JaMarcus Russell

[CrossBones]

Been thinking about this dude since the game last night.

Here is the deal...I believe that if this guy declares Al Davis will draft him. He has the arm of a John Elway and has all the measurables that Al Davis lives in a player. I do think the guy is a little raw but his arm strength is unbelievable. He flicks his wrist and the ball flys...

Rumor has it Al was going to take Vince Young if he was there but that got derailed and they fell back on Michael Huff as the other top rated player on their draft board. Well this year it's not an issue. If Al like Young he'll probably love JaMarcus Russell .

That said we're in for a real honeymoon with this cat. He doesn't have the instincts I saw in Young but that can come with time. But the guy is a man child...

What do y'all think?

[007]

He's exactly what Davis would look for in a QB, IMO.

Russell's arm strength might be unparalleled in all of football. Period.
Decent mobility, he's not Culpepper, but he can move around...

Im talking bigger arm than Vick, Boller, Losman etc.

He showed nice accuracy, and a decent touch, but I question other parts of his game...

At this point, I just want a good QB, so if we draft Russell, I wouldnt honestly be too upset.

[hawaiianboy]

The one thing I like about him, aside from the big arm, is unlike Young and the young Pepper, when he scrambles he still is looking downfield and thinking pass first instead of run...


He'd be well served to lose 20 or so pounds of jiggle off that ass though... he looks like the kind of guy that gains weight just by thinking about food...

He's an Al guy for sure... That kind of freaky strong arm off of a short, quick release is very Elwayish...


Should we be looking at his OC as well?... Natty would probably have the in on Jimbo Fisher... Isn't he a Saban guy?...

[Madturk]

And if he doesn't work out at QB we can always move him to the OL. :D In the post game interview he looked a lot bigger than 260 to me. The guy is a freak and you guys are right, just the type of arm that had Al drooling into his spitoon last night. Wait until he puts up his combine numbers. As far as his QB IQ, they were saying the same things about VY too.

We can then still have a shot at Michael Bush in the second or maybe trade back into the first.

[Freakshow]

The one thing I like about him, aside from the big arm, is unlike Young and the young Pepper, when he scrambles he still is looking downfield and thinking pass first instead of run...


He'd be well served to lose 20 or so pounds of jiggle off that ass though... he looks like the kind of guy that gains weight just by thinking about food...

*I agree that he seems to keep his eyes downfield when he's on the move - a trait many of the "running quarterbacks" don't seem to have. He's really a pocket passer 'that can run if necessary' - perfect for a pro-style offense. I love the fact that he's got some quick feet and straight-line speed because it always seems like guys either have one or the other. There's a lot of quarterbacks with great mobility, but none of them go 6'6", 260:eek:

*Russell carries a sheesh-load of body weight but to me it looks very proportionate. It doesn't appear that he has a "weight problem" imo. It's more of a "weight advantage" to me similar to a heavyweight fighter stepping into the ring against a welterweight. As long as he can be quick and elusive at that weight, keep it going brotha.

[Banter]

When I saw a mock a month or so back that had us going Peterson in the 1st and Russell in the 2nd I about passed out. I think he's a super sized version of Brett Favre. I just wonder if he's ready to plug into the starting lineup from the start. When you hand a guy a $70 million dollar contract you really can't afford to have him sit a year or 2.

[Banter]

I'm a little scared by what some scouts are saying about his personality. Words like aloof...cocky...not very studious. He sounds a lot like Charles Woodson in the attitude department.

[Raider Nation]

Should we be looking at his OC as well?... Natty would probably have the in on Jimbo Fisher... Isn't he a Saban guy?...

Ol' Jimbo is/was a Saban guy and might be a Saban guy again at Alabama. I think Jimbo's a good coordinator in the college ranks but his overuse of screens would kill him in the pros. Everything I've read/heard indicates he has no interest in the pro game.

