After a few recent posts on Al Davis' team, some commenters from Raider Nation have noted the posts were missing a sarcastic remark regarding JaMarcus Russell's weight.
That's going to be tough to avoid this time.
Russell admitted to being a little chunky upon his arrival at training camp today, according to Jerry McDonald's Twitter page.
"I'm probably a little heavy. But I'm not 300 pounds like you all said last year."
Russell's listed weight is 270 pounds and the San Francisco Chronicle guesses that he's not too far over that number.
But any slippage before this crucial year gives more ammunition to those who believe Russell simply doesn't get it.
On the plus side of the maturity ledger, Russell said that his receivers camp in Alabama went well last month.
Russell paid four receivers to come on his dime. Unfortunately, none of the wideouts are currently in the top four spots on Oakland's depth chart.
Ultimately, Russell's production on Sundays will be all that matters. If he improves, his weight issues almost become amusing. If he stagnates, they are a sign of a poor work ethic.
And if Russell starts to decline, Jeff Garcia is eagerly waiting in the wings.
JaMarcus: "I'm probably a little heavy"
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on July 30, 2009 6:04 PM ET
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54 Comments
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Biggest bust ever?
I hope Garcia gets his chance. Unforunately the twilight age of the Quarterback is ending. The new rookie class makes too much money too early and have nothing to prove. Garcia plays like his back is on fire every game. He'd definately give the Black and White a better chance over JMR.
The Raiders should sign Jared Lorenzen; he could stand next to JaMarcus and make him look thinner. Or, the Raiders could start playing in pinstripes...worked for Babe Ruth...
JaMarcus: "I'm probably a little heavy"
Play him off, keyboard cat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8EOY6F1cxc
"those who believe" Russell simply doesn't get it?
I think I can, a la Joe Namath, guarantee it.
I'm more concerned with the assholes that obsess about his weight. Oh MY GOD HE WEIGHS 270 WHEN HE SHOULD WEIGH 265!!!!! OH NO!!!
Seriously, if he busts it won't be because of his weight.
Also, Jeff Garcia is a dried up piece of garbage. Way to win one of those last four games last year Jeff! You couldn't even beat the Raiders!
I want anyone BUT Garcia starting in Oakland.
hes gonna get rocked by merriman week 1.
"Russell paid four receivers to come on his dime. Unfortunately, none of the wideouts are currently in the top four spots on Oakland's depth chart."
Are they even on the Raiders' roster?
Fat Guy in a little Coat!
he's a very fat 270.
This guy is a FAT JOKE...............
Does Jamarcus Russell really not know that coming to training camp overweight is about the last thing the already worst starting quarterback in the NFL should do? Does he not know he is only a few losses away from officially becoming one of the biggest busts in the history of the NFL draft? what a joke.
Ben Rothlisberger is fat, but he wins, so no one cares. Big Ben can have a rape case against him and no one cares, ie ESPN. Jamarcus has a drink with a diamond necklace and its the end of the world. Just Win Baby, and everything will be all good.
"I'm probably a little heavy. But I'm not 300 pounds like you all said last year."
Garcia will be the stater by week 3.... Bank on it.
If we're all lucky Big Al's gonna dust off the 'ol overhead projector this year.
David White says he looks about 275. What's the fuss about?
FumbleNuts, you can bank on Garcia not starting unless Russell gets hurt.
He had 13 TDs and 8 INTs last year.
His last six games showed a marked improvement, and that's all he needs to do to keep his job and to become the best player that he can be.
"Chill, we got this."
FumbleNuts says:
July 30, 2009 7:05 PM
"I'm probably a little heavy. But I'm not 300 pounds like you all said last year."
Garcia will be the stater by week 3.... Bank on it.
-------------------------------------------------
FumbleNuts didn't watch any of the Raiders final 6 games last year & has no informed basis for his "prediction" .... Bank on it.
When ever I call my little brother fat he say's "it's all muscle". ?
probably?
and nuts, i think u mean week 3... OIF PRESEASON.
week three of the preaseason. this guy is ridiculous. he's got no COMMITMENT to this franchise, meanwhile they shelled out $60+ million? really? cut his ass and move on...
just don't sign vick. PLEASE don't sign vick.
