How In Shape is JaMarcus Russell?

I’m trying to put forth “some” respectable journalism here, so I had to post the following story as a follow up to this hilarious bit of news. The San Francisco Chronicle along with others have spoken to the Raiders front office about J Russell tipping the scales at 300.

“Ridiculous,” said a front-office employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the issue. “JaMarcus is nowhere near that. He’s been here. He’s been working out. He’s in great shape.

“That’s something everyone’s going to see at our first minicamp.”

The team lists his weight at 255 and, though team figures aren’t always accurate, one official insisted he’s not far off his playing weight.

“It’s always got to be something, doesn’t it?” he said.

The thing I find humorous is that no one has actually seen Russell to report on his condition. Just the Raiders brass (off the record) saying no, no, he’s nothing near 300 and a blip from Justin Fargas. (What, closer to 295?) Is he still the 270 at last years end or what? Regardless, it’s going to be a problem for them. The Mercury News thinks this is something whichever head coach they have at the time, should stay on top of. Kawakami also tells Al Davis to hurry up and fire Kiffen already because we all know he is going to do it eventually. At any rate, they still seem to love themselves some thick quarterback.

Link to the Chronicle Taking the Raiders Word for It