In what can only be described as not shocking but entertaining news, the Oakland Raiders have reportedly filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders want $9.55 million back from him that they say was an advance on salary for 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Here is what the Raiders (non)comment was:
“We have filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell and that’s all we’re going to say at this time,” Raiders attorney Jeff Birren told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports.
And here is what JaMarcus’ agent, Eric Metz had to say:
“The money in question was fully guaranteed. That is why JaMarcus was forced to hold out and miss all of training camp as a rookie,” Metz said. “The Raiders know that and this is our only comment.”
I am no expert on contract law, but I think if that advanced money was in the contract, then it is JaMarcus’ money to keep and spend on all the trips to Golden Corral he wants. You know Al Davis is not shy to hit someone with a lawsuit, though. If life was fair, then they would get every penny of that money they paid him. He did go 7-18 as a starter.
I get the feeling that a lot of Raiders fans would like to get in on this and get any money back they spent on jerseys, hats, foam fingers, or even those crazy shoulder pads with the spikes on them. I think the only thing Raiders fans are going to get besides a DVD of “Straight out of L.A.” is the comfort of not having JaMarcus and his shrug on the team next season.