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The Dolphins are no longer the kings of South Beach. That is according to this Fox Sports article and the numbers may back that, but in my mind the Dolphins will always own Miami. However, it makes you think just how did a storied franchise like the Mi…
The debate goes on.
Is JaMarcus Russell of the Oakland Raiders the biggest bust of all time?
In order for that to be true, Russell must surpass Ryan Leaf of the San Diego Chargers, taken second overall in the 1998 NFL draft. Leaf is generally considered the biggest bust ever taken in the NFL draft.
Most articles relative to Russell have been nothing more than case studies in the quixotic decisions of Al Davis.
Thus, those articles are nothing more than veiled attempts to define the legacy of Mr. Davis by Russell, which merely reflects gross bias that is not based on facts.
This argument is two-fold. The first component is the empirical evidence (stats, cost), while the second component is the intangibles (work-ethic, locker room presence).
Component One
Statistically, Russell has 680 pass attempts compared to Leaf with 655, which is a difference of 25 passes, which is roughly equivalent to one game. Russell has completed 52.1 percent of his passes, while Leaf completed 48.4 percent of his passes.
Even though this is a dubious stat, I use it because there are people who put value in it: Russell was 7-18 as a starter for a winning percentage of 28, while Leaf finished 4-17 for a winning percentage of 19.
Russell’s career total of touchdowns to interceptions is 18 and 23, while Leaf’s career total of touchdowns to interceptions is 14 to 36. Russell has thrown 4,083 yards, while Leaf threw 3,666 passing yards.
In 1998, the Chargers signed Leaf to a contract of $31.25 million with $11.25 million guaranteed. In 2007, Russell signed a contract for $68 million with $31.5 million guaranteed.
In order to acquire Leaf, the Chargers traded up a mere one spot in the 1998 NFL draft. Despite the fact that the Cardinals had drafted quarterback Jake Plummer in the previous Draft, the chargers mortgaged the farm to get Leaf.
The Chargers sent two first-round picks, a second round pick, and two players to Arizona, including Pro-Bowler Eric Metcalf, whom would have surely helped Leaf as a runner and receiver.
The additional first round picks would be used in the 1999 NFL draft to select wideout David Boston by Arizona. Boston would lead the league in receiving in 2001. Though Boston’s career was cut short, Boston surely would have helped Leaf in San Diego.
Thus, in roughly the same number of attempts, Russell beats Leaf in the category of statistics. I should add that Russell could increase that number, if he gets another chance somewhere else.
The cost it took for each team to acquire the respective quarterback is close, because it depends on where you place the most value.
Even when indexed for inflation, Leaf’s total contract would have been worth $39.6 million in 2007 compared to 1998, while Russell’s guaranteed money is nearly identical to Leaf’s total contract.
Yet, the Chargers paid a hefty price in the draft by the trade.
Knowing that every die-hard NFL fans lives and breathes for the NFL draft, I would say that more fans (if being honest) value priceless draft picks (especially top 10 picks) more than guaranteed money.
Thus, I’m led to conclude that Russell right now has better stats than Leaf, but still has the possibility to increase that number, while the Chargers paid more to get Leaf.
In component one, Russell is the winner.
Component Two
We all know how Ryan Leaf acted in the locker room.
By most accounts, JaMarcus Russell’s behavior could be summarized as that of a depressed pleasure-seeker (lethargy, over-eating, inability to focus) and often spending more time in Las Vegas than preparing.
Neither quarterback was highly regarded in the locker room, but that is true of many quarterbacks. The team will put up with you if you win, yet many quarterbacks have been disliked in the history of the NFL.
Russell scored a 24 on the Wonderlic, while Leaf scored a 27, yet Russell has outperformed Leaf statistically, when by most accounts, Russell wasn’t trying.
Leaf’s work-ethic is unknown to me, but stats show, it wasn’t enough.
Moreover, Russell had little to any support from the coaching staff. In 2007, then Raiders coach Lane Kiffin openly refused to work with Russell. The apologists for Kiffin have argued that Kiffin was right to do so, and I would say shame on you for calling yourself a football fan.
Any quarterback needs to be coached. People complain that Russell wasn’t doing his job, yet apologize for the fact that Kiffin refused to do his job. That job of course was to develop Russell, regardless of personal bias.
