Quarterback JaMarcus Russell worked out for the Washington Redskins on Tuesday as he looks to resurrect his NFL career.
RussellAt the same time, the Redskins continued to try to explain why their incumbent starter, Donovan McNabb, was pulled in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against Detroit. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the head coach’s son, said that McNabb had been hampered by bad hamstrings and was told in advance that he could be pulled from the game.
Head coach Mike Shanahan has given a variety of explanations for why McNabb was pulled from the game, citing backup quarterback Rex Grossman’s knowledge of the team’s two-minute offense and McNabb’s physical condition.
“The cardiovascular endurance that it takes to run a two-minute, going all the way down with no timeouts, calling plays, it’s just not easy.” Shanahan said on Monday.. “If I thought it was the best situation to do, then Donovan would have run the two-minute offense.”
Tuesday, McNabb took the high road, saying: “Coach makes the decisions. I can only say how I feel and what I feel think is best for me.”
Later, McNabb said: “I’m just ready to move on, focus on what I have to do after the bye week.”
Meanwhile, Russell, the former No. 1 draft choice of the Oakland Raiders, was on the field looking for a job. He was one of 20 players the Redskins worked out on Tuesday. Several Redskins players Tweeted that Russell was at practice.
Kyle Shanahan said: “We’ll evaluate him and everyone else out there.”
Russell was released by the Oakland Raiders in May, and an Alabama grand jury declined not to indict Russell last week on a felony drug possession charge related to a drink containing codeine syrup found at his home.
Russell had been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, a drink containing codeine syrup, when Mobile (Ala.) County sheriff’s officers raided his home July 5. The defense contended the drink belonged to another person in Russell’s home, where several people had gathered after the July 4th holiday.
Russell was 7-18 in three seasons as the starting quarterback with the Raiders.
“I don’t think you consider anyone just based off of talent,” Kyle Shanahan said after the workout. “Everyone in the NFL’s pretty talented. [It's] other stuff that really separates you. He is very talented, so I think he can overcome some of the stuff that he struggled with. I don’t really know that personally, but if he looks like he’s in good shape out here and he’s working, and that’s all you can evaluate. Sometimes when guys do get a second opportunity, they can change their stripes.”
via JaMarcus Russell works out for Washington Redskins as Donovan McNabb takes high road – ESPN.
