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The Oakland Raiders continue to go back to their recent -- and unsuccessful -- past to fill out their offensive coaching staff all the while keeping an experienced hand.

NFL.com is reporting that 2011 Oakland offensive coordinator Al Saunders is staying with the team as a senior assistant. The report said Saunders had a year added to his contract that will run through 2013. Saunders won’t be offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach, two roles he covered last year. His specific role is unknown.

Still, I think it is good that he is being retained in some role. This is a young staff. Saunders is an NFL veteran. His experience will help even if it is not in a major role.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the team has hired John Defilippo as its quarterbacks coach. He was Oakland’s quarterback coach in 2007-08, which were JaMarcus Russell’s first two seasons. Defilippo has been the quarterbacks coach at San Jose State the past two years.

He reunites with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. He was the offensive coordinator in Oakland in 2007-08. Yes, Oakland’s offense was anemic those years, but the talent was depleted. The two coaches are inheriting much better talent now.

New Oakland coach Dennis Allen (who worked with Knapp in Atlanta) is clearly comfortable with Knapp and Knapp is comfortable with Defilippo.

Meanwhile, the Raiders reportedly hired USC receivers coach Ted Gilmore for the same position. He worked for former Oakland coach Lane Kiffin at USC.

UPDATE: Ole Miss secondary coach Keith Burns has reportedly been added to Oakland’s staff. He has a long history with Allen. His role has been specified, but it could be as an assistant secondary coach. The word is former Kansas City assistant Tim Krumrie is a candidate to be Oakland’s defensive line coach.

UPDATE: The Raiders just formally announced Saunders will be retained as a senior offensive assistant.

Here’s push for Denver coach John Fox to be coach of the year. I can certainly see the reasoning. The Broncos were 4-12 last year and now they are 6-5. Fox has made a huge impact both on the defensive side of the ball and his offensive adjustments to get the best out of quarterback Tim Tebow has been nothing short of amazing.

Thus, Fox is a worthy candidate. However, there’s little chance he will win because of the mind-boggling impact Jim Harbaugh has had in San Francisco. Fox’s impact in Denver has been impressive, but Harbaugh’s impact in San Francisco has been out of this world.

In other AFC West nuggets Friday:

• The alleged victim in the Rolando McClain arrest said he was ambushed in the alleged assault Wednesday night in Alabama. Meanwhile, McClain’s attorney is proclaiming his client’s innocence.
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter looks at the history Tebow is making.
• Rumor Central’s Chris Sprow discusses Tebow’s trade value. Again, any trade talk will be moot if Tebow proves to the Denver brass he is the man for him down the road.
• ESPN The Magazine’s Howard Bryant chimes in with his take on the power of Tebow.
• ESPN’s Trent Dilfer thinks the Broncos are going down the wrong road with Tebow.
• Is JaMarcus Russell on the comeback trail?
• The Raiders’ vaunted run game will be challenged Sunday in Miami.

Former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell has given an interview to Sports Illustrated (via the Oakland Tribune). Russell has given a few interviews since being cut by Oakland in May, 2010, but not many. Russell seems defiant and he is far from taking all the blame for the Raiders’ struggles while he was there. He saved his harshest words for former Oakland coach Tom Cable.

What does it all mean? Not much. Russell just doesn't matter much anymore in the NFL scope.

Russell -- who disclosed he has a sleeping disorder -- is a former Raider and I expect he’ll remain a former NFL player. No team has been interested in even working out Russell in nearly a year. The NFL has moved on from perhaps the biggest draft bust of all time. The Raiders used the No. 1 overall pick on Russell in 2007.

In other AFC West news Tuesday:

The Oakland Tribune reports the Raiders cut kicker Dave Rayner. He was signed to kick against Kansas City. That means the Raiders are expecting Sebastian Janikowski to be able to kick Nov. 6 when Oakland hosts Denver. He has a hamstring injury. If Janikowski doesn’t improve, the Raiders could also re-sign Rayner before the game.

At the end of a chippy week between the two teams, former Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie got the last word, saying the Chargers can’t finish. That certainly was the case Sunday when Cromartie’s Jets’ outscored the Chargers 17-0 in the second half to win, 27-21.

Another look at the Broncos’ comeback in Miami. Meanwhile, members of the Dolphins’ defense admitted theu were in the wrong scheme when Denver quarterback Tim Tebow tied the game in the final seconds of regulation on a two-point conversion with a run.

Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil is dealing with an ankle injury and is uncertain to play Sunday against Detroit. Dumervil has been hampered by injuries since the summer of 2010.

An ESPN Insider playoff predictor doesn’t expect much from the AFC West the rest of the season. For the record, I think this prediction is off the mark. I think the division winner will have a winning record for certain.

The Raiders have added to an impressive collection in the past nine days.

What do linebacker Aaron Curry and quarterback Carson Palmer have in common, other than being recent trade acquisitions by Oakland? They were both top-10 draft picks.

The Raiders now have eight players on their 53-man roster who were top-10 picks. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it is the second most in the league. The 49ers have nine. Kansas City is tied for the fourth most with four.

Palmer was the No. 1 overall pick by Cincinnati in 2003. Curry was the No. 4 pick by Seattle in 2009.

They join linebacker Rolando McClain (No. 9, 2010), receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (No. 7, 20009), running back Darren McFadden (No. 4, 2008), safety Michael Huff (No. 7, 2006), defensive tackle John Henderson (No. 9, 2002 by Jacksonville) and Richard Seymour (No. 6, 2001 by New England).

Oakland saw quarterback JaMarcus Russell (No. 1, 2007) and guard Robert Gallery (No. 2, 2004) leave the team in the past year.

It is clear, though; the Raiders are turning their fortunes around with a roster built on top collegiate talent.

OAKLAND -- On a day of immense emotion, the Oakland Raiders suffered a crushing blow that will force them to make a huge decision in the post-Al Davis era.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell is expected to miss the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. Campbell was injured in the second quarter of the Raiders’ 24-17 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. A source close to the situation said it is unlikely Campbell will return this year. Raiders coach Hue Jackson did not give a timetable for Campbell’s injury, but he sounded like a man who knows he needs to make other quarterback plans.

The injury put a damper on what is developing into a very strong season for the Raiders, as well as on a poignant day when the Raiders paid tribute to Davis. Oakland’s owner died Oct. 8 at the age of 82. It was the Raiders' first home game since Davis’ death.

Campbell was one of the Davis’ favorite players, and his acquisition in 2010 helped the Raiders begin a revival as they moved away from colossal draft bust JaMarcus Russell. Campbell was making great strides under Jackson and offensive coordinator Al Saunders this season and was the perfect game manager for an offense that features the NFL’s best running game.

Now the Raiders have to quickly figure out what they are going to do. For now, it looks like backup quarterback Kyle Boller will be given the first opportunity to start.

The Raiders must decide now whether they think Boller is capable of keeping them in contention. Oakland is 4-2 and trails San Diego (4-1) by a half-game in the AFC West. The Raiders host Kansas City next week, then have their bye. They then host Denver. So the Raiders -- who are two games over .500 for the first time in nine years -- have a manageable next few weeks.

Boller was just OK on Sunday as the Raiders won on the steam of a kick return for a score by Jacoby Ford, a touchdown pass on a fake field goal from punter Shane Lechler to Kevin Boss and improved defense. Boller was 8-of-14 for 100 yards. He missed badly on some passing attempts.

Still, Boller is experienced. He has started 46 NFL games, the last coming while with the Rams in 2009. He played under Jackson in Baltimore. Several Raiders receivers said Sunday they will have confidence in Boller if he is their starter. Ford said he will expect to see Boller as the starting quarterback “until I’m told otherwise.”

Ford should expect Oakland to consider other options in the next couple of days.

This is the first big personnel challenge for the Raiders since Davis’ death. Jackson and Mark Davis -- Al Davis' son -- are currently making decisions with input from others including former Raiders employees John Madden, Ron Wolf and Ken Herock.

If the Raiders decide to pursue a quarterback outside the organization who can start, the list probably will begin with David Garrard. He is a free agent who was cut by Jacksonville. He would give the Raiders a veteran presence. But he hasn’t played in six weeks, so there is a rust factor.

Perhaps Oakland would consider calling Denver about Kyle Orton, who was replaced by Tim Tebow last week. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday morning that the only way Denver would trade Orton is if a team suffered a major injury and called the Broncos.

Would the Broncos deal the free-agent-to-be inside the division, though? I bet they would.

I’m sure the quarterback Jackson would most like is Carson Palmer. He coached him in Cincinnati. Yet the Bengals have maintained that they won’t deal Palmer. The trade deadline is Tuesday. Yahoo is reporting the Raiders are already trying to get Palmer.

