JaMarcus Russell: All the Latest and the NFL Comeback Episodes

With reports that JaMarcus Russell is set to work out for the Chicago Bears, via Michael Wright of ESPN Chicago, we thought it would be a good idea to go back and highlight our video series.

Russell famously went from MVP of the Sugar Bowl and first overall pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2007 to out of the NFL in 2010. This, of course, after he signed a six-year contract with the Raiders worth up to $68 million, with $31.5 million guaranteed.

While many observers scoff at the notion of a comeback for JaMarcus, the former LSU star is determined to make NFL general managers and talent evaluators give him one last look. 

That process starts with his workout for the Bears. 

You can follow Russell's entire comeback here on Bleacher Report in the following slides.

Comeback 2013

"I'm here to grind."

Those are the words of JaMarcus Russell as he begins his journey trying to get back in the NFL. 

In our first full episode following Russell's attempted comeback, we meet some of the the people who will be helping try to make this dream a reality.

From Brian Martin, the founder and CEO of the TEST Football Academy, to the Academy's nutritionist, Alex Fioroni, we also talk to Jeff Garcia, all of whom will be working with Russell.

 

Road Back to the NFL

With his comeback attempt off and running, former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell is in the thick of his preparation for his own Pro Day in April. 

With Jeff Garcia and the crew from TEST Football Academy monitoring his every movement, we see Russell go through what is basically his own personal combine. The results will be used to set his goals through the course of the next month or so. 

This is our second full episode following Russell's bid to get back into the NFL. 

JaMarcus Airs It Out

JaMarcus Russell has surrounded himself with an excellent group of people to serve as his support system during his attempt at an NFL comeback. 

One of the guys charged with breaking Russell down and building him back up is former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia, who is serving as the former LSU star's de facto quarterbacks coach. 

In the video above, Garcia walks us through some of the things he is looking to improve in regard to Russell's mechanics. He also highlights some of the natural ability that will undoubtedly cause NFL teams to take a second look.

 

JaMarcus Hits the Gym

JaMarcus Russell knows a good majority of the people following his comeback are focused on one thing: his weight. 

He also knows there are plenty of people writing him off before NFL teams even have a chance to give him a look to see if he's serious about trying to get back into the league.

Here, we follow Russell into the gym and watch as he pushes himself with the goal of getting back into the NFL hanging over every movement, every bead of sweat. Does he have what it takes to be great?

 

Beating the Scale

It's one thing to hit the gym. It's quite another to beat the scale. 

In this week's installment of our look at JaMarcus Russell's attempted NFL comeback, we take a closer look at some of the specific workouts Jeff Hurd, the strength coach at TEST Football Academy, is putting Russell through as the former LSU star gets close to his final destination. 

Where is that destination? NFL teams have reportedly told Russell they want to work him out individually. 

With all of the questions surrounding the 2013 quarterback class, will a team give Russell a chance at competing for a spot in camp? 

Ready to Be a Teammate and Leader

JaMarcus Russell has come a long way in a short time. 

The former No. 1 overall pick has dropped nearly 40 pounds, regained some rhythm on the football field and, most of all, showed a renewed sense of purpose.

In our final episode chronicling his attempted comeback, we watch as the TEST Football Academy staff takes Russell through a simulated pro day, with former pro quarterback Jeff Garcia working as a personal quarterbacks coach. 

With the 2013 quarterback draft class perhaps one of the weakest in over a decade, is there a chance a team gives the 27-year-old Russell a prolonged look? 

What do you think? Is he really ready to be a teammate and leader?