W-L record as starter Akili Smith: 3-14 Ryan Leaf: 4-17 JaMarcus Russell: 7-18 Russell had as many wins as the other two combined and better winning %. Sure Russell was drafted 1st overall, mainly because the talent at QB was very weak at the time. So far the best of that class are Matt Moore and Kevin Kolb, and every single QB signed has yet to play a full NFL season. Imagine last season if Stafford and Sanchez hadn't jumped early, the best QB prospect would have been Josh Freeman, whose style was similar to Russell with a true work ethic. This happened in 2007 and the Raiders, desperate for a QB, took the strongest with the best arm are mechanics. Leaf was taken 2nd behind Manning and they were supposed to have a Jim Kelly vs. Dan Marino or Steve Young vs. Troy Aikman type of rivalry, competing for MVP awards and conference championships. Also San Diego in 1998 was a lot better than Oakland in 2007, San Diego didn't suck, traded up to have the 2nd pick, and just needed a good QB to succeed. Remember SD had the top ranked defense in 1998 and in 1999 went 8-8 with two average QB who were 71 years old combined (Harbaugh and Kramer). Akili Smith was the 3rd pick in 1999 below two QB, usually players taken that early are guaranteed the starting spot but Smith was so bad that he couldn't learn the system. Yes I have seen his stats and COMPARED to the other two, Russell's numbers are slightly better (or not as awful). Contracts change during the years, Ryan Leaf at the moment had the biggest rookie contract ever. @ noscarnage Yes they do, especially when San Diego in 1998 was so much better than Oakland in 2007. @ terry v Agree, most people just see the $28+ millions more than Russell got, without keeping in mind that overall Ryan Leaf was more costly for the Chargers than Russell for the Raiders. After becoming officially the worst team in 2000, in 2001 the Chargers had to trade the 1st overall pick because they couldn't afford him. Fortunately they picked up LT and Drew Brees to get the team back on track. @ Cole Even on that category Russell beats Leaf by a mile. Leaf had a season with 2 TD and 15 Int.
Football (American) - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
have you seen his stats he sucks
2 :
OK, you're right. Whatever.
3 :
He is called a bigger bust not because he was worse than leaf or smith, it is because of the MASSIVE contract he got. He was expected to be the savior of Oakland and was sure paid like it. He made a significantly larger amount of money than either leaf or smith
4 :
wins and losses don't fall on a qb. The reason is his stats they are really bad, second he was the first overall pick in the draft, and finally the money he even held out training camp to get more money.
5 :
because he is
6 :
I have always held the believe that Leaf was the biggest bust because the Chargers traded away their futrue to get him. They gave Arizona 2- #1 picks,a second round pick as well as 2 players to move up one spot! JaMarcus is still a big bust we can all debate how big but lets face it he has to be in the top 5! What would be great would be for JaMarcus to get picked up with another team and go onto win a SuperBowl.Then we can say it was Al Davis and his senile mind that held him back!Yet I doubt that is the case
7 :
Most people believe what ever the media tells them. They aren't capable of thinking for themselves. Was Russell a bust? Yes, without a doubt. Was he the biggest bust ever? Sorry, but no. The media just needs something to talk about. If they don't talk about the "biggest bust ever" what news will they have to relay to us? Sitting around waiting to see if Favre's going to go through with the surgery or not. Hardly exciting and breaking news.
8 :
RUSSELL STILL HAS A CHANCE TO TURN HIS CAREER AROUND , BUT IF HE DOES'NT HE WILL BE CONSIDERED BUY MOST AS THE BIGGEST BUST, JUST BASED ON THE TOTAL DOLLARS HIS EARNED
9 :
He had 3 TDs and 11 picks last year. He blows.
