"JaMarcus Russell has swallowed his own medicine. In more ways than one. After his arrest this week in Alabama on suspicion of possession of codeine syrup that often is used to make a narcotic "purple drank," the former Raiders quarterback will be playing defense. In court.

But at what juncture do you also point a finger at the Raiders themselves? For drafting, nurturing and enabling Russell? For three years? To the tune of $39 million?

When arrested, Russell wasn't on the Raiders' roster. He had been cut in May. But only a fool would believe that Russell never sipped any "purple drank" during his time with the Raiders. Medical experts say that one symptom of "purple drank" is significant weight gain (from the soda and candy also involved in the concoction). Another symptom is concentration difficulties. Another is sluggish body function.

Any Raiders fan knows that Russell consistently hit that trifecta. So shouldn't team officials have known something? Or did they know and ignore the situation? Or did they know and do their best to help him stay clean? No matter the answers, the Raiders are part of this story."