It was really just a matter of time, right?

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders released former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell on Thursday, ending a three-year tenure marked by his high salary and unproductive play on the field.

Senior executive John Herrera told The Associated Press about the move and said that “we wish him well.”

The decision came less than two weeks after Oakland acquired Jason Campbell from Washington to take over at quarterback and signifies that owner Al Davis finally lost patience with the immensely talented but unproductive player he drafted first overall in 2007 against the wishes of former coach Lane Kiffin.

The Raiders ended up paying this guy over $39 million to overthrow open receivers and chuck bounce passes to tight ends.  It’s gotta suck to sack up and cut the guy, admitting to the entire world you were wrong, but it’s also the right thing to do.  Will any teams take a flyer on Russell?  It’s hard to imagine – if you can’t play for the Raiders, who can you play for? – but I also wouldn’t be shocked if a team took him on as a 3rd stringer or something.  I wish him well, too, but the NFL is no place for quarterbacks who got by on sheer athleticism in college.

Also, I know at least 4 guys named JaMarcus.  I think that’s the name of the cantor at my synagogue.

[ESPN.com]