Napa, Calif. – When Ja-Marcus Russell came out of college, some scouts compared his big build and strong arm to Daunte Culpepper. Well, at least the Oakland Raiders have one of those quarterbacks in training camp.
While Russell remains home in Alabama without a contract, Culpepper practiced with the Raiders for the first time Wednesday after signing his one-year deal. Culpepper, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, had been looking for work since being released last month by the Miami Dolphins and found his spot with Oakland.
“I like to take chances like that,” Raiders owner Al Davis said. “I don’t know what the risk is. I don’t see any real risk.”
Davis likened the move to one he made in 1979 when he signed Jim Plunkett, who went on to win two Super Bowl titles with the Raiders.
But Culpepper’s stay in Oakland might not be that long.
He has only a one-year contract, and Russell will be groomed to take over as soon as he signs his contract and comes into camp.
“He’s obviously the quarterback of this team in the future,” Culpepper said. “I feel that I’m here for a reason: to help this team, help myself and also help him any way I can.”
First, the Raiders need to get Russell into camp. The No. 1 overall pick has missed the first nine practices of training camp as the sides are unable to agree on a contract. Davis said the biggest holdup in the talks revolves around the structure of the deal even though first-year coach Lane Kiffin said earlier the problem was money.
Davis said Russell’s agents, Eric Metz and Ethan Lock, want most of the money to be paid out in an option bonus, which is difficult for the team to recoup if a player violates his contract in the future. Davis said the team wants protection if Russell decides to hold out or feud with the team in the future.
“That’s the only thing with JaMarcus. It’s not money. That’s ridiculous,” Davis said. “It’s the option bonus.”