Of course, there’s another name out there. Yes, Brett Favre. He is 42 and has maintained he is retired. But wouldn’t that be the ultimate tribute to Davis, adding a beaten-up gunslinger to save the season?

That scenario is much more of a pipe dream than reality, and the Raiders must face reality in this situation.

If they stick with Boller, I could see them bringing back Trent Edwards to back him up. Boller beat out Edwards for the backup job this summer. The Raiders also probably will try to speed up the development of rookie Terrelle Pryor. He is expected to be activated from the roster-exemption list Monday. His five-game NFL suspension ended last Monday.

Pryor was expected to be a project. He is still a project, but if other options fail, he could be pressed into action. But he is far from being ready.

This major flux at quarterback is definitely not what this team needed. It's also devastating for Campbell, 29. He fit in well with this team after not succeeding in Washington. Now his future is up in the air. His contract expires at the end of the season. There were indications that the Raiders could give him a new deal. Now, that is likely on hold.

Jackson said Sunday that the biggest thing the team will miss is Campbell’s leadership.

They also will miss the balance he gave the Raiders' offense. With Campbell out, teams will key on stopping the running game, which could limit the offense. The ever-optimistic Jackson vowed that his team will “be just fine.”

There is a lot to like about this team. But the loss of Campbell certainly casts a cloud over this season.

Al Davis knew in recent years that he would not be around forever. Rebuilding his beloved Oakland Raiders was his lone mission.

With his health declining steadily, Davis worked diligently at reconstructing his franchise. That was a primary reason why he cut JaMarcus Russell –- the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 –- in May 2010. In a meeting to tell Russell he was being cut, Davis told the quarterback he wished he could devote several years to Russell’s development, but he simply didn’t have time.

Davis wanted to build a Super Bowl winner right away.

The Raiders aren’t quite there. In the final game he witnessed his team play, this past Sunday, the Raiders were outclassed by a better New England team. However, the Raiders are going in the right direction.

In his final couple of years, Davis showed he could still be a top evaluator.

Yes, he had some major draft, free-agent and trade whiffs in the past decade. Davis’s decision-making was the reason the Raiders were bottom feeders for the past decade. That’s undeniable.

However, his decision-making of recent years is the reason the Raiders are considered a team on the rise. Also, undeniable.

Davis’ last great call of his life may be Denarius Moore. He could forever be known as Davis’ last gift to the Raiders.

Davis drafted Moore in the fifth round this year out of Tennessee. He has quickly developed into a top receiver for the Raiders and draft gurus are admitting Moore was one who got lost in the shuffle. Davis also scored in the fourth round last year with explosive receiver Jacoby Ford. Other mid- or late-round finds include tackle Jared Veldheer, defensive ends Matt Shaughnessy and Trevor Scott, safety Tyvon Branch and receiver Louis Murphy.

Davis also deserves credit for making Hue Jackson a head coach. Jackson is changing the culture in Oakland and he is intent on seeing through Davis’ last wishes of making the Raiders a winner again.

If the Raiders do win their fourth Super Bowl title in the foreseeable future, Davis’ fingerprints will be on the Lombardi Trophy. Just like the first three.

Oakland Raiders rookie quarterback Terrelle Pryor struggled in his first practice Friday. It would have been a surprise if he did well.

It was just a week ago that the former Ohio Sate player realized he’d be eligible to play in the NFL.

This is was his first organized team practice in months and was rusty and dropped a few snaps. It doesn’t mean a thing. This was just the beginning of a developmental season for Pryor.

Pryor said Oakland coach Hue Jackson didn’t want him to wear No. 2, the number Pryor wore in college. The last player who wore that number in Oakland was colossal bust JaMarcus Russell. That’s not a good look in Oakland these days. Pryor will don No. 6 in Oakland.

Pryor and newly signed cornerback Lito Sheppard are not expected to play Sunday against New Orleans, but Pryor may take a few snaps in Oakland’s preseason finale Sept. 2 against Seattle.

Terrelle Pryor is wearing No. 6 in Oakland. He wore No. 2 at Ohio State. The last player to wear No. 2 in Oakland was bust quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Nobody is ready to see that number behind center for in the Silver and Black quite yet. It’s kind of a reverse number retirement.

