Colassal NFL Bust is Attempting a comeback

[mastermind]

One of the biggest draft busts in NFL history is trying to re-kindle his football career. Yahoo! Sports has learned that JaMarcus Russell is planning a comeback attempt that he hopes will see him play in the league again. The former No. 1 pick in the 2007 NFL draft has not played a single NFL snap since the 2009 season with the Oakland Raiders.

The reclamation of Russell will follow a tricky road for a quarterback who was always known more for his physical blessings than technique. Russell, 27, who has effectively been out of football since tryouts with the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins in 2010, might find overcoming himself his biggest challenge. Currently at 308 pounds, Russell is down from the 320 pounds he weighed this past fall and has been focusing on cardio conditioning the past six weeks to lose the weight.

“My first year out, I couldn’t watch football but after a while, I couldn’t keep the TV off. I got that itchy feeling but now I gotta watch it, gotta watch,” Russell said.

“The last few years, the things going through my life, football is my job and it is how it feeds my family. People would say [that] I didn’t love the game but that pisses me off. People don’t know the real you but I want people to know the real me and see what I can do. People are always saying that I’m a bust. I want show them I’m not. I’m committed to this now.”

Yahoo! Sports has learned that Russell’s mentor through this whole process is former NFL wide receiver Mike Clayton, who like Russell is a LSU product. Over the next couple months, Russell will be training with Brian Martin of TEST Football Academy and TEST West, whose draft products include Joe Flacco and Patrick Peterson among others. In addition, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia (quarterback technique training), Olympian Ato Boldon (speed training and analysis), Dr. Robert Price of Elite Minds (mental and psychological analysis), former NFL wide receiver Quinn Early (disciplinary work and focus), former New York Giants quarterback Scott Brunner (reading defenses and classroom sessions) and NFL Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk (reading defenses) will work as part of the team trying to reclaim the quarterback’s promise.

A former top pick, Russell never fulfilled his boundless athletic promise, including a 6-foot-6-inch 265 pound frame that looked more like that belonging to a tight end than someone under center. Complicating a comeback from a less than storied NFL career is the fact that Russell will need to overcome the negative perception stemming from his July 2010 arrest for codeine syrup without a prescription.

He has taken steps to make amends for his mistakes, including frequently speaking to youth groups about his poor choices and arrest.

“I’m not looking for a pat on the shoulder from people who haven’t been there for me,” Russell said. “It feels funny not to go through a training camp, that’s just what I’m used to. It’s going to feel good to go back out there again. I will make this happen.”

good luck to the young man

 

[Jerz-2]

If he gets into shape and back into form, SOMEBODY will take him on for the minimum.

 

[funkee]

you know what, I came in the thread planning to hate on , but I can't hate on someone trying to better themselves and reignite their potential

 

[ThaBronxBully]

At His Weight, If He's Eating Right And Doing Extensive Workouts I Think He Should Have Lost More Then Just 12 Pounds In 6 Weeks

 

[Mr swag]

I wouldn't touch him till he drops to 250. Then I will give him a camp Invite

 

[iPod Raheem 2.0]

If anyone gives him any more money...

 

[The ADD]

At His Weight, If He's Eating Right And Doing Extensive Workouts I Think He Should Have Lost More Then Just 12 Pounds In 6 Weeks

 

[Aprogressivone]

If he gets in shape and starts studying and working on his craft we might all be cleverly surprised. Ay stranger things have happened.

 

[yseJ]

If he gets into shape and back into form, SOMEBODY will take him on for the minimum.

at this point he'll also have to prove he actually cares about football and hasnt merely ran out of money to burn thru

with that said, this is a first step in the right direction for dude.

 

[shopthatwrecks]

At His Weight, If He's Eating Right And Doing Extensive Workouts I Think He Should Have Lost More Then Just 12 Pounds In 6 Weeks

he should holla at killa kyleon...he dropped 120 pounds n rock solid now..

n he is a drankhead jus like russell..n he still sippin

 

[malbaker86]

I hope he gets it turned around. It as funny to watch him fail but i'll be rooting for him to turn it around.

 

[#1 pick]

 

[#1 pick]

Jamarcus had no work ethic nor read defenses and was better than six NFL starters at QB. Some people just got the God given talent, Russell has that.

 

[yseJ]

he should holla at killa kyleon...he dropped 120 pounds n rock solid now..

n he is a drankhead jus like russell..n he still sippin

does sippin make you fat ? and if so why ? I genuinely dont know

 

[Reggie]

Why does it always take these players losing everything and hitting rock bottom to want to finally take their career seriously? Should have had that mindset from day one.