How BAD Was Jamarcus Russell Actually?

A look at the career of one of the NFL's biggest all time busts.
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How BAD Was Jamarcus Russell Actually?

[@MrShanester117]

I love the story about how they sent him home with blank Tapes and he came back the next day and he said he learned a lot from them

[@vateminz5062]

No way he said that

[@MrShanester117]

@@vateminz5062 That’s what Kirk Morrison said

[@eligotdajuice]

He said "Looks good" when the coaches asked him how he felt about reading coverage and blitzes. Lol. Wtf does looks good mean. Clearly aint watch shit or he fell asleep off the lean. Lol he developed a lean belly

[@MrShanester117]

@@eligotdajuice From what I’ve heard, because I’m a Raiders fan, is that he had a serious addiction to “purple drank”

[@eligotdajuice]

@@MrShanester117 yeah thats syrup

[@yell0wberry]

Can you imagine if the Raiders were already in Las Vegas at that time? They probably wouldn’t have saw this kid until Sunday

[@ultimatechickenhorsesweat2614]

😂fr

[@jamesmartinez6841]

Lmao

[@angelr2724]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JQUE94]

Good lord just the thought 🤯🤯🤯

[@drunkenmmamaster419]

Lmfao

[@jph595]

As an LSU fan, JaMarcus was okay. Their success was always a tough D and amazing running game. As his pre-draft stock rose, I was shocked. It was literally all from how far he could throw from his knees, which is a stupid barometer, bc by rule, you can't throw a pass from your knees.

[@rebuttalc2075]

Matt Flynn was better than him as a pro and at lsu

[@jessefreeland7394]

@@rebuttalc2075he threw more touchdowns in 1 game than Russell did in one season

[@wwstn47]

🤣 that dude was terrible at LSU

[@23StudiosSports]

You are crazy… he was very good as a Tiger

[@23StudiosSports]

@@wwstn47 cap

[@justinlawson3493]

I like that he refers to Mobile, AL as a “rural town” 😂…I mean it’s no metropolis, but it’s the 4th largest city in AL 😂

[@dc7236]

Ikr it like 300k people there... That's not a small town

[@spencerengland1462]

Mobile/Baldwin county consistently produce D1 and NFL talent every year!

[@dc7236]

@NighthawkAquila where?? Is it America??

[@Memeposting]

Was going to comment about this. A small town to me is 10000 people or less not a city like Mobile

[@dc7236]

@NighthawkAquila what town... None of those DMV cities are that big🤔🤔🤔

[@robbrannen193]

If they had written into his contract that he gets a Big Mac for every completion, he'd be a HOFer.

[@mikeandrews8272]

lol!! Freakin hilarious!!!

[@imthegoat3195]

he'd never miss a pass. 100% completion percentage

[@WillJM81280]

You aren’t lying sir.

[@angelcanez4426]

If only the Raiders knew they could have paid him in Big Macs instead of biggest rookie contract ever. Lol

[@alexandertatpati2833]

more like 10 big macs

[@imrickjamesbitch6574]

Damn he’s the reason why there’s a cap for rookie contracts.

[@swordfish10001]

And Sam Bradford

[@pacojuanrico7083]

N da reason why the NFL blackballed him

[@rickygarcia448]

Yurp

[@veezoupt9318]

NAW THAT WAS SAM..AKA..MR. GLASS BRADFORD THAT FUCKED IT UP FOR EVERYBODY ELSE

[@brettbanta2100]

@@swordfish10001 You stole my answer...lol

[@stevehorsley4205]

I told my brother when he held out for the big contract that he was gonna suck, the only thing he cared about was getting paid. Raiders set him up for life financially and that is all he cared about.

[@stevearnold8265]

He blew all his money a long time ago 😂

[@cdeanda21]

He went bankrupt lol

[@gsp3428]

Well he should try and get as much money as he could, but he then owed them to give his best efforts which he gave none, he stole their money.

[@kendallevans4079]

All true....He blew all his money on "Drank".....Can't cure "ghetto"

[@williamblair9597]

Incredible physical shape, early standout performances along with flashes of brilliance which hinted at future potential greatness in the future. It's almost as if his mental knowledge and development of skills ceased to develop, or suddenly stopped short of reaching the level required to be competitive. All successful NFL quarterbacks must reach and develop a skillset of both physical and mental toughness the rest of us probably wouldn't have the ability to comprehend or understand in today's modern position of quarterback. I hope he was able to hang on to as much of that guaranteed money as possible.

[@zilllathegod]

This is why when Gruden was still doing QB school and he had Russel Wilson on, who at the time was considered a lower round prospect project because of his height, he was positive he would get drafted and a beast... all about the mentality at that point

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

Why do you hope that? Who gives a shit..

[@vincenthammons6705]

knowing his personality no lol

[@donaldgarrettson3627]

I live in Mobile and see him every now and then in public. Only time I ever seen a Bentley at a Waffle House 😂. That was 10 years ago and the money house On the water is ALL gone 🤔🙄 Now a days he is at his mom and dads smoking pot, sleeping, and eating 🙄

[@tmcurly]

Like Lonzo Ball except it’s his body that is starting to give in.

[@FrankMontes24]

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”

[@marcinbojanowski8584]

I don't think so, if you have talent u don't have to work as hard as "normal" guy but also a lot

[@MsFoxy-hw4jp]

Ok Coach...

[@niners2162]

Man this wasnt talent. He just had size. Size is not talent

[@niners2162]

@@marcinbojanowski8584 exactly

[@yoshpeters3079]

@@marcinbojanowski8584 no you need to work hard talent you have naturally skill is developed over hours and hours and hours of working at your craft. It’s all in the mind if you work harder than the naturally talented guys you will win. How many times have we seen naturally talented guys fizzle out and less talented blow up?