[CrossBones]

I'm a little scared by what some scouts are saying about his personality. Words like aloof...cocky...not very studious. He sounds a lot like Charles Woodson in the attitude department.Maybe that's what we need around Raiderland. Frankly Walter is a little too "nice" for me. What would Stabler do if asked those stupid questions besides burn a hole through your fucking head with that Snake stare? Heh.

Anyway, Russell has a gun not seen since John Elway...Al is probably pissing his Depends right about now. And it's all on us...nobody else to worry about. Hell I think Randy Moss might have wood right now too.

BTW, no way Russell doesn't declare. He has absolutely nothing to gain by staying in school another year.

[Jack's sore libido]

Jimbo is supposedly on Florida State's short list to replace Jeff Bowden, which might seem like a lateral move, except that Bobby Bowden is 75 years old.

[Jack's sore libido]

And yes, Russell's arm is freakishly good. Vick-like, to be sure. But if that's all he's really bringing to the table, I don't see much difference between him and Jeff George.

[Freakshow]

BTW, no way Russell doesn't declare. He has absolutely nothing to gain by staying in school another year.

well, he could go for a national championship and the heisman next year like Leinart did, but the money and injury potential surely will outweigh. oh yea, and the possibility of quarterbacking the silver and black.;)

[CrossBones]

well, he could go for a national championship and the heisman next year like Leinart did, but the money and injury potential surely will outweigh. oh yea, and the possibility of quarterbacking the silver and black.;)And he could have a sub-par year, not win the National championship and/or get injured. Lot of shit that can go wrong...only one thing that can go right.

There is absolutely no upside of him staying in college. Ask Leinart. Staying did what for him? He didn't win the NC, he had a below average year compared to his Hesiman year and he dropped to #10...that cost him a ton of $$$.

[BigTron]

IF Russell is the pick than Teford is the best candidate for HC. Imagine those two working together. WOW

[CrossBones]

IF Russell is the pick than Teford is the best candidate for HC. Imagine those two working together. WOWBINGO! :D.....

[RaiderIVlife]

BINGO! :D.....

If Russell is the pick, he's still a gamble, and I'd prefer to see us trade down and hedge our bets by acquiring another 1st rounder.

The player with the least amount of question marks in my mind (as of 1-4-2007) seems to be Calvin Johnson IMO.

[CrossBones]

Like I said Al apparently coveted Vince Young but deferred to Huff when Young was taken @ #3...this cat Russell seems to be Vince Young+ -- although I'll say that Young seems to have better "awareness" right now. But if you want a franchise QB with all the tools you have to take a leap at some point. Russell is the guy from what I saw. Al will agree with me! :D

[Jack's sore libido]

Like I said Al apparently coveted Vince Young but deferred to Huff when Young was taken @ #3...this cat Russell seems to be Vince Young+ -- although I'll say that Young seems to have better "awareness" right now. But if you want a franchise QB with all the tools you have to take a leap at some point. Russell is the guy from what I saw. Al will agree with me! :D

Physically he might be Vince Young+, but as a football player? No way. Young was on another level. What'd he lose, one game at Texas? And his numbers were astronomical. Russell's not in Vince Young's league.

[RaiderIVlife]

Like I said Al apparently coveted Vince Young but deferred to Huff when Young was taken @ #3...this cat Russell seems to be Vince Young+ -- although I'll say that Young seems to have better "awareness" right now. But if you want a franchise QB with all the tools you have to take a leap at some point. Russell is the guy from what I saw. Al will agree with me! :D

Tell him that during your coffee date.

I'm pimping Calvin Johnson, but if the reports are true that Al still loves Randy Moss, then CJ is certainly NOT the pick IMO. Al might be having visions of Russell side stepping the pass rush and slinging the rock 60 yards to Randy Moss.

[BigTron]

Physically he might be Vince Young+, but as a football player? No way. Young was on another level. What'd he lose, one game at Texas? And his numbers were astronomical. Russell's not in Vince Young's league.

