Wednesday’s surprise name to be making the rounds in the news: Darrius Heyward-Bey.

The Bengals have a history, a still-growing history, of giving players second chances. So maybe it shouldn’t have been all that surprising Tuesday when speculation begin filtering into the NFL newsroom that the recently released JaMarcus Russell could be Cincinnati-bound.

On Friday, pundits on NFL Network and NFL.com speculated about where QB JaMarcus Russell would end up after his release from the Raiders on Thursday.

Since the Oakland Raiders released QB JaMarcus Russell on Thursday, there has been plenty of speculation as to where the former No. 1 overall pick might end up. NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan made a case for Washington during his Friday chat.

Teams that need a backup quarterback have to inquire about JaMarcus Russell. I really would be shocked if no one takes that chance.

NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi, our resident Raiders expert and a former front office executive of the team, offered some insight Thursday following the release of QB JaMarcus Russell.

Raiders coach Tom Cable is not going to select a starting quarterback in May. Cable calls it an open competition. Others call it a formality because newly acquired QB Jason Campbell was the hands-down favorite at the Raiders three-day minicamp over the weekend.

With JaMarcus Russell’s release from the Raiders seemingly imminent, it might be time to count him among the all-time busts in NFL history.

NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reports that while the sentiment in Oakland is to release QB JaMarcus Russell, the only man in the organization is in position to make that call is owner Al Davis.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora considers JaMarcus Russell‘s release by the Raiders a matter of when, not if. And the when could come before this weekend’s minicamp in Alameda, Calif.

Nnamdi Asomugha was good enough to give us some of his time for a chat. I’ll let you read the full transcript, but first I wanted to give you Asomugha’s thoughts on the Raiders’ acquisition of QB Jason Campbell, who told NFL Network over the weekend that he expects to be the starter in Oakland.

NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi, appearing on Monday’s Total Access, told Fran Charles that the Chargers could be interested in dealing LB Shawne Merriman.

The Raiders’ acquisition of QB Jason Campbell in a trade with the Redskins for a 2012 fourth-round draft pick is a sign that Oakland is done experimenting with JaMarcus Russell.

The addition of Jason Campbell in Oakland improves the fantasy value of several Raiders players.

The Raiders announced Thursday that they have signed QB Kyle Boller.