[@chipchaser44]

When showed up to training camp weighting over 300 lbs, everybody knew it was over and he was a bust.

[@yell0wberry]

Make him a left tackle

[@richardhart9204]

@@yell0wberry LOL! Yep, dead QB walking!

[@richardhart9204]

@@astrobullivant5908 You're right, you are indeed, neither doctor nor medical professional, and it's a good thing; for had you pursued a career within the medical professions, you would have ended or destroyed many a life.

[@astrobullivant5908]

@@richardhart9204 Ouch, I'm so hurt. Well, if you hate my comment about Jamarcus Russell that much, I'll delete it.

[@richardhart9204]

@@astrobullivant5908 Methinks thou dost protest too much.

[@cwpo1973]

I think playing NFL QB in the modern day is the most difficult position there is in professional sports. It's obviously demanding physically, but the mental demands of knowing your offense, knowing opposing defenses, making reads and adjustments pre-snap as well as once the play has started, are just immense. Some guys just simply aren't smart enough to hold that information in their heads, and of course guys like Russell don't even try to.

[@shayk4791]

Seems like the issue was less about intelligence and more due to his character and lack of work ethic.

[@Pikkabuu]

There are lots of positions like that in sports. For example the center in hockey. Now add in the faster speed of hockey and no pauses and you get even more demanding position to play!

[@tacothief]

so you're poor all your life which is most likely jR s case then you get 32 million. not a good combo. also your in ur early 20's lol. yeah i wouldnt try either you'd really have to love getng your face bashed in every day at that point. jamarcus was smart. fuck the nfl and cte. glad he got paid those college athletes deserved more he got it. colleges make so much off footbal it's such a scam.

[@michaelnewman3671]

The memories. Oakland Raiders on the baseball diamond. Nostalgic af.

[@tobygoodenough8743]

@@Pikkabuu shit I’ll agree with that. And y’all are falling on straight ice which is basically concrete and you guys actually fight instead of just shoving each other for the cameras hockeys so much better

[@Jake-fy1pn]

It's crazy to see a guy with so many tangibles, have so little drive. Maybe it's why we see the guys that lack the tangibles perform so well because they have to fight that much harder.

[@stellargentlemen1121]

Good point

[@BT-fe7zh]

Nah he got paid and said fuck this

[@ashleylynn9333]

No drive and most importantly dumb as a rock.

[@rizz8866]

Name al top 3 qb pick that was successful on a already horrible team

[@dman644]

it was always so easy for him cause his raw talent but when you get to the best of the best in the nfl you cant just coast like that

[@hhtptai]

THE FACT THAT THIS MAN WAS *GUARANTEED $32 MILLION* AND REPAID THE ORGANIZATION BY WATCHING BLANK TAPES.

[@Paladin1022]

Or not watching lmao

[@henrycavillsrealmustache3553]

He didnt even watch the blank tapes

[@Paladin1022]

@It’s blitz well no shit 😐

[@wharris91941]

lol if you was a poor black kid that made it outta freakin mobile Alabama, was a god in college, was the nfl #1 pick at like 20yrs old... you would probably retire right after you got 32mil too 😂 he was playing with house money anyway. The way life is set up, he had no business getting to that position.

[@antwanpk]

God tier disrespect And i love it😅😅😅😅

[@jaydubya3698]

And to this day he's saying, "I still got my $32 million, though." LOL

[@JoeMama-nl8xp]

Hell no I'll bet hes broke

[@jaydubya3698]

@@JoeMama-nl8xp You're probably right about that

[@americangangsterlock1550]

Anything over 15-20 mill is insane. I can't even comprehend that amount of $$$$....My dad is dead but I could easily set my mom, brother & his family and sister and her husband up while still having a little north of 15 mill left in the bank. By then I would be living off the interest. The only thing that can beat that is royalty checks from some major movies/hit shows like Seinfeld lol.

[@CeeworldMedia]

@@JoeMama-nl8xp Naw, he's not like us. We're broke, he isn't lol. He just sucked in the NFL that's all, but he still got more money than we'll ever see in our lifetime lol

[@amoscardoza5253]

@@JoeMama-nl8xp he still has 4mil in the bank, he's good!

[@sportshistorybuff319]

I vaguely remember that during his comeback, Russell was offering his services almost for free to any team willing to give him a workout. In contrast to Tiki Barber who had no takers after four years of retirement, bit at least had a ten year career.

[@johnmccall5576]

I watched him play live, he couldn't drop a pass over the defender to a WR. He passes had almost no arc to them. He tried it several times and the ball actually went into the stands.

[@jasona9]

"Success isn't owned, it's leased and the rent is due every day" - J.J. Watt as a member of the Houston Texans

[@hybridce99]

Wow, totally inspiring man 🤮

[@user-bp4qq7tt1u]

@@dontdoittoyoself6786 you don't know shit. You still have to work hard while on steroids. You couldn't even come close any watt while on steroids.

[@user-bp4qq7tt1u]

@@dontdoittoyoself6786 I'm not even fan boy, just not an idiot that thinks steroids do all the work. Most of the dudes are juicing. Don't be dense.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

@@dontdoittoyoself6786 JJ Watt did not play at Central Michigan...

[@tomcruz1576]

@@richfarfugnuven6308 Yeah he did before Wisconsin

[@neneshubby]

Here is my lasting image of Jamarcus Russell. I was at the Raiders 2009 Monday night opener vs the San Diego Chargers. Russell had just throw a TD pass with 2:34 left in the 4th quarter to give the Raiders a 20-17 lead. When the Chargers got the ball back the Coliseum was going nuts. The noise was deafening and the entire team and coaching staff was up on the Raider sidelines encouraging the defense, encouraging the fans to make noise, many were waving towels, it was a chance to start the season 1-0 and everyone was up and into it except for one guy who I noticed was leisurely sitting by himself on the bench. Jamarcus Russell. Like he could’ve cared less. He never got up the whole Chargers drive which they eventually scored and won the game. I will never forget that sight. All throughout the Chargers drive I kept looking back on the bench expecting him to get up at any moment and join his teammates and coaches cheering on the defense from the sidelines but nope, he never did, he just sat there. Then I thought, ‘well maybe he’s talking to a coach who’s going over the plan of what to do on offense if the Chargers score’ but nope, he was sitting there by himself on the edge of the bench. That’s when I knew this guy was a hopeless case as a quarterback and leader.