The guy completed nearly 70% of his passes and had a great TD to INT ratio. I also heard he only lost 2 fumbles this year including last nights. How arent those good stats? He has three great wideouts to throw to. Well the great wideouts the Raiders have dont make our QB's look amazing.

Im not going to say he is Vince Young because they dont even compare that well. Vince is a scrambler looking to run who can pass well. Russell is Passer who can scramble to make time, but can run well.
It seems fishy comparing the guy to all these black QB's all the time, but there really arent many other guys who have hive skill set who arent Randall Cunningham or McNabb/Culpepper. He can take damage like Pepper and McNabb without crumbling under the pass rush like Kerry Collins would or Geoff George.
He is a perfect fit for us if you think about it. He has the Arm for AL and Randy, he has the body and agility to help or shitty passblocking breakdowns. He also is a face for the franchis and some hope. I want AP or Cj too, but im warming up to the fact this makes alot of sense. I want a franchise QB i just never really bought into B.Quinn being any different than Walter.

[CrossBones]

I bet he'd sell some tickets too. ;)

[RaiderIVlife]

I bet he'd sell some tickets too. ;)

He'd be big in Oakland, I'm also betting Moss might feel a bit rejuvenated. You know this dude will do everything possible to heave it deep to Randy at least 5 times per game.

[CrossBones]

He'd be big in Oakland, I'm also betting Moss might feel a bit rejuvenated. You know this dude will do everything possible to heave it deep to Randy at least 5 times per game.RIVlife...I'm already "reconsidering" my stance about not attending any games next year...

Oooooh....the psyche of the fan!

[massraider]

Physically he might be Vince Young+, but as a football player? No way. Young was on another level. What'd he lose, one game at Texas? And his numbers were astronomical. Russell's not in Vince Young's league.

As a passer, Vince isn't in Russell's. And that is what is interesting to me.

There's no evidence that he has Young's intangibles, but it is certainly easier to evaluate him as a passer.

And maybe he is raw, and won't give the same impact. Fine. let's wait a year. Give him a few series, wait till the last 7 games, whatever. We've sucked for three years, what's one more?

[RaiderIVlife]

RIVlife...I'm already "reconsidering" my stance about not attending any games next year...

Oooooh....the psyche of the fan!

With Shell out, cap money to spend and the excitement of the draft, you'll be tweakin' for Raider Football by July. Count on it.

[Jack's sore libido]

Maybe it's just because the only LSU games I saw this year were the Florida, Auburn, Arkansas and Notre Dame games.

[massraider]

According to PFT:

RUSSELL COMING OUT

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell has signed with agent Eric Metz, a league source tells us.

And this means that Russell will forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2007 draft. Once a college player signs with an agent, there's no going back.

Coming off of a great performance in the Sugar Bowl, the 6-6, 260-pound Russell could be one of the top picks in April. He might even leapfrog Notre Dame's Brady Quinn.

[Seraph24]

LSU's Russell to enter draft after junior season

Louisiana State quarterback JaMarcus Russell will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft in April.

A news conference is scheduled for Wednesday to announce the decision, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday.

Russell, a 6-foot-6, 260-pounder from Mobile, Ala., was the nation's No. 3-ranked quarterback in passing efficiency this season. He threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' 41-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night.

Despite outplaying Brady Quinn in that game, Russell is still ranked No. 2 on the initial draft board of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., behind the Fighting Irish quarterback.

Kiper indicated that he would not commit to a final order until he sees which juniors declare for the draft. He also said that he wouldn't be surprised if the Oakland Raiders select Russell with the first pick because he fits their vertical passing game. That would give the Detroit Lions the option of taking Quinn with the second selection.

Russell will finish his LSU career with 6,525 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons -- two as a full-time starter.