Just curious but has there been a team that had a QB that was bigger than one of his linemen. There have been plenty of linemen smaller that 270 pounds in history, although none recently
I'd worry if he wasn't 6'6".
BirdWeisErrr says:
July 30, 2009 6:29 PM
Biggest bust ever?
As far as being a fat quarterback yes. But #16 of my San Diego Chargers will have that overall title for a long time.
Maybe he could play both ways....Quarterback and Nosetackle
he belongs in ripleys cause i dont believe he's a qb.
Maybe he doesnt even care. He is stuck in Oakland and well, he already got paid that cash money
@birdweiserr
No surprise there!
When has LSU put out a good NFL QB?
My guess is 1948's YA Tittle was the last decent QB from that college!
Now that Jessica and Romo have called it quits Jamarcus has the nicest boobs in the NFL.
(J)OKEtown (F)RAIDers:
"Commitment to Irrelevance!"
"Just WIN(CE) baby!!!"
Jessica played in the NFL?
The guys calling him a bust are just not football smart. his first year a starter was nothing special but it wasn't a bad year either. he only threw 8 picks in 15 games. So anyone going at this kid like he sucks is dumb. You sound like a bunch of chicks talking football.
Maybe Da Raiduhs should trade for Brandon Marshall. B-Marsh could fight off any McDonald's bags that approach JaMarcus...
Russell coming into camp over weight is a very clear indication that the guy doesn't have the mental commitment to be a top QB.
Being a top QB in the NFL requires a total mental commitment, to be in shape, to learn the play book and to master the offense.
JaMarcus Russell has all the physical tools.....he needs to mentally / intellectually master HIS offense. The QB is the field general. IF...IF...IF....he can do the intellectual thing, he'll be awesome. If he doesn't, he'll be a bust.
I have my doubts.
DarthPirate says:
July 30, 2009 7:14 PM
FumbleNuts, you can bank on Garcia not starting unless Russell gets hurt.
He had 13 TDs and 8 INTs last year.
His last six games showed a marked improvement, and that's all he needs to do to keep his job and to become the best player that he can be.
Yo Darth,
This guy's attitude just isn't at the Pro Level!!
This IS NOT last year.... who cares??
He is almost always overweight, could care less about the TEAM goals ect.....
Garcia could beat him BLINDFOLDED in a pitch black stadium.... are you kiddin' me?
If they go 0-3 I will bet Al davis has Garcia starting the next week.
What makes you SO SURE he is the "REAL DEAL?"
@fumbleBut
Russell's contract is why Garcia wont be the starter unless there's an injury.
And if he's Al's guy then he's there for a while
I.E. James Jett.
Right or wrong... So what.
It's still THAT good to be in the NATION.
Philthylush is dead on.
Hope Al thinks the same way?.... Jeff Garcia says he can be Raiders’ starting quarterback
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/other_nfl/view/20090729jeff_garcia_says_he_can_be_raiders_starting_quarterback/
It's hard to judge his weight when you live in the Bay Area. We only get glimpses of Raider "highlights" or have to go to the game because they've been blacked-out at home more than anyone else in the past decade. (See if that sticks, didn't research) What's next? The Wildcat formation in Oaktown! I've read that the QB is built for it.
Raiders suck and they know it.
FumbleNuts says:
July 30, 2009 10:38 PM
Yo Darth,
This guy's attitude just isn't at the Pro Level!!
This IS NOT last year.... who cares??
FumbleNuts,
Your right, it's NOT last year. Who cares that he finished his FIRST full season strong.
What has he done this year. Two days into training camp and the guy hasn't done squat.
Man, I can’t believe how people make a big deal over the dumbest things. I almost hope he has a good year just because it will piss everyone off that is against him.
This is too funny, you guys thinking this fat bastard is gonna be a star are bigger losers than him. Well atleast doughboy has $60 mill.
The answer to our QB woes and a possible wr is Michael Vick. Al would sign OJ if he thought it would get him another ring. I love dogs but there are far worse criminals in pro sports than M. Vick.
Let's see JaMarcus hands off to McFadden who pitches to Vick who throws the bomb to Heyward-Bey. Sounds good to me.
