The NFL is a quarterback driven league. That's something I like to drive home as often as possible, and it's that perspective that clarifies why teams make some of the questionable decisions they make. It's also that perspective that makes former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell a legitimate option for a team at some point this offseason.
Before Russell can actually become a legitimate option at quarterback for any NFL team, he has to get back into football shape, something he's currently working on with Jeff Garcia. If he can get back into football shape, presumably weighing in below 300 pounds, teams can begin to take a legitimate look his way.
Russell has one huge factor working in his favor this offseason, and that is his price tag. Having been one of the biggest busts in NFL history, Russell carries a the label of being lazy, and that will drive his price tag from low to dirt cheap. With such a low level of risk, it's hard to imagine 32 teams passing on the former first overall pick.
Time will tell if Russell's comeback to the NFL proves fruitful or if it flops on its face, but it's an intriguing story line either way. Russell has a lot to prove but words alone won't get that done. The only thing that will change anyone's mind about Russell's work ethic will be results on the field, but at least he's making some sort of effort, something we never saw from him in Oakland.