In other AFC West nuggets Friday afternoon:

Denver owner Pat Bowlen told the Denver Post he likes the “energy” new coach John Fox has brought to his team. Times have been tough for Bowlen, who is not used to this losing stuff. He wants to win badly.

Is Fox is the man to do it? We’ll see, but from being at Denver’s camp last week, I can tell there is a renewed stability in the building after the Josh McDaniels' disaster and that players enjoy working for the experienced Fox.

It’s never too early to start thinking about the 2012 draft.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks Kansas City safety Eric Berry is one of the game’s rising stars.

A former UFL player is making folks notice him in the Chargers’ secondary.

Denver quarterback Kyle Orton is back at practice after his wife reportedly gave birth. He left during Thursday’s practice.

Denver cornerback Perrish Cox was in court Friday. He goes to trial on sexual assault charges in October.

We’re still waiting for movement on Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the top free-agent prize on the market. There has been some developments.

The San Francisco 49ers are going to unload cornerback Nate Clements. That means they are clearing salary-cap room at the same position Asomugha plays. More smoke, folks, more smoke.

The Jets are currently considered the 49ers’ fiercest competitor for Asomugha right now. The Jets still have cap room left after agreeing to a monster deal with receiver Santonio Holmes earlier Wednesday. Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis says his team wants Asomugha badly.

While the Raiders wait to see what happens with Asomugha, they will wave goodbye to quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. He has agreed to a deal with Cincinnati.

It was evident throughout the offseason that Gradkowski would leave. He was a favorite of former coach Tom Cable. Jason Campbell will be backed up by Kyle Boller. Gradkowski had somewhat of a cult following in Oakland. Despite his limitations, he did often ignite the Raiders’ offense. He was a good Raider, who always gave the team his best effort. He was the anti-JaMarcus Russell and he’ll always have a warm spot in the hearts of many Oakland fans for that very reason.

• The Raiders signed rookie running back Taiwan Jones, fourth-round pick. It will be fun to watch the speedy Jones in training camp.

• The Brandon Mebane talks are heating up. Denver is one of a few teams trying to grab the Seattle defensive tackle. Denver has a huge need and could pay big to get Mebane.

• Count Colts safety Melvin Bullitt as one of those was surprised by Eric Weddle’s record contract with the Chargers.

• Raiders linebacker Kamerion Wimbley admitted he could sign a long-term deal to help the Raiders’ salary cap. He has been franchised by the team for 2011. This could help the team add some free agents.

San Diego safety Eric Weddle reportedly is prepared for free agency when it begins. Weddle talked about the open market, but he also said he wants to return to the Chargers. From what I hear, the Chargers want him back too. But if Weddle gets a huge offer elsewhere, I could see him leaving.

The NFL said there is no date yet set for the supplemental draft. It is usually held in mid-July. Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is the focus of the draft. The Raiders have been connected to Pryor.

The Jets and Ravens have announced this week they will stay home at their facility for training camp instead of traveling because of the lockout. As of now the two teams in the AFC West that travel for camp, Kansas City and Oakland, are still planning to go away. Of course, everything is fluid when it comes to the lockout.

The hits keep coming for JaMarcus Russell. GQ ranked the former Oakland quarterback as the worst No. 1 overall pick of all-time in any sport. Wow. That hurts. Russell was taken by Oakland with the top pick in 2007. The Raiders cut him in May, 2010. He remains unemployed.

It was exactly one year ago that the Oakland Raiders liberated themselves from the greatest draft bust in NFL history.

Happy anniversary, Raider Nation.

On May 6, 2010, the Raiders decided it was no longer worth keeping JaMarcus Russell around their organization. Thus, just more than three years after making him the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Oakland gave up on the talented but lackadaisical quarterback.

Russell, who was 24 at the time of his release, was 7-18 as a starter and made more than $39 million in guaranteed money. His questionable work ethic and general malaise were legendary. The only thing Russell accomplished in Oakland was taking Tony Mandarich and Ryan Leaf off the hook. Russell is the unquestioned biggest NFL draft bust ever.

The events of the past year prove Oakland made the right decision. The Raiders are an improved, refreshed team without Russell, while he has made no positive strides toward resuming his NFL career. There have been significant developments that indicate Russell may never play in the NFL again.

“I don’t see it happening,” Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. said of a Russell comeback. “The guy has never shown he wants to work for it.”

Russell was unavailable for comment.

