TK Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 http://raiders.theinsiders.com/2/194123.html Russell reinstated By S&BI staff Date: Oct 27, 2003 Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell has been reinstated by the NFL, according to an ESPN.com report. The 27-year old Russell tested positive for the club drug Ecstasy last season and was serving a one-year suspension after NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue turned down his appeal. Under the suspension, Russell was not eligible to play again until Jan. 2, 2004. Russell also sat out the first four games of the 2002 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Washington Redskins officials performed a background check on Russell, the second overall choice in 1997 out of Southern Cal, and would feel comfortable signing him, sources told The Washington Post. Washington is in need of someone who brings consistency to the defensive tackle position, having lost Daryl Gardener to Denver via free agency and released Dan Wilkinson in training camp, The Post reported. The Raiders are expected to release Russell Monday or Tuesday, and Russell is expected to sign with the Reskins by Wednesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phat Hog Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 As long as he is inexpensive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Fakeman Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 Yah...as long he doesnt cost much....and still doesnt blow a bunch of ectasy...he's fine by me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlobberKnockinFootball Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 Look at these stats...I say this guy is more than worth the gamble... http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/4199 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yonisredskins Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 It's hard for me to believe this guy is anywhere close to football shape after being removed from it this long. For our sake I hope he is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 I guess will give him a crack, wait thats what got marion barry in trouble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljer Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 As long as he is inexpensive... How much is it gonna cost to feed him though??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 Russell is a gamble. But when has this team NOT in recent years reached out to grab a fallen angel or older vet in hopes of catching magic in a bottle? The Skins are beginning to remind me of the OLD Oakland Raiders, picking up stray cats and dogs as they go, the only difference being that back in the 1970's and early 1980's the Raiders were able to win with those mutts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 well he could be our daryl gardener Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 This is good in a way because it will force them to finally draft linemen in the first 3 rounds for a change and stop trying to make a PR splash with an offensive player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTerps2002 Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 Darell Gardner was a good player for us last season and he missed most of the two previous seasons with back injuries so the thought that Russell may not be in good shape may be wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 ANYTHING to stop the run and generate a pass rush. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenaciousd Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 Originally posted by bulldog Russell is a gamble. But when has this team NOT in recent years reached out to grab a fallen angel or older vet in hopes of catching magic in a bottle? The Skins are beginning to remind me of the OLD Oakland Raiders, picking up stray cats and dogs as they go, the only difference being that back in the 1970's and early 1980's the Raiders were able to win with those mutts The guy is 27 years old. Hardly an "older" vet. He had a HUGE signing bonus and contract. Which will be completely cleared for the team that signs him. I dont' mind the move at all. At this point Russell needs a team more than a team needs him. And he is financially set for life so I wouldn't even be suprised if he signs for close to veteran min for the rest of the season. Russell really does have unstoppable DT potential. I've seen him completely take over games. And, of course, I've seen him do little to nothing when his head wasn't in the game. How in shape would he be? Not at all. But he's nasty and a difference maker when game-ready. You guys wanted shake-up. Well, you are seeing it in this bye. We took a big gamble with Gardener last year with his back, for little guaranteed money, I'll take this gamble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BD Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 At this point, what do the Skins have to lose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenster95 Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 We can give him a vet minimum contract with incentives of varying amounts of Annapolis imported Ecstasy and a few hookers at the Hay Adams depending on how well he plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/football/nfl/10/27/bc.fbn.raiders.russell.ap/index.html Russell reinstated by NFL, released by RaidersPosted: Monday October 27, 2003 6:41PM; Updated: Monday October 27, 2003 6:51PM ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Troubled Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell was reinstated by the NFL on Monday after serving a 1 1/2-season suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, then was released by the Raiders. He now can be claimed off waivers. Coach Bill Callahan said in the offseason the Raiders were moving on without Russell, who had rape charges against him dropped in September 2002. Callahan also has said he has no interest in having Russell back on the team. "I'm on record as saying so," Callahan said Monday, though he wouldn't elaborate. Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen said Russell's problems outweighed the success he had with the franchise. Russell has a $9 million annual salary and has a $l.66 million signing bonus the Raiders are still responsible for. They've already accounted for that against the salary cap, Allen said. "We felt this was the best thing to do," Allen said. "He had some very good years here." The Raiders have been working out several players in recent days and have a roster spot to fill because linebacker Bill Romanowski was placed on injured reserve Thursday after a series of concussions. NFL spokesman Steve Alic confirmed that Russell, a two-time Pro Bowler, was reinstated. Russell tested positive for the drug Ecstasy and sat out the first four games of the 2001 season. The Washington Post reported that the Redskins had done a background check on Russell and were satisfied they could sign him. The Redskins are in need of defensive tackles. Russell, a former No. 2 overall selection in the NFL draft who had 28 1/2 sacks in five seasons with the Raiders, was eligible for reinstatement in January. But he had the suspension extended by three months because commissioner Paul Tagliabue wasn't satisfied with his off-field behavior. The NFL does not disclose details of substance-abuse violations. Its policy covers a wide range of issues, including the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Last fall, prosecutors dropped their case against Russell, claiming they could not prove he videotaped a woman being raped by two of his friends. Russell also had been charged with drugging the 28-year-old woman with the "date-rape drug" GHB at a San Francisco night club in January 2002. Russell was accused of holding a video camera and not intervening while his friends raped the woman. Russell was charged with 25 felonies as an accomplice in the alleged attack at the home of one of Russell's teammates, safety Eric Johnson. Police seized a videotape during the search of the home. tick tick tick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimReaper21 Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 http://www.sportsline.com/u/football/nfl/teams/pages/WAS/locker.htm Troubled Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell was reinstated by the NFL on Monday after serving a 1½-season suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, then was released by the Raiders. He now can be claimed off waivers. Coach Bill Callahan said in the offseason the Raiders were moving on without Russell, who had rape charges against him dropped in September 2002. Callahan also has said he has no interest in having Russell back on the team. "I'm on record as saying so," Callahan said Monday, though he wouldn't elaborate. Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen said Russell's problems outweighed the success he had with the franchise. Russell has a $9 million annual salary and has a .66 million signing bonus the Raiders are still responsible for. They've already accounted for that against the salary cap, Allen said. "We felt this was the best thing to do," Allen said. "He had some very good years here." The Raiders have been working out several players in recent days and have a roster spot to fill because linebacker Bill Romanowski was placed on injured reserve Thursday after a series of concussions. NFL spokesman Steve Alic confirmed that Russell, a two-time Pro Bowler, was reinstated. Russell tested positive for the drug Ecstasy and sat out the first four games of the 2001 season. The Washington Post reported that the Redskins had done a background check on Russell and were satisfied they could sign him. The Redskins are in need of defensive tackles. Russell, a former No. 2 overall selection in the NFL draft who had 28½ sacks in five seasons with the Raiders, was eligible for reinstatement in January. But he had the suspension extended by three months because commissioner Paul Tagliabue wasn't satisfied with his off-field behavior. The NFL does not disclose details of substance-abuse violations. Its policy covers a wide range of issues, including the illegal use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Last fall, prosecutors dropped their case against Russell, claiming they could not prove he videotaped a woman being raped by two of his friends. Russell also had been charged with drugging the 28-year-old woman with the "date-rape drug" GHB at a San Francisco night club in January 2002. Russell was accused of holding a video camera and not intervening while his friends raped the woman. Russell was charged with 25 felonies as an accomplice in the alleged attack at the home of one of Russell's teammates, safety Eric Johnson. Police seized a videotape during the search of the home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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