Russell Another Leftwich?

[wilthethrl22]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

At a time when many NFL observers are expecting LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell to be the first quarterback, and likely the first player, drafted on April 29, some scouts are concluding based on films of the six-foot, six-inch flamethrower that he's another Byron Leftwich.

We're not saying Leftwich is bad, but his lack of mobility has caused him not to fulfill the promise that made him a top-ten draft pick in 2003.

And that's the early concern with Russell.

When scouts discuss mobility, it's not just about pulling the ball down and taking off when the receivers are covered up, but it's the ability to elude the pass rush by moving around in and out of the pocket. Some guys, like Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger, can buy more time in or out of the pocket. Others, like Tom Brady, can buy time with a well-timed step or twist or turn.

So at a time when many who are smitten with the guy who dismantled an overmatched Notre Dame team in the Sugar Bowl, the challenge is to set aside the hype and engage in an objective assessment of Russell and Brady Quinn, who has lost much of his luster, perhaps because he has spent so much time in the sunlight.

As to the Raiders, who hold the No. 1 pick, we've said it before and we'll say it again -- Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson is the guy around whom to build a franchise.

After, of course, flushing the bowl of guys like Jerry Porter and Randy Moss.

[Raiders_Fan00]

i could see it happening. i dont think russell will be as good as everyone is saying

[mojobeast4694]

If we dont get Quinn I hope we get Johnson.

I think Russell will be better than Leftwich however, he has a quicker release, where as Leftwich winds up with the ball at his hips then throws it basically like a baseball.

[R41D3R5]

I think out of Quinn and Russell, Russell clearly has the better pocket awareness and elusiveness. I've seen Quinn many times get popped from his blind side and not even notice pressure was coming. Russell on the other hand can really feel pressure and move out of the pocket in a hurry.

[NEO]

Mobility-wise, Quinn and Russell are quicker, shifter than Andrew Walter and in the final analysis the question will be:

Is Quinn or Russell a upgrade to Walter...

Is Johnson an upgrade to Moss...

Is Peterson an upgrade to Jordan...

[mojobeast4694]

Originally Posted by R41D3R5

I think out of Quinn and Russell, Russell clearly has the better pocket awareness and elusiveness. I've seen Quinn many times get popped from his blind side and not even notice pressure was coming. Russell on the other hand can really feel pressure and move out of the pocket in a hurry.

Well when D-Lineman run free 80% of the time you're bound to get a couple times when trying to stand in the pocket and make a throw.

[vegasraider26]

Originally Posted by R41D3R5

I think out of Quinn and Russell, Russell clearly has the better pocket awareness and elusiveness. I've seen Quinn many times get popped from his blind side and not even notice pressure was coming. Russell on the other hand can really feel pressure and move out of the pocket in a hurry.

This is a HORRIBLE assesment. Russell's O-line was VERY good, they gave him A LOT more time to throw the ball than Quinn's line did at ND. ND's O-line was quite possibly one of THE WORST in D1 this past year. I think Quinn did an amazing job with what he had to work with this year. You put Russell behind Quinn's line and he would have gotten destroyed all year with his poor mobility, Russell's numbers would have been almost non-existent. Let's also not forget "Jam Russ" had a MUCH better supporting cast, he had 3 VERY good WR's that he could go to at any time (Bowe, Davis, Doucet).