TAGLIABUE UPHOLDS RUSSELL'S SUSPENSION

Oakland Raider defensive tackle Darrell Russell cleaned out his locker
Wednesday and began serving a one-year drug suspension after the league
turned down his appeal.

Russell, who tested positive for the drug Ecstasy, won't be eligible to
play until Jan. 2, 2003, following Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's decision
on the appeal.

The former USC standout, who was the Raiders' first-round pick in the 1997
draft, sat out the first four games this season for violating the league's
substance-abuse policy. "Darrell has a problem that is well documented,"
Raider Coach Jon Gruden said. "This is devastating for a young guy at the
top of his profession to have to go through this. I hope he can come back
and resume his career."