Everyone has basically jumped on board with the idea that the Oakland Raiders are going to draft Jamarcu Russell, it seems like a perfect fit.

But, what happens if they don't? Say they draft Brady Quinn or Calvin Johnson, what happens to Jamarcus Russell at that point?

I haven't heard much talk about other teams at the top targeting Russell, would he possibly be looking at a significant drop much like what Quinn is being projected to be facing?

Could be. I really don't see Cleveland at three(the most presumed target for Quinn) to go for Russell. I could see him falling to Houston or Miami and getting taken there.

I think you can mark Houston off the list real fast. I don't see any way they would target this guy. With their obsession on getting "system" players, Russell would be a horrible fit under center.

Miami would be a possibility, but if they get Green, then very unlikely as well.

I am just having trouble finding a good fit for him outside of Oakland.

Agreed. If you remove Detroit, Cleveland and Houston from the equation. Add in the fact that Green may end up in Miami....I can see two scenarios.

First, Miami still takes Russell, and it gives them the ability to let him sit a couple years and develop.
Second, He drops down to the next team looking for a developmental Qb......Philly? Carolina?

If Oakland passes, I don't think he falls very far. Detroit or Cleveland both could jump all over him. I think it is very unlikely that all 3 pass on him.

I wouldn't mind if Detroit took a chance on him. Not a big fan of taking a QB with that high a pick, but Russell can throw the deep ball so effortlessly and on target. Huge guy too. Wonder how fast/quick he is. Quinn seems to be better than I was originally thinking also, after hearing raves about his workout. Detroit seems to be doing a good job of not letting on about who they like in this draft. Millen must be catching on to this GM thing. Am still hoping they will trade down to acquire more picks, and they seem to be working to put themselves in a position to do just that.

I will be honest....I was really expecting alot more draft day trades this year...since the FA group wasn't all that strong...but now that we have had this late flurry of trades and FA signings....I just don't see much surprising happening draft day now.

As for Qb and Detroit.....I just don't buy it. After getting burned on Harrington..I don't see Detroit risking a high pick on either of these two Qbs...just too many question marks. Honestly...since they acquired a OT in the Bly deal...I still believe we will see two options here. Either the OT, or Calvin johnson.

One of the things that made me bring this up is the continued talks of the Raiders trading Randy Moss. Green Bay, New England, and Tampa Bay are being brought up quite often as teams wanting to bring Moss in.

If Moss goes, I have a feeling that Calvin Johnson goes to the top of the Raiders draft board immediately.

When I look at JaMarcus, I just can't seem to shake images of Akili Smith for some reason.
Showing up out of shape at the Combine wasn't a big vote of confidence, either.

For whatever reason, most likely because he can throw nearly the length of a football field, and he has loads of game tape showing him stiff arming linebackers, and other pass rushers straight to the ground, Scouts and fans have fell in love with this guy.

Not sure if he helped himself at the combine or not, but the one thing that worries me is the mobility. It is hard as hell to spend #1 money on a quarterback, and then still manage to bring in quality receivers and build that all important offensive line.

The more I read into this guy, the more I see Oakland skipping over him, creating a free fall to the middle of the first round, or at least out of the top 10. Mobility has become increasingly important for quarterbacks in the NFL.

Jared Lorenzen could also throw really far and stiff-arm SEC defenders with ease... LOL

And successfully eat an entire side of beef in one setting, LOL

i still think the one thing no one is talking about is that hes never shown consistent ability to read defenses. thats the one most important thing at the NFL level. ask chad pennington. ask him how his measurables stack up to jamarcus russell, but then look at his career winning percentage. if you cant read a defense well, for all the talent you might have in the world, youre not going to have a lot of success. see also culpepper, daunte.

This was actually discussed in one of the other threads about him. From the things I had read, he showed a problem with this in his sophomore year, but apparently addressed it before the beginning of his junior year and show a whole lot of improvement.

Not that this is pertinent to Russell, but if I'm not mistaken, Pennington threw the first red zone pick of his career this past season in a late game against the Bears. "Measurables" certainly can be overrated sometimes.

Let's face it, the Raiders don't always draft based on talent. They like guys who fit their image. Russell is that kind of hard nose QB they want. If they don't take him, then what would be the point of drafting Johnson? He's just going to end up like Moss and Porter. He'll get frustrated because there's no one to throw the ball to him, he'll get mad and leave, just like what's happenning now. If the raiders don't go QB, then they should go RB or defense. If Oakland doesn't take Russell, he'll still go top 10. At the very worst, Houston will take him. I believe the Ahman Green signing signals that a QB is their first pick, although Im sure they've got a backup plan in case neither Russell or Quinn fall their way.

[quote=Hollywoodnash;142205]Let's face it, the Raiders don't always draft based on talent. They like guys who fit their image.[quote]

I think the whole "Silver and Black" bad boy personna pretty much left when Madden did. As of late, guys that fit their image have been thuggish malcontents who underperform then complain about losing. Time to change gears and actually look for some character guys with maybe a tad less physical talent and non-stop motors who overacheive and keep their mouths shut?

They're clearly having an identity crisis and that type of environment is really not conducive to grooming a rookie franchise QB. If Russell goes there, he's already got one foot in the grave.

[quote=WesDawg;142213][quote=Hollywoodnash;142205]Let's face it, the Raiders don't always draft based on talent. They like guys who fit their image.Very Well said!!! Oakland definatly needs to find a new identity, the one they have been trying to fill isn't working!

I don't think it is so much the players they bring in, it is the stench of failure that they realize they are surrounded with once they get there.

Al Davis, for all he has done for the league years ago, is simply not capable of running this team, and it has been apparent for a few years now. I mean, just look at last year for all the proof you need. The guy brings in a head coach that has been doing nothing for how long? And and an offensive coordinator along with his severly out of date offensive scheme, and this guy was also out of football running a Bed and Breakfast.

It wasn't that long ago that league pushed on the Bengals some to get them to take that franchise seriously, I think it is about time for the same to be done in Oakland.

"just win baby" has been replaced by "just exist"