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Bench Warmer
By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com
(March 12, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL draft:
1. JaMarcus Russell, LSU (Underclassman)
Positives: Exceptional arm strength; no one comes close to matching him in this category in college football and he might not even have an equal in the NFL ... Accuracy, especially on longer throws ... Quick release ... Massive size (6-foot-5-plus, 265 pounds) that allows him to tower in the pocket and makes it extremely difficult for defenders to get him to the ground ... Field vision and ability to locate open receivers; when moving to avoid pressure, he keeps his eyes downfield and still looks to make a pass ... Poise in the pocket, which was particularly impressive in the biggest game of his career, the Sugar Bowl victory against Notre Dame.
Negatives: Although the sheer power of his arm usually allowed him to overcome problems with his throwing mechanics in college, he will need to work on being more consistent with footwork and delivery to maximize his production at the next level ... Bulk and strength work to his advantage, but his ideal playing weight is closer to 255 pounds.
2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Positives: Steady growth and development in an advanced, NFL-style offense ... Two years of coaching he received from Charlie Weis, who knows how to get the very best from a quarterback at any level ... Intelligence and ability to go through progressions and find open receivers ... Accuracy on shorter passes ... Throwing technique; more times than not, he gets the most from his arm by using proper footwork and follow-through ... Overall athleticism, which allows him to avoid pressure and scramble for decent gains, and strength ... Quick release.
Negatives: Pure arm strength, which doesn't always allow him to make up for imperfections in his delivery ... Consistent accuracy on longer passes ... Struggled in some of the bigger games of his collegiate career, especially the Sugar Bowl.
3. John Beck, Brigham Young
Positives: Intelligence and decision-making ... Ability to read defenses and pick up blitzes ... Pocket poise ... Quick release ... Accuracy on short and intermediate passes ... Ability to develop good timing with his receivers ... Ability to avoid pressure ... Better performances vs. stronger teams on BYU's schedule.
Negatives: Height (6-2) and thin frame ... Arm strength ... Sidearm delivery, which, coupled with his height, makes his passes susceptible to being knocked down at the line.
4. Kevin Kolb, Houston
Positives: Arm strength, especially on deep routes ... Size (6-3-plus, 218 pounds) ... Accuracy on short and intermediate passes ... Field vision ... Ability to avoid the rush and scramble ... Leadership skills and toughness.
Negatives: Limited exposure to pro-style, deep passing game in college ... Showed poor decision-making on throws through most of his college career, although he made significant strides as a senior.
5. Drew Stanton, Michigan State
Positives: Arm strength ... Size (6-3-plus, 226 pounds) and overall strength ... Athleticism ... Extremely competitive and tough.
Negatives: Tendency to force passes into coverage ... Locks onto primary receiver too often ... Doesn't always show enough patience in the pocket ... Overall accuracy ... Needs to be more consistent with footwork and throwing mechanics.
National Editor, NFL.com
(March 12, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL draft:
1. JaMarcus Russell, LSU (Underclassman)
Positives: Exceptional arm strength; no one comes close to matching him in this category in college football and he might not even have an equal in the NFL ... Accuracy, especially on longer throws ... Quick release ... Massive size (6-foot-5-plus, 265 pounds) that allows him to tower in the pocket and makes it extremely difficult for defenders to get him to the ground ... Field vision and ability to locate open receivers; when moving to avoid pressure, he keeps his eyes downfield and still looks to make a pass ... Poise in the pocket, which was particularly impressive in the biggest game of his career, the Sugar Bowl victory against Notre Dame.
Negatives: Although the sheer power of his arm usually allowed him to overcome problems with his throwing mechanics in college, he will need to work on being more consistent with footwork and delivery to maximize his production at the next level ... Bulk and strength work to his advantage, but his ideal playing weight is closer to 255 pounds.
2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Positives: Steady growth and development in an advanced, NFL-style offense ... Two years of coaching he received from Charlie Weis, who knows how to get the very best from a quarterback at any level ... Intelligence and ability to go through progressions and find open receivers ... Accuracy on shorter passes ... Throwing technique; more times than not, he gets the most from his arm by using proper footwork and follow-through ... Overall athleticism, which allows him to avoid pressure and scramble for decent gains, and strength ... Quick release.
Negatives: Pure arm strength, which doesn't always allow him to make up for imperfections in his delivery ... Consistent accuracy on longer passes ... Struggled in some of the bigger games of his collegiate career, especially the Sugar Bowl.
3. John Beck, Brigham Young
Positives: Intelligence and decision-making ... Ability to read defenses and pick up blitzes ... Pocket poise ... Quick release ... Accuracy on short and intermediate passes ... Ability to develop good timing with his receivers ... Ability to avoid pressure ... Better performances vs. stronger teams on BYU's schedule.
Negatives: Height (6-2) and thin frame ... Arm strength ... Sidearm delivery, which, coupled with his height, makes his passes susceptible to being knocked down at the line.
4. Kevin Kolb, Houston
Positives: Arm strength, especially on deep routes ... Size (6-3-plus, 218 pounds) ... Accuracy on short and intermediate passes ... Field vision ... Ability to avoid the rush and scramble ... Leadership skills and toughness.
Negatives: Limited exposure to pro-style, deep passing game in college ... Showed poor decision-making on throws through most of his college career, although he made significant strides as a senior.
5. Drew Stanton, Michigan State
Positives: Arm strength ... Size (6-3-plus, 226 pounds) and overall strength ... Athleticism ... Extremely competitive and tough.
Negatives: Tendency to force passes into coverage ... Locks onto primary receiver too often ... Doesn't always show enough patience in the pocket ... Overall accuracy ... Needs to be more consistent with footwork and throwing mechanics.
