Free Agent Notes: JaMarcus Russell, Early Doucet

JaMarcus Russell

According to Michael C. Wright of ESPN, the Bears will work out free agent QB JaMarcus Russell on Friday.

• Matt Garafolo of USA Today reports that the Ravens are also showing interest in Russell.
• Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the tryout with the Bears is an “information gathering” session.

Russell, 28, is arguably one of the biggest draft busts in recent years but also has a lot of talent when it comes to throwing the football.  Ultimately though work ethic has been an issue with the former No. 1 overall pick and dropped out of the league to which his weight ballooned to 315 pounds.  Much has been made of his comeback attempt to shed 50 pounds and get a tryout with a team by working out with retired QB Jeff Garcia at TEST Football Academy.

With all of the issues that Russell has had with his work ethic his talent is too great to ignore, as teams are finally interested now that he weighs 265 pounds.  It will continue to be an uphill battle for Russell if he hopes to earn a spot on a 53-man roster but the likelihood of that happening seems slim.

 Early Doucet

According to Kent Somers of the AZCentral.com writes that the Cardinals do not have interest with free agent WR Early Doucet.

Doucet, 27, was a member of the Cardinals for six seasons and played in just 54 of 96 with careers numbers of 139 catches for 1491 yards and 7 touchdowns.  However, the problem for the Cardinals is their lack of depth at the receiver position. Sixth-round pick WR Ryan Swope is still dealing with concussion issues and WR Michael Floyd is still unproven which leaves WR Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Roberts as the only receivers on the roster with experience.

Should Swoop’s concussion symptoms keep continuing the Cardinals may have to consider free agent options at receiver even if Doucet is not the target.