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JaMarcus Russell's name is back in NFL circles. The former No. 1 overall pick will work out for the Redskins.
The Washington Redskins will have a new quarterback in town for a workout: JaMarcus Russell.
Ever heard of him?
The former No. 1 overall pick of the Raiders will meet with the Redskins on Tuesday, according to FOX 26 in Houston. The timing is curious because it was just last week that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan pulled Donovan McNabb from the game in favor of Rex Grossman.
Russell was released from the Raiders in May and was later arrested -- and the charges were dismissed -- for possession of codeine. Russell has been connected to the UFL, although his camp says he won't play there. He's also been connected to the CFL -- the Hamilton Tiger Cats own his rights. The Jets were reportedly interested in him at one point but no longer are.
Russell's name hasn't been brought up at all since the season started. Just last week it was reported he wouldn't be indicted for codeine possession so he's in the clear on that front.
Tuesday is the normal day for teams to work out street free agents so if the Redskins decide to sign him we should hear about it soon.
JaMarcus Russell has apparently been cleared by a grand jury of any charges for related a codeine-laced drink found at his home in Mobile, Ala. The grand jury made its decision after Marcus Stevenson, a friend of Russell, testified in August that he was responsible for the “purple drank” police found during a July search of Russell’s home.
"He was elated," [lawyer Donald] Briskman said of Russell. "He wants to get back into playing professional football. With this matter being resolved, hopefully it will open up avenues for him to return to the NFL."
Well, that’s part of the battle. The UFL’s Omaha Warhawks appear to have had more interest than any NFL teams, and Russell has made it clear he won’t be headed there. But at least there’s one fewer barrier in his way if an NFL team does come calling.
In news that should surprise absolutely no one, lawyer for JaMarcus Russell said Thursday he believes his client won't be convicted after his arrest over the 4th of July holiday.
"I think at the end of the day, JaMarcus is going to be acquitted and will go on about the business of getting on with his career," Russell's attorney, Donald Briskman, said Thursday.
Authorities reportedly spent several months investigating the case so I would suspect their case is fairly strong against Russell. His lawyer also believes he was targeted (as most people who are allegedly committing illegal acts are...).
JaMarcus Russell was arrested on Monday for possession of a controlled substance. Specifically, he was in possession of codeine syrup without a prescription.
According to the Associated Press, the arrest was part of a two-month investigation.
Russell wasn't the target originally but his name came up "several times" according to the report. Several media outlets have said that there have been rumors surrounding Russell and codeine for some time but no hard evidence to support that.
Police are currently testing the codeine syrup found to determine how much was involved.
The investigation could lead to more arrests.
JaMarcus Russell's chances of playing in the NFL in 2010 are seemingly non-existent after being arrested for possession of a controlled substance. The only team that reportedly showed any interest was the Jets and it's been confirmed they're out of the running by now.
So what's next for Russell?
If he wants to play football again, it seems that the CFL might be the only option.
Currently, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats own his rights so if he does want to play, that's where he'd go.
Russell's camp previously refuted rumors that he was considering the UFL. It's unclear if that's changed after he's been busted for reportedly sipping purple drank.
The Jets had made an exploratory call to JaMarcus Russell’s agent last week to gauge how he’s doing and the possibility in bringing him into camp. Then JaMarcus got arrested for possession of codeine syrup. Funny how something like that will make you lose interest in offering to pay a guy to perform athletic feats for you.
The Jets recently made an exploratory call to Russell’s agent after the former No. 1 overall pick was released by the Raiders. However, a league source told me last week that the chances of Russell signing with the Jets were less than 10 percent.
Not surprisingly, the Jets are no longer interested in the career underachiever, according to a source.
If only we had heeded ESPN's laughably late report on the scourge of purple drank, we would know what a real menace it is to the sporting world.
At the very least, JaMarcus Russell would know that the police are taking the matter seriously. Today, the former Raiders quarterback was arrested at his home in Mobile, Ala. for possession of codeine syrup, according to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
[Spokeswoman Lori] Myles said Russell was arrested at his home early this afternoon during an undercover investigation. He was booked into Mobile Metro Jail at 4:22 p.m. Russell was released minutes later after making $2,500 bail, according to online records.
Russell is scheduled to appear in court on July 20. A bond hearing is set for July 7.
The arrest likely jeopardizes whatever lingering chance the no. 1 overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft had for continuing his career in the league. At he will have gone down as yet another cautionary tale for users of the purple drank.
