Adam Schefter on Fox sports radio (1 Viewer)

[Cecil Lammey]

Adam Schefter is in the know.

Schefter is the most trustworthy and connected reporter covering the NFL. Period.

Here's my obligatory post in an Adam Schefter thread.Adam is the man, 'nuff said.

 

[Erin Go Bragh]

Leftwich comparisons are so far out in left field it's not even funny. Culpepper... maybe, but the guy I'd most liken him to is Ben Roethlisberger. Big, good feet, can move, throw on the run, has more range than a 70-yard bomb, etc.

I am sick of these Russell/Leftwich comparisons. Has anyone who says that seen these two guys play? Russell has much better mobility than Leftwich. Russell has a cannon arm with a hairtrigger release. The reports from his pro day were that he was effortlessly "flicking" the ball 60 yards on a rope on his 70-75 pass attempts. Leftwich is only able to throw the really deep ball when he can wind up and lunge his left leg forward. Russell's arm strength is more like Vick's, but even better. Watch Vick flick frozen ropes on the run. Those guys don't need to set up to heave it downfield. All that being said, I like Leftwich's late game moxey better than Russell who I have seen make critical errors in judgement. Russell has better physical tools. Leftwich has an edge in intangibles. Roethlisberger is a pretty good comparison for Russell for all the reasons you listed. I have always likened Leftwich to Bledsoe in terms of being a guy with a good arm but who requires outstanding protection to allow him to overcome some other deficiencies.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Do we need a reminder that not every QB with top physical skills becomes a quality starter? It wouldn't be sacrilege to pass on Russell.

Russell's the #1 QB. It isn't even close.

This guy is in the know. I wouldn't doubt a statement of this caliber. :X

Yeah, your post has so much more insight! Thanks

ANOTHER WINNER!!! :11:

Your in depth analysis on Russell has to be the greatest contribution to this Thread.....Please keep up the good work in here! By the way you are Awesome!

Other than Russell being "the #1 QB and it's not even close"...here's how I see him.

There is a guy every year that shoots up the draft boards just because of their combine or pro-day #'s (Chad Jackson, Troy Williamson, Cedric Benson...etc) that usually don't live up to expectations. And now I give you JaMarcus Russell. A physical freak (ala Culpepper) that has a super strong arm and decent mobility. But hey...what really matters is how big he is. Have you seen how big he is? Wow! He's a big QB! Wow! People are falling in love with him because he's not the prototypical QB (6-4 230lbs). The sky's the limit with him.

Look at his college numbers. They are ok...not great. He had a couple of good games and people are in love with that?

How can anyone say that he is the most NFL ready QB? He's not. Quinn is. Quinn has been in an NFL style offense his entire collegiate career, if I'm not mistaken. Notre Dame was a shell of itself this year (and for the last 2 or 3 years). They aren't getting the talent that they used to. Quinn's line was horrendous and the only guy he had as a dependable WR is now a pitcher in the MLB! And now Russell may be going to Oakland?!?! That might ruin him!

Sure, it's fun to think about "what could be" with Russell, but I'm just saying people are allowing themselves to be blinded without comparing the two throughout their entire college careers. Russell ended his career on a hot streak and Quinn struggled and that is what is sticking in peoples mind. Short term memory disorder has burned alot of NFL GM's in the past.

I laugh at people who just say that Russell is the best or will be the best without clarifying why so.

To me, he's another Culpepper/Leftwich clone. Both of which are possibly on their last leg.

Just my

I am on the "Russell will under perform" bandwagon. Potential is a dangerous word when talking QBs.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

What about Russell has you enamored? Is it his size and arm? Is it his leadership abilities? Is it his track record?

The total package. Tough, strong, big, mobile, accurate.

Great numbers and an even better record in a tough conference.

Anything Quinn has going for him, Russell has it and more. I see no debate. That's just my opinion. In other years it's been a lot closer for the most part.

QB Smarts?

Leaf

- Arm Strength

- Leadership (Field General): Not that Quinn isn't a leader, but Russell shows command over his entire team when on the field.

- Size/Bulk

- Throwing on the Move

- Quick Release

Manning

- Experience

- Dedication/Maturity: Quinn has taken the off-season more seriously than JR.

- Mechanically Sound

- Accuracy

Fixed.