A number of other players have decided to go pro:

• Sophomore Sidney Rice, South Carolina's career leader in touchdown receptions, is forgoing his final two seasons to enter the NFL draft. In two seasons, Rice caught 23 TDs to set the school's career mark.

• ESPN's Joe Schad reports that Miami junior linebacker Jon Beason said Sunday he will enter the NFL draft. "I wanted to play for coach [Randy] Shannon," Beason said. "But the risk in not coming out is just too much. Selfishly I have to go. I'm ready now to bring my intensity and passion to an NFL team."

• Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson will enter the NFL draft after his junior season. Anderson led the SEC in sacks with 10½ in the regular season and added three in the Capital One Bowl.

• Arkansas will also lose all-SEC cornerback Chris Houston, who will declare for the draft. ""I know playing in the NFL has always been a dream for Chris," Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt said in a statement. "We were hopeful that he would play one more year in a Razorback uniform before that happened, but he and his family have decided now is the time to make that jump. Anytime you recruit talented players, you are aware that this day might come. We wish Chris the best and appreciate all of his contributions to the Razorbacks."
......................................

[Byron2112]

Physically he might be Vince Young+, but as a football player? No way. Young was on another level. What'd he lose, one game at Texas? And his numbers were astronomical. Russell's not in Vince Young's league.

I agree, I have a hard time comparing him to Young becase Young is such a gamer and obviously his special "it" factor translates to the NFL.

I could ge excited about Russell, he does have one hell of an arm, and he's a big, strong guy that can shake off defenders(he'll need to be), but I don't really know much about his history, and havn't been able to find a real in depth profile on his career.

I did check his stats from this season and they were't to hot against the better teams he played.

@Florida, @ Auburn,@ Arkansas and @ Tennessee he combined for 6 TD's, 6 int's and 2 losses.

That's a tough road schedule, but he excelled against the likes of Tulane and La-Lafayette at home...


I'd like to know more about him.

Here's alittle article I found... if he really ilicits this kind of reaction I could definatly see Al going against history and deciding if he's got the worst team in the league he needs to take a superfreak quarterback as payment...


http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/spin/story/9788137

[CrossBones]

I'm already waffling about this cat.

Yes he has the arm but frankly the things that matter most in the NFL( like the ability to read defenses) Brady Quinn is far superior. The one thing I was impressed about Quinn in the bowl game was how he did read defenses, checked off at the LOS and that sort of thing.

[raider60]

I'm also waffling on him, and drafting a QB with first pick. I'd rather see the Raiders draft AP and give Walter one more shot--

[NIPS]

I'm also waffling on him, and drafting a QB with first pick. I'd rather see the Raiders draft AP and give Walter one more shot--

Wont have a problem with Russell and Zach Miller with the 1st 2 picks

We need a T.E like 2 years ago

[R4Life]

I've been trying to find interview pieces with JR, but they are few and far between:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZZq1Ul7i38

In this piece (at 1:25) JR is interviewed about Katrina and the aftermath.

I'm a little scared by what some scouts are saying about his personality. Words like aloof...cocky...not very studious. He sounds a lot like Charles Woodson in the attitude department.

We learn that after Katrina, JR housed 20 people in his dorm room (including relative Fats Domino) and spent all of his time helping out. Sounds like leadership qualities to me. But notice the "aw-shucks" foot shuffling and looking at the ground when he talks. He's obviously very uncomfortable on camera. Not a good sign.

Even a freak in High School (6/5" 228 and running a 4.6 40). Here'a a 7 minute highlight reel from Williamson High School in Mobile Alabama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKeNRbSLLlI
He sure seems to have some amazing instincts - truly a man among boys.

Sportline.com did a piece including Junior here for his performance against Tennessee. He's on at 4:28 into the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0HOSg_7qOc

Pretty cool display here against Ole Miss. Scrambling, across his body, off his back foot - nothing but arm for 55 yards. I might drool in Al's spitoon as well.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4760501804729330481&q=%22jamarcus+russell&hl=en

I could get excited about him if he's got a quality football IQ.

