Russell Goes

[GeauxTo]

JaMarcus Russell announced today at a 4:00 p.m. press conference at LSU that he is going to bypass his senior season at LSU and enter the NFL draft. It would be nice to see Russell return, but passing up millions of dollars and risking a career-ending injury is too much to ask from the 6'6", 260 rifle-arm quarterback. http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics2/400/GH/GHGVLJBVOGGNDCJ.20070110230825.jpg (http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=744053)
BATON ROUGE – LSU junior quarterback JaMarcus Russell (http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=174908&Q_SEASON=2006) will skip his senior season with the Tigers and make himself eligible for this year’s NFL Draft. Russell announced his decision Wednesday at a press conference on the LSU campus.

Russell leaves LSU as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history as he guided the Tigers to a 25-4 overall mark as a starter. Russell is the only quarterback in school history to lead the Tigers to back-to-back 10 win seasons. Russell started in 10 wins for the Tigers in 2005 and followed that by starting in all 11 victories for LSU in 2006.

Russell capped his career ranked No. 2 in school history in passing touchdowns with 52 and completion percentage (61.9). He also ranks No. 3 in LSU history in completions (493), passing yards (6,625) and total offense (6,704) and he’s fourth in attempts (797).

As a junior in 2006, Russell earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors by both the Associated Press and the SEC Coaches. He joined Tommy Hodson (1987) as the only quarterbacks in school history to be named first-team All-SEC by both the media and the coaches in the same year.

In 2006, Russell connected on 232 of 442 passes for 3,129 yards and a school-record tying 28 touchdowns. His 232 completions is the highest single-season total in LSU history, while is 3,129 passing yards ranks No. 2 in school history.

Russell established a reputation during his college career as a quarterback who thrived in situations where the Tigers found themselves down late in the game. Russell engineered eight fourth quarter or overtime comeback victories with the Tigers, including six times when LSU put points on the board with less than two minutes left to either win the game or extend the contest to overtime.

Russell joins Josh Booty (2000) and Matt Mauck (2003) as LSU quarterbacks who passed up their senior seasons to play in the NFL. Booty was a sixth round pick by Seattle in 2001, while Mauck was selected in the seventh round by Denver in 2004.

JaMarcus Russell (http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=174908&Q_SEASON=2006) Press Conference
January 10, 2007

COACH LES MILES

“We are going to miss this man as a signal caller, as a guy that throws passes and as a quarterback. We are going to miss him more as a person. He is a tremendous leader and a quality man. Those shoes are going to be harder to fill than the ability to throw it deep and make a great play. We wish him well in his next football adventure. We can only say that he will be carried by us in our hearts and we will root for him wherever he plays. We will miss him.”

[M2J]

LSU title hopes go with him.

[GeauxTo]

LSU title hopes go with him.
No, I don't think so. We'll be potent next year, as you'll see when we come to B-D to welcome Nick back to the SEC.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Oh lord, here we go. Don't go barner on us. LOL!!!

[GeauxTo]

Oh lord, here we go. Don't go barner on us. LOL!!!
The Barn has the priviledge of coming to Tiger Stadium. We're going to slap them silly, pee on their mascot, stick a cigar in Tubby's behind, and rock their busses.
:D

[M2J]

No, I don't think so. We'll be potent next year, as you'll see when we come to B-D to welcome Nick back to the SEC.

You'll still be potent, as the SEC West (while there'll be tough comp, is basically rebuilding aside from LSU, but still have to get used to a new QB). But even if they do get to the SEC title game, I highly doubt they beat the SEC East champ, whether that be Florida or whomever.

When they probably would've been considered the number 1 choice to win the title next year. Big drop off.

[gatorunvrsty]

You'll still be potent, as the SEC West (while there'll be tough comp, is basically rebuilding aside from LSU, but still have to get used to a new QB). But even if they do get to the SEC title game, I highly doubt they beat the SEC East champ, whether that be Florida or whomever.