[@lonemaus562]

Wow.. that’s something benchwarmers or people who don’t even want to play do.. can’t believe no one else noticed that

[@action2288]

Damn. That's wild.

[@okdokgg857]

lol took you long enough to realize he was hopeless. I knew it when he came into the season grossly overweight for the second time and bombed the season yet again

[@neneshubby]

@@okdokgg857 Well, good for you. You’re clearly smarter than me.. You should’ve been an NFL personnel director

[@jaysantos536]

He was doing Oxy hard that night. My bro saw him in the locker room at half.

[@Billssock]

excellent video! you are a well-spoken narrator.

[@MrEOM41]

2:20 this picture is hilarious it’s like he smirking saying “You guys remember Ryan Leaf ?..welp get a load of this” 😅

[@kevinramsey417]

These are the draft busts that infuriate me the most. The guys with insane God-given talent that light up the world in college but piss all of it away in the pros.

[@NYG5]

then you have guys that work their ass off and then have a career ending injury before they even finish their rookie contracts

[@grinningchicken]

There is no such thing as God given talent, God given potential maybe. Nobody is born knowing how to throw a football.

[@abrahamrivera1991]

@@grinningchicken some things come naturally

[@jamessackett9239]

Yeah some guys who are busts just never really had the game to play at the highest level, they were just wrongly scouted or reached for. Russell had it and then some, and wasted it in complacency. I will never blame the scouts for Russell. You just cannot predict how hungry someone will stay after they get the payday.

[@Goomyx1492]

Some are definitely in it only for that first paycheck and that's all they care about.

[@lifeinlife24]

“He couldn’t throw a rock in the ocean”😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@okayusa6608]

Yes he could. While trying to throw a completion to the Rocky mountains

[@Wolf_3125]

He couldn't hit the water if he fell out of a boat

[@kennycai8695]

Pointless trivia here, but I imagine extended family gatherings are awkward for Russell, cause a distant relative of his not only was drafted in the same year as him, but his career also turned out a lot better than Russell's did. That relative's name is Marshawn Lynch, and they are second cousins, hence "distantly related".

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Matt Millen, a former Raider player and team captain who went on to a successful career as an NFL executive and sports analyst, told Al Davis flat out to not draft Russell, calling him a "stiff" who couldn't pay attention to anything. Raider coach Lane Kiffen told Al Davis he didn't want JaMarcus, at all, and wanted to draft Calvin Johnson. Davis said no, and took Russell.

[@kendallevans4079]

Truth! Why people continue to lionize Davis is beyond me. I've been a RAIDER fan since 1974, NOT a Davis fan. I simply don't see all this "genius" people speak of. He was an absolute embarrassment to the team the last 10 years of his life, giving pressers with blood shot eyes and drooling and spitting all over the microphone.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@kendallevans4079 I think you said it yourself. His last 10 years as a GM he made increasingly irrational decisions, many of them turning out to be embarrassingly bad. However, from about 1963 (really 1967) through about 1985, the Raiders were one of the most winning franchises in sports. But things slowly tailed off after that. The Raiders still had a terrific team in the early 2000s, and arguably would have won Super Bowl XXXVI (2002) but didn't get there due to the stupid "tuck rule", but by around that time, Al's mind was about gone, making repeated bad decisions in the years that followed.

[@memeteam2692]

“6 seconds left, 1st and goal from the 2. Russell throws it, CAUGHT! TOUCHDOWN! OH MAN!” Jaguars 49 Raiders 9

[@dc7236]

Ooooh bro 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I laughed deep down in my gut at this one😂😂😂😂😂

[@OAKOD510]

That's fuked up!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@averydarkguy5296]

Lol 😂 😆

[@desireewhite2379]

I went to that game I think that was the game MATT JONES HAD THREE OR FOUR TOUCHDOWN CATCHES THE FORMER ARKANSAS QIARTERBACK WHO RAN LIKE A DEER. TO MAKE IT WORSE HE CAUGHT.TWO TOUCHDOWNS OVER 50+ YARDS.I INVITED MY BUDDY RICHARD CRAFT TO GO TO THE GAME AT KAGUARS STADIUM MY RAIDERS CAME TO TOWN. THE GOOD THING FROM THAT DAY,WE DRANK A TWELVE PACK OF NATURAL ICE BEFORE GOING TO THE GAME,AND SMOKED A JOINT ON THE WALK TO THE STADIUM FROM THE TAILGATING PARKING LOT.WE WERE LIT

[@almadeunrebel]

straight ouuta The Simpsons when they would clown on John Elway

[@alanbribiesca8679]

4:15 “made a long speech about finishing hard and then disappeared the next day” 🤣

[@danepotmo2513]

Reminds me of me talking myself up to skanks and then I toe curl and groan out after 3 pumps

[@mikeschmidt4800]

@@danepotmo2513 that's more than they deserve!

[@LoadPast]

Its crazy that the raiders knew all this stuff about him, but still took him first because the upside was so promising. I wonder if any other team wouldve avoided that trap

[@lmcc0072]

Good franchises seem to avoid these types of players for the most part. Look at how many years the Steelers got out of Antonio Brown. After they traded him, look at what happened.

