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The answer to your first question is no. No, I do not know why they call JaMarcus Russel, "J-Roc." Your second question is also a no. No, I do not believe he is a bust. And here is my reason why: When a QB enters the draft, every possible outcome for him is analyzed. People look at the most obscure details of his life and list them as possible factors that will make, or break him. Take Troy Smith for example. Part of his Heisman judging process was where he came from and how he handled it. Smith came from a slum...and thats the nice way of saying it. There was gang and everywhere. It was an accomplishment to have just lived through it all. People flocked to the idea that he was a great QB because he wanted that part of his life to be put behind him, he wanted to get himself, and his family out of there, and most of all, he didn't want to be labled with a tag like PacMan, Mike Vick, or Tank Johnson have been. Not specifically them, but that is what he didn't want. And that helped his campaign. Ryan Leaf was analyzed just like his counterpart, Peyton Manning. Manning was considered the player with more upside, but Leaf was the established player. As is the case with Russel and Quinn. Tim Couch was said to not love the game as much as he should. His work ethic was questioned. He went into the league with a prominent question mark above his head. People analyzed J-Roc's past and present. And questioned his love for the game, and work ethic. In the Raiders OTA's, those questions were swept away like a leaf in a gale. He preformed well, learned quick (thus shaking away the tag about his intelligence being sub-average) and had some amount of chemistry with his team. The only problem the Raiders have truly seen in Russel is his resolve to holdout of training camp. Money, money, money is the problem now. As is with Quinn. Both QB's can have a case made for them to be a bust, and both can have a case made for them to be a success. Not a star, but a decent player. As I said before Leaf was considered established (Quinn) and Manning ws considered to have the upside (Russel). I'm NOT comparing Leaf to Quinn, and Manning to Russel...I'm just putting them in their respective labels. Manning and Russel were considered to have an upside, and Leaf and Quinn were considered to be established. Manning succeeded and Leaf busted. Can it be the same case here? No, no, I believe not. I believe that both Russel and Quinn will enjoy a long and eventful career. But which one will be better? Thats a question I won't answer. But as for Russel, strong armed QB's have a tendency to do well in the NFL...at least for a while. Look at Culpepper. He and Russel are practically one in the same, and Culpepper enjoyed a nice career until he had that nagging knee injury. Another strong armed QB, Donovan McNabb, has had a good career, but also has problems with nagging injuries. Could it be that big QB's do well in the beggining, but as time goes on their bodies wear down? No. Look a Jeff George. He had a good first few years, and then started to loose his feel for the game. He was strong, smart, and loved the game. He did okay until he couldn't take being on a sub-par team anyomre and stopped trying, which got him cut. By then, he inadvertantly let himself go, his conditioning worsened, and he ultimatly failed in his tenure as a star in the NFL. Some history goes against Russel, and some goes for him. I say, as long as he always tries to be good, and at least stays healthy most of the time, Russel should be a good QB for years to some.
August 5, 2007  04:27 PM ET

Somebody cant be labled a bust until he has played. For you to say he is not a bust right now is correct. However, he is acting the fool holding out for silly option bonuses in his contract when he is neglecting to get in synch with his receivers and playbook. This missed time will screw over whatever positive strides he could have made in his first year with some spot starts that he wont get now.
-Cassidy

August 5, 2007  05:30 PM ET

Guys called "rock" are solid or big guys. To anybody that is trying to label him a bust is likely just a hater. Most experts say that he has more upside coming out of college than any QB in history. Ofcourse he has to prove himself and holding out over a few million dollars is not the right way to start. He should just sign what is on the table. I heard it's at 27 million and could be over 30 million if he reaches performance incentives.

 
August 5, 2007  06:29 PM ET

biGROCKHOGG is right. 27 million is more than enough for a rookie. There is no reason for any rookies to hold out. If they do well in their first year, give them a big deal, if not make them keep trying to earn it. I believe he has what it takes, but holding out over a few million is not the way to go. If you ask me, the longer he holds out, the less he should be offered because he obviously cares more about money than being a successful NFL quarterback. If he cared about NFL success, then he'd be in camp right now learning the offense

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