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NFL DRAFT
Russell's big arm has him at the top
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
JaMarcus Russell might be the draft's No. 1 pick.
SPOTLIGHT: QUARTERBACKS
JaMarcus Russell had passed for 6,293 yards and 50 touchdowns in 35 games before the Sugar Bowl in January. But it was his performance in that one game that elevated him to the top quarterback prospect for the NFL Draft.
"Things went good for a couple of years, but just to have a big bowl game -- it's such a big-caliber game to some people -- that it pushed me up real high," Russell said.
Russell declared for the draft after leading LSU to a 41-14 bowl victory over Notre Dame. He outplayed Brady Quinn in completing 21 of 34 passes for 332 yards and two TDs and running for a score. In the process, he passed Quinn as the top QB prospect on most draft boards.
"I saw him in the Sugar Bowl live," New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said. "It was the first time I saw him in person. Obviously, he has a good, strong arm, and he played awfully well and made some big plays. He had an impressive game."
Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, a former assistant at USC, calls Russell "a video game," because of Russell's escapability and his arm strength. Russell estimates he can throw a ball "83 or 84 yards," and he demonstrated his arm strength to scouts by throwing it 40 yards while seated on the turf.
NFL Draft Scout said Russell's arm strength might be unsurpassed since Atlanta made Steve Bartkowski the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1975.
"There isn't a throw he can't make, probably, and the throws he can make, I don't know if anybody else can," said Kiffin, whose team owns the top choice. "... He can make all those throws you can make on a video game that aren't on time."
Russell's leadership abilities have earned him comparisons to Vince Young, the No. 3 overall choice last season. His size -- 6-foot-6, 265 pounds -- is a lot like that of Daunte Culpepper, the No. 11 overall choice in 1999.
Russell averaged 186.2 yards passing per game in 36 games at LSU, and he was 21-4 as a starter the past two years.
"He has tremendous size and is a very strong kid," Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "He can make plays with people hanging on him that I've never seen a kid make. Very impressive.... He does remind me of [Culpepper] a little bit, but he is a little bigger. He's been something, and he's going to continue to be a great player, I'm sure."
Today QB Tue. RB Wed. OL Thur. ST Fri. LB Sat. WR Sun. TE
A. 23 DL A. 24 DB
OVERVIEW
There are two top quarterbacks, and JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn are expected to be among the first 10 selections. However, the class lacks depth. Drew Stanton's off-season workouts made him the clear-cut third quarterback, but there is some concern about his shoulder, and Stanford's Trent Edwards has an injury history. Heisman winner Troy Smith and national champion Chris Leak lack height
COWBOYS' NEEDS
The Cowboys have put their trust in Tony Romo, who went 6-5 in starting the last 11 games, including the playoff loss to Seattle. The Pro Bowler threw 20 touchdowns, including the postseason, and 13 interceptions. The Cowboys signed Brad Johnson, a 15-year veteran who has passed for 28,548 yards and 164 touchdowns. They had only two quarterbacks on their active roster last season, with Matt Baker on the practice squad, but owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys could draft a quarterback to groom.
Top 5
1JaMarcus Russell, LSU, 6-6, 265, 4.83 After throwing for 6,625 yards and 52 touchdowns at LSU, he could be the No. 1 overall choice.
2Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, 6-4, 232, 4.73 A top-10 choice, he passed for 11,762 yards and 95 touchdowns.
3Drew Stanton, Michigan State, 6-3, 226, 4.75 He passed for 6,524 yards and 42 touchdowns and should be a second-round choice.
4Trent Edwards, Stanford, 6-4, 231, 4.76 Possible first-day pick, passed for 5,429 yards and 36 TDs in 35 games, including 31 starts.
5Kevin Kolb, Houston, 6-3, 218, 4.85 The former Stephenville quarterback passed for 9,155 yards and 55 touchdowns in 36 starts, giving him a chance to go as early as the third round.
SLEEPER
Justin Rascati, James Madison, 6-2, 222, 4.83 Transferred from Louisville and finished as the Dukes' all-time leader in several categories, including passing efficiency (154.9).
TEXAS TIES
Jordan Palmer, UTEP, 6-6, 231, 4.98 The Miners' all-time leading passer (11,041 yards) will get a chance, but he isn't his brother (Bengals' Carson Palmer).
Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri, 6-4, 234, 5.37 Former Harlandale (San Antonio) High standout has a chance to be drafted after a solid off-season that included leading the combine with a ball speed of 63 mph.
Drew Tate, Iowa, 5-11, 200, 4.86 The former Baytown Lee star has been compared to Doug Flutie, and, because of his size, the CFL might be his best option.
Jeff Ballard, TCU, 6-1, 219, 4.92 His CFL rights belong to Calgary, which is where his pro career may start.
Source: Heights, weights and 40 times were compiled from NFL Draft Scout.
COWBOYS PICKS
Round pick overall
First 22 22
Second 21 53
Third 24 87
Fourth 23 122
Fifth 22 159
Sixth 21 195
Sixth 26 200
Seventh 24 212
Seventh 25 234
Seventh 27 237
Russell's big arm has him at the top
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
JaMarcus Russell might be the draft's No. 1 pick.
