Jamarcus Russell to get work out with the Bears

[FirstTimer]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/9342308/source-jamarcus-russell-work-chicago-bears-friday

Former Oakland Raiders No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell gets his first shot at returning to the NFL on Friday when he visits the Chicago Bears for a workout that will include three other quarterbacks, according to an NFL source with knowledge of the situation.

Having shed a reported 50 pounds in recent months, Russell has drawn interest from multiple teams, including the Bears, who would like to obtain a current evaluation of the quarterback. Initially, the Bears weren't interested in taking a look at Russell, and one source believed nobody in the NFL would take the quarterback's comeback seriously until he shed a significant amount of weight.
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Now that Russell weighs a reported 265 pounds -- his weight when the Raiders made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 -- the Bears want to give the quarterback an opportunity.

That doesn't mean a signing would be imminent if Russell produced a strong performance during the workout. With three quarterbacks already on the roster in Jay Cutler, Josh McCown, and Matt Blanchard, the Bears are contemplating whether they want to bring in a fourth quarterback to take to training camp. Currently, the team likes what it already has on the roster, and isn't looking to bring in a fourth quarterback. Given the fluidity regarding personnel around the league, the team could change its mind.

In addition to bringing in Russell and the three other quarterbacks, the Bears plan to work out several veterans at multiple positions as they continue to evaluate how to best fill the back end of their roster. By putting together up-to-date evaluations on several veteran players, including Russell, the Bears will have gathered a short list of vets it can call in the event of an injury.

NFL Network reported Russell would like to sign with a team where he can learn under a veteran quarterback. If Russell doesn't sign with an NFL team within the next 30 to 45 days, he also would be open to signing with a CFL team.

In April, former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia, who is working with Russell, called Chicago and Arizona ideal fits for Russell, who told Yahoo! Sports he didn't want to be remembered as a "bust." Russell is currently working at the TEST Football Academy with Garcia, who is working with him on technique, and Hall of Famer running back Marshall Faulk, who is helping the quarterback at reading defenses. Russell is also working with several other former players, doctors and trainers.

Russell hasn't played a down of football in the NFL since 2009, and won just seven of 25 starts during his career at Oakland. Russell received approximately $39 million in three seasons in Oakland, and has completed 52.1 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and a passer rating of 65.2.

In 2010, authorities charged Russell with felony possession of a controlled substance, a drink containing codeine cough syrup, when officers raided his home that July. A grand jury declined to indict the quarterback later that year on those charges.

:jonesy:

 

[NAHSTE]

That awkward moment where he takes Cutler's job in week 9.

:smugruss:

 

[FirstTimer]

That awkward moment where he takes Cutler's job in week 9.

:smugruss:

 

[KNUBB]

:golfclap:

 

[krulmichael]

Pimp daddy's back.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Who knows.. maybe he can have a Mike Williams like comeback. With hopefully a better finish. :irked:

Would definitely take a flyer on Jamarcus over Tebow though.

 

[Glenbino]

Put the 50 pounds back on and learn how to pass block.

Solid strategy by the Bears of recycling Raiders QB failures though. I hope Marques Tuiasosopo's agent is near his phone.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

And somehow.....Tebow can't even get a workout.

 

[Aso]

Who knows.. maybe he can have a Mike Williams like comeback. With hopefully a better finish. :irked:

Would definitely take a flyer on Jamarcus over Tebow though.

You gotta be kidding me.

 

[Hasselbeck]

You gotta be kidding me.

Nope. Tebow is dog shit + a media circus

Apparently NFL scouts agree with me, as JaMarcus already has more interest than Tebow has had in 4 months.

 

[Aso]

Nope. Tebow is dog shit + a media circus

Apparently NFL scouts agree with me, as JaMarcus already has more interest than Tebow has had in 4 months.

The guy who fell asleep in team meetings, the guy who sometimes wouldn't even show up to team meetings, who one time skipped a team meeting to go to Vegas, drinking that purple drank, after games telling the media certain things weren't his fault it was other peoples fault, the guy who fattened up to 315, a guy who completed 48% of his passes with 3 td's to 11 pics his last year as a starter.

What are the upsides of Jamarcus Russell? I can't find any. But hey, maybe the 3rd or 4th comeback attempt will be the charm. Oh btw he hasn't taken a snap since that disastrous 2009 season. I'm sure over 3+ years out of the NFL really helped with his ability.

Jamarcus Russell is a joke and so is any team that winds up signing him especially to their final 53.

