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HARLEM, New York, United States
My name is Chi-Chi and I'm a girl from Harlem that LOVES sports. I host and produce my own radio show called "Sports @ The Half" every Monday from 5:00-6:00 pm ET on WHCR 90.3 FM. If you're not in the NY area, listen online at www.whcr.org. For real-time sports updates follow me --> Twitter.com/ChiChi27.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Unsigned Hype

The 2007 NFL Draft came and it went, but up until today there were 2 first-rounders that were yet to be signed. The #1 pick, outstanding LSU QB Jamarcus Russell, and #14 Darrelle Revis, a corner out of the University of Pittsburgh. Russell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and Revis by the New York Jets.

The Jets and Revis had differing views of how the contract should be structured. The Jets, who traded up in the draft in order to snag Revis, want as much out of this investment as possible. They'll pay him the money, but they want him for 6 years. Revis, not wanting to be locked into a long contract, was looking for 5 years. Most of the first rounders signed 5-year contracts and the Jets are pretty much tryna buck the system. Revis hadn't reported to training since it started on July 27th. Well, after weeks of negotiating the two parties finally reached an agreement, in principle. The deal is believed to be worth $36 million over 6 years. I'm assuming there's some sort of opt-out clause somewhere in this 50+ page contract, but things are still pretty vague. After missing more than 20 days of practice, and the Jets preseason opener, Revis is expected to report to camp within in the next few days. With the solid offense the Jets have, this deal was going to get done either way because Revis is expected to be a starter. Hey, defense wins championships.

And then there was 1...
The issue with Russell and the Raiders is simple. Oakland wants the talent but refuses to pay. With a bass ackwards offense, and the number 1 pick in the draft, the Raiders chose Russell. If you watched the kid in college like I did, then you know Jamarcus is the troof. And yes, I said troof. At 6-6, 263 lbs, he's a beast with a monster arm. Not only can he throw deep, he's great on his feet and hard to bring down. The Raiders really don't wanna come outta pocket and pay Russell what the 1st overall pick is usually paid. Every year the price gets higher and higher, and yes, it's getting pretty ridiculous. Remember last year's first pick Mario Williams?! He signed his $54 million contract with $26.5 guaranteed the night BEFORE the draft!! And he's a defensive end! The Houston Texans ain't no joke!! And clearly, the Raiders are and enjoy it. They're the laughing stock of the NFL, and with this punk ass, cheap ass face-off they've got goin on with Russell, that stands to be the case for at least one more season. With all the information I've heard, a deal is no where near being reached, so we shouldn't expect to see Jamarcus in preseason. Scratch that, the ENTIRE 2007-2008 season. What a damn shame!! Have you even seen the depth chart at QB for the Raiders? Josh McCown and Dante Culpepper are fighting for the starting spot. Oh yeah, Andrew Walter is somewhere back there too. If Culpepper is healthy, I’m a smidgen less worried about the Raiders. Not only would it be impressive, but it would also give the Dolphins a real kick in the fins for dropping him after one objectionable season. If he gets hurt, which seems to be his thing the past few seasons, then we’re left with McCown and Walter. I. Am. Not. Impressed.

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