[@EddieVince]

He was always late to team meetings and the first one to leave. Go figure 🤦‍♂️

[@gfl1312]

Great video!

[@uncleandy2412]

Not sure how many people remember this but he lead a comeback victory over the Steelers once and whoever the TV announcer was compared him to Johnny Unitas...I never laughed so hard in my life

[@juliancardenas623]

They should have fired his ass for such a outrageous comparison 🤣🤣🤣

[@gabec6522]

He was high on bath salts

[@TimmyTickle]

Yes, I remember when the Colts had to bribe Johnny Unitas with cheeseburgers too

[@skillz2Breal5000]

Why Johnny Unitas suck too. That is back when blacks wasn't allowed a fair opportunity and white men were given records, look at Tom Brady now and the super team the NFL allowed him to have and the rules you can't hit the QB so you can play until you are 50, all a scam.

[@anonymoususer450]

I think that was another team Bruce Gradkowski was the one who led a comeback agaisnt the Steelers that year

[@steelwill78]

To many arm curls was his downfall..curling those burgers up to his mouth lol

[@JayG206]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CornbreadJenkins34]

😆

[@micahgreene4573]

Would have been funny if you had used "too".

[@youngsplikak5867]

🤣

[@computerson]

Them mcdouble curls will get ya

[@doctordef324]

2:20.... that smirk says it ALL!!! BAHAHAHAA!!🤣🤣

[@kevinpohlner2840]

Every story of a quarterback throwing a million yards from their knees is followed by a NFL career that sees them on the ground more than upright.

[@thinkB4WeSpeak]

I think its because they get too hyped and then stop trying. So they don't train or practice, then get bad. Where everyone else keeps grinding becoming better.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Jim Druckenmiller, Jake Locker, even Jeff George. Guys with a howitzer cannon arm, able to heave the ball 80 yards in the air, but that's about all they could do. Druckemiller shredded receivers gloves, but couldn't hit the broad side of barn with terrible accuracy. (Anything more than about 80 yards is physically impossible. Even Josh Allen is likely around 82 or so. Wind and altitude can help some, but not much more. Don't buy stories about guys throwing it 100 yards, etc. It would be like an MLB pitcher throwing a 125mph fastball).

[@ZuluGamingSeries]

@@PhilAndersonOutsidethere’s a video of pat throwing for 90 yards wym it’s impossible

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@ZuluGamingSeries I'd need to see that.

[@natecruz7114]

Russell is peak “I’m too good to work on my game and I’m believing my own hype” type of player everyone hates

[@TheQuadLaunchers]

Our RB in highschool was like this. He really had the chance to dominate our entire league but never worked for it. Seriously some of the most difficult types of people to deal with.

[@Elthenar]

It's not even that. He got his money up front and just didn't care.

[@xacex6944]

It’s funny how some people think the Raiders were being unfair to Russell with the blank tape debacle, but they clearly don’t understand just how awful he was.

[@JohnDaDong93]

It’s more unfair to have a guy on the roster who clearly doesn’t care about football lol. As a college football player, I watched at least 2 hours of film per week. As an NFL player, it’s your job to focus on nothing but football. You don’t have to worry about school, classes, nothing but football. The Raiders spent money on this man, they weren’t being unfair at all.

[@kygu]

Don't think anyone thinks the Raiders were unfair. The dude didn't care about his job, straight lying to your bosses about doing work he knows he damn well didn't do.

[@xacex6944]

@@kygu there are plenty of people who defend Russell because they think the Raiders were trying to humiliate him, maybe not in these comments, but in others. I was just saying that they don’t know about the backstory and how horrible his work ethic was.

[@FSU-xn8em]

This dude makes Ryan Leaf look like Peyton Manning.

[@xilencered7788]

Ill watch blank tapes for 30 million

[@kourttheminister7184]

Well watching his interview on the Pivot , I’ve gained a different perspective on him. This guy was going through a lot

[@jamalgreenfield]

Lmfao My boy said as soon I got that check I was goneeeeeee (Elroy voice)

[@philiptallini5232]

I think for QBs, being the most physically gifted is actually a detriment because most of their success in high school in college is because of their physical gifts as opposed to skills they developed. Once they get to the nfl and the players are faster and stronger, they tend to flop because they don’t have the work ethic to actually learn how to dissect defenses.

[@almadeunrebel]

this is the best summation of what happens to those “next big thing” players

[@Zach-td5mb]

Yup. The best QB ever as well as many other greats were supposed to be nobodies because of their physicals.

[@BaseyCrown]

Sums up most naturally talented vs grinders across all industries

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Great post! I think this is somewhat the story of Kyler Murray, even though he's not a big guy. In all of HS, and college, he could just use his speed and agility to improvise, almost make stuff up every play. But when he got to the NFL, things were different. The 5 yard gaps he was running through were now 1 foot. His ability to outrun everyone vanished, with most DB's, and a few LBs matching his speed. His ability to muscle out of arm tackles in open field runs was met by guys with equal muscle who could if not stop him, slow up. I think this is where the problem with Kliff wanting him to study plays, and him wanting to play video games instead, came from. He could always do it his way before, but once the NFL players and coaches started to scheme for him, that was all over.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@Zach-td5mb Look at Drew Brees. Dude was too small. San Diego was okay dumping him to NO. Even his first year there he didn't do great (though their defense was terrible). Then won a SB ring, MVPs, and is headed to the HOF on first ballot. Zac Thomas is another.

[@__1201]

He just wanted to get paid and lost motivation when he did. Thats why you don't give rookies huge contracts.

[@theoffspring1232]

Not just rookies who suffer from that mindset. Albert Haynesworth was an incredible DT for the majority of his time with Tennessee then completely gave up the moment he signed a $100m contract with Washington.

[@Tokiwartoothfrfr]

@@theoffspring1232 can you blame him? It's Washington.

