Ravens interested in JaMarcus Russell?

[RavenFan28105]

I read on nfl.com the the Bears and Ravens were interested in JaMarcus Russell. I found it pretty interesting considering Tyrod Taylor is our backup and Joe Flacco is a clear cut starter.

 

Here's the link but it mostly talks about the Bears interested in him not. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000209222/article/jamarcus-russell-set-for-chicago-bears-workout-friday

 

[bMore Heathen]

I just saw something about this on twitter. The Ravens say its not true, but what do you expect them to say? Maybe were looking to add a blocking TE?!? I doubt it amounts to anything...

[hawkprey]

He wants to be a backup. I'd be all for signing him. Either he doesn't make the roster or he does, and can become trade bait down the road.

[SecretAgentMan]

For his sake... I don't want him on the same team as all these Bama players.

 

Especially Terrance Cody. 

[ThePurpleWall]

No Thanks we are good

[mgridda]

I think one of our strengths as an organisation is that we have a very open mind, and from Steve to Ozzie on down we promote our personnel and coaching staff to promote an open minded thinking atmosphere. At the same time, people are both encouraged to speak their mind and argue what they're thinking, and they're also open to get criticized about it in any which way. It's sort of like open discourse, which is great because communication is the great facilitator of improvement and ideas.

 

And I think this is just us keeping an open mind about bringing Ja in to be a camp body. If he has the work ethic and the drive to fit in this very competitive team: then by all means. I strongly believe that people can and do change. 

[Speed Kills]

You guys gotta be kidding me. Seriously??? You want to give this low down bum a chance after being out of football for 2+ years??? This guy is arguably the biggest draft bust in history and has a plethora of problems that go with him from not being able to maintain weight, past legal troubles, motivation issues... That isn't even touching the fact that the guy can't read a playbook to save his life and basically is only good for bombing balls down the field that aren't accurate from his knees. PLUS we already took a gamble with another talented but troubled player in Rolando McClain and that didn't work out at all for us. McClain was added in a position of need for us at the time at LB, but we DO NOT need this fool on our squad. Is Tyrod the best backup in the league? Absolutely not, but I would take him as Joe's backup any day over this clown.

[Gtown Purple]

Make sure he leaves his grape drank at home........


In all seriousness...........why? I don't think this is real.

[K-Dog]

Low down bum?
Wow. That's some pretty intense words.
Have you met the guy?
What qualifies you to make such an assessment of his character?

[1/28/01]

Low down bum?
Wow. That's some pretty intense words.
Have you met the guy?
What qualifies you to make such an assessment of his character?

I get what you're saying, but I think its pretty well documented as to his character.

[K-Dog]

I get what you're saying, but I think its pretty well documented as to his character.

As long as you get what I am saying...

[Ravensfan23]

I don't think this would be a bad move by the Ravens. It would definitely be a great move for Russell. I don't think he'd be brought in to be the top backup or anything. At least not right away. He'd be given a opportunity to be a 3rd String QB this year. Much like McClain it's be a small invest that really doesn't impact the salary cap. He'd be given an opportunity to learn behind a really good QB coach in Caldwell and a great QB in Flacco. He be able to reshape his image with a no nonsense, first class organization like the Baltimore Ravens.

 

From the Ravens standpoint, this guy still has big talent. His issue was his work ethic and not being able to handle the responsibilty of being a #1 draft pick. However if this guy is dedicated to perfecting his craft, he could actually be a benefit to the Ravens. He could a servicable backup in camp and preseason. With all these QB hungry teams in the NFL the Ravens could be greatly compensated on the back end of a trade for Russell. He's like Tebow, nobody is gonna wanna take the time to develop this guy and see if he's a player, but QB hungry teams would definitely trade for the finished product.

 

I think it's a win win for both sides honestly because the Ravens won't be making much of a comittment. You either see something in workouts and camp that you like to work with. OR you cut ties with the guy. Flacco and Tyrod are the top 2 guys, but he outplays Hanie in the preseason, the Ravens could stash him on IR with and continue to develop him throughout the year. Then next year really allow him to put his talents on display in preseason when Taylor may or may not be on the team.

[TDubbs]

I think it would be an excellent move for us, I don't see a downside. He fits our offensive scheme perfectly, seeing as he's the tall big armed pocket passer. So from that standpoint, it's definitely beneficial for the team. Plus, if he stuck around all year, teams would think a little more highly of him for being able to stay on our team. Thus, becoming trade bait. You never know, you could turn him into a 3rd or 4th round pick in the upcoming draft. 

[Yatagarasu]

He's a veteran minimum, so he won't eat anything from us. I wonder if he still has what it takes to play in the league still.

[CARavensFan]

He's a veteran minimum, so he won't eat anything from us. I wonder if he still has what it takes to play in the league still.

The only thing he's be eating is the buffet line lol

But in all seriousness, if he is indeed going to make a real attempt to make it in the NFL why not give him a shot? He had enough talent to be the Number 1 Overall pick a few years back.

Unfortunately it seems that the Ravens are not interested, he would have the size and arm strength (though accuracy would be questionable) to keep the offense somewhat the same if Flacvo were to get hurt.

