JaMarcus Russell

[ham city]

Let's break this down a bit.
If we look at who the Raiders drafted first over the past decade, we can see who the players are and what their reputation coming out of college was:
2003: Nnamdi Asomugha
2004: Robert Gallery
2005: Fabian Washington
2006: Michael Huff
2007: JaMarcus Russell
2008: Darren McFadden
2009: Darrius Heyward-Bey
2010: Rolando McClain
2011: Stefen Wizniewski (2nd round)
2012: Tony Bergstrom (3rd round)
This is clearly a mixed group in terms of success in the NFL. Nnamdi became a star after converting positions, Michael Huff remains a starter, McFadden is still playing and could use a real line/OC to play with, Heyward-Bey is not a #1 option but his numbers are respectable for a second/third option, and Wizniewski has done well so far in his term. The rest? Busts, the worst offender being Russell, who never even attempted to live up to the expectations of his draft slot. Were there extenuating circumstances that led to Russell struggling to live up to his potential? Sure, why not. I've heard/read that talk as well. But since the bottom line remains clear: he failed to become the QB that he was drafted to be and that has helped to continue the Raiders' bottom-five status.
What's important to note, though, is that many of these players were thought to be safe and obvious picks. Robert Gallery was a four year starter at Iowa, All American his senior year, an all-Big-10 first teamer and achieved academically his sophomore year on. He had the build and the mind to succeed in the NFL and he was expected to be the left tackle for the Raiders for a long time. Now? Retired, having never made the Pro Bowl.
Fabian Washington was another who many thought would do well in the league, and though the Raiders drafted him earlier than most would, he was definitely a late first-rounder/early second round kind of pick. He lasted only three seasons in the league, and when he learned the Raiders were shopping him was quoted as saying, "I would have traded myself."
Rolando McClain was another supposed safe pick, leading college's best defense and playing his best when it mattered most in the national championship game. He was motivated from the get-go, calling the team and asking for playbooks to study a few days after the draft so he could begin preparing. His fall is another big blow to the team.
There are a lot of reasons the Raiders are terrible, many of which came from an owner who is no longer around. But the main reason the team has been terrible is because when it needed to rebuild after the Super Bowl run, its draft picks didn't pan out like most thought it would.

Stop it you're making too much sense.

 

[wcghost]

I grew up on Bay Farm Island, the place where the Oakland Raiders have their headquarters & training facility.

I used to peek through the outer fence wrapped in tarp sheets and watch them practice. This dude Jamarcus would be tossing mad interceptions during practice. Offensive coordinator was straight up like :x

 

[periwinkle]

a 70+ yard field goal though?
you talkin madden or real life
but anyway, surprised this hasn't been posted yet

 

[theone2401]

Since then he has tried out for several teams to become a second stream QB and has been turned down by all.

This made me laugh way to much for some reason.

 

[johnson1]

Lets goooo!

 

[100027]

Yesss can't wait for Madden 2014 if he makes it onto a roster.  Playing Seahawks and trading RW3 for Jamarcus straight up.

 

[semf]

i hope he put all his money in the bank and didn't spend it all . . .

 

[mister friendly]

76 yards into the wind

 

[mike23theking]

the Chargers could use some O-line help...

 

[jumpmanfromdabay]

Went from 320 to 308. Man all the teams are lining up to try him out

 

[Peep Game]

I bet he could bullrush and get to the QB real well

 

[kvsm23vs24]

Messed up my Raiders

 

[sooperhooper]

Gas in cali is probably sky hi due to this man alone.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Went from 320 to 308. Man all the teams are lining up to try him out

If he drops 40 more pounds than I may even want us checking up on him...

 

[ihatemyshoes]

Gas food in cali is probably sky hi due to this man alone.

fixed