 

[J R]

IMO Russell is typical draft hype. Great tools and skill but 99% of the people talking about him haven't seen him play 4 or more games. He's the easy and cool pick, but most likely won't do #### in the NFL.i had high hopes going into this season for Quinn and wouldn't take him or Russell either #1, #2 or #3 in the draft. If I was drafting for the Raiders I'd trade down or take Thomas. Ask Mangini how building an offensive line with top players works out.

The Raiders did pretty much the exact same thing as Mangini a couple of years prior, when they drafted Gallery and Grove with their first 2 picks, so maybe they can just ask Mangini how to coach up the guys they have.

 

[massraider]

What about Russell has you enamored? Is it his size and arm? Is it his leadership abilities? Is it his track record?

The total package. Tough, strong, big, mobile, accurate.

Great numbers and an even better record in a tough conference.

Anything Quinn has going for him, Russell has it and more. I see no debate. That's just my opinion. In other years it's been a lot closer for the most part.

QB Smarts?

I'll play "fake-GM" for a moment.I think both players are elite prospects and each has their own strengths and weaknesses. There are so many ways to look at a QB and unless their is a major difference in talent (not between JR & BQ), then it's a crapshoot.

Think about it this way. A couple of years ago, Manning set the record for most TD passes in a season; that same year, Culpepper threw for 39 TDs, ran for a half dozen more and set the NFL record for combined passing/rushing yards... neither player won the Super Bowl that season.

Everything else aside, please tell me who had the better season of the two?

I'm not going say either Quinn or Russell is better than the other. However, there are certain things each one does better than the other.

Russell

- Arm Strength

- Leadership (Field General): Not that Quinn isn't a leader, but Russell shows command over his entire team when on the field.

- Size/Bulk

- Throwing on the Move

- Quick Release

Quinn

- Experience

- Dedication/Maturity: Quinn has taken the off-season more seriously than JR.

- Mechanically Sound

- Accuracy

With that being said, I think it's the type of offense a team runs that would dictate which QB to take.

If I'm Oakland and both QBs were on the board, I would draft Russell to fit into a deep-passing game, move out of the pocket, throw on the run, minimal read, style of offense.

If I'm Detroit and both QBs were on the board, I would draft Quinn to fit into a timing based, multi read, short/intermediate passing game style of offense.

I think most scouts would disagree with the accuracy statement.In fact, if there is a quality in regards to passing the football that you feel Quinn grades out higher than Russell, I would bet most scouts would disagree.

 

[Yah_Shoor_Yoobetchya]

From GBN ...

The big question for LSU QB Jamarcus Russell at Wednesday’s pro day in Baton Rouge was whether he was able to lose the spare tire he showed up with at the scouting combine. And while the overall verdict on Russell’s workout is still to be determined, Russell at least was back to 258 pounds, his normal playing weight. Working out in front of over 100 NFL personnel people, Russell also timed in the 4.80-4.85 range running the 40, the only physical test Russell took part in; Russell though did go through a full passing audition for the NFL people in the house. Indeed, Todd McShay is being quoted over at ESPN as saying "His passing session was the most impressive of all the pro days I've been to. His footwork for such a big quarterback was surprising. He was nimble in his dropbacks and when he's rolling out and throwing on the run. The ball just exploded off his hand.”

Hey Colin,Why doesn't GBN have a link on the "NFL Draft Information" section on FBG's "Links" page? I'm there daily this time of year.

 

[Bruno2]

Did anyone else here Adam Schefter say yesterday on NFLN that the Raiders were "enamored" with Russell? Not quoting here, but he basically said according to his sources he was positive IF the Raiders keep the #1 pick they'd select Russell. Just curious because this totally contradicts what he's saying on FOX sports radio.

 

[aardball44]

PFW 3/19/07

It might be Quinn over Russell, according to Pro Football Weekly.

Russell’s red flags could make Quinn the first QB drafted in ’07

In the minds of many evaluators, including PFW resident draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki, there is a considerable gap between QBs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

The way we hear it, it is Quinn, not Russell, who Nawrocki and a growing contingent of teams think will be the better pro. And perhaps to the surprise of many draft fans, more of the teams we consulted had finished their pre-Combine draft meetings thinking Quinn would be the better pro.

Multiple teams that have begun digging into Russell's background have been turned off by his lazy work habits and immaturity. When he took off his shirt at the Combine weigh-ins and exposed a very soft, fleshy body filled with baby fat, the concerns immediately heightened for one top-10 team that PFW spoke with, revealing what some consider to be the tip of the iceberg.