[@theoffspring1232]

@Arnold Cranberry I don't think I'm cherry picking Haynesworth as underperforming, I'm saying he lost motivation. He showed up to training camp heavier than when he signed the contract. He refused to participate in offseason workouts then couldn't pass their fitness test. He barely played for 3 months, blamed the coaches, then sat the rest of the season. He didn't underperform, he gave up.

[@Inlandempire1221]

Albert got so bad that the Patriots literally cut him after a game because he gave up on multiple plays against the Giants lol!!

[@Mentaltoughness23]

@@theoffspring1232 thats the risk of overpaying players.

[@mst3ktemple421]

I was fooled by this guy too. I actually told my friends here in Detroit that the Lions should draft Russell if he was still available at #2. Pretty happy we didn't have to make that choice because they might have taken him instead of Calvin Johnson.

[@charlesivey100]

When he had an injured arm or shoulder while at LSU, I was walking through the ops, just outside the weight room. Russell said something to another player. The player told Russell that he would break the other arm… Apparently there was some dislike towards Russell at LSU, too.

[@selig7]

I’ve heard his story so many times but it’s still funny and kind of sad every time someone tells it. Dude didn’t even attempt to stop his freefall.

[@fishmonger6879]

What is the brothers incentive? He banked 62 million dollars.

[@selig7]

@@fishmonger6879 Reputation and self respect as well as a chance to make 5x that money throughout his career.

[@PolishBehemoth]

@@fishmonger6879 gee idk. Maybe wanting to do what he signed up for? You can't use that excuse.

[@CraigMcGuinn]

@@fishmonger6879 only $32 million was guaranteed, so we don’t know how much of that extra $29 million Russell earned

[@MrBubblecake]

Craig McGuinn “only 32 million” like the dude couldn’t use 1 million to buy a nice house in the suburbs and another 2 at most to maintain it for decades. Assuming the money sat in a savings account, he prolly still had well over 20 mil when he left the league

[@lynngatrell7965]

He had the physical gifts to succeed. Thus, he didn't have to work as hard, and when you don't have to work hard at something, you're not going to care as much, if at all.

[@lynngatrell7965]

@It’s blitz, sadly, that has become über-prevalent in college football. The likes of Ryan Mallett and Johnny Manziel come to mind.

[@williammyers269]

It did not start in college, I’m sure he got the white glove treatment all the way back to 8th grade football. Reminds me of another pro player who only last 2 seasons because of his attitude. I remember watching him play high school and during games, he’d yell at his coaches, sit on his helmet during the game and just had an unbelievable cocky attitude. He was never disciplined, and same during his 2 yrs of college....I always knew there would be a price to pay at some point in his career

[@bugsyproductions3140]

All he had was arm strength lol

[@stevearnold8265]

That’s right

[@carsoncottrell4435]

@@bugsyproductions3140 yeah thats not true in his last year in college he had a 68% completion percentage

[@leviestew6973]

I never wanted the Raiders to draft him. I didn't know he would be that bad, but I didn't think we needed him. I remember thinking trade that pick and build the O-line and other positions. Oh well. ☠️🏴‍☠️

[@orangefox1231]

He was a mental draft bust. He had an arm as good as anything I’ve ever seen. God some of his passes were beautiful.

[@alexjones6190]

The Louisiana Launcher

[@mhendrix890]

As a LSU fan, I always said he was a product of the team around him. That O line was probably the best LSU has ever seen. Not to mention a stellar defense.

[@nerdyj1294]

Also an LSU fan, and his best year by far (06) had his worst OL and running game. He was a product of his own work and talent. He just didn't keep up the work in the NFL.

[@andrewkulinski8883]

Well shit which one is it?

[@David-lx4yb]

Great QB's are made by great offensive lines. I always admired Dan Marino because he constantly said that his success was due to the Dolphins' great offensive lines.

[@GrayFox8983]

Fact. Fellow Tiger! I hate these inconsistencies but, I'll always love LSU

[@noonecares7730]

@@David-lx4yb its also why I feel Cam is underrated considering what he achieved with a OL that was mediocre at best.

[@jordangate7742]

I can't believe that from 2007-2010 Detroit drafted extremely good. HOF Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford & superbowl winner Suh.

[@WillJM81280]

And still sucked.

[@mattjimmyjam]

That’s what happens when you’re awful every year.

[@johnfoster8643]

I don’t think they really drafted that well, first of all they were all very high picks, second Stafford’s a pretty good QB but I don’t think he’s a great QB, he’s just a solid number 1 overall pick. Also, if you want your team to really be good what really matters is how you did in rounds 2-7. Just picking a few stars with top 5 picks isn’t going to be enough

[@80sbaby___baby70]

I mean yeah when you suck you usually get top draft picks lol

[@christianfuentes8893]

The downfall was those huge contracts that were handed to them!!

[@multiyapples]

One correction. In his rookie season he had 4 interceptions not 5. Edit: Prior to the 2009 season he lost 2 people close to him and wasn't given the proper time or resources to grief. I can see how that would be a contributing factor as to why he didn't do well that season. Edit 2: He didn't inform the Raiders he was grieving so they didn't give him the proper resources.

[@mccalejk2]

lol, you seriously fact checked them?

[@Tacofiend92]

“Throw a rock in the ocean” 😂😂😂

[@badlandskid]

“They still drafted him...” The Raiders got what they deserved.

[@goldhound4389]

Exactly wtf

[@igotthesauce1870]

What do you mean got what they deserved?

[@igotthesauce1870]

@Erre Waser weak

[@wambam9062]

Because AL DAVIS! 😂🤣😂

[@ronjones3977]

That draft was one of the best of all time and they took him 1st worse draft decision of all time ...

