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JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Calvin Johnson | NFL Draft Photo Shoot At Radio City Music Hall

As part of it's large set of NFL Draft-related events, the League held a photo shoot at Radio City Music Hall for the five players invited to attend the 2007 NFL Draft: JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Calvin Johnson, Gaines Adams, and Adrian Peterson.

This video's a great window into the personalities of the players, and also cheer spectacle that is NFL Draft week, and how even "seen-it-all" New Yorkers can get a little charged up about the event.

As you watch this video, note the mood of LSU and now Oakland Raiders Quaterback JaMarcus Russell -- he seems really pissed about something.

NFL Draft - Interview With Paul Salata - "Mr. Irrevelant"

http://nfldraftmag.blogspot.com - Paul Salata, the founder and host of "Mr. Irrelevant Week" stopped by to talk with Bill Chackhes and myself about his NFL-supported event that celebrates the last pick in the last round of the NFL Draft.

An Interview With JaMARCUS RUSSELL - Oakland Raiders

An Interview With:


JaMARCUS RUSSELL
Oakland Raiders



JaMARCUS RUSSELL: First, I just want to thank God for this opportunity and the chance he gave me when I needed it the most, just coming through with this.

Thank my family for being here at this time. I'm going to be ready to go out there and go to work.



Q. You were recruited by Nick Saban at LSU; is that correct?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Yes, sir.



Q. Have you talked to him at all about what you can expect?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: I talked to Coach a few days ago just talking about how proud he was. He was very happy for me, with all of the guys back at LSU.



Q. How much do you expect to contribute as a rookie the first year?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: The best way I can, helping the guys out in practice, helping him do his job and helping me out in any way possible going in and making plays.



Q. Is it what you expected, they had been talking about you as the No. 1 pick?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: I kind of had faith, everybody had been talking about it for a while. This is a dream come true.

Growing up as a kid, you know, playing every sport in life, always see the guys on the professional level and here I am today.



Q. When did Oakland contact you?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Just a few minutes before they went up to the podium I got a call and a text message just letting me know how happy they were

and very excited about the situation and can't wait until I get in.



Q. Nothing yesterday?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: No.



Q. Did you talk to Al Davis?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Not yet.



Q. Are you hoping to get a chance to play with Randy Moss this season?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: It's going to be terrific, watching him as a kid, the things he did, he's still Randy Moss. and it's going to be exciting to get on the side

of him and work one‑on‑one with each other. I just can't wait to get in and have the opportunity to do that.



Q. Do you consider yourself a franchise quarterback?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Right now, you know, besides all of the franchise and everything else, I'm just very excited. When things happen,

they happen for a reason, and who knows what tomorrow may bring.



Q. What's going to be your biggest challenge as you look at it going to the Raiders and the NFL?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Just starting all over again. Have to prove yourself once and for all. Just letting the guys know that you come there to

work, you do anything and everything is possible and try to help them out and just put them in a position to make plays as a quarterback.



Q. Do you expect to start?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: I'm expected to do whatever is necessary for the team.



Q. Think back to the pro style offense you played at LSU; how much has that contributed to where you are today and made you more ready?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: A lot. Most people don't know how much our offense brings to the table as far as checking out the line and switching plays

from side to side or from running the pass, pass to run. Coach Fisher did a wonderful job and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity and really

just thank Coach Saban and the rest of the coaches there.



Q. A lot of teams, there's been a lot of emphasis on the conduct policy; how much do people talk to you about that?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: A lot. The guy that I am and the mom that I have, that won't be a problem. I was raised better than that and I know right from wrong.

I don't think it will be a problem.



Q. How many people are going to join you out in California?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: A good friend of mine, I just can't wait to get out there.



Q. Did you dress in black on purpose?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: I kind of, you know, wanted to dress all‑black beforehand. It's just a coincidence.



Q. Of all of the criticisms of your ability, what's one thing that maybe has rubbed you wrong the most?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: When people tell you what you can't do. They are not inside your body and most of the guys have not played football during their life.

For me, most things don't really get to me. I kind of let it roll off my back and just keep going.



Q. What part of your game do you need to work on?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Everything. As a quarterback you can't forget something, because you might work on something too hard and lack in others, so everything is important.