This isn't a body builder pose down. The fact that he brought it up means he is not far off, and a few two a days will bring him where he wants to be. He is 6'6", and big boned.
Most of you people do not know what the farge you are talking about. He is within the range of play and accomplishment that we would like to see at this stage in his career. That said, to be sure, THIS year will tell us which direction he goes from here, and if i had to bet, I'd say he holds down the postion just fine and progresses.
You can pray and hope and hate all you want haters, but that is the reality.
I think back to the days long ago when we Charger fans had a saviour in Ryan Leaf. JMR is not that bad and can toss the ball through a car wash without getting it wet. He has the skills, he may just need a little polishing and time. Biggest bust at QB ever? I don't think so.
JMR has been running the bars and throwing $50 bills in the air (by the handful), and hanging with thugs that he lets stay at his home and fire guns all hours of the day and night (inside city limits). He shows absolutely no maturity, and from someone who is also from Mobile, I think this might be his last year in the spotlight; if he doesn't grow up quick, he's Vince Young 2.1
DarthPirate says:
July 30, 2009 7:14 PM
FumbleNuts, you can bank on Garcia not starting unless Russell gets hurt.
He had 13 TDs and 8 INTs last year.
His last six games showed a marked improvement, and that's all he needs to do to keep his job and to become the best player that he can be.
---------------------------------
13 to 8 is not a terrible TD to INT ratio. But that's in 15 starts! Less than one TD per game? Terrible.
And in my opinion, he flat out fails on the single biggest predictor of QB worth: completion percentage. 53.8% Bad. He ranked 31st in completion percentage last year. And he ranked 27th in attempts, so in theory his completion percentage should be higher with those fewer attempts.
Jamarcus Russell is unfocused, fat, and on the road to being a bust. Nothing this guy has said (mumbled) or done indicates Jamarcus is a leader of men. The best part of having him in the league is watching Raider fans angrily chase their tail trying to defend this embarrassment. Best case, Mr. Russell becomes Kerry Collins with a gut.
So much hate. . . . . So much fear
hey Philthylush...watch how you talk about chicks that talk about football...I'm a chick...and I know football...
:)
But I agree with you...Russell isn't a bust...this will be his year....or it won't be...we will see. So he is a big boy...or big boned as someone said. If he is getting it done on the field I don't care if he weighs 400lbs. Plus I like a man with a little meat on his bones. Its also easier to break tackle or straight arm some guy coming after the sack.
Having Garcia in the wings doesn't give me warm fuzzy feelings...but I'm gonna keep the faith.
I'm a Raider fan...and after the last 6 years...Faith is all I have and I do have Faith in the Cable guy. I like his work ethic (or at least what I read about it, the good stuff I mean, not what Florio reports or ESPN).
I'm excited about the coming season...really excited.
Go Raiders!
Raider Chic
PHUCKSF707 says:
August 2, 2009 12:25 AM
So much hate. . . . . So much fear
--------------------------
You'd have to at least see something to fear it. Russell and the Raiders can't buy a spot on national TV, so most of us can't even watch Russell act like a QB.
RaiderChic,
I feel your pain babe, stuck in that black hole surrounded by a gang of cross-dressin' dudes that look like rejects from the Village People reunion.
Oak @ Pit 12/06/09
RSVP
Jamarcus is not the total downfall of the raiders,
In order for a qarterback to look good you have to have a decent offense,especially the front line.
the raiders didn't have one before JM,and still dont have one. Any of the so called great QB's
had the raiders off.,line wouldn't be so great.
JR's weight is the last thing I'm worried about. Sorry to say but he hasn't impressed me with his play. Maybe the coaches see more than I do... maybe that's why they have 4 QBs on their rooster, all with at least 3 years under their belt. But one old timer perhaps with a few good moments left and the other... just more prospects.
Lobzila: I must say I feel for you about Leaf. However, I was one that said Leaf at all that before hand... simply played on a great college team allowed him to the close his eyes and throw the ball... then take credit for it a great pass... NOT! Knew he was going to be an NFL bust. JR is at least a little better than Leaf was and just might make it if he improves.