Raiders QB Russell gets to work after signing record deal

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The hardest day for JaMarcus Russell during his 48-day contract dispute with the Oakland Raiders was the first, when his teammates reported to training camp and he stayed home.

Russell then watched all the other first-round rookies sign their multimillion dollar deals, figuring his pay day was coming soon. But Russell could only work out on his own in Atlanta as his teammates went through training camp, four exhibition games and the season opener without him.

Russell finally got the chance to join them in person Wednesday after signing a record contract for rookies and ending the longest holdout by the No. 1 overall pick in more than two decades.

"I know there's a business side of it but I didn't know the business side was going to happen to me that fast," Russell said.

Russell has no hard feelings toward the Raiders because of the contract dispute, saying he left the business issues up to his agents.

In the end, Russell was guaranteed a record $29 million in his six-year $61 million deal, according to two people familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released. He would get an additional $3 million if he reaches minimal playing time incentives.

The previous record deal for a rookie was when the Detroit Lions gave No. 2 pick Calvin Johnson $27.2 million in guarantees this year. Top pick Mario Williams got $26.5 million in guaranteed money a year ago from Houston.

The Raiders will wait two weeks before placing JaMarcus Russell on the active roster. (AP)

"Once I signed the contract I did drop a few tears just to know that I'm a blessed person," Russell said. "Very blessed to be in the place I am today and worked hard for it and I can't wait to go out there and work even harder and just to get it."

While working out on his own, Russell was in regular contact with quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and also heard occasionally from his teammates. He also got some suggestions from the fans in Atlanta, who wanted him to engineer a trade to the Falcons to replace Michael Vick.

Russell did participate in two minicamps and other offseason workouts with the Raiders and said he knew the offense well enough to recognize some of the plays while watching the team's opener Sunday against Detroit. But there also were many changes and he admitted it felt awkward to be back after so much time away.

He said he's ready to do whatever his coaches ask of him, whether it's "to be the biggest cheerleader or be that biggest playmaker." The competitive side of him wants to play now, but he knows reality will probably be very different.

"I feel like I'm a ways away," he said. "I have the whole year and the rest of my life -- that's what it seems like -- to get used to everything."

One interested observer joked that the Raiders should try to capitalize on their investment immediately and start him against Denver on Sunday.