Russell is not the first immature player to be taken in the draft. Just a year before, the Cardinals took Matt Leinart with the 10th pick from USC.
Amongst his “Bad Ben” like ways, Leinart deferred from entering the draft in 2005 for another season at USC.
During that season, his “curriculum” consisted of ball-room dancing. In other words, Leinart wasn’t interested in playing football, but partying in Los Angeles for another year.
Ben Roethlisberger is another example of an immature player, yet Bad Ben has succeeded because his coaches, including Bill Cowher, worked with him.
Many, many coaches have not liked the players taken in the draft, which is why many coaches long to be general manager and coach.
The coaches that have had that chance all failed in doing so, which includes Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren amongst others. It wasn’t until Holmgren relinquished dual duties at GM and coach in Seattle that the Seahawks became a legitimate contender.
Kiffin as an assistant from USC, was far from having the resume of Holmgren or any other top coach in the NFL.
Leaf’s coach Mike Riley also came from the college ranks, but at least Riley could say that he had been the head coach at Oregon State.
Clearly, Kiffin waltzed into Oakland with his lies and tried to demand what even elite coaches rarely, if ever, get.
After Kiffin was fired in the middle of the 2008 season, Russell remained in his bad habits, albeit showing promise in the late 2008 season.
Despite all of this, Russell still outperformed Leaf, so I’m led to conclude that Russell is the winner of component two.
Conclusion
Ryan Leaf is still the biggest bust from the draft of all time.
The real answer in regards to the Oakland Raiders since 2007 is that Lane Kiffin is the biggest bust as a coach of all time.
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I figured with all the handwringing over the Seahawks’ trade for the Chargers’ Charlie Whitehurst, I would repost an article I wrote a year ago about Whitehurst.
At the time, I felt that the Minnesota Vikings should trade a third-round pick or higher to acquire Whitehurst. I must admit, however, even I was giddy over the haul the Chargers picked up from the Seahawks!
When I look at the Minnesota Vikings I think of two things: stopping the run and running the ball. This is the foundation of a Super Bowl-winning team.
Unfortunately, I also see bad quarterback play, as young Tavaris Jackson has been improperly groomed to lead this potentially great Minnesota team.
I am in disbelief that the Vikings allowed New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassell to slip through their fingers, though they may have never seriously had a shot to bring the one-year wonder up north with former Patriot personnel man Scott Pioli intercepting Matt Cassell in Kansas City.
A player that has been properly groomed to become a starter is San Diego Chargers third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Plagued with inconsistency at Clemson due to injury and ineffective line play, he has had three years to learn behind Pro Bowler Philip Rivers.
If there is one thing Charger players are good at, it’s handing down heart and work ethic. Doug Flutie taught Drew Brees how to prepare. Brees taught Rivers how to prepare. So you have to believe that Rivers and second-stringer Billy Volek have taught Whitehurst to prepare.
The big (6’4″ 220 lbs), strong-armed Whitehurst has had three seasons to adjust to the pro game and has been relaying and studying plays with Rivers his entire career.
Whitehurst played (started) four years of college ball, which tends to be an accurate barometer of whether a player will be a successful NFL quarterback.
Whitehurst would not come without risks, however.
In college, despite a very fast 40-yard dash time of 4.75 seconds, he was not known as an escape artist by any means. He was also wildly inconsistent for a variety of reasons, which included lack of proper footwork, blitz recognition, bad offensive line play, and injuries. In fact, he is recovering from shoulder surgery as we speak.
San Diego has drafted and coached up two great quarterbacks in Brees and Rivers. There is no reason to believe that the Bolts suddenly decided to neglect Whitehurst.
In Rivers’ rookie season, they had Cleo Lemon, Flutie, Rivers, and Brees as their four quarterbacks. At one point, Brees, Rivers, and Lemon were all starting on Sundays, with Doug Flutie backing up Tom Brady.
San Diego knows a thing or two about quarterbacks after the Ryan Leaf fiasco. Listen to me Vikes: Get this guy!
Bottom line: Charlie Whitehurst would come cheap from a proven farm system in San Diego. When you snag a player from the Chargers (that they are not running out of town like Shane Olivea, David Boston, or Toniu Fonoti), you are likely to get a good player (see Ben Leber, Drew Brees, or Michael Turner).