[Madturk]

Has Zach Miller officially declared? If Bush is available at #2, I think we need to go RB as much as I'd love to have Miller. We can look later for a TE like Matt Spaeth or the kid from Rutgers.

[massraider]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCvJjJxrSFA

Crazy throw. Avoids the rush, and flicks a bomb, right on the money.

[massraider]

Has Zach Miller officially declared? If Bush is available at #2, I think we need to go RB as much as I'd love to have Miller. We can look later for a TE like Matt Spaeth or the kid from Rutgers.

He's not declared. I think the 15th is the deadline, so we'll know everything in a week.

[Crow]

We learn that after Katrina, JR housed 20 people in his dorm room (including relative Fats Domino) and spent all of his time helping out. Sounds like leadership qualities to me.

Not really unusual. There was a whole lotta initiative taking down here after that shit. City and county workers actually getting the hell out of the way so the common folk could blaze trails through the thousands of trees laying across the roads and highways.

Sharing food, water, a roof with no tree on it, generators, beer, chainsaws, etc...saw that everywhere you looked.

Not to take anything away from what Russell did. Just pointing out that he didn't exactly take the region by the hand and lead them out of the doldrums.

[R4Life]

Not really unusual. There was a whole lotta initiative taking down here after that shit. City and county workers actually getting the hell out of the way so the common folk could blaze trails through the thousands of trees laying across the roads and highways.

Sharing food, water, a roof with no tree on it, generators, beer, chainsaws, etc...saw that everywhere you looked.

Not to take anything away from what Russell did. Just pointing out that he didn't exactly take the region by the hand and lead them out of the doldrums.

Thanks for the insight. I can't even imagine. If moving in 20 folks to a 2br apartment isn't regarded as a significant effort, then things were worse than the rest of the country was led to believe.

[massraider]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2726876

It's now officially officiall. Officially.

[Whistle]

I live in Louisiana, and being a Tigers fan I have seen him hundreds of times, in games and post game interviews. But that is the first time i have ever seen him in a suit, and he looks like a defensive lineman. I know he's big but, damn.

If Al doesn't draft him I'll be suprised.

[Crow]

Thanks for the insight. I can't even imagine. If moving in 20 folks to a 2br apartment isn't regarded as a significant effort, then things were worse than the rest of the country was led to believe.

It's signifigant in the sense that it was a helluva thing to do for his people. But there was all sorts of nutty stuff going on down here at that time.

I was more or less the scout. As power was restored to different areas, I'd creep through town looking for gas stations who had just gotten power restored. You knew they had gas, and if you got there before word got out, you'd get some. Find the ice/water lines before they form a line literally 1-2 miles long.

Curfew, and the threat of being thrown into "Tent City" (a make-shift jail which consisted of a fenced in area with pup tents for cells. Doesn't sound so bad until you consider the fact that it stayed around 90% humidity and over 90 degrees for most ofthe day and mid 80s at night) eventually killed the late night scouting.

My aunt's old man was the hero of them all, though. He drove 150 miles one way looking for gas, water, ice, etc...and came back with nothing but 4 watermelons. Funniest shit I'd seen in years.

But, yeah. It was/is a lot worse than has been reported. The national media stayed so far up New Orleans' ass, they barely even reported on the area where the storm actually hit. The Coast is still smashed. People still have no homes other than a tent on the foundation where their house used to be. It's 3rd world, man. Crazy.

But believe me. I don't mean to take anything away from what Russell did. I just wanted to point out that most everyone down here came together and did what was needed. I've never seen anything like it before.

[Crow]

He'd be big in Oakland, I'm also betting Moss might feel a bit rejuvenated. You know this dude will do everything possible to heave it deep to Randy at least 5 times per game.

What makes you think Moss would even bother running that far? What indication have you seen since 2005 that he has any interest in running downfield.