We know a few things eight days after JaMarcus Russell was released.
No team is in a hurry to sign him, and Russell doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to get signed.
The Bengals have been mentioned most in connection with Russell because they were one of many teams to place an exploratory phone call to him. And, well, they are the Bengals. Compared to the Pacman Jones signing, Russell looks like a logical fit.
Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, however, calls a marriage with Russell a “long shot.” The Bengals may want help at backup quarterback, but reportedly don’t have room for a project like Russell.
Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth used to room with Russell at away games in college, and had some interesting thoughts on his former teammate.
“He’s got to be around people he trusts and going to Oakland was the worst possible thing that could have happened to him,” Whitworth said. “He always needs his people around him. He lost his uncle, the closest person he had for a lifetime next to his college teammates.”