With the Vikings having a great rushing attack and a fine offensive line, they could ease Whitehurst in while searching for a true No. 1 receiver for him to throw to. Just keep TO away.
A second, or better yet, a third-round pick may be well worth the risk to get a properly groomed, athletically gifted quarterback that can make all the throws. If he is a hit, the Vikings would immediately become a serious Super Bowl contender.
If he misses, at least you tried, right?
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Could Edwards and Owens be teammates in 2010? Nah.
It’s that time again. Time for a good, hard look around the league, quickly analyzing all the options remaining for a big-name free agent.
This time around, it’s Terrell Owens . Again.
We scoured over all the options last year when Owens was released by the Cowboys, and virtually nobody thought of the Buffalo Bills, and even if they did, they couldn’t seriously commit to the idea of it happening.
Well, it did happen, and now with the Cincinnati Bengals signing Antonio Bryant (and not T.O.) to a four-year deal, Owens is left in the dark, without a team again.
Here’s a look at every team not named Cincinnati, and how they could potentially (or not at all) fit with Terrell Owens:
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins need a stud receiver, and history tells us Bill Parcells doesn’t like throwing first-round draft picks and cocky question marks (Dez Bryant , anyone?).
Signing T.O. to a relatively cheap, one or two-year deal is the next best thing, as the Dolphins could squeeze all of his speed and talent that’s left out of him.
Verdict: Realistic
New York Jets
The Jets just made a splash by getting Antonio Cromartie, so what’s stopping them? They could let Jerricho Cotchery slip to the third option and have Braylon Edwards and T.O. as their top starters.
Then again, who wants two guys who drop the ball just as often as they make big plays?
Verdict: Unnecessary
New England Patriots
Could this be the long-awaited joining of the “two 81′s”? With Randy Moss waiting on his last year to end so he can get some big money (either in New England or elsewhere), the Patriots could take a shot in the dark and hope Owens and Moss can push their offense over the hump.
Wes Welker’s status is far from certain, and beyond Moss, all the Patriots really have is Julian Edelman. We love the little converted quarterback, and we’re sure the Patriots will draft a receiver or two (thinking of you, Jordan Shipley ), but why not take a small risk on Owens for a year?
It’d cover them at the position, and they’d still be able to build for next year through the draft, while waiting for Welker to get back to full health.
Verdict: Crazy enough to work
Buffalo Bills
This would only make sense, as Buffalo definitely needs help at receiver (again), but the Bills probably learned from what they saw last season.
Owens may have something left, but it’s likely not enough for the Bills to care. They’ll draft at the position and start over.
Verdict: Less likely than you think
Baltimore Ravens
They added Dante’ Stallworth and Anquan Boldin, and a recent report has Derrick Mason returning for 2010. The window for adding T.O. has officially closed.
Verdict: Not happening.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are shopping Limas Sweed for a reason: Because they love the three receivers they currently have, and they don’t want to mess with it.
Verdict: Impossible
Cleveland Browns
They desperately need explosive talent, and could even use some good experience and leadership on the offensive end.
Mike Holmgren is smarter than this. Sure, Owens still has the talent to make a moderate impact, but on a team that’s trying to start over, and doesn’t even have a quarterback? Think again.
Verdict: Over Holmgren’s dead body
Tennessee Titans
Just how much faith do the Titans have in Justin Gage, or even Nate Washington, for that matter?
If they were talking about adding Matt Jones, this has to be at least a slight possibility.
Verdict: Possible
Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning loves talent, but he also knows better than to mess with success. He has three excellent receivers at his disposal, and that’s not even counting Anthony Gonzalez, who missed almost the entire 2009 season.
Verdict: Not a chance
Houston Texans
They just re-signed Kevin Walter and are enamored with Jacoby Jones as a starter for the future. He’s got the slot locked up for now, and the solid overall depth and talent should keep Owens at bay.
Verdict: Texans won’t mess with chemistry
Jacksonville Jaguars
Hey, they signed Torry Holt, so why not Owens, right?
Well, considering they released Holt, perhaps they’ve finally learned their lesson. Then again, as long as Jack Del Rio is even a part of the show, anything is possible.
