JaMarcus Russell Arrested-Another Brilliant Future On Verge of Going Down
Posted: Tuesday, July 06, 2010
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
JaMarcus Russell was born on August 9, 1985, in Mobile Alabama, the son of Bobby Lloyd and Zena Russell-Anderson.
Russell attended high school at the Lillie B. Williamson High School in Mobile, for four years and started every football game for all four years. From the quarterback position, his first year, he completed 180 of 324 passes for 2,683 yards which included 20 touchdowns.
In his senior year, he completed 219 of 372 passes for 3,332 yards with 22 touchdowns, with an additional 400 yards rushing with 5 touchdowns. He had accrued a record setting 10,774 passing yards in his four high school years which broke the record for Alabama High School Athletic Association, which has not been surpassed since. (Left: JaMarcus Russell after arrest. Photo released by Mobile County, AL Sheriff's office) In February 2003 on National Signing Day, Russell committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) over Florida State University, becoming the LSU Tigers' 28th and final recruit of the 2003 season. He redshirted his freshman year and by the fall of the 2005 season, Russell was the starting quarterback. He led the Tigers to a 101 regular season record, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division title, and a top five ranking going into the SEC Championship Game. He also improved statistically, completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. Russell received an honorable mention on the AP's All-SEC Team. (Wikipedia)
In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Russell as their number one overall choice. However, they failed to reach a contract agreement and even through the training period on into the first week of the NFL season. He finally signed a six year contract for up to $68 million with a guaranteed $31 million.
At the end of the 2007 season, Russell had played good ball. His showing was not as brilliant as was his high school record but, at the end of the season, Head Coach Lane Kiffin, named him starting quarterback for the 2008 season.
After a discouraging 2008 season, Russell had had only two or three markedly good games. The team won their last two games after Russell threw for a combined total of 6 touchdowns with 2 interceptions.
In August, 2009, Russell was again named starter quarterback under then coach Tom Cable. However, after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on November 15, Coach Cable benched Russell indefinitely for mediocre play. He was used a couple of time as relief quarterback.
He finished the 2009 season with the lowest quarterback rating, lowest completion percentage, fewest passing touchdowns, and fewest passing yards among qualifying quarterbacks in the NFL (ibid)
On May 6, 2010, the Raiders released Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent.
On Monday, July 5, 2010, Mobile County Sheriff's deputies raided the home of JaMarcus Russell and found a container of codeine syrup, with no prescription evidence. He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was released shortly after making bail of $2,500. A bond hearing is set for July 7.
Various football officials have expressed their doubts that Russell has much of a chance to return to the NFL, after this arrest. It has been suggested that he might play for the Canadian Football League where the Hamilton Tiger-Cats own the Russell rights. However, Russell himself has been quoted that he is not interested in playing in the CFL or the Arena Football League.
He is reported to have gained excessive weight, has become ineffective as a player and now has this arrest on his record. He seems to have a difficult road if he expects to return to the NFL.
This Article has been viewed 177 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.