When it comes to JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Garcia seems to have all the answers. The veteran quarterback has worked endlessly with the former top draft pick in order to help Russell complete a comeback into the NFL. Garcia tutored the former NFL player out in California and truly believes he has the skill set to be successful again professionally. As Russell prepares to work out for the Chicago Bears on Friday, Garcia says the only thing he needed to improve was his mindset.
"Physically, he didn't lose much as to where he was four years ago. It was more the mindset that needed repairing. Mentally, was the state where we needed to get him back to thinking football, speaking football, knowing football, being a student of the game. I don't know if that's ever been part of his background, to be a student of the game. That's where he needs to get to. He needs to sleep, eat, drink football. It can't be anything else if he wants this bad enough," Garcia said.
In training with Garcia, Russell has sropped 50 pounds and is back at a manageable 265, the same weight he played in college with. Garcia continues to praise the quarterback and his commitment to returning to the league. Russell blew his first opportunity in the NFL and now is hoping to not screw up the second, if he gets it.
Interest has been low on Russell. After entering the league as the highest rated quarterback of his class, three mediocre years led to his release. He then had a series of off-the-field issues that placed him as one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory.
He will get his chance at redemption on Friday after being invited to tryout for the Chicago Bears along with three other quarterbacks. The Bears appear to be set at the position with three quarterbacks on the roster already, one being starter Jay Cutler. This could be just the team doing their due diligence or they could seriously be considering entering into training camp with four quarterbacks in case one goes down with injuries. Even if Russell does make the team, he still has a long way to go if he wants to remain on that roster when the season begins.