First Day of Work

No, not for me. But I certainly would take a different job if I was getting $31 million guaranteed.

JaMarcus Russell is going to be at work today. Coming to the office to learn some of the playbook, meet his co-workers, and not start a game for at least another year or so.

Russell, who was by far the best quarterback available this year, has agreed to terms on a contract that will make him the richest rookie in NFL history. Last year's #1 pick, Mario Williams, played his first game of note this past weekend. Congratulations to Mario.

Russell, who looks like either a linebacker, or a 40 year old Mr. Mom, might be the luckiest person outside of Tom Brady. He gets to sit around for a year, collect a lot of money and not get hurt by the abysmal offense front of the Raiders while not putting up horrible numbers with the lack of weapons that they have to support him. Leave that to Daunte Culpepper whose career is seemingly over anyway.

I don't think Russell was holding out for money entirely. Russell, and Russell's agent didn't want him to play this year. What's the rush? The Raiders are a pathetic ball club. They're fans know it. They basically have the talent of the Kansas City Royals which by the transitive property means that they're terrible. Why subject yourself to the beat down?

I'll tell you why. Because you play football and you get paid a lot of money to do it. I'm not going to get into this again like I did the other week about Mickelson, but it's the same concept.

Russell, in my opinion, is going to be a very fine NFL player. He has in fact made the two best throws that I have ever seen in my life. He's huge, has a rocket arm, and he mastered a complex system at LSU. He's not going to have anyone around him for at least a year and I don't think he's too happy about it. At least he didn't demand a trade like Eli and his separated shoulder did.