For the first eight days of training camp, it appeared that #1 overall pick QB Jamarcus Russell (left) and #2 overall pick WR Calvin Johnson (not pictured) were waiting for one another to sign contracts. Most of the time, it is the #1 pick who is given the highest paid contract in the draft, and every pick after that decreases in value. However, on that eighth day, Johnson ended his holdout and signed with the Detroit Lions, leaving many to feel that this was the first step for the other unsigned picks to get their deals done. With the exception of Jon Beason and Dwayne Bowe, this has not been the case. The two highest profile picks who continue to hold out are Russell and QB Brady Quinn (right).
So, who needs to be in camp more right now, Russell or Quinn? Both men are the potential saviors of teams who have suffered in recent years, and both play the key leadership role of the franchise. However, with the recent signing of Daunte Culpepper by the Oakland Raiders, suddenly the pressure to perform immediately has been taken off the shoulders of Jamarcus Russell. Brady Quinn is entering a situation where the starting quarterback last year was Charlie Frye, a man who has nowhere near the name recognition of Quinn, and has had limited success in the NFL. The other quarterbacks are better known, but have also seen limited success. So the job is basically Quinn's if he wants it, but with that job comes the expectation to perform, and when the quarterback is missing this much of training camp with the preseason beginning this week, pretty soon there is not going to be much time left to gel with his teammates and get his timing down.
On top of that, Quinn needs to accept the fact that he was drafted 22nd overall. Sure, he played for a high profile program at Notre Dame (whether they deserve to be or not), got the most media exposure a college player could hope to get, and played for an NFL style coach. The stars seemed to be aligned for him to be a top 10 pick at worst. The fact is, it didn't happen, so deal with it. This is not the same situation last year with Reggie Bush, where the team is going to give you a smaller contract than the #1 pick, but more bonuses and guaranteed money. Quinn should use that as motivation to perform, and feel lucky that he's in a situation where he can play right away. I saw an interview on ESPN a few days ago, and they asked him if he was prepared to sit out the season. He sort of dodged the question and said he hoped it wouldn't come to that, but he left himself open to the idea. So is a guy who was one bad game away from being benched before Charlie Weis came to Notre Dame that self-centered that he'd sacrifice a year of his aspiring career because he can't get paid as much as Jamarcus Russell? I'd like to think he isn't, but then again, it wouldn't surprise me.
That all being said, I'm very surprised that Jamarcus Russell wasn't signed before the NFL Draft even took place. I can't even remember the last time that the #1 pick held out this long. It kind of sets up a poor trend that I hope doesn't continue for the years to come. So, while there are plenty of reasons why Jamarcus Russell should be in camp right now, there are many more why Quinn should be.
2 comments:
Geoff,
Totally agree...not sure what Brady Quinn is doing. Holding out is potentially going to "earn" him a little more money, but now he'll be holding the clipboard until November. Worth it? Not in my mind.
Quinn doesn't deserve the money because he was the 22 pick, period. Just because he and his agent both think that his stock should be worth more just because he should have gone in the top ten, doesn't give him any grounds for debate. I believe Quinn will become a solid QB but he needs to earn the money instead of holding out for it.
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