The Jets did make an "exploratory call" about former Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell but, according to the NY Daily News, it's highly unlikely he's headed to New York.
Former Raiders' QB JaMarcus Russell isn't likely to become a Jet. There's a less than 10 percent chance that the former No. 1 overall pick will be wearing green and white, according to a league source. The Jets made one exploratory call to Russell's agent, but talks aren't expected to continue beyond that.
The Jets still appear ready to sign Mark Brunell later this summer once they're allowed to under the "Final Eight Plan".
It's hard to believe another team will be calling for Russell absent an injury to a current quarterback on the team.
The Jets have their quarterback of the future but, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, they may be looking for a backup.
Per Cimini, the Jets have "inquired" about JaMarcus Russell.
The last time we heard from Russell his camp was denying rumors that the UFL was an option.
ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported that teams have called about Russell, including the Bengals. At this point, though, nothing has come of the calls.
A report emerged from Pro Football Talk that JaMarcus Russell had talked with the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks about possibly joining the franchise.
Now, Pro Football talk reports that won't be happening.
A source close to Russell tells us that the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft "will not be in the UFL," and that Russell instead will continue to refine his mechanics in Arizona and discuss opportunities with a couple of interested teams.
I'd be curious to see which NFL team thinks they can make something out of him.
As recently as May 11, we've heard reports that teams have called about JaMarcus Russell. Well, either they're not interested anymore or his agent planted those stories because a new report emerged Friday morning that JaMarcus Russell is talking to one team.
The Omaha Nighthawks, according to Pro Football Talk.
A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that the expansion Omaha Nighthawks could be signing Russell, who would team up with running back Ahman Green in the team's backfield.
There's still a long way to go before Russell would actually join the team, the internal discussions have begun, and they will continue.
Talk about a fall.
Russell's business with the NFL isn't completely over as the Raiders are reportedly trying to recover almost $10 million of his bonus money.
JaMarcus Russell couldn't stay out of the news for too long. According to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, the Raiders are filing a grievance against the former Oakland quarterback.
“We have filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell and that’s all we’re going to say at this time,” Raiders attorney Jeff Birren said.
The issue, per Cole, is $9.55 million in pay that the Raiders claim Russell owes them. They claim Russell's contract was changed sometime during his three-year stint with the club and that change now means he owes them money collected prior to his release in early May.
Meanwhile, Russell's camp is predictably denying the Raiders claims.
“The money in question was fully guaranteed. That is why JaMarcus was forced to hold out and miss all of training camp as a rookie,” Metz said. “The Raiders know that and this is our only comment.”
Russell will be repped by the NFLPA in the grievance.
On Tuesday Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco took to Twitter and suggested the Bengals were bringing in free agent QB JaMarcus Russell.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals have indeed called about Russell, as have other teams. However, there are no plans to bring him in right now.
Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer got in touch with Russell's agent, who offered up a "nice and terse no comment" to the questions about his client and the Bengals.
It doesn't appear Russell will be joining a team anytime soon. At least not a team in the United States.
Already a few teams are starting to publicly dismantle any rumblings that they might be interested in JaMarcus Russell. The Saints are the latest team to say they're not interested in Russell despite the need for a backup quarterback.
If he stays in the NFL, Russell is surely headed for a backup job, at best. But what if he leaves the NFL and heads to, say, the CFL? Michael Lombardi of National Football Post is hearing that may be his next move.
My sources tell me Russell will have a tough time finding a gig in the NFL -- maybe next offseason, but right now teams are moving forward with their players and seem unwilling to overlook the lack of dedication Russell displays. He’ll have to do something, anything, to win fans back, and going to the CFL is a way to begin the process.
That would be an amazing drop-off for Russell. No. 1 overall pick and nearly $40 million to competing for a spot in the CFL.
Check up on all things Raiders at Silver and Black Pride.
Former Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell passed through waivers unclaimed on Friday, according to ESPN's John Clayton. No one was expected to claim him off waivers because that would carry along his massive contract.
He is now an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team.
Clayton reports Russell does not have any free agent visits set up. It shouldn't surprise you that teams aren't climbing over each other to sign him.
Now that Russell is free to sign elsewhere, the question becomes: Who wants him?
We already gave you JaMarcus Russell's career numbers but even more impressive was how much money he was paid for such little production.
All in all, the Raiders will end up paying him $39 million for three years of service.
