As two highly-talented quarterbacks anticipate being selected at the top of the 2016 draft, the quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft is petitioning teams for a second chance. Former Raiders signal caller JaMarcus Russell tells SI.com (video link) that he has penned a letter to all 32 teams looking for a shot. 
“As a former NFL player, I understand the daily grind that football operations can be,” Russell wrote (via PFT). “I am prepared to be physically examined and to have my football IQ evaluated. I would sincerely like an opportunity to come to Dallas and meet with you and the coaching staff. I know that my name does not carry much weight in the NFL right now but I am more than the image that others have bestowed on me. I’ve been labeled as a bust, I have been labeled as lazy and I have been the target of many insults by the media. The blame for any negative press that I’ve received rests squarely on my shoulders.”
Russell wowed scouts in workouts with his arm strength and his big 6’6″ frame led many to believe that he was destined for greatness at the next level. However, the LSU product did not deliver in the NFL. From 2007-2009, Russell started 25 games for the Raiders and in the following offseason, Oakland cut him loose. In his short time in the pros, Russell developed a reputation as a player with a weak worth ethic and a penchant for fluctuating on the scales.
In the last six years, no team has showed real interest in signing the former No. 1 pick. It would be surprising if Russell were to land an opportunity today, but that won’t stop him from trying.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Good luck to him
Didn’t a life coach fire him as a client?
Jeff Garcia gave up on him. He was mixing cough syrup with soda (purple drank). He was even pulled over with a cup of it in his car when he was with the Raiders. He was more interested in partying and driving high end cars. Now the money is running out and he’s just realizing he screwed up. You can’t teach someone work ethic, teir either lazy, do enough just to get by or go above and beyond. He used football as a means to live the rock star lifestyle and now it’s over. I wish him all the luck, but I think he’s lazy and will be again once he gets enough money.
There are such things as second chances and people changing. You’re talking about his past! If Ray Lewis could step on the field after murdering a guy and hired as a analyst by ESPN after his playing care I don’t see why this guy can’t get another chance or why Ray Rice can’t get another chance. It’s ridiculous. People make mistakes. Ray Lewis made the worse decision ever and is walking free and it’s like everyone has forgotten. I don’t want to hear hat he didn’t either because that’s just being down right ignorant to deny it. I say they give Russell another shot, if he fails then he fails and his career is done.
This is America man, we have a judicial system here. If you believe in that system at all then don’t say that Ray Lewis DID murder somebody, because people don’t just get off from that charge just because they’re football players.
exactly, LH. america is perfect and so is our legal system. OJ didn’t do it either.
Where’d my comment go!? Lol
Come to the Cowboys Jamarcus you are probably better than Kellen Moore right now
Why wouldn’t a team like Buffalo or Houston take a flyer on him as a back up possibility? It certainly won’t cost much.