Ferrablog

Nice piece by Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Trib here:

All evidence to the contrary, Russell is smart, having graduated from USC with a history degree in 3 1/2 years before being the second overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft. Bucs GM Bruce Allen is smart, too. And funny. Here's Bruce on Tuesday:

``Bill Clinton did worse things than Darrell Russell, and he won Florida twice.''

Russell once faced 25 felony sexual assault charges, including eight for rape by use of drugs.

Good one, Bruce!

When the Bucs sign Clinton, I'll be all over them. First they signed Russell, who at the very least has a penchant for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He hasn't messed up once or twice. Keep counting. This ain't exactly Willie Wonka.

While in Oakland, Russell made two Pro Bowls, failed one drug test, missed another (which counts as a fail), was suspended for four games, failed a third test. Russell admitted the third test showed the drug Ecstasy in his system but claimed it was from a drink that was spiked without his knowledge. The NFL suspended him for a year in January 2002 and made it indefinite, no easy feat, after more bad news.

Russell admitted filming two friends, both convicted felons, having sex with a woman. Russell and friends said the sex was consensual. The woman said different, claiming Russell spiked her drink with a ``date-rape'' drug. Police arrested Russell and friends. All 25 felony charges against the three men eventually were dropped. Prosecutors decided they didn't have enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the woman had been sexually assaulted or that Russell had drugged her.

Meanwhile, while the case was going on, while still under NFL suspension, Russell was pulled over on suspicion of drunken driving and speeding after leaving a legal Nevada brothel called the Moonlite Bunny Ranch. After posting bail, Russell reportedly returned to said Moonlite Bunny Ranch. Is it too late to bring Sapp back?