Although it seems that quarterback JaMarcus Russell has run out of his chances to join a team, the three years veteran still keeps his hope alive for staying with the league. And in order to stay, he even chose to turn down offers from other league, such as the United Football League.
Along with several other unemployed NFL players, Russell is listed on the Omaha Nighthawks' "provisional roster" after he was released by the Oakland Raiders in early offseason. The former first overall draft pick did not prove anything in his three-year tenure with the team. Weight issues and general ineffectiveness on the field caused him to lose favors with all supporters and is not considered one of the biggest draft pick bust. To make things worse, Russell was involved in a legal trouble last week, preventing even more teams from contacting him for possible cooperation.
Russell was last seen in a Brett Favre jersey with his lawyer, who has expressed confidence that the strong-armed former LSU star will be exonerated. Whatever, we will see if he can make it on July 20, when Russell is going to appear on court for a trial.
Showing posts with label JaMarcus Russell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JaMarcus Russell. Show all posts
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
QB Russell’s career is threatened by his off-field trouble
The former Oakland Raiders starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell recently added some more obstacles to his NFL future by getting arrested for possession of codeine. The former first overall draft pick had been already devaluated after being cut by the Raiders but still had chance to negotiate with some weak teams interested in his talents. However, the recent legal trouble just caused all teams to shy away.
According to recent reports, Russell attracted more concerns on his incompetence as a quarterback. Previously, there were still reports saying that he could have chance to put on Saints jersey if he was willing to play as backup to Drew Brees. But now the Saints definitely have crossed his name off from the list of their options in backup quarterback. Nevertheless, it does not necessarily mean the end of Russell’s football career.
Russell could follow the example of former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, who also had drug issues but found refuge by joining a Canadian Football League. And it was reported that Russell has already attracted attention from a CFL team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who like to add Russell so that they could draw more attention and fans.
According to recent reports, Russell attracted more concerns on his incompetence as a quarterback. Previously, there were still reports saying that he could have chance to put on Saints jersey if he was willing to play as backup to Drew Brees. But now the Saints definitely have crossed his name off from the list of their options in backup quarterback. Nevertheless, it does not necessarily mean the end of Russell’s football career.
Russell could follow the example of former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, who also had drug issues but found refuge by joining a Canadian Football League. And it was reported that Russell has already attracted attention from a CFL team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who like to add Russell so that they could draw more attention and fans.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Raiders will not guarantee QB Russell a starting job
According to the Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable, last year’s starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell will have to win his starting job back with proven ability and better performance than another quarterback, Bruce Gradkowski, who filled in the starting quarterback when Russell was sidelined with injuries last season.
Cable made the comment during a media session Tuesday at the annual league meetings. He reiterated that Russell is working out with the team and won’t be handed anything.
"I think that it’s like anything in life, you can bring that on yourself," Cable told reporters. "If you want to not let that be who you are, then you need to do something about it. So you change. The fact that he’s there working is really important right now. That’s the biggest step right now, and that’s a big step."
That stance is considered to be reasonable as Russell failed to live up to expectation since putting on the Raiders jerseys as a first over-all draft pick out of LSU in 2007. While he had 1,287 passing yards, 3 touchdowns with an average of 107.2 yards per game and QB rating of 50% during the 12 games he started last season, Gradkowski had 1,007 passing yards, six touchdowns with an average of 143.9 yards per game and QB rating of 80.6% in the seven games he played in.
Cable made the comment during a media session Tuesday at the annual league meetings. He reiterated that Russell is working out with the team and won’t be handed anything.
"I think that it’s like anything in life, you can bring that on yourself," Cable told reporters. "If you want to not let that be who you are, then you need to do something about it. So you change. The fact that he’s there working is really important right now. That’s the biggest step right now, and that’s a big step."
That stance is considered to be reasonable as Russell failed to live up to expectation since putting on the Raiders jerseys as a first over-all draft pick out of LSU in 2007. While he had 1,287 passing yards, 3 touchdowns with an average of 107.2 yards per game and QB rating of 50% during the 12 games he started last season, Gradkowski had 1,007 passing yards, six touchdowns with an average of 143.9 yards per game and QB rating of 80.6% in the seven games he played in.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Raiders Coach Cable not ready to decide starting quarterback
The Oakland Raiders Coach Tom Cable has not made his final decision on who will be the starting running back in Raiders jersey in this Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, with JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye being his choices.
“We haven’t gotten anywhere with that decision,” Cable said. “We hoped to be able to talk about it now but we’re not ready to do that. We don’t have enough time yet to get everybody that would be involved in it to have those discussions.”
Russell started the first nine games, but was benched twice in last three games. He was last benched in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after going 8 for 23 for 64 yards and replaced by Gradkowski, who went 5 of 9 for 49 yards and two interceptions but strained a hamstring.
So Frye became on the starting choices in case Gradkowski is unable to play because of the sore hamstring. As Russell has had only two touchdowns passes, nine interceptions and a 47.1 completion percentage by so far and has been frequently criticized for his work habits and lack of preparation, Cable may even start Frye, who has been the Raiders’ emergency quarterback all season, in precedence over Russell.
“We haven’t gotten anywhere with that decision,” Cable said. “We hoped to be able to talk about it now but we’re not ready to do that. We don’t have enough time yet to get everybody that would be involved in it to have those discussions.”
Russell started the first nine games, but was benched twice in last three games. He was last benched in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after going 8 for 23 for 64 yards and replaced by Gradkowski, who went 5 of 9 for 49 yards and two interceptions but strained a hamstring.
So Frye became on the starting choices in case Gradkowski is unable to play because of the sore hamstring. As Russell has had only two touchdowns passes, nine interceptions and a 47.1 completion percentage by so far and has been frequently criticized for his work habits and lack of preparation, Cable may even start Frye, who has been the Raiders’ emergency quarterback all season, in precedence over Russell.
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