Verdict: Not Impossible
San Diego Chargers
After releasing LaDainian Tomlinson, it’s pretty clear the Chargers are out to do two things: Save money and cut dead weight.
Owens might be a solid stop-gap and give them a quality option opposite of Vincent Jackson, but would it be worth the risk? For a team that is constantly in the running and can’t get over the hump in the playoffs, perhaps it could be.
Verdict: In the name of David Boston, it’s not impossible
Denver Broncos
If Josh McDaniels unloads Brandon Marshall (baby T.O.), perhaps he’ll reel in the “real” T.O. for cheap, and see if he can’t keep his cool for a year or two.
Verdict: Depending on what happens with Marshall, fairly possible
Oakland Raiders
Oakland used to be the place where anyone with anything close to talent could find a home. However, with the release of Javon Walker (finally), it appears the Raiders could be close to realizing some of their mistakes.
Then again, their starting lineup does consist of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Chaz Schilens, and Louis Murphy.
Verdict: With Al Davis, anything is possible
Kansas City Chiefs
Todd Haley could be tempted, as he’s had a difficult time running an offense without Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but with the re-signing of Chris Chambers, it’s unlikely the Chiefs go after another receiver outside of the NFL Draft.
Verdict: KC keeps building on what they have
New York Giants
The Giants are just getting past the Plaxico Burress mess and actually discovered some nice talent in their top three receivers last year.
They won’t allow the sheer possibility of Owens messing that progress up.
Verdict: No chance
Dallas Cowboys
Really?
Verdict: Really?
Philadelphia Eagles
Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb are appearing on a television show together, and they’re on the same team. Can you say foreshadowing?
Verdict: Very unlikely
Washington Redskins
Daniel Snyder has been quiet, but don’t you think he has to be pulling at Mike Shanahan’s sleeve to make some sort of a move?
Even “Shanny” has to respect the Skins’ need for an elite receiver opposite of Santana Moss.
Verdict: Anything is possible with the Redskins
Green Bay Packers
Unless they go all “Brett Favre” on Donald Driver and trade him or cut him, they’re more than set at receiver. There’s just no need for a move like this.
Verdict: Ted Thompson doesn’t “do” free agency, anyways
Chicago Bears
Hey, if they can’t land Brandon Marshall somehow, then why not? They won’t be getting a stud receiver in the draft, and Owens is now the best available option at receiver out there.
Mike Martz has to be salivating at the possibility of adding a play-maker like Owens. After adding Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers, this could be another “big splash” move that will make the Bears look better than they actually are.
Verdict: Jerry Angelo will think about it, that’s for sure
Detroit Lions
They just spent some decent money on landing Nate Burleson, so with Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson, they suddenly have a pretty respectable corps.
Verdict: Not impossible, but unlikely
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings don’t need a potential locker room cancer, but they could arguably use another explosive weapon in their already potent offense.
Bernard Berrian fought injuries and just wasn’t himself in all of 2009, but even so, this just doesn’t seem very likely.
Then again, if you want Brett Favre back, this would be a fairly enticing play.
Verdict: Are they that worried Favre might hang ‘em up?
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith has been begging for help or a trade for the past three years. Muhsin Muhammad has lost it, and Matt Moore is still fairly unproven.
Adding Owens would at least shake things up a little.
Verdict: Jon Fox isn’t big on taking risks
New Orleans Saints
They are stacked on offense. This would be a poor move. Sean Payton is better than that.
Verdict: Teams coming off of Super Bowl wins don’t do moves like this, or do they?
Atlanta Falcons
Can you really see T.O. in black? Well, outside of Roddy White, Matt Ryan has very few elite options in the passing game, and even Tony Gonzalez is getting older.
Owens could be the offensive piece that pushes them over the hump.
Verdict: Great teams take chances, so it’s possible
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the Bucs weren’t ready to sign Antonio Bryant to a big contract, it’s even less likely they’ll sign Owens. Besides, T.O. may be desperate for a job, but is he that desperate?
Verdict: Neither side will be particularly interested
Seattle Seahawks
T.J. Houshmandzadeh was a free agent bust, Deion Branch wants out, and Nate Burleson is in Detroit.
What are the odds that Owens and baby T.O. (Brandon Marshall ) are playing together in a suddenly unstoppable passing offense in 2010?
