JaMarcus Russell

Ht: 6-6 Wt: 236

Position: QB

Date of Birth: 8/9/1985

Birthplace: Mobile, AL

Class: Sophomore

High School: Lillie B Williamson HS

(Mobile, AL)

College: LSU

Oakland Raiders-JaMarcus Russell-QB-LSU

The breakdown:

In a draft full of surprising twists and turns, Russell was perhaps the surest bet to go number one to the Raiders. I like JaMarcus Russell a lot and like many other analysts, I think he’s absolutely oozing with potential. He reminds me of Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich, except with a stronger, more accurate arm. The kid is 6’6, 263 pounds, can throw the ball to the moon and place it there accurately. He has perhaps the best combination of strength and accuracy of any quarterback in this draft. He can throw the ball 65 yards off his knees and completed over 67% of his passes in 2006 against some ferocious SEC defenses. Did I mention that he also threw for over 3,000 yards in ’06 as well with a phenomenal TD-INT ratio(28 touchdowns:8 interceptions)? He is also deceptively fast for somebody his size and can get away from pressure when he needs to since he runs a 4.72-40 yard dash. He can throw the ball from pretty much every awkward position imaginable. If you need proof, just check out the highlight on YouTube, where Russell spins away from not one but two Ole Miss defenders and completes a pass 53 yards down the field off his back foot. He makes ridiculous throw after ridiculous throw and has probably become a YouTube legend by now. The deep ball he had against Notre Dame off his back foot was pretty absurd too. He’s going to desperately need to summon throws like those in Oakland because he’s going to be running for his life behind that atrocious offensive line. Note to Russell: The Raiders’ o-line allowed an eye-gouging 72 sacks last season! Yikes. Lucky for Oakland fans, their signal-caller is strong enough and big enough to absorb pretty much any kind of punishment.

It is one thing to be a physical specimen, but when you combine that with an amazing amount of productivity on the Division 1 level in the toughest conference in college football(SEC), well that is where you have a once in a generation type of player. He’s still a little raw in certain spots, but I think Russell is going to be a phenomenal pro for the Oakland Raiders. First, the offensive line has to be fixed. Then he will actually have enough time to throw the ball to speed merchants like Johnnie Lee Higgins of UTEP and the ultra-versatile Michael Bush of Louisville.

My Rating: 10/10

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NEF said:

	JESUS CHRIST IS GOD HE LOVES U AND WANT TO BE YOUR PROVIDER YOUR PROTECTOR AND YOUR SAVIOR AND YOUR HEALER AND WHAT EVER ELSE WE ALLOW HIM TO DO. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
	report abuse vote down vote up

March 16, 2008
Votes: +0

Lloyds Apple said:

	Aight, well tell him I need some cash. My ass is broke. Let's try and keep comments sports related, gracias.
	report abuse vote down vote up

March 18, 2008
Votes: +0

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