 

[Tailback U]

Russell is a joke and will never make it in the NFL but it's not because he lacks talent. It's because of his attitude, piss poor work ethic, and flat out lack of intelligence to be frank.

Tebow's problem is that he does lack the talent.

You can potentially fix Russell's issues, Tebow's not going to make much improvement at this point in his career when it comes to accuracy or reading defenses.

 

[JeremyHight]

Russell is a joke and will never make it in the NFL but it's not because he lacks talent. It's because of his attitude, piss poor work ethic, and flat out lack of intelligence to be frank.

Tebow's problem is that he does lack the talent.

You can potentially fix Russell's issues, Tebow's not going to make much improvement at this point in his career when it comes to accuracy or reading defenses.

Tebow also has clear problems with the mental side of the game. His work ethic sounds good, but from what everyone says, he is a completely different player in practice than in a game. That is definitely mental.

 

[FirstTimer]

Who knows.. maybe he can have a Mike Williams like comeback. With hopefully a better finish. :irked:

Would definitely take a flyer on Jamarcus over Tebow though.

Yep.

:yep:

 

[FirstTimer]

Tebow also has clear problems with the mental side of the game. His work ethic sounds good, but from what everyone says, he is a completely different player in practice than in a game. That is definitely mental.

Yeah, Tebow's talent is lacking and he's a mental midget.

At least Jamarcus can chuck the rock. For as wildly inaccurate as :smugruss: was his career completion % is still higher than Tebow's

 

[FirstTimer]

The guy who fell asleep in team meetings(5hr energy), the guy who sometimes wouldn't even show up to team meetings(valet), who one time skipped a team meeting to go to Vegas(maturity), drinking that purple drank(maturity), after games telling the media certain things weren't his fault it was other peoples fault(PR work), the guy who fattened up to 315(Paleo diet), a guy who completed 48% of his passes with 3 td's to 11 pics his last year as a starter(Trestman/not dog shit talent around him).

What are the upsides of Jamarcus Russell? I can't find any. But hey, maybe the 3rd or 4th comeback attempt will be the charm. Oh btw he hasn't taken a snap since that disastrous 2009 season. I'm sure over 3+ years out of the NFL really helped with his ability.

Jamarcus Russell is a joke and so is any team that winds up signing him especially to their final 53.

Russell is a joke and will never make it in the NFL but it's not because he lacks talent. It's because of his attitude, piss poor work ethic, and flat out lack of intelligence to be frank.

Tebow's problem is that he does lack the talent.

You can potentially fix Russell's issues, Tebow's not going to make much improvement at this point in his career when it comes to accuracy or reading defenses.

Very true. I just fixed all :smugruss:'s problems. Tebow wasn't falling asleep and was still forgetting the plays.

 

[Argath]

This calls for a visit to chicitysports.com

 

[Glenbino]

I think this is a fun story for June but I'd be shocked if Russ even made the 55 man, let alone was naming him Cutler's backup.

 

[NAHSTE]

I think this is a fun story for June but I'd be shocked if Russ even made the 55 man, let alone was naming him Cutler's backup.

Tyler Edwards and a couple of other guys will be at the workout also, so yeah it's a long shot he even makes it to camp as a "camp arm" let alone makes the roster.

 

[Hasselbeck]

The guy who fell asleep in team meetings, the guy who sometimes wouldn't even show up to team meetings, who one time skipped a team meeting to go to Vegas, drinking that purple drank, after games telling the media certain things weren't his fault it was other peoples fault, the guy who fattened up to 315, a guy who completed 48% of his passes with 3 td's to 11 pics his last year as a starter.

What are the upsides of Jamarcus Russell? I can't find any. But hey, maybe the 3rd or 4th comeback attempt will be the charm. Oh btw he hasn't taken a snap since that disastrous 2009 season. I'm sure over 3+ years out of the NFL really helped with his ability.

Jamarcus Russell is a joke and so is any team that winds up signing him especially to their final 53.

Many of the same things were said about Mike Williams. Williams was fat as fuck, lazy, and one of the bigger busts in the last decade.. he busted his ass and eventually became the Seahawks #1 WR for a year before an injury riddled 2011 season derailed a great comeback.

Nonetheless - rock bottom is a wake up call for some athletes. Yes Russell ballooned to 315.. he lost 50 pounds and is showing signs of maturity. He's always had the raw talent to be a player in the NFL.. is it likely he comes full circle and gets an NFL roster spot? Probably not.. but still worth kicking the tires.