OT: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula...nclick_check=1

First Al Davis does not pay Mike Shanahan the money he was due when he fired him, then he tries the same thing with Lane Kiffin - now he's trying to pull the same thing on a player he cut.

I seem to recall Davis saying a while back that the Raiders had to overpay free agents in order to get them to come to Oakland. I'd say this habit of suing people that you fired for money you already paid them is not going to make it any easier to attract employees. I would say any player or coach considering going to work there hire not just an agent, but an additional contract lawyer to double check all the terms and conditions with a fine tooth comb.

EDIT: Here's the original article from Yahoo.
Raiders file grievance against Russell - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Re: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

Who knows with these things but if the Raiders altered the contract by converting future salary into additional bonus by cutting JR a check to lessen the cap hit or improve future cash flow in '10, '11 and '12, then the Raiders don't have a leg to stand on. They assumed the business risk and tuff toodles for them.

Re: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

I think Jamarcus invested it...in Big Macs and Fries...supersized...

Re: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

Dang... You beat me to the punch.

Re: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

Note that he didn't file a lawsuit. He filed a grievance with the NFL. Last time I checked, Russell was not an NFL player, nor is he likely to be one in the future. What can the NFL do? Davis probably would have been better off filing his grievance with Jimmy Hoffa rather than with Roger Goodell.

Re: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

If you were dumb enough to draft the guy with the first pick in the draft, then pay him what you owe him.

Re: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

QFT

Why anyone would play for this organization after all the crap they've pulled in the last few years is beyond me. Money is funny like that, I guess.

Re: OT: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

This could be one of the most ridiculous things I've seen in a while :rolleyes:

I don't see how a player could possibly be asked to pay back money that he was compensated with in good faith from his employer - regardless of any clause in the contract (which I could be wrong, but I would think there is absolutely no way I could see his agent agreeing to). Russell did nothing wrong (other than play like crap) and was simply cut (ie: fired) - so I can't see this one going anywhere.

Re: OT: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

Players are always demanding that contracts be modified when they "exceed" the contract. I think it would be hypocritical of them of them to not acknowledge the merits of this grievance and support Al Davis. Plus, players should stand behind this grievance to set the precedent of modifying contracts based on performance, so that more guys can do like Branch did and Crayton is trying to do: get their contracts modified.

Not that I agree with it. I think the Raiders ought to pay up, but I also think the NFl should not have allowed Branch to play for another team after refusing to honor his contract.

I think whatever happens, it needs to go both ways. Either leave Russell and his money alone and not allow players to shoot their way out of town, or let players hold out but allow teams to recap bonus money for pro-rated years.

Fair is fair.

Re: OT: Raiders trying to get $10 million back from Russell
 

Sure, if you're playing a different game than the one players and teams are playing.