Jamarcus Russell: I'd Play For Free

[Across The Field]

Former No. 1 pick QB Russell would 'play for free'

"Who's to say? You might see me back. You never know, man. You never know. ... Whatever it is -- I can be a water boy and work my way into a scout team. It doesn't matter. I'll go play for free."

I have to be honest, I'm no LSU fan, but my heart goes out to this dude. He seems to love the game more than people realized, and it sounds like he's done a great job of getting back into better shape compared to what he was at. He also seems to be owning up to his bust status and all the criticism he got. It'd be a helluva comeback story.

 

[megalodon30]

Anybody that got him for free would be massively overpaying.

 

[shopson67]

Not a lot of demand for 30 year old QBs just now getting a love for the game. This sounds more like sadness over a lost opportunity than love for the game. He realizes he lost his chance at his family being set for life.

 

[The Derski]

He can do that at the local park. It's also conveniently where he can pick up his codeine.

 

[dkmightyhammer]

Didn't he blow through about $60M or something like that? No wonder he wants a job in the NFL. Tough to make that kind of cheddar working at the car wash.

 

[The Derski]

Didn't he blow through about $60M or something like that? No wonder he wants a job in the NFL. Tough to make that kind of cheddar working at the car wash.

He said he'd play for free. It's the title of the thread.

 

[dkmightyhammer]

He said he'd play for free. It's the title of the thread.

Yes, I know that, but JM is being hyperbolic. He knows he can't play for free in the NFL because its against the rules. He'd get the vet minimum which is likely around $1.5M or something. JM is just looking to make some decent money again.

 

[shopson67]

He said he'd play for free. It's the title of the thread.

That's to get his foot in the door, leading to the eventual paycheck. Can't play for free anyway, he'd get the veterans minimum for 3 years of experience at minimum ($675K for 2016).

 

[dkmightyhammer]

That's to get his foot in the door, leading to the eventual paycheck. Can't play for free anyway, he'd get the veterans minimum for 3 years of experience at minimum ($675K for 2016).

Exactly. I didn't realize it was that low though. Thought it was more. Still a good chunk of change. I'd certainly suit up for that.

 

[Across The Field]

Not a lot of demand for 30 year old QBs just now getting a love for the game. This sounds more like sadness over a lost opportunity than love for the game. He realizes he lost his chance at his family being set for life.

This very well could be the case, but so have a lot of dudes. You don't hear of many of them trying this hard to get back into it. I just like seeing situations like this where a dude busts and instead of going down the wrong path, he gets his mind right and tries like hell to get back into it. Even if it doesn't work, which is what will happen most likely, at least he's doing this instead of getting arrested.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Anybody that got him for free would be massively overpaying.

lol ....

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Not a lot of demand for 30 year old QBs just now getting a love for the game. This sounds more like sadness over a lost opportunity than love for the game. He realizes he lost his chance at his family being set for life.

He signs a six-year contract worth $68 million, with $31.5 million guaranteed... His family better be set for life... The dude won the effin lottery ...

 

[Pattersonca65]

Former No. 1 pick QB Russell would 'play for free'



I have to be honest, I'm no LSU fan, but my heart goes out to this dude. He seems to love the game more than people realized, and it sounds like he's done a great job of getting back into better shape compared to what he was at. He also seems to be owning up to his bust status and all the criticism he got. It'd be a helluva comeback story.

Not a Raider fan but I follow Bay Area sports media. If Russell really loved the game he sure as heck didn't show it while he was on the Raiders. It was quite the opposite. He acted like he didn't give a damn while he was in Oakland.

 

[Across The Field]

Not a Raider fan but I follow Bay Area sports media. If Russell really loved the game he sure as heck didn't show it while he was on the Raiders. It was quite the opposite. He acted like he didn't give a damn while he was in Oakland.

No doubt there, and in the article he addresses that and take ownership for all the criticism he got (another thing you don't see often in these circumstances). Like I said, any time you see a dude trying hard to make up for his mistakes like this, I always like seeing it, given how so many guys in that type of situation just end up getting in trouble.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Next Question, how much is he willing to pay?

 

[Duffman]

Not a Raider fan but I follow Bay Area sports media. If Russell really loved the game he sure as heck didn't show it while he was on the Raiders. It was quite the opposite. He acted like he didn't give a damn while he was in Oakland.

Well to be fair he was playing for Oakland, I'd probably want to kill myself too.

 

[Pattersonca65]

No doubt there, and in the article he addresses that and take ownership for all the criticism he got (another thing you don't see often in these circumstances). Like I said, any time you see a dude trying hard to make up for his mistakes like this, I always like seeing it, given how so many guys in that type of situation just end up getting in trouble.

Yep, unfortunately for him too late too play in the NFL. He is going to have to find another route. I'm sure he is going to live with the regret of not taking advantage of his NFL situation for the rest of his life.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

C'mon OP... How can you feel bad for this putz? His situation and Johnny Manziel's are no different. 2 idiots that pissed their chances away.

In 6-7 years are you going to feel bad for Manziel too?

That means its almost time to start feeling bad for Vince Young as well.

 

[Pattersonca65]

Well to be fair he was playing for Oakland, I'd probably want to kill myself too.

LOL, at least the backup (can't remember his name now) played hard and did all he could. The players rallied around him. Russell just didn't care. I remember one story where there was an end of season team meeting and Russell was partying up in Vegas. LOL. Callled being a team leader there.

 

[megalodon30]

LOL, at least the backup (can't remember his name now) played hard and did all he could.

Andrew Walter. Just as bad as Russell (but at least he cared).