JaMarcus Russell Would ‘Play For Free’

JaMarcus Russell was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He hasn't played since 2009 and was released in 2010 by the Oakland Raiders.

Questions about his weight, work ethic and effectiveness all surfaced and no one has really taken a chance on him since.

He was 7-18 as a starter and completed just 52.1 percent of his passes in the NFL.

But despite being out of the league for so long, Russell wants a shot and says he would "play for free" or run the scout team.

"I am willing to lead the scout team for free for one year just to get experience in your system," Russell wrote in a letter to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, according to Sports Illustrated (taken from ESPN.com).

Would I give Russell another shot? Honestly? Yes. He lost 50 pounds for a workout in 2013. He was a physical specimen and if he's in shape again, he's worth a flyer. Put him on the practice squad, let him take scout team reps and pay him the league minimum.

Seems like a worthwhile risk to me...