Q. How do you feel about the expectations that are going to be placed on you? The Raiders have struggled; a lot of people are going to be looking

at you as the savior of the franchise; how do you feel you'll put up with that kind of pressure?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Whether it's other people or myself, I set my standards very high and for the expectations that everybody has. But you know, you can

only do what God has set for you to do. I'll be very pleased to go out there and work as hard as I can to make everything possible for the Raiders.



Q. On Media Day you said the Raiders did not contact you yet; did anything happen between Thursday afternoon and today?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Sat down with the coach and basically told him what he expects if things work out like they did today and how do I feel about it

and just making sure my head was on my shoulders and that I was not going to get caught up in the hype and everything.



Q. Are you able to enjoy yourself this week? Did you feel you had to be No. 1?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Not exactly. I'm just very fortunate to be in the position that I am. Everybody don't get a chance or an opportunity

to make it to the NFL, and just very fortunate to be here. I would go anywhere in the world and play ball and I'm just happy that I'm at the Oakland Raiders today.



Q. When do you look for a convertible for your grandmother?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: That's a secret. She's back there; I can't say yet. (Laughter).



Q. You go from one minute being a college player to the next minute, millionaire, big contract. What's that transition like at 22 years old?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: I ain't got that yet ‑‑ I plan on doing good things and just be happy that I'm in that situation. Right now I'm so excited, man.

Like the whole week has been fun but this morning it started hitting me that I was going in the NFL Draft. I've seen it on TV for quite some time

and just to be standing up there with the commissioner and all of the fans in the stands, I'm very excited. That's when it really hit me he.



Q. This could be a big day for LSU, three players that may go in the first round; how much are you going to stay in contact with them today?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Those guys, we're brothers. Me and Dwayne stayed together for a while and we have a great relationship, I think the other

guys will do a wonderful job wherever they get drafted to. Good luck and best wishes to those guys.



Q. Were you able to sleep tonight or were you too nervous about this whole thing?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: To be honest, man, I was knocked out. Like I say, it really didn't hit me last night. Just thought the faster

go to sleep, the quicker the day will come; so I had to get to sleep.



Q. How do you feel about going to Oakland and playing in front of those fans?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: We had great fans at LSU and I heard those fans are a little bit better somewhat right up above that,

so I just can't wait to go out and play in front of those guys and hear those guys go crazy.



Q. Do you have the strongest arm in the league?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Oh, man, I've got to get there first. I've got to get in and get a chance to make things happen and we'll see from there.



Q. Are you familiar with those Raider fans? Some of them look scary.

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: They are behind me 100%, so they have got my back.



Q. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Myself, you know, I'm the type of guy that will lead by example. I try to do my best each and every day every week so it rubs off on

my guys and make sure they play up to par and make sure they play at my level every time they go out.



Q. When did you think you could play at this game level?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: When I was a kid I was always a little bit above the rest of the kids. My mom, believe it or not, I was so tall, she

had to carry my birth certificate around to different parks to prove to people that I wasn't too old.



Q. A lot of the stuff people said before the draft was that Brady Quinn is more polished and more prepared to play, but that

you have the better arm and you're a better athlete; is that insulting at all?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: People have their opinion. I wish the best for Brady and I think he'll be really good at what he does.

Like I say, people don't know what goes on behind those closed doors, the things that go on on your offense. They just look for what they see on TV.

But what people are saying, I try not to get too caught up in it and go about my business and just try to do my best out there.



Q. Between accuracy and beating defenses, what is one thing that you improved on that made you realize you're ready for right now?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: From my first year up until now?



Q. Yes.

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: You get a feeling for the defenses coming out of high school but it takes your coach to sit down and

go over that with you and the more experience you get, the better off you'll be at that. I think I do a great job at both.



Q. What do you expect from Al Davis from your dealings with him and what do you know about him?

JaMARCUS RUSSELL: Great things. Sitting down and talking to him really got a chance to hear a lot of things from him. He told me that

he likes touchdowns. I told him I did, too, so we're going to try to make some things happen.

Big day in the Bay

After a relatively quiet Day 1 of the NFL draft, Sunday has been a big day—especially in the Bay Area. D-Jax is flying in (to the Niners) and Randy Moss is sailing out (to the Pats), both in exchange for 4th round picks! These are two of the preeminent WR’s of our time, and they have been given away like party favors on New Years Eve.