Much like Vince Young a year ago, whose poor Wonderlic test result was leaked and wound up setting in motion a lot of questions about how far he would fall, the significance of Russell's unshapely physique may be way overblown.

Our sources say Oakland’s Al Davis, who holds the top pick, is still chafed he decided not to take Matt Leinart a year ago and is dead-set on finding a signalcaller of the future to replace the recently released Aaron Brooks, whose option was not exercised after one year with the team.

Davis is widely assumed to favor the more strong-armed Russell, who better fits the vertical offense the Raiders have long run. However, had Davis made the call a year ago, our sources say he would have selected the more cerebral, NFL-ready Leinart, not the more strong-armed Jay Cutler, whom the Broncos traded up to select one pick later.

Said one astute, high-ranking evaluator, whose team has no need for a quarterback, of the draft's top two quarterbacks: “Physically, arm-strength-wise, there is no question who has the advantage. But if you want to talk about mental aptitude, ability to escape pressure and make good decisions, it's not even close. There is a big ‘miss’ factor on Russell. He had a lot of up-and-down games, and he makes a lot of bad decisions. He's sitting in the middle of the second round right now on our board. He'll never make it that far, but that’s where his value is. After Quinn, I would be sweating if I needed a quarterback from the rest of this crop.”

If Davis fails to land a veteran passer such as Houston’s David Carr, who has been thrown on the trading block after his struggles last year, or Byron Leftwich, who may be dealt despite Jack Del Rio’s statement that he is the Jaguars’ starter for 2007, don't be surprised if Quinn, not Russell, winds up becoming the first overall pick. Davis could be among those who are scared off by the red flags surrounding Russell and thus opt for Quinn. That could leave Russell, despite the concerns, falling only, like Young, to the No. 3 spot, where fellow Mobile, Ala., native and Browns GM Phil Savage would be waiting with open arms, the way we hear it.

Sources close to the Browns have even speculated that Savage, who helped advise Russell on his decision to enter the draft, has already informed Russell that he would not fall any further than the spot where the Browns were picking, and that he would be a lock top-four pick.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

PFW 3/19/07

It might be Quinn over Russell, according to Pro Football Weekly.

Russell’s red flags could make Quinn the first QB drafted in ’07

In the minds of many evaluators, including PFW resident draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki, there is a considerable gap between QBs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

The way we hear it, it is Quinn, not Russell, who Nawrocki and a growing contingent of teams think will be the better pro. And perhaps to the surprise of many draft fans, more of the teams we consulted had finished their pre-Combine draft meetings thinking Quinn would be the better pro.

 

[Kit Fisto]

PFW 3/19/07

It might be Quinn over Russell, according to Pro Football Weekly.

Russell’s red flags could make Quinn the first QB drafted in ’07

In the minds of many evaluators, including PFW resident draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki, there is a considerable gap between QBs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

The way we hear it, it is Quinn, not Russell, who Nawrocki and a growing contingent of teams think will be the better pro. And perhaps to the surprise of many draft fans, more of the teams we consulted had finished their pre-Combine draft meetings thinking Quinn would be the better pro.

Multiple teams that have begun digging into Russell's background have been turned off by his lazy work habits and immaturity. When he took off his shirt at the Combine weigh-ins and exposed a very soft, fleshy body filled with baby fat, the concerns immediately heightened for one top-10 team that PFW spoke with, revealing what some consider to be the tip of the iceberg.

Much like Vince Young a year ago, whose poor Wonderlic test result was leaked and wound up setting in motion a lot of questions about how far he would fall, the significance of Russell's unshapely physique may be way overblown.

Our sources say Oakland’s Al Davis, who holds the top pick, is still chafed he decided not to take Matt Leinart a year ago and is dead-set on finding a signalcaller of the future to replace the recently released Aaron Brooks, whose option was not exercised after one year with the team.

Davis is widely assumed to favor the more strong-armed Russell, who better fits the vertical offense the Raiders have long run. However, had Davis made the call a year ago, our sources say he would have selected the more cerebral, NFL-ready Leinart, not the more strong-armed Jay Cutler, whom the Broncos traded up to select one pick later.

