JaMarcus Russell Getting "Close" to $3 Million From Raiders in Settlement; Oakland Paying $49.6 Million in 2013 to Players They Don't Have

JaMarcus Russell was a $36 million mistake the Raiders made when they drafted him first in 2007, and six years later, they’re still paying for it. From the San Francisco Chronicle:

"The Raiders are paying former quarterback JaMarcus Russell close to $3 million in a settlement over his disputed rookie contract, league sources said. He had been paid $36.4 million and was still owed $3 million at the time of his release. The Raiders filed a grievance against Russell, seeking repayment of $9.55 million in salary advances, and Russell filed a grievance of his own, saying he was owed an additional $9 million."

As if you needed further proof the Raiders are the biggest joke in the league – you’re off the hook for now, Jacksonville – Oakland is paying players not on their roster in 2013 a whopping $49.6 million, according to the Chronicle.

One could argue the Raiders have the weakest roster, top-to-bottom, in the NFL. Matt Flynn or rookie Tyler Wilson will start at QB, and while Darren McFadden is capable of a monster year – see 2010 – he’s only played 19 games in the last two seasons due to a litany of injuries. They’ve got a bunch of #2 and #3 wide receivers. The tight ends listed on this depth chart had a total of nine receptions in 2012.

The defense? Below average in every category, except sacks, where they had just 25, 2nd worst in the NFL. I think by the end of September, Charles Woodson will be getting asked by reporters, “why did you come back here for your last hurrah?”

No, I don’t think it is too early to worry about the 2014 draft, given how poorly the Raiders have drafted in the last decade. I’m sure the debate is already raging in Oakland – Clowney or a QB?