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POSTED 11:26 a.m. EDT April 19, 2007
RAIDERS TALKING TO JOHNSON, RUSSELL
A league source tells us that the Oakland Raiders have begun preliminary contract negotiations with quarterback JaMarcus Russell and receiver Calvin Johnson.
Because the Raiders own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they are free to talk to any, some, or all of the potential draft picks about a contract, and are free to strike a deal.
Last year, the Texans negotiated with defensive end Mario Williams and running back Reggie Bush, reach an agreement with Williams on the eve of the draft.
It is widely believed that the Raiders will pick either Russell or Johnson, unless they trade the selection. Some fear that the selection of Russell at No. 1 overall is a recipe for disaster, since the Raiders will be pressured to play Russell prematurely. If he is harassed in the pocket behind a bad line and loses confidence, he could end up in a funk from which he never recovers.
But it's also believed that Russell will be more likely to blink and do a bad deal, since if he's not picked No. 1 he might not be picked No. 2. Or No. 3. Or No. 4. Or No. 5. Or No. 6.
For Johnson, if he's not the No. 1 pick, he'll most likely be the No. 2.
RAIDERS TALKING TO JOHNSON, RUSSELL
A league source tells us that the Oakland Raiders have begun preliminary contract negotiations with quarterback JaMarcus Russell and receiver Calvin Johnson.
Because the Raiders own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they are free to talk to any, some, or all of the potential draft picks about a contract, and are free to strike a deal.
Last year, the Texans negotiated with defensive end Mario Williams and running back Reggie Bush, reach an agreement with Williams on the eve of the draft.
It is widely believed that the Raiders will pick either Russell or Johnson, unless they trade the selection. Some fear that the selection of Russell at No. 1 overall is a recipe for disaster, since the Raiders will be pressured to play Russell prematurely. If he is harassed in the pocket behind a bad line and loses confidence, he could end up in a funk from which he never recovers.
But it's also believed that Russell will be more likely to blink and do a bad deal, since if he's not picked No. 1 he might not be picked No. 2. Or No. 3. Or No. 4. Or No. 5. Or No. 6.
For Johnson, if he's not the No. 1 pick, he'll most likely be the No. 2.