Admitting the mistake allowed Oakland owner Al Davis and the rest of the organization to move on. No one in Oakland had to watch Russell slump around the facility and answer questions about his never-to-come development. In January, Davis acknowledged the pain of the Russell experience but said he was happy the team was moving forward.

“[Russell's] a good person but he's got personal problems, and I decided that it was time that we were not going to fight it anymore,” Davis said. “I wasn't going to. I wasn't going to ask the coaching staff to do it, and I had already traded for Jason and had that in the back of my mind. ... It hurt us a great deal. But you have to go on. ... JaMarcus hurt. Anytime you lose a first-round draft choice it hurts. But it's over. It's been a long time and we'll overcome it."

The recovery period began the day Russell was cut.

After winning a total of 14 games in the three seasons Russell was in Oakland, the Raiders went 8-8 last season. Veteran quarterback Jason Campbell, who was acquired less than two weeks before Russell was chopped, started 12 games and gave the Raiders’ offense professionalism, preparation and leadership that was lacking under Russell.

“I think the simple fact that Russell was cut helped the Raiders improve,” Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said. “It had to send a message to the team that the Raiders weren’t going to keep dead weight around just because he was a high draft pick. It showed the team that the Raiders were serious about winning and that they weren’t going to keep a liability around. … It had to fire up that team and helped make them improve in 2010.”

Although Oakland has improved without Russell, the player has been unable to recover his career. Shortly before training camp, the New York Jets showed interest in Russell. Days later, Russell was arrested at his Mobile, Ala., home on charges of possession of codeine syrup without a valid prescription. In October, a grand jury declined to indict Russell.

In November, Russell worked out for Washington and Miami. He was out of shape and unimpressive in both workouts. Russell weighed 282 pounds when Oakland cut him. He weighed significantly more during those workouts.

Russell has not had an NFL workout since. Don't expect teams to flock to him once the lockout is over. Russell is not even attracting interest from the minor league United Football League.

Last year, former Denver general manager and Omaha Nighthawks personnel man Ted Sundquist reached out to Russell as the team put him on its protected list. Sundquist said the word from Russell's camp was that he wanted to pursue an NFL career. This year, no UFL team put Russell on its protected list, and he went undrafted by the five-team league Monday, while 2002 Kansas City first-round pick Ryan Sims was a high draft pick.

In April, former NBA player and coach John Lucas reportedly parted ways with Russell after serving as a “life coach.” Lucas was reportedly frustrated with Russell’s work ethic. There hasn’t been any indication that Russell is working out and/or that he is preparing for a comeback. Despite earning $39 million in Oakland, Russell reportedly faced foreclosure on his Bay Area mansion.

“I just don’t see it in the kid,” Horton said. “... I don’t think he is throwing, and he is not doing the right things to give himself a chance to get back. I don’t think anyone will give him a chance.”

That’s what separates Russell from other recent quarterback busts such as Leaf, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Cade McNown and Joey Harrington. At least one other organization acquired these players after they were cut by the teams that drafted them. They weren’t considered untouchable, as Russell has become in the past 365 days.

Here is a sample of our AFC West chat, which was held earlier Thursday. Thanks to everyone who participated:

Denver

Chad from CA.: If Dareus goes off the board at 1, wouldn't it be logical for the Broncos to snag Peterson? He's basically a clone of Champ Bailey when he was drafted in '99. Two shut down corners, then go with a DT with their second selection??

Bill Williamson: I think a trade, Fairley or Miller would be the call. Honestly, while I think Dareus is the guy, they could make a surprise pick and take Fairley over Dareus. It's not out of the question.

Kansas City

Kasey from Bismarck, ND: Do you think the chiefs could move up to take Julio Jones?

BW: It would likely take a jump up to No. 10. It would cost a lot. Jones would fit but I'm not sure Scott Pioli would do it.

Oakland

Tony from Richmond, CA.: Will Al cut ties with DHB this year? Or will he hold on similar to JaMarcus Russell hoping for a ROI?

BW: I think DHB has at least two more years. Unlike Russell, he doesn't have work-ethic issues. He has just not developed as a player yet.

San Diego

Austin from Alta Loma, CA.: Bill, don’t you think the chargers should pick a top offensive tackle in the first round? I believe this would be there best bet, if they got a really good run blocker and got that running game going better they could run a possession game and not have to rely on their defense so much which is in transition with a new coordinator and all....

BW: I think Chargers' greatest need is a pass-rusher. I think that area should be addressed first.