Jackson offers the 49ers something they haven’t had since days of lore—a 1-2 punch with Antonio Bryant. Stick an up and coming RB in there, a QB that’s hitting the top of the learning curve, and an improving O-line, and with a little luck there will be a potent offense at Candlestick Point come September.

Within eyesight, eyesore Oakland ships out one of the greatest WR’s of all time. Is it just me, or have teams been offering the S & B much better options than a 4th round pick within the past year? With this trade, Oakland gives up on any possibility that Moss and his numerous talents could help rookie Russell learn the game. If they waited this long to trade him, couldn’t they at least see if Moss & Russell formed some sort of bond, making them both better players? Who is Russell going to throw to? Jerry Porter? Yikes.

Brady Quinn and The Onion Article - 2007 NFL Draft

Brady Quinn, the new quarterback of the Cleveland Browns and formerly of Notre Dame, was the focus of a recent article in the humor newspaper "The Onion."

This is the text:

DUBLIN, OH—Top draft prospect Brady Quinn, a strong-armed quarterback out of Notre Dame who is expected to be taken with one of the first five picks in the draft, told scouts interviewing him at his family home Monday that he would in all likelihood be a huge NFL bust. "While it's true I have impressive arm strength, and that I'm willing to stand up in the pocket against the rush, the fact remains that my lack of downfield accuracy gets me in trouble on the deep throws and my field vision is suspect," Quinn told draft evaluators from the Raiders, Browns, and Cardinals."Combine that with the enormous starting bonus I'll receive and the tendency for teams to try and develop quarterbacks long after they should give up, and I really just have 'bust' written all over me." While Quinn recommended teams look to solid prospects such as quarterback Jamarcus Russell, tackle Joe Thomas, and running back Adrian Peterson, Raiders owner Al Davis is reportedly more interested than ever in signing Quinn."

So, I decided to ask Quinn what he thought of the Onion in this video.

NFL Draft - The Impact Of The Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Oakland Raiders took Jamarcus Russell as the first pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. But I contend that were it not for the new collective bargaining agreement established last year, the Raiders may have been compelled to trade out of that position in the first round, and get a less expensive player.

The new CBA contributed as much as $10 million to the salary cap of each NFL team. That's extra money that gives more "wiggle room" for the Raiders, an organization ranked 30 out of the 32 NFL organizations in terms of franchise value.

Last year, "signability" -- the ability to assemble a reasonable contract payment for an NFL rookie -- was a major consideration on the part of Bob McNair, the owner of the Houston Texans. Was this a function of the then-less-expensive CBA? You bet it was. I'll bet the Texans would have taken Reggie Bush with an extra $10 million to spend.

Or, maybe not.

Ja Marcus Russell's Agent Eric Metz - "We Never Had A Doubt"



A happy Ja Marcus Russell after being picked by the Raiders.

As many of you know, LSU Quaterback Ja Marcus Russell became the first pick in the first round by the Oakland Raiders. Also, some of you may remember that this space annouced that the Raiders would select Notre Dame Quarterback Brady Quinn as their signal caller of the future.

I did get it wrong, but it wasn't because I thought Brady Quinn was going to be the better quaterback. It was the CAA guy I was talking to.

After Russell's selection, I recognized and walked over to meet his agent Eric Metz, who was standing about 40-feet from our table at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday. The Phoenix-based representative took time to speak with me about the flying rumors that Quinn and not his client Russell was going to be the Raiders choice.

"We never had a doubt", he said, regarding the rumors. "We knew we had it months ago." Each time I shared with him the CAA information regarding their view that the Raiders deal was in the bag, he winced. Indeed, the simple fact that Rusell walked in wearing a black suit and tie was the ultimate Draft-day tip-off.

Metz strikes me as a person who's honest, caring, and aware of the importance of relationships. We talked about the fact that this was the second free-fall for a CAA-represented quaterback. As you know, CAA had a similar situtation with USC's Matt Leinart, who was picked 10th in the first round last year, and that after CAA promised him not less than becoming the third choice in the first round.

"You know, honesty goes a long way," Metz said. "We don't try to snow anyone." This explains why -- according to sources -- Metz has such a great relationship around the league. It may also be the key reason why his client was the choice of the Oakland Raiders.

It also may explain why CAA lost Matt Leinart. Lets see what happens with CAA and Brady Quinn.
 

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