JaMarcus Russell’s fleeting career with the Oakland Raiders is the gift that keeps on giving.
Requisite background: The Raiders made the 6-foot-6, 265(ish)-pound quarterback the first pick in the 2007 NFL draft. The decision was Al Davis’, made over the objection of head coach Lane Kiffin.
Russell missed all of training camp his first year with Oakland as his representatives negotiated a $68 million contract ($31 guaranteed). He played just four games.
He started 15 games his second year, during which you might charitably say he achieved a certain level of mediocrity — completing 53.8 percent of his passes, throwing more touchdowns (13) than interceptions (8) and losing two-thirds of his starts.