LSU's Russell to enter draft

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Remember, though, he had a huge game vs. Nebraska that really put him on the map.

Bugeater...?

[duncan_idaho]

Russell has a career pattern of turning the ball several times (in scratch-your-head fashion) over in big games (see: three picks against Florida and Tennessee this season).

He plays great when there's no pressure (IE, once his team is eliminated from SEC title contention), and he plays great against the Lousiana-Lafayettes of the world, but Russell still hasn't proven he can take care of the football in important matchups against elite talent on the other side of the ball.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Russell has a career pattern of turning the ball several times (in scratch-your-head fashion) over in big games (see: three picks against Florida and Tennessee this season).

He plays great when there's no pressure (IE, once his team is eliminated from SEC title contention), and he plays great against the Lousiana-Lafayettes of the world, but Russell still hasn't proven he can take care of the football in important matchups against elite talent on the other side of the ball.

He was 20 of 35 for 269 yards against Auburn with no picks, despite the fact that LSU had NO running game. And he was 14 of 22 for 210 yards and 2 scores against Arkansas.

Yes, he had a couple of bad games against elite competition. But he played against FOUR, count em, 4 top 8 teams this season and he only played poorly against HALF of them. That's hardly a pattern.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

He was 20 of 35 for 269 yards against Auburn with no picks, despite the fact that LSU had NO running game. And he was 14 of 22 for 210 yards and 2 scores against Arkansas.

Yes, he had a couple of bad games against elite competition. But he played against FOUR, count em, 4 top 8 teams this season and he only played poorly against HALF of them. That's hardly a pattern.

His team was already eliminated from SEC title contention against Arkansas... (which ranked 35th against the pass in the country, just one spot ahead of Missouri ), and he also failed to get in the end zone against Auburn and produced just three points. Heck, even Zac Taylor managed more than that, and he was doing it with far less talent on his team (and inept coaching to boot).

It's not just that he turns the ball over. It's that when the talent level evens, his production drops off. And his turnovers are bonehead turnovers (like the fumble in the ND game or the pick on the deep throw around the goal line). I'm not just basing this opinion on 2006... it's been the story of his career.

I see one top 8 team on LSU's schedule (Florida), looking at the final rankings.

[Chiefnj]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Russell has a career pattern of turning the ball several times (in scratch-your-head fashion) over in big games (see: three picks against Florida and Tennessee this season).

He plays great when there's no pressure (IE, once his team is eliminated from SEC title contention), and he plays great against the Lousiana-Lafayettes of the world, but Russell still hasn't proven he can take care of the football in important matchups against elite talent on the other side of the ball.

Thanks for being the first person to supply some backup facts for the argument. If you watched the games, which I did not, were the INT's boneheaded throws (like Quinn makes) or was it a case of Russell being a little too confident? IMO, Russell is a big strong kid, who knows he is big and strong and thinks he can get away with a little more than he actually can.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

Thanks for being the first person to supply some backup facts for the argument. If you watched the games, which I did not, were the INT's boneheaded throws (like Quinn makes) or was it a case of Russell being a little too confident? IMO, Russell is a big strong kid, who knows he is big and strong and thinks he can get away with a little more than he actually can.

At least one of them was, IIRC. I think I have a tape of that game at home... might break it out and watch it at some point tonight (halftime, perhaps?) Most of the interceptions I've seen him throw leave me wondering what he was thinking.

He makes a lot of plays in college because his size allows him to shrug off hits, then roll out and chuck it deep.

A couple more reasons I don't think he'll succeed in the NFL...

1) The speed in the secondary will be different than what he sees in college. Russell's receivers usually have a distinct speed advantage right now... when that disappears, I think he'll throw a lot more picks on busted plays than he does now because the corners will have the wheels to stay with the receivers on busted plays.

2) His size advantage will become less of a factor in the NFL because everyone is bigger, stronger, faster, better tackler, etc. He'll escape fewer pressure situations, and that's his biggest quality.

3) He's going to be playing for the Raiders.

[Hound333]

I think that most people think of him as a running QB because of the highlights that the talking heads show. Most people haven't sat down to watch every game so highlights are our only look at most athletes. The talking heads show more of his runs than passes. Maybe they are more spectacular looking on film I don't know. For whatever reason they make him look like a running QB with size and a strong arm.

[Mile High Mania]

Plummer will be available... just a thought that I figured I would throw out there.

[Hound333]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Plummer will be available... just a thought that I figured I would throw out there.

I would litterly have to burn all of my Chiefs shirts/jackets/posters and delete this site from my history and favorites. I don't even feel that is funny to even joke about.

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Plummer will be available... just a thought that I figured I would throw out there.

OK, but he's got to shave first.

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Plummer will be available... just a thought that I figured I would throw out there.

That sir, is cruel

[Extra Point]

He had his worst game this past season against some team that's playing in some 1st annual BCS championship game tonite.

Forget that the guy can throw the ball the length of the field. Russell is no scrambler. A 6-6 260 lb guy doesn't have to be. Just what you need when you're building an O-Line.

[Extra Point]

I hope Russell stays at LSU next season, plays well for a different OC (this past season's is heading to Georgia), and we draft him. He would make a great asset to any team, but I can see him playing in Atlanta, Miami, TB, or NO. NOT Oakland!

[Chiefnj]

After tonight's game everyone will want to draft Troy Smith or Reggie Nelson.

[louie aguiar]

Calvin Johnson just came out and declared for the draft.