BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
No. 1 choice Russell may be quite rich soon
Raiders hope to reach deal with QB's agent before training camp
By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Last Updated: 07/22/2007 02:15:56 PM PDT
Kiffin off to strong start, but has lots to doCooper fails drug test, suspended 4 gamesOakland Raiders rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell is on the verge of being a very rich man. It's only a matter of how soon that happens and how much he reaps by virtue of his being the top pick in the NFL draft in April.
Russell's agent, Eric Metz, and the Raiders have been in continual contact in recent weeks about outlining the parameters for a deal that figures to net Russell at least $25 million in guaranteed money over the next five or six years.
This much we know based on the hauls made by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams as the past two No. 1 selections.
Williams last year reportedly signed a six-year, $54million contract that includes $26.5 million guaranteed. Smith inked a six-year, $49.5million deal that includes $24million guaranteed.
The Raiders already have signed five of the 11 players they drafted. None, of course, carries the distinction of being the No. 1 pick and is being viewed upon as the face of the franchise for the next decade or so.
That fact isn't lost on Metz, who is in prime position to make a name for himself in regard to prospective clients seeking someone who is going land them a megadeal. How he handles Russell's deal figures to impact any contract he oversees the rest of his career.
By comparison, the Raiders never have been in the position of having to sign the No. 1 pick. They selected offensive lineman Robert Gallery at No. 2 in 2004.
So, both
sides have been feeling out the other, using all the time available to them before training camp begins Thursday.
Russell is expected to report to camp Thursday afternoon and be on the practice field Friday morning.
Neither Metz nor any Raiders officials accepted invitations to comment on the Russell negotiations. However, people close to both sides involved in the process characterized the situation as fluid and said the potential for a holdout remains realistic.
It bears noting that the Raiders have an impressive track record of getting their draft picks signed in time for the start of training camp. They haven't had any lengthy holdouts concerning notable players since they returned to Oakland for the 1995 season.
In other news, the Raiders released rookie running back Curtis Brown. He signed May22 as an undrafted free agent out of Brigham Young and participated in two of the team's three minicamps.
Raiders hope to reach deal with QB's agent before training camp
By Steve Corkran, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Last Updated: 07/22/2007 02:15:56 PM PDT
Kiffin off to strong start, but has lots to doCooper fails drug test, suspended 4 gamesOakland Raiders rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell is on the verge of being a very rich man. It's only a matter of how soon that happens and how much he reaps by virtue of his being the top pick in the NFL draft in April.
Russell's agent, Eric Metz, and the Raiders have been in continual contact in recent weeks about outlining the parameters for a deal that figures to net Russell at least $25 million in guaranteed money over the next five or six years.
This much we know based on the hauls made by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams as the past two No. 1 selections.
Williams last year reportedly signed a six-year, $54million contract that includes $26.5 million guaranteed. Smith inked a six-year, $49.5million deal that includes $24million guaranteed.
The Raiders already have signed five of the 11 players they drafted. None, of course, carries the distinction of being the No. 1 pick and is being viewed upon as the face of the franchise for the next decade or so.
That fact isn't lost on Metz, who is in prime position to make a name for himself in regard to prospective clients seeking someone who is going land them a megadeal. How he handles Russell's deal figures to impact any contract he oversees the rest of his career.
By comparison, the Raiders never have been in the position of having to sign the No. 1 pick. They selected offensive lineman Robert Gallery at No. 2 in 2004.
So, both
sides have been feeling out the other, using all the time available to them before training camp begins Thursday.
Russell is expected to report to camp Thursday afternoon and be on the practice field Friday morning.
Neither Metz nor any Raiders officials accepted invitations to comment on the Russell negotiations. However, people close to both sides involved in the process characterized the situation as fluid and said the potential for a holdout remains realistic.
It bears noting that the Raiders have an impressive track record of getting their draft picks signed in time for the start of training camp. They haven't had any lengthy holdouts concerning notable players since they returned to Oakland for the 1995 season.
In other news, the Raiders released rookie running back Curtis Brown. He signed May22 as an undrafted free agent out of Brigham Young and participated in two of the team's three minicamps.
