Biggest Bust in NFL History

[Slyder]

I think it is safe to now assume JaMarcus Russell has peaked and will become on of those "where are they now" stories.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5356585

Summary of the story Russell got arrested for being in possession of Codeine Syrup. Released when he paid $250k bail.

And to think the Raiders could have drafted Adrian Peterson or Calvin Johnson and gotten a legitimate NFL caliber football player... thanks Al.

[WVRed]

Originally Posted by Slyder

I think it is safe to now assume JaMarcus Russell has peaked and will become on of those "where are they now" stories.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5356585

Summary of the story Russell got arrested for being in possession of Codeine Syrup. Released when he paid $250k bail.

And to think the Raiders could have drafted Adrian Peterson or Charles Johnson and gotten a legitimate NFL caliber football player... thanks Al.

Charles Johnson?

[Oxilon]

I'm assuming he meant Calvin Johnson.

[WMR]

I don't really consider him a huge bust because I never thought much of his pro potential in the first place. The guy is dumb and lazy. That was not news to anyone who followed him at LSU. I would call him one of the bigger draft reaches in recent memory, however.

[Joseph]

Originally Posted by WMR

I don't really consider him a huge bust because I never thought much of his pro potential in the first place. The guy is dumb and lazy. That was not news to anyone who followed him at LSU. I would call him one of the bigger draft reaches in recent memory, however.

C'mon WMR, can't he be both?

[WMR]

Originally Posted by Joseph

C'mon WMR, can't he be both?

He can, but IMO in order to qualify as a HUGE bust, you need to have gone into your pro career pretty much universally expected to succeed.

JaMarcus had probably more doubters than he did believers.

[Slyder]

Originally Posted by WMR

He can, but IMO in order to qualify as a HUGE bust, you need to have gone into your pro career pretty much universally expected to succeed.

JaMarcus had probably more doubters than he did believers.

... except at ESPN. I hear theyre still getting royalties for stroking his ego leading up to the draft.

[Betterread]

Originally Posted by WMR

I don't really consider him a huge bust because I never thought much of his pro potential in the first place. The guy is dumb and lazy.

Sounds like DeMarcus Cousins. And add fat to the other two attributes.

[dabvu2498]

Originally Posted by Betterread

Sounds like DeMarcus Cousins. And add fat to the other two attributes.

Cousins has multiple skills, however. Russell had two. Being big and throwing the ball a long way.

But yeah, I see the comparison.

[savafan]

I always thought Todd Marinovich was the biggest bust in NFL history

[Kingspoint]

I still have Bosworth #1 on that list if only because of the way Bo Jackson blew through him into the endzone on Monday Night Football.

[WMR]

Originally Posted by Betterread

Sounds like DeMarcus Cousins. And add fat to the other two attributes.

Horrible comparison.

Never a hint of DeMarcus Cousins being lazy at Kentucky, in practice or in games. (Hint: he was busting his ass every day versus future fellow pros D. Orton and P. Patterson)

Anyone who has heard DeMarcus speak knows he isn't dumb. He has a very wry and unique sense of humor.

Freshmen don't become first team All-Americans if they're lazy. It's a purely historical award (judged on the season after it has occurred).

And DeMarcus isn't fat at all. Very, very solid NBA-ready body.

[Javy Pornstache]

Originally Posted by Betterread

Sounds like DeMarcus Cousins. And add fat to the other two attributes.

LOL. Incorrect. Like one of the most wrong statements ever on this site. And there were people that defended Wily Taveras and Eric Milton. Congratulations!

[MWM]

Originally Posted by WMR

I don't really consider him a huge bust because I never thought much of his pro potential in the first place. The guy is dumb and lazy. That was not news to anyone who followed him at LSU. I would call him one of the bigger draft reaches in recent memory, however.

That's pretty much my thought as well. I'm not better than the next guy at telling who is or isn't going to wind up making a good NFL QB, but there was no question in my mind that Russell was going to be terrible.

He's exhibit A for why cobines and "tools" have become too big a part of the process.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by MWM

That's pretty much my thought as well. I'm not better than the next guy at telling who is or isn't going to wind up making a good NFL QB, but there was no question in my mind that Russell was going to be terrible.

He's exhibit A for why cobines and "tools" have become too big a part of the process.

Yeah, even at the time if the draft I don't recall a ton of people who were overly enamored with JaMarcus Russell as the #1 pick.

In my mind, he's also Exhibit A for why the NFL needs a salary-slotting system for rookies. Getting the #1 pick in today's NFL has become a mixed blessing -- if there's an all-world player available, you get lucky in that you have the opportunity to take him, but you also can get stuck with a pick that no one wants (due to the bloated contract required to sign a #1 pick).

If I remember, back in 2007 the Oakland Raiders tried to shop that pick and couldn't find anyone who wanted to deal.