[@Noah-cm6ek]

Amazing. Brady was pick 199. Hard works wins every time

[@presidential3228]

yup talent can only do so much

[@Musicrecords10]

You forgot luck*

[@michaelweston2285]

Brady was lucky to get drafted at all. he didn't have a stellar college career and was not very athletically gifted. then hit the lottery when he was drafted by the greatest NFL coach of all time, hit it again when Drew Bledsoe went down, and that's when his "hard work" actually started to factor in to his success.

[@Musicrecords10]

@@michaelweston2285 Then hit the lottery with tuck rule, Seahawks not running it, Falcons not kicking the field goal... anyone that says Brady's skill and hard work won him 7 superbowls is a fool

[@bfure1]

@@michaelweston2285 good luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

[@Aaron_Scissorhands]

I can't wait to see one of these on Josh Rosen.

[@mikemars5984]

yeah I think Rosen had 1 good college game. On that basis Arizona drafted him high in the first. I think he is now out of football. But the worse thing was that bum Chris Grier taking him off Arizona to Miami for a second. Sheesh!.

[@SerErryk]

I remember that draft and I thought anyone who would take him in the first round didn't know 🏈. He had bust written all over him.

[@mikemars5984]

yeah I remember there were storys all over about him going to be a bust but Al was a bit senile by then I think to care much.

[@tdemmingjr3816]

If they put the game tapes in a box of pizza rolls, 10/10 he'll open it.

[@Snk13_ty]

He was sippin on that sizzurp. The man drank that purp everywhere he went.

[@ZealKingdom]

That's actually the first thing I think of whenever someone says his name.

[@Snk13_ty]

@@ZealKingdom Yea that and the Three 6 mafia song starts playing through my head

[@ZealKingdom]

@@Snk13_ty 🤣🤣🤣

[@chefo.g7191]

👍

[@GizmoMaltese]

That's a thing? People sip on cough syrup?

[@timhurst1350]

I'm 100% convinced he WORKED HIS ASS OFF just to get that initial contract. Once he got that, he revealed how much he didn't care. Got payed, checked out.

[@moopert86]

When Matt Millen, one of the most reviled GMs ever, takes you off the board, there's a problem. With everything that's come out since, the dude shouldn't have been drafted at all. Giving a guy with drug and gambling issues a ton of money is such an Al Davis thing to do, it's no wonder the Raiders were terrible for the last portion of the man's life.

[@JakeMedia1]

They had to bribe him with McDoubles🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TimmyTickle]

Multiple ones, too

[@bolt6823]

They should have bribed him with cocaine. At least then he could have mustered enough energy to escape a blitz.

[@redrider9920]

McDoubles though? Them are trash, should’ve got his agent on the horn to push for double quarter pounders.

[@BOOCH73]

Watching this as a lineman be like 👁👄👁

[@prowellerable]

I don't think that anyone will ever wear the number 2 in silver and black again. What a testament.

[@BloodBoughtMinistries1]

"doesn't know how to read or write so well but he could throw a football just like he ringing a bell, just go, go jemarcus go GO"

[@rodmoore1577]

This proves that you can have all the physical gifts in the world but if you aren't committed with a strong work ethic and have what it takes between the ears you'll fail.

[@CertifiedForkLiftOperator69420]

same with Ryan Leaf. only problem was Ryan Leaf didnt have the head for the game. but people failed to realize is Ryan Leaf and Manning were same level of college talent. only difference is Manning threw like 2 more touchdowns, plus barely had a better QBR over Leaf. sort of like the Manning vrs Rivers trade. stat wise chargers got the more complete QB. Eli sure won 2 superbowls but was carried to these superbowls by one of the greatest defenses in our generation. imo better then the bucs.

[@MrBronx61]

What I don't get is teams give these young cats all kinds of tests. Couldn't the Raiders sense that Russell didn't have that commitment to football?

[@cjackbblack]

He got 32 mil....I wouldn't call that failure

[@rodmoore1577]

@@cjackbblack GETTING 32 million and HAVING 32 million are 2 completely different things. That money has dwindled down to about 3 million. What visible means of income does he have? There's a lot of athletes that made more than him that are broke. It's not what you get it's what you do with it

[@CertifiedForkLiftOperator69420]

@@MrBronx61 its al davis we talking about. the man who drafted a kicker in the first round, the man who drafted a 5th round talent WR in the first round cause he loved his speed.

[@michaelrobles8861]

You skipped out on his “nfl comeback” where Jeff Garcia was coaching him and helping him meet his weight goals and then Russel won a law suit against the raiders and bounced.

[@TaiwanisMoving]

@allobec sazebac That Russell is even more of a bum than the video shows...

[@PokeMaster03]

@allobec sazebac you really are clueless aren't you or dumb

[@PolishBehemoth]

I never heard about the lawsuit. I gotta Google this

[@justinalley3399]

he didnt win that lawsuit he lost

[@CORTEZSUAVE28]

@@justinalley3399 he did win. The judge said the raiders owed him money. He got like 4 million. Comeback over 🤣🤣🤣

[@bensmith7545]

“He couldn’t throw a rock in the ocean” 😂😂😂

[@daredevilofdallas]

Im not a football fan but im glad i found this story, at this stage of my life, to not make the same mistakes

[@kevinkim9620]

the fact that my Raiders took him over CALVIN JOHNSON in that draft still kills me to this day. for my franchise (since we truly went into shit mode after Russell was drafted), for Megatron (since he likely retired early due to the Lions not doing anything to help him and Strafford), AND, as random as this may sound, DARREN MCFADDEN (since he was the only offensive weapon we had after we got drafted, so he likely was targeted by defenses hard, likely leading to his injuries). seriously, imagine a Raider team that would have had CALVIN JOHNSON and DARREN MCFADDEN! crazy what could have been.

[@jeffdoran8126]

I was hollering at the TV that year during the draft pick Calvin Johnson and believe me I was not thrilled to hear JaMarcus Russell Name called.

