Bad Wax

First off if you are investing in JaMarcus Russell cards, unload them now, this might be your last opportunity to actually get above common cash for him.  That being said, I want you to know Russell’s career is over.  That last sentence might seem a bit harsh, but it’s the truth.  He will never be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

Many people saw this one coming from a mile away.  He missed his rookie training camp completely, held out on signing his first contract until the second week of the season.  I would say that is the killer for all rookie football players.  From now on if you have a star rookie on your team and he misses his entire rookie training camp, he is bound for a mediocre at best career.  Read that last line carefully all Michael Crabtree investors.

His career started out so promising.  In high school he left a four-year letterman and set all time passing records in Alabama High School history.  His years at LSU were very productive.  Becoming an instant spark for a LSU team that has faltered since his departure.  His place in NFL history was cemented by his incredible performance in the Sugar Bowl against LSU, where he passed and rushed for over 350 yards and three touchdowns.  Immediately stirring thoughts of Vince Young, beck when those thoughts were exciting ones).  After seeing what Vince did his rookie season for the Titans, the Raiders were drooling over the possibility of Russell as there starting quarterback and so the hype machine starting to grind away.

By the time the NFL draft came around he was a media darling and supposedly the saviour of a Raiders franchise in complete disarray.  Unfortunately for them, the best players in the draft that year were Russell, Joe Thomas, Calvin Johnson and Gaines Adams.  The Raiders needed a QB and this was not the draft to get one.  As none of the QBs have panned out in that draft (although it should be said that John Beck and Kevin Kolb could very well be franchise QBs, but it’s tough to tell right now).

So the raiders passed on the OT Thomas (still reeling from Robert Gallery) and Calvin Johnson to take what they were hoping would be their franchise QB of the future.  Of course, like most top draft pick QBs, JaMarcus was rushed into a starting job and never really did get acclimated to the speed of the NFL.  It’s not that surprising, defenses change game to game to take advantage of weaknesses, for Jamarcus, it was the ability to read defenses correctly.  Being able to throw the ball like a cannon firing is helpful, but not when it’s not accurate.  Russell has always had trouble with his accuracy.

It was no surprise when coach Cable benched Russell this pass week for NFL journeyman Brad Gradkowski.  Russell at this point in his career can’t help the franchise win.  His inaccuracies are killing the team.  With Gradkowski you have a drop back passer who can get the ball to his receivers (as long as the routes are under 50 yards) and he has had a chance to adapt to the speed and changing defenses of the NFL.  Will JaMarcus be able to turn it around?  That is a good question and one that may not be answered this season or even next season.  He needs a good quarterback coach who can groom him and teach him how to read defenses.  Being that he has been a superstar his whole life, it might be a tough pill to swallow.  Players like David Carr, Joey Harrington, Akili Smith and Tim Couch can tell you, either you have it or you don’t and I just think JaMarcus don’t got it.

After looking at eBay prices, his stock has dwindled quite a bit.  At an early point in his career, the card pictured below sold for nearly $400.  Now it’s not even fetching $20.  His autograph can be had for under $10 shipped.  Game used for $1 without shipping.  Even his Exquisite auto patch card is selling for under $150 and that card was touching $800 at one point.  Simply put, if you are a believer in comebacks, his cards go down in value every week that Gradkowski starts.  Now might be a good time to pick up some.  Of course if you are like me and have come to terms with him being done as an NFL quarterback, start unloading, because these might be the best prices you will find.