Said one astute, high-ranking evaluator, whose team has no need for a quarterback, of the draft's top two quarterbacks: “Physically, arm-strength-wise, there is no question who has the advantage. But if you want to talk about mental aptitude, ability to escape pressure and make good decisions, it's not even close. There is a big ‘miss’ factor on Russell. He had a lot of up-and-down games, and he makes a lot of bad decisions. He's sitting in the middle of the second round right now on our board. He'll never make it that far, but that’s where his value is. After Quinn, I would be sweating if I needed a quarterback from the rest of this crop.”

If Davis fails to land a veteran passer such as Houston’s David Carr, who has been thrown on the trading block after his struggles last year, or Byron Leftwich, who may be dealt despite Jack Del Rio’s statement that he is the Jaguars’ starter for 2007, don't be surprised if Quinn, not Russell, winds up becoming the first overall pick. Davis could be among those who are scared off by the red flags surrounding Russell and thus opt for Quinn. That could leave Russell, despite the concerns, falling only, like Young, to the No. 3 spot, where fellow Mobile, Ala., native and Browns GM Phil Savage would be waiting with open arms, the way we hear it.

Sources close to the Browns have even speculated that Savage, who helped advise Russell on his decision to enter the draft, has already informed Russell that he would not fall any further than the spot where the Browns were picking, and that he would be a lock top-four pick.

The way it should be...

 

[T Man]

PFW 3/19/07

It might be Quinn over Russell, according to Pro Football Weekly.

Russell’s red flags could make Quinn the first QB drafted in ’07

In the minds of many evaluators, including PFW resident draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki, there is a considerable gap between QBs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

The way we hear it, it is Quinn, not Russell, who Nawrocki and a growing contingent of teams think will be the better pro. And perhaps to the surprise of many draft fans, more of the teams we consulted had finished their pre-Combine draft meetings thinking Quinn would be the better pro.

Multiple teams that have begun digging into Russell's background have been turned off by his lazy work habits and immaturity. When he took off his shirt at the Combine weigh-ins and exposed a very soft, fleshy body filled with baby fat, the concerns immediately heightened for one top-10 team that PFW spoke with, revealing what some consider to be the tip of the iceberg.

Much like Vince Young a year ago, whose poor Wonderlic test result was leaked and wound up setting in motion a lot of questions about how far he would fall, the significance of Russell's unshapely physique may be way overblown.

Our sources say Oakland’s Al Davis, who holds the top pick, is still chafed he decided not to take Matt Leinart a year ago and is dead-set on finding a signalcaller of the future to replace the recently released Aaron Brooks, whose option was not exercised after one year with the team.

Davis is widely assumed to favor the more strong-armed Russell, who better fits the vertical offense the Raiders have long run. However, had Davis made the call a year ago, our sources say he would have selected the more cerebral, NFL-ready Leinart, not the more strong-armed Jay Cutler, whom the Broncos traded up to select one pick later.

Said one astute, high-ranking evaluator, whose team has no need for a quarterback, of the draft's top two quarterbacks: “Physically, arm-strength-wise, there is no question who has the advantage. But if you want to talk about mental aptitude, ability to escape pressure and make good decisions, it's not even close. There is a big ‘miss’ factor on Russell. He had a lot of up-and-down games, and he makes a lot of bad decisions. He's sitting in the middle of the second round right now on our board. He'll never make it that far, but that’s where his value is. After Quinn, I would be sweating if I needed a quarterback from the rest of this crop.”

If Davis fails to land a veteran passer such as Houston’s David Carr, who has been thrown on the trading block after his struggles last year, or Byron Leftwich, who may be dealt despite Jack Del Rio’s statement that he is the Jaguars’ starter for 2007, don't be surprised if Quinn, not Russell, winds up becoming the first overall pick. Davis could be among those who are scared off by the red flags surrounding Russell and thus opt for Quinn. That could leave Russell, despite the concerns, falling only, like Young, to the No. 3 spot, where fellow Mobile, Ala., native and Browns GM Phil Savage would be waiting with open arms, the way we hear it.

Sources close to the Browns have even speculated that Savage, who helped advise Russell on his decision to enter the draft, has already informed Russell that he would not fall any further than the spot where the Browns were picking, and that he would be a lock top-four pick.

This article was written February 26, 2007 -- before any of the prodays. It is still on PFW's site because they have not updated "The way we hear it" section.

 

[hobbes4]

I don't see hwere the love for Quinn is coming from. He panics under pressure. he won't unlearn this attribute. He will be decent but no way worthy of a top 5 pick.