
WARREN SAPP
WAS WASHED UP WHEN HE SHOWED UP WITH THE RAIDERS
AND I CAN REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS WITH THE BUCKS
THE YEAR THE SUPER BOWL WAS IN TAMPA BAY
HOW YOU TREATED THE FANS ...... YOUR FANS !
YOU ARE A JERK..AND YOU HAVE NO RESPECT
FOR YOUR FANS
YOU COULD NOT HOLD YOUR OWN .. THE LAST FEW YEARS .....AND THATS WHY YOU WAS CUT FROM THE TEAM AND NOBODY WANTED YOU LIKE WHEN TAMPA BAY CUT YOU...WHO WAS THEIR FOR YOU THE RAIDERS ..
ALSO
YOU WILL GET KICKED OFF THE DANCEING WITH THE STARS ,THIS WEEK ,,,
YOU ARE SO WASHED UP
YOU WILL NEVER MAKE THE H.O.F ... YOU WAS OVER PAID FOR THE JOB ..SO GO
FIND A JOB ...
YOU ARE OLD NEWS
AND QUIT IT WITH ALL THE BS YOU ARE TRYING TO HURT THE RAIDERS
SO LONG YOU FAT......PIG
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10-06-2008 @ 10:12AM
Steven said...
Warren Sapp is one of the GREATEST DT's in NFL history and that's a fact. If there were any good players on the Raiders during his tenure there.....it was him. Big Warren. You obviously forgot he even had ten sacks in one season in that rediculously pittiful place called Oakland. Shut up and have respect.
10-07-2008 @ 12:28PM
RaiderRobert said...
Sapp please shut the HELLUP! all the RAIDERS recent bad years came after signing your fat ass! you couldn't stop the run in the middle and only in your last year did you show any penetration! and that was cause of o-lines double teaming our younger more athletic players on the line!
Your are only talking for media and all the things they love too hear about our RAIDERS!
VIVA RAIDERS! JUST WIN BABY!!
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10-13-2008 @ 9:56PM
Bee Kay said...
yeah, Al davis sucks. He is smart with money. Good to his players, but a control freak when it come to his coaching staff. Until he leaves the Raiders will never be competitve again.
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10-14-2008 @ 11:04PM
mani said...
Raiders are in a black hole and only mork from ork can navigate them out, Al Davis if you are listen please try to understand that you are to old to learn a new trick set back and let the young guy's play while you try to keep up with the action! Its over Al give it up.
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10-18-2008 @ 10:33PM
Bill said...
Any true Raider fan has know this for years! It is sad to say, that Al needs to step down and let someone else run this team. He has had some great coaches, but know no one in their right mind will take the job...this is why he had to hire Kiffen and I think is was screwed up for firing Kiffen.
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