The woeful JaMarcus Russell tale has reportedly taken another pitiful turn.

The man in charge of keeping Russell from bottoming out has apparently given up on saving the NFL career of one of the biggest all-time draft busts.

Yahoo! Sports reports that former NBA star turned “life coach” John Lucas has parted ways with Russell. The report said Lucas grew tired of Russell’s poor work ethic. Lucas and Russell joined forced to re-invent Russell’s career after Oakland cut Russell last May when he was just 24. Oakland made Russell the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007.

The report said Russell, who was notorious for being out of shape while in Oakland, weighed 292 pounds during a workout with Miami in November.

Russell has had no interest from NFL teams since that workout and a report like this won’t create interest. Last year, Russell spurned interest from Omaha of the UFL because he wanted to concentrate on playing in the NFL. Now, turning to the UFL may be Russell’s only chance of getting back on the field if he even wants to try to play again.

This is another reminder to Oakland that it did the right thing by giving up on the lackadaisical Russell when it did.

There are reportedly only four NFL owners and two of the 10 players who are suing the league to end the lockout present at the mediation in Minnesota on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs are well represented. An NFL spokesman tweeted that Chiefs’ owner Clark Hunt is at the proceedings. ESPN’s Ed Werder reported on “SportsCenter” that Chiefs’ linebacker Mike Vrabel is also there. Vrabel has been visible during much of the negotiations.

Vrabel is on the NFLPA executive committee. Vrabel isn’t keeping a low profile after his arrest last week at an Indiana casino for the alleged theft of alcohol. Vrabel has said it was a misunderstanding and he hopes it will soon be resolved.

In other AFC West news Thursday afternoon:

• With Vrabel, a free-agent, aging and uncertain of his return to Kansas City, the Chiefs looked at North Carolina middle linebacker Quan Sturdivant.
• Here is a look at how each division is stacking up in our position-by-position power rankings. The AFC West is ranked sixth in overall voting points.
• ESPN.com takes an in-depth look at Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett. There has been speculation that because of questions surrounding his character, the strong-armed Mallett could potentially fall to Oakland at the No. 48 pick. Mallett physically fits the description quarterbacks Oakland owner Al Davis has long coveted.
• San Diego coach Norv Turner is keeping busy during the lockout.
• Denver second-year quarterback Tim Tebow has the fifth highest-selling jersey in the NFL. He had the highest-selling jersey for much of last season. I wonder if Tebow’s jersey sales will dwindle if Denver takes a quarterback in the draft.
• The Raiders continue to look at cornerbacks prior to the draft.
• Former Oakland personnel man Mike Lombardi (who said he was not involved in the team’s 2007 draft plan because he was on his way out of Oakland) did a draft redo for 2007. Instead of major draft bust JaMarcus Russell, Lombardi now has Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis pegged for the Raiders. If only it was that easy.

Mel Kiper Jr. looked at 13 biggest quarterback draft busts since 1979.

Yes, there’s an AFC West presence in the piece.

Arguably, the AFC West has produced the two biggest drafts busts of all-time: Oakland’s JaMarcus Russell and San Diego’s Ryan Leaf. There has been a lot to be proud about in the AFC West over the years. These two disasters in cleats are not on that list.

Here is what Kiper had to say about each player:

Ryan Leaf, No. 2 overall to San Diego, 1998

You'll never find a better case of a guy who really needed to be held back and allowed to develop by the franchise that drafted him as a young man (he came out after his junior year). But Leaf was put in command of a terrible team and fell apart quickly when asked to lead the team and deal with the consequences of losing. Compared to some earlier names on the list, Leaf's weak career numbers don't even look as terrible, but the sound bites and the cameras and the money all added to the effect.

JaMarcus Russell, No. 1 overall to Oakland, 2007

Normally it should be impossible to use the word "bust" when talking about a guy drafted so recently. Guys such as Philip Rivers didn't even start games for a couple years. But Russell has been the epitome of a bust. We questioned his passion for the game during the draft process, and those questions seem to have been answered in the worst ways. He has a ton of natural talent, but nothing else has worked.

When Russell was cut last May, I wrote that I thought Russell was a bigger draft bust than Leaf or any other draft prospect. I have maintained that Russell is a bigger bust than Leaf because he was a No.1 overall pick and he was more expensive than Leaf.

What are your thoughts? Fill up the comment section below.