When they probably would've been considered the number 1 choice to win the title next year. Big drop off.
I have to agree with that. They'll still be a team to contend with, but not the title favorite. 4 teams in the East have a legitimate shot at the E. title. UT and SC have experienced QB's. And UF and UGA both played their freshmen a lot this year. So, by the time the SECCG rolls around, the East will be in good shape, no matter who the champ is. If Auburn wins the West, I'd have to say they stand a better chance of taking the SEC than if LSU wins the West. I just don't see an SEC team taking the conference championship with a green QB.

[BAMA NATE]

No, I don't think so. We'll be potent next year, as you'll see when we come to B-D to welcome Nick back to the SEC.

I'm sure you will be potent but that won't always win you a championship. Just simply not having a guy like this on the field will hurt more than you'd like to think. For the past couple of years I'd just be hoping he would twist an ankle running out of the tunnel just so we wouldn't have to play him. I know I'm relieved. As a Bama fan this guy was a very frustrating player to watch.

[GeauxTo]

I'm sure you will be potent but that won't always win you a championship. Just simply not having a guy like this on the field will hurt more than you'd like to think. For the past couple of years I'd just be hoping he would twist an ankle running out of the tunnel just so we wouldn't have to play him. I know I'm relieved. As a Bama fan this guy was a very frustrating player to watch.
He was great, and exciting for sure. You never knew just when he was going to uncork one of those TD passes while being chased or throw a 60 yard completion. He should do very well in the NFL, and, of course, be a millionaire very shortly. It will be interesting to see how high he goes in the draft. I'm thinking he might geaux ahead of Smith and that boy from ND.

[BAMA NATE]

He was great, and exciting for sure. You never knew just when he was going to uncork one of those TD passes while being chased or throw a 60 yard completion. He should do very well in the NFL, and, of course, be a millionaire very shortly. It will be interesting to see how high he goes in the draft. I'm thinking he might geaux ahead of Smith and that boy from ND.

Wouldn't be a shocker if he got drafted as a freakin' O-lineman. :laugh:

[gatorunvrsty]

He was great, and exciting for sure. You never knew just when he was going to uncork one of those TD passes while being chased or throw a 60 yard completion. He should do very well in the NFL, and, of course, be a millionaire very shortly. It will be interesting to see how high he goes in the draft. I'm thinking he might geaux ahead of Smith and that boy from ND.
He'll go first as long the people picking aren't retarded. :blink:

[GeauxTo]

Wouldn't be a shocker if he got drafted as a freakin' O-lineman. :laugh:
Ha-Ha-Ha
He looks like a defensive end!

[Cianne]

Russell should go with the #1 pick just to throw 60-70 yard passes to Randy Moss. He's a lot like Daunte Culpepper.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

The Barn has the priviledge of coming to Tiger Stadium. We're going to slap them silly, pee on their mascot, stick a cigar in Tubby's behind, and rock their busses.
:D


Hahahahahah, sorry Geaux, John Vaughn is no longer our kicker and Tommy just ordered a fresh set of cubans for the whole staff. I gotta say it was great lighting up cigars in the student section this year and watching all the corndogs walk out of J-H with un-cut stogies. :happy:

LSU fans are going to miss JaMarcus a lot more than they think. Guess we will see how much next season, that or Les Miles will get blamed. :sad:

[GeauxTo]

Nice write-up about Russell...

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell made the announcement most Tiger fans were bracing themselves for: he's passing up his senior year in college to enter the NFL draft. "I will be entering the 2007 draft, it's a great opportunity to be in for me and my family," Russell says.



