The Return of a Legend

1990. #1 NFL Draft Pick. Purdue and Illinois. Indianapolis, Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, Washington, Seattle, Chicago, and now he is back in Oakland.

In a 2000 column in Pro Football Weekly, this was the scouting report during his free agent period:

"Throws the ball as well as anyone in football. Great release. Phenomenal arm. But toughness has always been a concern. He doesn't fight to stay alive in the pocket. He doesn't dive after fumbles. Teammates don't really respect him."

Reputation.

In his college days, he bounced around because of coaching changes and a subsequent changes in philosophy.

While in Indianapolis, he argued with coaches, made ugly gestures to the crowd, held out and tried to get traded. In Atlanta, a sideline tantrum, followed by a one game suspension, followed by a season ending benching. In Oakland, he was oft injured and struggled with a new offense. But, in 1997, posted career numbers in TD's (29), Int's (9), yards (3,917), and a 91.2 passer rating. In Minnesota, he stepped in for a benched Randall Cunningham and led the Vikings to the playoffs, but the Vikings didn't resign him. In Washington, he clashed with coaches over the offense, and was released after a MNF thumping at the hands of the Packers. In Seattle and Chicago, he was signed for emergency purposes only. And now, he is back with Oakland as an insurance policy.

The other side to this man is that he is dedicated to his family. His mother is a cancer survivor and he heads a foundation that helps organizations that educate, prevent, diagnose, and serve people who are afflicted with cancer. His foundation has also helped many people and worthy causes in the cities that football has brought him to over the years.

Jeff George, the dichotomy.
The football player, the family man.
The strong willed competitor.

Art Shell, the head coach for the Raiders, finds George "intriguing" and according to reports, Randy Moss (no angel himself) has said that George is his favorite QB from their Minnesota days.

This signing only confirms one thing: Al Davis is still breathing!