Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
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| | Greg Trott/Getty Images |
| | After spending most of 2007 on the sidelines, JaMarcus Russell will get his chance to lead the Raiders. |
It is officially time for fans and pundits to get off JaMarcus Russell's back about his weight. The guy has done his part.
It was rumored that his weight ballooned up to 300 pounds early in the offseason. It was a heavy issue for much of the spring. However, Russell showed up to the Raiders' offseason program weighing 269 pounds. He looked decent.
There was concern that Russell could gain weight in the time before minicamp and training camp but Russell weighed in at the same 269 when reporting to camp this week.
Look, the Oakland quarterback is never going to be slender. That is just the way it is. He is a big man and at 6-foot-6, he can handle the 269 pounds.
It is time for skeptics to give him a break and for fans not to worry about Russell's weight. He is in acceptable NFL playing shape.
However, that does not mean Russell will develop into a capable NFL quarterback. He still has a ways to go like all inexperienced quarterbacks. At least, we know his weight will not be an issue as Russell becomes Oakland's permanent starter.