The move was expected. Russell had a stellar performance in last week's Sugar Bowl, throwing for a career high 332 yards and two touchdowns during LSU's lopsided victory over Notre Dame. Russell not only won the Sugar Bowl MVP trophy, but he outplayed Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, who had been projected as the first pick in the NFL draft. Some pro football experts are saying that Russell could be the first player selected in the April draft. The Oakland Raiders, who pick first, are in dire need of a quarterback. Todd McShay, of Scouts Inc., writing on ESPN.com, has Russell pegged as the first pick, saying the Raiders may be interested in his size and strong arm. Russell is running away with an ESPN poll; out of nearly 19,500 votes, 63% of readers think he'll be a better pro quarterback than Notre Dame's Quinn, Ohio State's Troy Smith and Brian Brohm of Louisville. The Detroit Lions pick second in the draft and they also have a glaring need for a quarterback, as do the Cleveland Browns, who will pick either third or fourth. Only one LSU player has been picked first in the NFL draft -- Billy Cannon, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1960. Y.A. Tittle (1951), Jerry Stoval (1963) and Bert Jones (1973) were all picked second.

[GTTiger]

I have to agree with that. They'll still be a team to contend with, but not the title favorite. 4 teams in the East have a legitimate shot at the E. title. UT and SC have experienced QB's. And UF and UGA both played their freshmen a lot this year. So, by the time the SECCG rolls around, the East will be in good shape, no matter who the champ is. If Auburn wins the West, I'd have to say they stand a better chance of taking the SEC than if LSU wins the West. I just don't see an SEC team taking the conference championship with a green QB.


Matt Flynn has 3X as much experience as Tebow. He has also had 4 years to learn the program already. If you want to find a weak spot on LSU's team next year....it won't be on offense. It's most likely the secondary. The offense next year has the potential to be better than the offense this year, with the return of a running game.

[GeauxTo]

Matt Flynn has 3X as much experience as Tebow. He has also had 4 years to learn the program already. If you want to find a weak spot on LSU's team next year....it won't be on offense. It's most likely the secondary. The offense next year has the potential to be better than the offense this year, with the return of a running game.
Good points. The running game should be stellar. Miles is particularly enamored with an offensive running game and now he's got lots of horses to play with.

[BAMA NATE]

Matt Flynn has 3X as much experience as Tebow. He has also had 4 years to learn the program already. If you want to find a weak spot on LSU's team next year....it won't be on offense. It's most likely the secondary. The offense next year has the potential to be better than the offense this year, with the return of a running game.

I just can't buy that. Who else do y'all lose on offense besides Russell? I can't think right now. Don't y'all lose Bowe, Doucet, and some other key skill guys?

[gatorunvrsty]

Matt Flynn has 3X as much experience as Tebow. He has also had 4 years to learn the program already. If you want to find a weak spot on LSU's team next year....it won't be on offense. It's most likely the secondary. The offense next year has the potential to be better than the offense this year, with the return of a running game.
That may be the case. Just never heard of him or saw him play this year.

[WallyGoat]

The Barn has the priviledge of coming to Tiger Stadium. We're going to slap them silly, pee on their mascot, stick a cigar in Tubby's behind, and rock their busses.
:D

Is that part free of charge or do I have to pay for the excitement? :mellow:

[GTTiger]

I just can't buy that. Who else do y'all lose on offense besides Russell? I can't think right now. Don't y'all lose Bowe, Doucet, and some other key skill guys?

Doucet stays. The key players that we lose on offense are Russell, Bowe and Davis. Doucet is a bad ass and LaFell would have started on pretty much any other team other than LSU last year.

The thing about LSU is thier depth. You could have taken any one player out of the game last year and they wouldn't have missed a beat.

[GTTiger]

That may be the case. Just never heard of him or saw him play this year.

He played the 2nd halves of the games that were blow outs with the rest of the 2nd team offense. He also played the entire peach bowl in 2005 and the 2nd half of the slaughter we recieved against UGA in SEC championship in 2005. He's a 5th year senior and has played in all 3 of his years of eligibility so far, he just hasn't been the starter.

Matt Flynn's backup is Ryan Perrilloux who was the #1 overall recruit two years ago. He'll be a redshirt sophmore this coming year, but has very little in game experience since he was the back up to Russell and Flynn.