Verdict: Not that unlikely
San Francisco 49ers
Never though you’d see this image in your head again? Mike Singletary may be the wrong guy to pull a risky move like this, but if he’s thinking about starting David Carr over Alex Smith (or even Smith…), then he’s crazy enough to think about bringing back Owens.
I’m sure Owens wouldn’t mind coming back, either.
Verdict: Unlikely, but the 49ers could use the offensive boost at receiver
St. Louis Rams
It’s my firm belief that Terrell Owens would rather retire than join a team this bad.
Verdict: No way
Arizona Cardinals
Sure, they just lost Anquan Boldin in a trade, but it’s not like they didn’t see it coming (or, you know, make the trade themselves).
Owens would love to join a good offense and play along side Larry Fitzgerald, but the Cardinals have three very solid receivers other the Fitz on their roster.
Verdict: Not happening
The speculation can fully set into motion, despite the rumors already flying at full speed over all of our heads.
The fact is, if Michael Vick could get signed to a decent deal in the same offseason that he got released from prison, then Owens, too, will find a home.
Besides, he stayed on his best behavior in Buffalo, and considering his supporting cast, he actually did okay.
For NFL Free Agency news and coverage of the NFL Draft, head over to NFL Soup.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
The Dolphins organization must feel really stupid for passing on Drew Brees not once, but twice.
Brees, a two-time Heisman finalist, Big Ten MVP, Maxwell Award winner, Academic All-America Player of the Year, and a 2001 Rose Bowl appearance at Purdue, was sliding down the 2001 NFL Draft board.
The Dolphins were up with the 26th pick. They had just gone through their first season without Dan Marino (some referred to it as 1 A.D. for “After Dan”) and while Jay Fiedler was serviceable, he was not the quarterback of the future. Miami needed a quarterback and their fans knew Brees was still around.
The Dolphins went with cornerback Jamar Fletcher from Wisconsin instead. Brees was taken six spots later by San Diego. Fletcher, who was only a backup to Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain, lasted three seasons with Miami before being traded to San Diego for David Boston who played a grand total of five games in two seasons.
At the quarterback position, the Dolphins trotted out Fiedler, Ray Lucas, Brian Griese, A.J. Feeley, Sage Rosenfels, and Gus Frerotte. In those five seasons the Dolphins made one playoff appearance.
Meanwhile, after playing in only one game his rookie season, Brees took over the starting quarterback role for the Chargers, was selected to one Pro Bowl (he was first alternate to a second but couldn’t play because of injury), was named the 2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and also went to the playoffs once.
A shoulder injury and a ton of money invested in backup Philip Rivers signaled the end of Brees’ time as a Charger. Miami would get another crack at him.
Obviously still unsettled at quarterback, Brees again was available, and he was very interested in joining the Dolphins.
Nick Saban balked at Brees’ shoulder injury though, and decided to trade for Daunte Culpepper instead, even though he had a knee injury himself.
The only other team to have interest in Brees—the Saints—signed him after Miami went in another direction.
Culpepper never really recovered and the Dolphins had a losing season. After the season, Nick Saban bolted from Miami back to college football and Culpepper was released.
Since the decision to go with Culpepper over Brees, the Dolphins have used seven different quarterbacks: Culpepper, Joey Harrington, Cleo Lemon, Trent Green, John Beck, Chad Pennington, and Chad Henne.
Brees has made the Dolphins look ridiculous.
He’s accomplished an incredible amount as a Saint: three more Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections, one NFL offensive Player of the Year award, countless franchise records, and oh yea, a Super Bowl championship and Super Bowl MVP.
And Brees’ shoulder? Well, he has played in every single game possible in his career as a Saint, minus one game this past season when Head Coach Sean Payton sat him because the Saints had home field advantage locked up.
Since Dan Marino retired, the Dolphins have been looking for a franchise quarterback to replace him.
That was a decade ago.
Chad Henne had a solid first year as a starter, but it’s been a painful ride for Dolphin fans.
Dolphin fans watched Brees holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy Sunday night and could only wonder what if, as their team has only been to the playoffs twice in the past decade losing in the first round both times.
They wanted Brees all along.
They could’ve had him twice.
They won’t get another crack at him, and who knows when they’ll get another shot at either their franchise quarterback or the Super Bowl.
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