SPOTLIGHT: QUARTERBACKS
JaMarcus Russell had passed for 6,293 yards and 50 touchdowns in 35 games before the Sugar Bowl in January. But it was his performance in that one game that elevated him to the top quarterback prospect for the NFL Draft.
"Things went good for a couple of years, but just to have a big bowl game -- it's such a big-caliber game to some people -- that it pushed me up real high," Russell said.
Russell declared for the draft after leading LSU to a 41-14 bowl victory over Notre Dame. He outplayed Brady Quinn in completing 21 of 34 passes for 332 yards and two TDs and running for a score. In the process, he passed Quinn as the top QB prospect on most draft boards.
"I saw him in the Sugar Bowl live," New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said. "It was the first time I saw him in person. Obviously, he has a good, strong arm, and he played awfully well and made some big plays. He had an impressive game."
Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, a former assistant at USC, calls Russell "a video game," because of Russell's escapability and his arm strength. Russell estimates he can throw a ball "83 or 84 yards," and he demonstrated his arm strength to scouts by throwing it 40 yards while seated on the turf.
NFL Draft Scout said Russell's arm strength might be unsurpassed since Atlanta made Steve Bartkowski the No. 1 overall draft pick in 1975.
"There isn't a throw he can't make, probably, and the throws he can make, I don't know if anybody else can," said Kiffin, whose team owns the top choice. "... He can make all those throws you can make on a video game that aren't on time."
Russell's leadership abilities have earned him comparisons to Vince Young, the No. 3 overall choice last season. His size -- 6-foot-6, 265 pounds -- is a lot like that of Daunte Culpepper, the No. 11 overall choice in 1999.
Russell averaged 186.2 yards passing per game in 36 games at LSU, and he was 21-4 as a starter the past two years.
"He has tremendous size and is a very strong kid," Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "He can make plays with people hanging on him that I've never seen a kid make. Very impressive.... He does remind me of [Culpepper] a little bit, but he is a little bigger. He's been something, and he's going to continue to be a great player, I'm sure."
Today QB Tue. RB Wed. OL Thur. ST Fri. LB Sat. WR Sun. TE
A. 23 DL A. 24 DB
OVERVIEW
There are two top quarterbacks, and JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn are expected to be among the first 10 selections. However, the class lacks depth. Drew Stanton's off-season workouts made him the clear-cut third quarterback, but there is some concern about his shoulder, and Stanford's Trent Edwards has an injury history. Heisman winner Troy Smith and national champion Chris Leak lack height
COWBOYS' NEEDS
The Cowboys have put their trust in Tony Romo, who went 6-5 in starting the last 11 games, including the playoff loss to Seattle. The Pro Bowler threw 20 touchdowns, including the postseason, and 13 interceptions. The Cowboys signed Brad Johnson, a 15-year veteran who has passed for 28,548 yards and 164 touchdowns. They had only two quarterbacks on their active roster last season, with Matt Baker on the practice squad, but owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys could draft a quarterback to groom.
Top 5
1JaMarcus Russell, LSU, 6-6, 265, 4.83 After throwing for 6,625 yards and 52 touchdowns at LSU, he could be the No. 1 overall choice.
2Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, 6-4, 232, 4.73 A top-10 choice, he passed for 11,762 yards and 95 touchdowns.
3Drew Stanton, Michigan State, 6-3, 226, 4.75 He passed for 6,524 yards and 42 touchdowns and should be a second-round choice.
4Trent Edwards, Stanford, 6-4, 231, 4.76 Possible first-day pick, passed for 5,429 yards and 36 TDs in 35 games, including 31 starts.
5Kevin Kolb, Houston, 6-3, 218, 4.85 The former Stephenville quarterback passed for 9,155 yards and 55 touchdowns in 36 starts, giving him a chance to go as early as the third round.
SLEEPER
Justin Rascati, James Madison, 6-2, 222, 4.83 Transferred from Louisville and finished as the Dukes' all-time leader in several categories, including passing efficiency (154.9).
TEXAS TIES
Jordan Palmer, UTEP, 6-6, 231, 4.98 The Miners' all-time leading passer (11,041 yards) will get a chance, but he isn't his brother (Bengals' Carson Palmer).
Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri, 6-4, 234, 5.37 Former Harlandale (San Antonio) High standout has a chance to be drafted after a solid off-season that included leading the combine with a ball speed of 63 mph.
Drew Tate, Iowa, 5-11, 200, 4.86 The former Baytown Lee star has been compared to Doug Flutie, and, because of his size, the CFL might be his best option.
Jeff Ballard, TCU, 6-1, 219, 4.92 His CFL rights belong to Calgary, which is where his pro career may start.
Source: Heights, weights and 40 times were compiled from NFL Draft Scout.
COWBOYS PICKS
Round pick overall
First 22 22
Second 21 53
Third 24 87
Fourth 23 122
Fifth 22 159
Sixth 21 195
Sixth 26 200
Seventh 24 212
Seventh 25 234
Seventh 27 237