Russell’s understanding of the game is questionable at best. He constantly infuriated LSU fans with his inability to manage situations properly. Pretty much everything that Russell is can be summed up by describing the final drive from this year’s LSU-Auburn game.
LSU took over with 1:04 to go at their own 20-yard line trailing 7-3 with no timeouts remaining. On the first play from scrimmage Auburn sat back in a soft Cover-2 zone with the safeties deep. Russell didn’t notice this until it was too late and threw the ball out of bounds over the head of Craig Davis who was open running a vertical route down the sideline. The LSU coaching staff called Russell over and pointed out that he could pick the zone apart by throwing the ball to Davis in the Cover-2 hole at the sideline 20 yards downfield.
LSU then went out and ran the exact same play two more times. Russell hit Davis for gains of 20 and 21 yards. Davis was immediately drilled out of bounds both times. The Auburn safeties came flying downhill because they knew what was coming, but they couldn’t stop it. Russell simply got the ball there too fast.
All of a sudden LSU was driving. They had the ball on the Auburn 39-yard line with 50-odd seconds to go. Auburn, knowing they were in trouble, changed up their defense getting out of the soft Cover-2. Russell went back to pass, and seeing something different from what he was expecting, got confused. Luckily the protection was good and he was able to scan the field for four or five seconds. Still not seeing anything he liked, Russell began to roll to his right. He escaped the pressure and continued to move towards the sideline at a leisurely pace. Instead of throwing the ball away to stop the clock Russell decided to tuck it and duck upfield. He was tackled in-bounds at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
He got up without any sense of urgency and with a grin on his face. He seemed to be quite pleased with himself for avoiding a sack and maybe picking up a yard. After about a second he finally heard all the people screaming for him to spike the ball and began to hustle to the line. However by then it was too late. By the time LSU got set and spiked it there were only 25 seconds remaining. Russell had just wasted 20 crucial seconds. I have only rarely been angrier while watching a football game (not because I’m an LSU fan, I’m not, but because I like to see the game played intelligently).
Russell ended up bouncing back on the next play by hitting Dwayne Bowe for 20 yards putting LSU back in striking distance with under ten seconds remaining. However he followed that up with a stupid illegal formation penalty that pushed them back to the 24-yard line, and then hit Craig Davis for a 19-yard gain with no time left on the clock. Overall Russell’s numbers for the game looked pretty good (20/35, 267 yards, no TDs or picks), but when it counted he made certain LSU would come up short. That pretty much says all there is to say about Russell. He will tantalize you with impossible throws, but there is significant evidence that mentally he doesn’t have what it takes to be a great quarterback.
And to put the numbers I brought up in perspective using comparable players: Russell started only 29 games at LSU. Over the past ten years, collegiate games started has been the single greatest predictor of NFL success for early first-round quarterbacks. Since 1997 seven quarterbacks who started fewer than 30 games in college have been drafted in the top ten: Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Michael Vick, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Alex Smith. Who’s the best player on that list? Michael Vick? Alex Smith? I don’t even know. All I know is that list does not leave me saying, “I gotta get me some of that.”
As for Quinn: Here is the complete list of players drafted in first two rounds over the past ten years who started at least 35 games and completed at least 57 percent of their passes: Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Daunte Culpepper, Chad Pennington, Drew Brees, Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Jason Campbell, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler.
And one last line that I wish I came up with: Charlie Weis recently said that Quinn is “a combination of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.” I’m a bit skeptical of that; it will be tough for Quinn to find time to both impregnate B-list actresses and teach the local kids how to boost an Escalade.
And now to the running backs! This group of RBs is very weak compared to recent years (so this article will be much shorter than the QB one), especially after the number one guy
- Adrian Peterson - Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
A complete and total stud. He could probably have played in the league right out of high school. Half way thru his freshman year at OU I really thought this guy could win 4 Heismans. Injuries are the only real concern with him, he runs high and doesn't shy away from contact so it may be reasonable to believe that he will be hurt in the future. But that is the only thing keeping this guy from Canton. He did come back from a broken collar bone to play in the greatest game ever against Boise State. The best pure RB to come into the draft since LDT in 2001. Has the talent to be a #1 overall pick, but will more than likely go Cleveland at 3 or worst case Houston at 10. If he goes a team with a decent O-Line he stands the best chance of any player in this draft to be in the pro bowl next year.
2. Marshawn Lynch - Cal
Clearly the 2nd best back this year. Big, strong runner that is effective inside and out. Hates being tackled. Almost faster in pads than without. Touchdown machine in college, 35 TD's in 35 games for the Berkley Bears. Extremely productive in the Pac - 10. Averaged 6.6 yards per carry for his entire three year collegiate career. Doesn't have phenomonal elusiveness or agility. Some what similar to Steven Jackson. Very good hands. Character issues should push him down the draft board further than his talent/production dictate, especially with the new emphasis by the NFL on player conduct teams will be more weary of selecting red flaged players with first round picks. Buffalo at 12 could be a destination, probably won't get past the Pack at 16 but the Titans sitting at 19 will pray that he does.
3. Michael Bush - Louisville
Huge running back with great speed for his size, 6'2'', 245, 4.5. Terrific inside runner who can stretch the D outside as well. Big bruiser. Very good hands. Averaged 5.8 ypc for his career. Played QB and saftey for the Cardinals as a freshman. This year's Frank Gore? Coming off of a big time injury that limited his senior season to 17 attempts before he broke his leg in the first game of the season. Will need to be behind a good O-line. Isn't especially elusive. Won't be a first round pick even though he may have been if he was healthy and productive last year. Late second to third round pick.
4. Kenny Irons - Auburn
Underrated back in this class, doesn't have great size or speed but is good enough in both areas, 5'10'', 205, 4.45. Really good natural runner with good vision, quick COD. Comes from a program with a terrific record of producing NFL backs. Doesn't have great hands. Didn't have a dominate senior year, was banged up most of the year. 4.7 career ypc -- including his first two years at South Carolina. Had 1,300 yards and 13 scores his junior year. Probably a third round pick that could emerge as a starter in the league.
5. Brian Leonard - Rutgers
One of the most interesting players in this draft. Will be interesting to see what position(s)? he plays in the NFL, maybe just a hair to slow to be any every down RB, doesn't have prototypical size for a FB or TE, 6'1.5'', 225, 4.5. But he's just a football player. 45 TD's in 47 career games for the Scarlet Knights and really helped get the program off the ground. Took a back seat his senior year to potential first round pick Ray Rice but didn't complain. Team Captain. Great balance and natural instincts. Best hands of any back in the draft, 207 career receptions for 1,800 yards and 13 TDs. Best fullback in the draft since Mike Alstott, and could have a very similar career, maybe cross between Alstott and Chris Cooley in the right sytem. Great all around player with maybe the best intangibles in the draft. Doesn't do anything great, but everything well. Won't stretch the field verticallly in the NFL, not a big play threat but will get you first downs. Wants to be a RB. Would be an absolutely perfect fit for the Patriots late in round 1.
Antonio Pittman - OSU, Tony Hunt - PSU, Brandon Jackson - Nebraska, Chris Henry - Arizona, and Darius Walker - ND all should have careers in the NFL as at least back up or third down backs, but I don't really feel like righting about them.
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