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Done deal?----Raiders, Russell agree in principle to deal
Raiders, Russell agree in principle to deal
Sources say team will pay the No. 1 pick $31 million guaranteed
BY STEVE CORKRAN, Staff writer
Article Last Updated: 09/10/2007 05:01:08 PM PDT
ALAMEDA — The Raiders have agreed to pay No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell at least $31 million guaranteed after lengthy negotiations with the quarterback's agents the past four days, according to two people familiar with the situation.
Reaching that figure clears the way for Russell's signing a contract at any time, perhaps as soon as today. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin confirmed as much.
"It just continues to sound like they are getting closer and closer," Kiffin said at his weekly news conference Monday. "It could be (Monday). You just never know. I know that the sides are as close as they've ever been."
The proposed deal is expected to be for six years and make it possible for Russell to earn as much as $60 million over the life of the contract.
The two sides have haggled over several issues since the Raiders selected Russell with the first pick of the NFL draft April 28. He attended offseason workouts and all three of the team's minicamps but missed all of training camp, Oakland's four exhibition games and its regular-season opener Sunday.
Russell's primary agent, Eric Metz, and Raiders officials met Friday to see if they could end the stalemate. A breakthrough occurred once Metz and the Raiders worked out the parameters for Russell to receive $31 million guaranteed. Assuming there isn't a breakdown in the final stages of the process, it's possible Russell could join his teammates when they return to practice Wednesday.
Kiffin said he isn't ruling out the possibility of Russell's being signed and with the Raiders before Sunday's game against he Denver Broncos.
"I wouldn't say I expect that, but I definitely wouldn't be surprised," Kiffin said.
The Raiders likely would receive a two-week roster exemption once Russell signs. Therefore, they wouldn't have to make a move on their 53-man active roster until the exemption is lifted. At that point, Kiffin would be forced to decide if he wants to carry four quarterbacks or jettison one of the three on the active roster — Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper and Andrew Walter.
NOTE: Kiffin said he won't issue any updates on injured center Jeremy Newberry and McCown's sprained index finger on his right (throwing) hand until Wednesday. However, Newberry said his left hamstring is extremely painful and that he isn't sure if he will be able to play Sunday. "It depends on how it does the rest of the week, but I don't know," Newberry said. "I hope it gets better in a hurry." Newberry sustained his injury while trying to push off on the dirt infield at McAfee Coliseum on the third play of Sunday's game. He left the game one play later and never returned. Jake Grove finished the game.
LINKY DINKY
Raiders, Russell agree in principle to deal
Sources say team will pay the No. 1 pick $31 million guaranteed
BY STEVE CORKRAN, Staff writer
Article Last Updated: 09/10/2007 05:01:08 PM PDT
ALAMEDA — The Raiders have agreed to pay No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell at least $31 million guaranteed after lengthy negotiations with the quarterback's agents the past four days, according to two people familiar with the situation.
Reaching that figure clears the way for Russell's signing a contract at any time, perhaps as soon as today. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin confirmed as much.
"It just continues to sound like they are getting closer and closer," Kiffin said at his weekly news conference Monday. "It could be (Monday). You just never know. I know that the sides are as close as they've ever been."
The proposed deal is expected to be for six years and make it possible for Russell to earn as much as $60 million over the life of the contract.
The two sides have haggled over several issues since the Raiders selected Russell with the first pick of the NFL draft April 28. He attended offseason workouts and all three of the team's minicamps but missed all of training camp, Oakland's four exhibition games and its regular-season opener Sunday.
Russell's primary agent, Eric Metz, and Raiders officials met Friday to see if they could end the stalemate. A breakthrough occurred once Metz and the Raiders worked out the parameters for Russell to receive $31 million guaranteed. Assuming there isn't a breakdown in the final stages of the process, it's possible Russell could join his teammates when they return to practice Wednesday.
Kiffin said he isn't ruling out the possibility of Russell's being signed and with the Raiders before Sunday's game against he Denver Broncos.
"I wouldn't say I expect that, but I definitely wouldn't be surprised," Kiffin said.
The Raiders likely would receive a two-week roster exemption once Russell signs. Therefore, they wouldn't have to make a move on their 53-man active roster until the exemption is lifted. At that point, Kiffin would be forced to decide if he wants to carry four quarterbacks or jettison one of the three on the active roster — Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper and Andrew Walter.
NOTE: Kiffin said he won't issue any updates on injured center Jeremy Newberry and McCown's sprained index finger on his right (throwing) hand until Wednesday. However, Newberry said his left hamstring is extremely painful and that he isn't sure if he will be able to play Sunday. "It depends on how it does the rest of the week, but I don't know," Newberry said. "I hope it gets better in a hurry." Newberry sustained his injury while trying to push off on the dirt infield at McAfee Coliseum on the third play of Sunday's game. He left the game one play later and never returned. Jake Grove finished the game.
LINKY DINKY
