"Coming to an NFL souvenir shop near you: a black knit ski hat that commemorates the end of both an unfortunate era in Oakland and an albatross for the league's owners. Stitched into the fabric will be the words: "The JaMarcus Russell Rookie Salary Cap."

The case for limiting rookie salaries has been made repeatedly over the last decade, as the very item intended to lift up a struggling franchise - a high draft pick - often pinned clubs down for years if they lost a bet on a 21-year-old. Russell's horrendous three years with the Raiders and the immense rancor that accompanied the quarterback's release on Thursday should end the debate permanently.

The Players Association, of course, has no reason to shield the teams or owners from their own bad choices. But the union should yield on the rookie cap, insist that most of the savings shift into the pockets of veterans, and wash its hands of the messes that inevitably accompany lavish contracts signed by 21-year-olds.

Even without outrageous salaries, top draft picks will always be under enormous pressure. But guarantees of $30 million or more amplify the potential for anger and frustration over a high-profile bust to a disturbing level. Over the last two years, Russell could not have been vilified more if he had invented the subprime mortgage."