[@MrShanester117]

It’s not your team. It’s Mark Davises team

[@AEMoreira81]

They could have taken Joe Thomas as well to shore up the offensive line.

[@reppingl]

“Rural town of Mobile Alabama” bro 200k people live there

[@dwight122324]

Fr that’s some disrespect. Mobile is a medium city

[@downsouthlouisiana]

How many people Mobile had at that time is the question.

[@TheBackOfTheClassroom]

Bruh I live in ATL and only driven through Mobile and I was like: "Mobile ain't rural!" 😆

[@baroquon]

Came to the comments to laugh at that

[@heidithaw1072]

@@dwight122324 I have been there and it is not rural

[@rubenvega4618]

Hilarious 😁 talk about Bank Robberies!!

[@MickeyKraut419]

Mobile is not a rural town, there's about 200,000 inside the city limits, and over 600,000 in the Mobile metro area, 2nd largest in Alabama. There's a Williamson HS there... which is where Russell attended and played his high school football. Williamston High School is in a small, rural town of the same name a few miles east of Lansing, MI...

[@dougherman5862]

“Your body will take you places your mind can’t keep you” That’s why mindset is just as important as talent

[@scottlindner2725]

20% not 50

[@jasonpeters9716]

JaMarcus Russell was the inspiration for the movie "Draft Day" putting $100 Bill at back of playbook

[@aznpikachu215]

I'm guessing Bo Callahan is the inspiration for Mr. Russell here.

[@jasonpeters9716]

@@aznpikachu215 It seems 2me

[@katieandkevinsears7724]

@Google Account Draft Day came oit the same year they drafted Johnny..too bad Cleveland didn't follow the movie script.

[@CraigMcGuinn]

@@katieandkevinsears7724 at least Cleveland traded backwards in the first round the year the drafted Manziel and got players and picks in return

[@ogchicago]

As someone who didn't really get in to football heavily until last year. (Before I was a casual fan superbowl watcher and nothing else type fan) But anyways... it blows my mind that teams in the 2005+ Era were playing on baseball fields

[@FreshPrincex4]

Only some teams were The dolphins and raiders were the only teams who did that at the time

[@kingar-el1598]

Jamarcus Russell watching this video just now hearing about the blitz tapes 😂😂😂

[@kanakanorcal2565]

When they gave him the guaranteed $32 million, he looked at that as winning the lotto. Set for life. He would go 3 and out then sit on the bench alone. Nobody talked to him. I wanted to throw rocks at him.

[@madcow009]

I thought you were allowed to throw rocks at the raider's stadium back then.

[@taproom113]

@@madcow009 LMAO !!!

[@ratattack1571]

@@madcow009 the old browns stadium, they would throw snowballs with batteries in them

[@mudsplitter]

Attended a OAK v SF game, and can confirm. He would just walk back to the bench after the series, put a towel over his head, and wait for the next series. I don't remember if he ever even talked to anyone else. I imagine there had to have been at least some interaction between him and the coaches, but definitely spent most of his time with his head covered on the bench.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Nothing larger than a walnut

[@davidwong5646]

His issue, as with most "busts", comes from garnering past success without relevant discipline or endured hardship - expecting the same results with just their perceived talent or simply luck (being on a great team).

[@DirtyKoolAid]

Man seeing this video now hits different especially after seeing his interview I can't help but feel bad for what he's went through and that's the real reason why he didn't do good in the NFL

[@forman208]

Oh shut the fuck up, dude was a lazy sack of shit that stole $30 million for doing nothing. Save me the sympathy for this guy.

[@madwilli3205]

Why does he have a captains patch in the picture at 5:22 but not during the video footage? Im assuming theyre different games but couldnt imagine he was around long enough to play the same (non-divisional) team twice

[@michaelkurtzman9477]

the funny thing is that the only person on the raiders who wanted Jamarcus Russel was Al Davis

[@doccholo905]

Yup. "He can throw the ball 80 yards! And 60 yards when he's on one knee!" Didn't make sense with all the red flags. But one of many busted draft picks by the Raiders

[@HeyitsJose]

Al Davis was already senile when he got JaMarcus

[@michaelbabcock6997]

@@HeyitsJose I don't think a lot of people realize he was senile.

[@67marlins81]

@@HeyitsJose I'm sure you're right about that, Jose. But in addition, Davis was a self-righteous moron his ENTIRE life. As Dan Pastorini said, hardly anyone was sad when he died - that's how hated he was.

[@67marlins81]

Well Michael, it isn't totally surprising- Davis was the same idiot who hired Art Shell as a coach......which goes down as the biggest joke in the history of the NFL.

[@boopydoopy2488]

The cap was actually because of Sam Bradford's 78 million dollar rookie deal in 2010

[@mr_sir6563]

No it was because Russell was ghett0 and garbage and he stank

[@Islanders83]

No, Bradford was the final straw.

[@TenPinTrucker]

@@Islanders83 Staffford and Bradford really got the owners to change it. Back to back $70m deals for players that never played a snap in the league yet. It was getting to the point that teams thought it to be a curse to get the #1 pick instead of a reward.

[@forman208]

Paying Sam Bradford 78 mill. Yikes

[@Irishboy-cj4zn]

@Daniel Ormsby He's been married to his wife for 5 years (though that doesn't mean he isn't)

[@n8ak321]

*hears narrator say Bobby "Boh-den"* Me: aight, imma head out

[@MarcPagan]

A Photoshopped thumbnail of him eating with one hand and a TV remote in the other would be been better :)

[@JL_YT24]

I want to thank the people who make these videos, God bless you all

[@jeffa818]

A buddy of mine was a center at LSU with him and told me when he would come to the huddle he wouldn’t know the names of the plays and would describe it in the huddle. It would take a WR or linemen to figure out what he was trying to say.