[NaveSenrag]

This guy will be the trade bait of trade baits in a year or two, if he lands on a team with a strong coaching staff. I'd rather see the Ravens be the ones to end up in draft heaven than some other team. This is an opportunity that can't be missed.

[The Raven]

Low down bum?
Wow. That's some pretty intense words.
Have you met the guy?
What qualifies you to make such an assessment of his character?

 

Who cares? You don't need qualifications to recognize a bum when you see one. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... It's probably a duck!

 

That said, who cares if we bring him in as a camp arm?

 

That also being said, the organization has shot down this rumor. This thread is dead.

[ThePurpleWall]

we only need 2 qb's anyhow and plus im glad those who want him on the team are not running the team.

[rmw10]

Well, he's getting a tryout...

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/71271/report-russell-says-hell-try-out-for-ravens

[rmw10]

Or not...

 

 

RavensInsider No tryout with Ravens scheduled for former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell at this time, per a source. That could always change, though

[display name]

We have two capable backups already on the roster. And let's remember, just because he is below 300 lbs (big whup) doesn't mean he knows how to pass. Look at his 2009 stats. 11 interceptions. I only count two scores because the tight end Zach Miller broke about 50 tackles for the third one. Maybe he is slightly improved, but we just don't have the room or the need on the roster.

[rmw10]

We have two capable backups already on the roster. And let's remember, just because he is below 300 lbs (big whup) doesn't mean he knows how to pass. Look at his 2009 stats. 11 interceptions. I only count two scores because the tight end Zach Miller broke about 50 tackles for the third one. Maybe he is slightly improved, but we just don't have the room or the need on the roster.

 

See, I don't think the Ravens care about the stats if this interest is true.  There have been reports that in 2007, Russell was their top rated player on the board, even though we had no chance at him.  Obviously, they saw a lot of potential then, and I think they still see a lot of untapped potential if this story isn't bogus.  I'm not for or against the signing, but I understand why it may be under consideration.  I'd take Russell over Hanie, for what it's worth.

[beanfigger]

I think we need to hear from stan, our resident FA back-up QB expert.  Personally, I wouldn't mind having him because it wouldn't make too much of a difference in our team, except that the second team guys might get a better idea of how hard and far the football will fly when they see the field and play with Joe.

[ravensdan]

1. It never hurts tontry someone out notated how much of a joke they have been to this point. 2. We don't have any capable backups. That is the biggest weakness of this team by a mile. 3. As previously stated if we sign him and turn him around we can bring in a huge bounty in a trade or actually have a capable backup. Or he's gone nowhere and is cut after camp. What's the loss?

[display name]

1. It never hurts tontry someone out notated how much of a joke they have been to this point. 2. We don't have any capable backups. That is the biggest weakness of this team by a mile. 3. As previously stated if we sign him and turn him around we can bring in a huge bounty in a trade or actually have a capable backup. Or he's gone nowhere and is cut after camp. What's the loss?

The Ravens have always been noted for depth. And Tyrod is capable. Don't take his performance against Cinci for who he is. Let's remember that the Bengals were playing their starters but that Tyrod didn't have most of his. It was our backups vs. the Bengals starters.

Bringing him in wouldn't hurt, but it's also not nescessary.

[SeaHawk]

People having a fit about this just because of his past need to get a grip on reality. All I know is that I sure am glad that I don't have my past dragged up every single second of every single day. Fact is, people do change. Has this guy changed?? No idea. Could he have changed?? Definitely. All I know is, he has a much better chance of changing than Rolando does, and we brought Rolando in for a trial.

[Ice Kriem]

People having a fit about this just because of his past need to get a grip on reality. All I know is that I sure am glad that I don't have my past dragged up every single second of every single day. Fact is, people do change. Has this guy changed?? No idea. Could he have changed?? Definitely. All I know is, he has a much better chance of changing than Rolando does, and we brought Rolando in for a trial.

Was following your logic until you brought up Rolando. All things being equal, if people can change, both Rolando and Jamarcus can change.

I wouldn't mind having either on the team for depth.

[SeaHawk]

Was following your logic until you brought up Rolando. All things being equal, if people can change, both Rolando and Jamarcus can change.

I wouldn't mind having either on the team for depth.

 

You're right. If I had said that Rolando cannot change, then I would've been wrong. I'm sorry if it sounded like that. However, I meant it to come across as Jamarcus having a much better "chance" of changing, not that Rolando has absolutely zero chance of changing. By accounts that I have heard, Jamarcus is already a changed man, Rolando is just now going down that road, supposedly.

[Rav'n Maniac]

We all know how the Ravens are big on teaching multiple positions. Maybe they considered using him as a passing fullback... If the Pats can do the same thing with Tebow??? j/k

[TZMou]

You're right. If I had said that Rolando cannot change, then I would've been wrong. I'm sorry if it sounded like that. However, I meant it to come across as Jamarcus having a much better "chance" of changing, not that Rolando has absolutely zero chance of changing. By accounts that I have heard, Jamarcus is already a changed man, Rolando is just now going down that road, supposedly.

 

I think you've summed it up well.

 

Russell - been out of the game, went back to college, seen what his life is like without football had a chance to mature

 

McClain - had trouble at Oakland, went straight from Oakland to Baltimore, no time away.