OK, we all get it. Al Davis is a meddlesome, cheap NFL owner that took the last year he looked good and stayed with it (by his Sunday sideline attire, I am guessing it was the ten year span of 1966-76). We have all accepted that fact, now it is your turn Al.  Every season sports fans’ nerves get worn thin hearing about highly-touted rookies that are all upside holding out for an astronomical amount of money none of us will ever see. It is hard for us to find this high-priced talent likeable. So it is up to you Mr. Russell to get into camp, now. Sign the dang contract and get your rookie butt on the field.  You have all the upside in the world, and on paper you have all the skills. Big arm, great vision and built like a defensive end. Great. The only thing on paper you are missing is your signature on the dotted line. 

Do you remember your last season as a college student athlete? How ‘bout the last game of your college career? You know the Sugar Bowl where you lead your LSU Tigers to a 41-14 stopping of the Irish of Notre Dame? If you are having trouble remembering that feat, here’s a newsflash: No one else remembers it either!

That is because last year was college and this year it is the NFL – or supposed to be. Now sports fans are remembering…Brady Quinn. That’s right the other high-priced rookie holdout that finally signed the bloomin’ contract, got into camp and is now the talk of the NFL preseason.   Fans in Cleveland are now calling for this rook to start. Fans in Oakland are talking about Duante Culpepper and the prospect of him leading the Raiders out of the AFC West cellar. Quinn has had success in the preseason and has dinked and dunked his way to 20-31 for 236 yards and three touchdowns over his three preseason appearances. Sure, sure Quinn has looked great against the third and fourthteamers, guys that will be baggin’ groceries in about two weeks, but he’s in there. He is moving the team and getting results. You Mr. Russell? A robust 0-0 for 0 yards and wait…0 touchdowns in 0 preseason games.  And in categories that matter, Quinn is blowing your doors off for the cover of Madden ’09, and is leading you for the rights to have the giant ape of a shoe contract. Ouch that hurts. Kind of hurts right in the ‘ol wallet. 

So here is what you do. Stop working out at the local Gold’s gym or wherever, put your signature on the dotted line and get to Raider’s camp. I can’t say that I blame you, I wouldn’t want to play for the Raiders because I live in Denver, but too bad for you the black and silver drafted you with the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL draft, and your performance (or lack of) is making Quinn look like the steal of the century at the No. 22 overall pick. Quinn thought he deserved to be the No. 1 pick and you sir are making him look like he should have been.

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