[@kkap895]

thats gotta be a joke right? when the coach called the play into him I'm sure they didn't have time to describe it. perhaps you mean to say when Russell would call the play that was given to him in the huddle teammates would have to describe to him what the play was?

[@jeffa818]

@@kkap895 so I just ran into him at the parades (I’m in New Orleans) he clarified that this would do that in spring training. They worked out a system later on. Still my buddy said it was very unusual for a QB whoa been w the team for a few years to not know the plays even in spring training.

[@averydarkguy5296]

SMH lol 😆 😂

[@richixkiklinski1082]

@@jeffa818 you can’t even type bud shut up lmao 🤣

[@almadeunrebel]

stop the cap

[@jwarrior1612]

I was really excited when we drafted him. A friend of mine tells me we just drafted Jamarcus Bustle. I don't know how my friend knew this guy couldn't play 🤔 in the NFL

[@RonnieDeuce25]

That blank tape incident says it all

[@MikaeIe90]

I need to see a Jamarcus interview on Pat McAfee’s show 😂

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

He should go on with Ryan Leaf. Just a good real talk about what they did wrong and the problems they also had. For QBs I do believe the NFL should have a development league.

[@MikaeIe90]

@@dontdoittoyoself6786 Oh that would be nice! Do you think Jamarcus has that type of humility yet in a sense where he can call himself out like Leaf has done? It’s hard for me to see that unless I’ve missed out on any recent life updates for Jamarcus.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@dontdoittoyoself6786 Well, Leaf has completely turned his life around 180 degrees. He could call Russell out and I don't think JaMarcus has anywhere near that level of integrity.

[@solitude208]

To Ryan Leaf’s credit…he seems to be putting true effort in keeping his addictions under control. On top of that he’s relevant in football in terms of evaluating college QB’s & more.

[@GenericUserNameHere]

He also readily admits he pissed his talent away

[@captainbooney]

Lmaooooo okay

[@FreshPrincex4]

@@GenericUserNameHere really? Wow. I'm starting to respect him now. Atleast he admits and took accountability for his actions

[@thestardustgamer296]

Ryan Leaf gets my respect because he took accountability and spoke out against the NFL for having double standards

[@robdavis4951]

@@FreshPrincex4 Ryan leaf is super open about his past. Pat mcafee had him on his show. He told all and will to anyone. Apparently if you even ask him on the street he says he fucks it

[@s4mfrench]

0:23-0:29 "Rural town of Mobile, Alabama." LOL what

[@nicholasbarber3644]

jamarcus russell is the definition of hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work out

[@detectif1061]

thats not the way it’s said.

[@Dearest_Kenyetta]

One thing I wanted to point out....just for educational purposes. I wouldn't consider Mobile, AL a rural town. It's actually a decent sized city. I know this, because I was born and raised in Moss Point, MS (The Gulf Coast, about 40 miles west of Mobile)...which would be considered more rural than Mobile LOL. I went to vocational school in Mobile after graduating High school, and that was like going to a big city for me.

[@longlivet-money9990]

They be having my city fucked up

[@aarodful]

Everyone up north assumes any city in the south other than Atlanta or Miami is rural.

[@Dearest_Kenyetta]

@@longlivet-money9990 Lol

[@Dearest_Kenyetta]

@@aarodful Yea... Smh

[@justsomeguy9325]

I noticed he said that too. I was like, "If Mobile is a small town then what's a city?"

[@StormkoopaCV03]

It sounds like he shut it down as soon as he got that guaranteed money in as contract.

[@Zer0Mat8c]

As a Broncos fan I can say I was a HUGE fan of JaMarcus Russell's tenur with the Raiders. I gave me great joy watching them suck

[@LeroyMcCree]

Sounds like Jamarcus hurt you personally 😂😂😂

[@sportstalk3513]

Al Davis “ Play-good Jamarcus” Jamarcus “For 10 Mcdoubles with large fries along with an ice cream cone”

[@OEazy45]

I realized a few years ago than I’ve become somewhat addicted to these Jamarcus Russell retrospectives. I remember his entire career. College and Pros.. I was a huge fan and thought seriously he would change the landscape of the QB position and the NFL forever.. I guess in all honesty I was right.... Unfortunately 🤦‍♂️

[@SniffyPoo]

changed the landscape...of rookie contracts

[@princeismypitbull5432]

Dak prescott is the goat of the qb of the NFL

[@AltairBernard]

The moment he signed that contract with 32 million guaranteed, his career was over

[@Brown270TTV]

I loved playing with Jamarcus Russell on madden. Dang he was wild.

[@JoeRyMi]

He might have become something if he actually cared. It’s one thing if you can’t get it done but you put in the work. The story about the Raiders giving him a blank tape to review and he stated he watched it, is all you need to know.

[@42wcms]

It’s not that he didn’t cared this man was fighting demons since a kid. Something you spoon fed motherfuckers no nothing bout obviously. He had 2 uncles die before the season started and one uncle had a mental breakdown snd was never the same. He was introduced to lean at 14 years old and didn’t even know that’s what he was drinking. He should’ve never made it where he was from the get go but he did. It’s sad all you mfs know how to do is hate on someone you don’t even fuckin know.

[@sdafasdfasdfsda]

He still blames the coaches for "playing tricks on him" cuz "they on some ho shit".

[@iMeeped]

You really have to appreciate how almost no one else can mess up an opportunity like that this badly.

[@pleasestfu4801]

I can try if someone gives me $32M

[@wilobrien9731]

After working so hard in high school and LSU to achieve greatness at those levels, Russell sadly wasted his hard work and God-given talent to tank in the NFL. The beginning of the end (IMO) was holding out on his rookie contract. He just lost too much time in '07 and never really recovered.

[@kevinmurphyt]

Prime example of hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard