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JaMarcus Russell begins his comeback journey into NFL

Most scoffed last month when reports had former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell planning to attempt an NFL comeback. 

Russell, who last month weighed a not-so-svelte 308 pounds, began his training last Friday with former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia at TEST Football Academy in San Diego.

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The quarterback's progress is being documented by the Bleacher Report's Aaron Nagler, who posted the first video in Russell's workout journey on Sunday -- Nagler called it a "trailer."

In the video, Garcia -- who participated in the Raiders' training camp with Russell in 2009 -- calls it an "introductory day" meant to test Russell's mechanics and determine what kind of shape he's in.

It is clear that Russell still has a long way to go in the conditioning department. He was wiped out during passing drills by the end of the video. At first viewing, it's easy to say Garcia looks more impressive as a coach than Russell does in his workout.

However, in all fairness, we aren't privy to the length and depth of the entire workout. The former LSU star has a long, long way to go. What we will look for -- what Russell hopes to prove to at least one team -- is vast improvement with each workout, signifying a new dedication to his craft that the notoriously lazy quarterback lacked in his stint with the Raiders. Such famous lack of effort led him to being labeled one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.

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