JaMarcus Russell working hard

[R8RMR]

When's the last time you ever saw those four words together? Anyway, the former Raider quarterback was on Showtime's Inside the NFL last night. He has been working out with former Warrior John Lucas the last two and a half months in Houston and here is the five-minute segment on Russell and his comeback efforts.

Lucas is a life coach, and Russell has been working out six days a week.

While Russell has definitely lost some weight, he should have waited longer to do this interview. He didn't say what he did wrong in Oakland, never admitted that he had a codeine problem, said he will be cleared in the codeine possesion case and that he wasn't willing to go to the UFL to prove to NFL general managers that he was serious about playing again.

He said he has changed in the last two-plus months, but I didn't buy it and I don't think NFL people will either. Yet.


JaMarcus Russell working hard : SFGate: Raiders Silver and Black Blog

[SuperRaider]

Oakland was really the worse place for Russell to end up at. I do think if he was drafted somewhere else he might be a decent starting QB by now....

[R8RMR]

That point is debatable. He obviously has/had talent but could not get it together in the NFL. Whether it was the money or the work ethic or any combination of a lot of things, it happens. he will not be the last "bust" to be given big bucks to end up with nothing.

[psj3809]

Oakland was really the worse place for Russell to end up at. I do think if he was drafted somewhere else he might be a decent starting QB by now....

I dont believe that, the Raiders were patient with him, his second year he had a few late starts and was getting confidence.  I mean after wins against Tampa Bay and Denver and some good performances against NE late on that year Russell was doing fine.  He was a very young 2nd year QB, coming off a 13 td 7 int season.  Good figures for a young QB (Wasnt he about 22 ?).

We were all hoping like anything that 2009 would be his coming out year, i remember us talking about a 4000 yard season and bombing it all over the place to DHB !

So at the end of the 2008 season it looked fine, Oakland was the right place for him , Russell was learning and playing well.  Then came the offseason of 2009, Russell took a huge step backwards, he did, it was his fault.  The death of his mentor didnt help one bit but he acted like a spolit brat.  Oakland did mess up by declaring the job was his instead of fighting for it.  But sadly i itwas Russells fault 100%, he was the one laughing at fans and saying stuff about how rich he was, the fans went off Russell quickly.  I'm glad Oakland made the decision this year to move on.  Big shame about Russell as he did show potential, he wasnt like Ryan Leaf who was shit from day 1.  Russell showed sometheing but nothing came of it in the end.  Big waste, cant see him coming back for a season or two.  The money went to his head, came from a small town and just loved the 'bling' lifestyle.  A huge waste

I blame Russell 100% not the Raiders

[Gazzara]

Straight from NFL.com

Russell has been working out with the Redskins. 

"Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell worked out with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, just three days after Donovan McNabb was benched in the closing minutes of a loss to the Detroit Lions.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Russell was one of many players, including a few other quarterbacks, who were getting a look from the team.

"We'll evaluate him and everyone else out there," Shanahan said.


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The Redskins routinely invite out-of-work players for workouts on Tuesdays, but the timing of Russell's visit only added to the team's quarterback drama of the last few days.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan replaced McNabb with backup Rex Grossman with just less than 2 minutes to play during Sunday's 37-25 loss at Detroit. Shanahan said Monday the move was made because of McNabb's "cardiovascular endurance" issues. McNabb's benching raised questions about the six-time Pro Bowl player's future with the team.

Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, was released in May after three disappointing seasons with the Raiders, for whom he had a 7-18 record as a starter. He regressed on the field, was fined for being overweight and was criticized by the coaching staff for his work ethic.

Last week, a Mobile County (Ala.) grand jury declined to indict him on chargers of possession of a controlled substance. Russell was arrested July 5 for possession of codeine syrup without a valid prescription.

Kyle Shanahan praised Russell's talents, but said the other factors come into consideration when evaluating a player.

"I don't think you consider anyone just based off of talent," Kyle Shanahan said. "Everyone in the NFL's pretty talented. (It's) other stuff that really separates you. He is very talented, so I think he can overcome some of the stuff that he struggled with.

"I don't really know that personally, but if he looks like he's in good shape out here and he's working, and that's all you can evaluate. Sometimes when guys do get a second opportunity, they can change their stripes."

Grossman and John Beck are the other quarterbacks on the Redskins' roster."

Are the big cheeses of the Redskins also taking Russell's Codeine?

[SuperRaider]

Thought I post this.

Former Oakland Raiders No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell was one of 20 players who worked out for the Washington Redskins on Tuesday. Perhaps coach Mike Shanahan thought an appearance by Russell on campus might distract from the controversy surrounding his benching of quarterback Donovan McNabb on Sunday.

Russell was released by the Raiders in May after an embarrassing three seasons. An Alabama grand jury decided not to indict Russell last week on a felony drug possession charge related to a drink containing codeine syrup found at his home, which might open the door for his return to the league.

I'd be really surprised, though, if the Skins signed him to their roster. Shanahan & Son were probably just checking to see how Russell's "cardiovascular endurance" was coming along after six months away from the game.

"I don't think you consider anyone just based off of talent," Kyle Shanahan said after the workout. "Everyone in the NFL's pretty talented. [It's] other stuff that really separates you. He is very talented, so I think he can overcome some of the stuff that he struggled with. I don't really know that personally, but if he looks like he's in good shape out here and he's working, and that's all you can evaluate. Sometimes when guys do get a second opportunity, they can change their stripes."

The Skins' offensive coordinator said Tuesday that McNabb had been hampered by bad hamstrings recently and had been warned that he might be pulled from Sunday's game. McNabb simply said, "Coach makes the decisions" when he was asked today about his benching.

Mike Shanahan will give his players five days off before bringing them back next Monday.

JaMarcus Russell works out for Redskins  - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN

[Welsh Raider]

Not surprising that teams are taking at look at him. Were hardly 3 years removed from him being a 1st round pick. And they seem to be looking at every Tom, Dick and Harry at the moment.

Ill be more surprised if someone actually signs him, and get him on the field.

[biffer]

Allegedly he weighed in at 386.

Blimey.

[SuperRaider]

Weight was 286 lbs, that mean he still way too heavy, he really need to try and get his weight down to about 260 lbs, at least.

[R8RMR]

Can't see the 'Skins taking him on. But you never know how things are going to work out with their owner.

[SuperRaider]

Russell got a wake up call when the Raiders cut him; now if he in camp and weight 260 lbs; that another story

[psj3809]

JaMarcus is thick as sh!t, i mean hes trying out with another team and his weight is huge.  You would think he would have come to a team with a new attitude and of course his weight at a decent level.

Cant believe the Skins will do much with him, he'll probably try again next year and this time get his weight down

[R8RMR]

Cant believe the Skins will do much with him, he'll probably try again next year and this time get his weight down

If he has supposedly been working hard and getting himself into shape why is he still so heavy? Or is the shape he is trying to get into that of a whale!

Don't see him doing much this year and that will make it much more difficult next year.

[psj3809]

Yep i cant believe how stupid he is.  Get down to 265 and i'm sure a few teams will give him a look and perhaps a 3rd string type role.

But IF he was that size, just ridiculous.  Sad story though, a true case of where that sort of money went right to his head.  I must admit if i had 30 mill in the bank i wouldnt be bothered by work.  Whereas lots of other QB's have pride and want to have a great career and then relax with their dosh

[SuperRaider]

We might be facing him when we play Miami; he trying out for the QB vacancy in Miami.