The end appears to be near for Oakland Raiders former number one overall pick Jamarcus Russell as the club appears ready to sever ties with the much maligned signal caller in the near future. There are plenty of comparisons for Russell who was highly touted after leaving the LSU Tigers a year early as a junior and hurling the ball 60-plus yards from his knees in workouts. None of the strong armed, gunslinger comparisons panned out at the next level, but now many liken Russell to the former San Diego Chargers bust Ryan Leaf.

For the Raiders, this move is one that really has to happen before Friday when the team begins its mini camp and will owe Russell his entire salary for the season if he participates. As of this moment, Oakland is only on the books for $3 million of the possible $9 million that Russell is scheduled to earn in 2010. In this uncapped season, the Raiders can cut their losses with the often out of shape and greatly underachieving Russell with minimal ramifications which is really a big step for the organization. Russell’s career stats are absolutely abysmal as in a total of 31 games he completed just 52.1 percent of his passes, threw only 18 touchdowns opposed to 23 interceptions, and posted a nauseating 65.2 quarterback rating.

What this move really signifies for Raider fans is that owner Al Davis is finally ready to admit failure with the Russell experiment and move on from what seems to be a lost cause. This really is a bright day for Oakland rather than a solemn occasion as the silver and black just added former Washington Redskins signal caller Jason Campbell via trade in the draft and appear ready to turn over the reigns to him under center. Campbell never really got a fair shake with the Skins who were in so much turmoil offensively that he didn’t have a chance to learn an offensive system. This is a welcome new beginning for both he and the Raiders in an AFC West division that may be ripe for the taking.

The once proud Raiders franchise may finally be ready to lift itself from the doldrums of the NFL’s basement and reemerge as a contender with this admission of failure and an outlook to the future. That combined with quite a successful three days at the NFL Draft really makes the Raiders a viable team amongst their divisional brethren. Don’t go buying any playoff tickets just yet Raider fans, but things are definitely looking up.

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