Andrew Brandt of National Football Post has a great behind-the-scenes look at Russell's contract. Here's the breakdown of money paid per year:
That equates to over $5 million per game Russell won as a starter (7).
Money well spent, huh?
Now let's compare that to the average person. Let's say you're making $50,000 per year at your job. How long did it take Russell to earn that?
Only in Oakland.
After three years of the JaMarcus Russell experiment, what are Raiders fans thinking about today's developments? SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride calls it a very good sign that reality is approaching.
Addition by Subtraction - the Raiders just got even better by releasing the toxic-one whose bad attitude and misuse of his huge talent plagued the team and fans for far too long. This is just more evidence supporting the Raiders' reemergence as a serious, focused contender.
Thank you, Al Davis, for making a series of remarkably good decisions over the past four months.
The Raiders announced on Thursday what many have expected for some time -- Quarterback JaMarcus Russell has been released.
Russell was the Raider 2007 first round pick and immediately rivals Ryan Leaf in the argument for biggest draft bust of all time.
Russell's final numbers in Oakland are abysmal:
Catch up on the Russell situation at Silver and Black Pride.
Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell is reportedly on the verge of being released but that hasn't stopped him from showing up to the team's minicamp.
Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group reports Russell is in attendance and he "doesn't look 300 lbs."
Some have wondered why the Raiders don't just cut him. If he were to be injured during camp, it could cost the team several million dollars.
The Raiders are reportedly preparing the process of cutting QB JaMarcus Russell but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders plan to have Russell attend this weekend's minicamp.
Some have suggested that the Raiders should hang onto Russell through the offseason to try one last time to motivate him into acquiring the proper work ethic necessary to be a starting NFL quarterback. Others, like ESPN's John Clayton, expect his release to come at any time now.
Stay tuned to Silver and Black Pride for more on the Raiders.
The Raiders traded for Jason Campbell over the weekend, signed him to an extension and then a report surfaced that JaMarcus Russell is now tipping the scales at 300 pounds. So, this bit of news is hardly surprising: Oakland is reportedly "preparing" to cut their plump passer, and the move may come as early as this week, according to ESPN's John Clayton.
Clayton said it is not a matter of if, but when Russell will be cut. He also said the team could release Russell before Oakland’s minicamp, which runs Friday through Sunday, and that there is no trade market for him. The Raiders will save more than $6 million if they cut Russell this year.
To remind, the Raiders currently have five quarterbacks on their roster -- Campbell, Kyle Boller, Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski, and one rotund Russell -- the latter of which, if cut, would save the team over $6 million dollars.
Hope you enjoyed your time in Oakland, JaMarcus.
Check out all things Raiders over at Silver and Black Pride.
We've been hearing from the Raiders throughout this offseason that QB JaMarcus Russell has a renewed focus and 2010 could be a breakout year.
So if Russell was improving so much, why did the Raiders go out and trade for QB Jason Campbell? Maybe this is why
According to a league source with knowledge of the situation in Oakland, the hefty quarterback has beefed up to 300 pounds.
300 large for a NFL quarterback.
According to the National Football Post report, his family members and those close to him aren't being much help.
Russell's future with the Raiders is very much in doubt. There's no question Campbell is a better quarterback than him and Bruce Gradkowski certainly outplayed him last year.
The Raiders could cut the cord now and put an end to a miserable experiment that worked out worse than anyone could imagine.
Check out all things Raiders over at Silver and Black Pride.
Agent: JaMarcus Russell Is In Great 'Cardiovascular Condition'
Last week Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan opted to go with backup QB Rex Grossman over starter QB Donovan McNabb at the end of the Redskins Week 8 loss to the Lions. Shanahan later referenced McNabb's "cardiovascular conditioning" several times indicating McNabb was out of shape. He later backed off those comments but it concluded a bizarre series of comments between the two sides.
Now JaMarcus Russell is in Washington for a workout and those words -- "cardiovascular conditioning" -- are coming back up again. Ethan Locke, agent for Russell, tells Chris Russell of ESPN 980 in Washington that Russell is in "great 'cardiovascular condition'" and he's running 3.5 miles every other day.
His agent says no decision has been made yet. We'll see if the Redskins opt to go with Russell. As SB Nation DC notes, there are plenty of free agents that worked out for the Redskins on Tuesday so the workout shouldn't necessarily be an indication that a signing is coming.
Check out SB Nation DC for more on the JaMarcus Russell workout.
Nov 02 2:46p by Joel Thorman - 0 comments