hagan714

This year's quarterbacks in the NFL draft have little in common, as each possesses different traits that attract the attention of scouts. It is a top-heavy group with a pair of prospects battling to be taken among the top 10 picks and three to five players fighting to be selected by the end of the draft's first day.
The evaluation of a quarterback starts with watching or looking for consistency in a number of areas: setup, footwork, throwing motion, accuracy and then competitiveness and intangibles.
A quick release is an ideal trait in today's NFL game, since teams are rushing the passer with much more frequency, but the one characteristic that cannot be pinpointed in game film or a scouting report is the potential to be the future leader of a franchise.
Quarterback is the primary position on the football field that gets people promoted or fired. However, the more position coaches or offensive coordinators a quarterback goes through, the longer it actually will take for him to develop.
It's a delicate process of finding not only the best player but also the most ideal fit for a team, as some players simply do not fit into a franchise's balance or chemistry.
Overall, this is a good but not great group with JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn leading the way. That next tier could either be full of potential starters down the road or just role-player types that have had solid college careers but will lack a certain element to become productive NFL passers.

TOP QUARTERBACKS

1. Jamarcus Russell, QB, 6054, 265, 4.83, LSU

JaMarcus Russell is one of the biggest QB prospects in the nation. He is an outstanding athlete, but is not really a "running QB". He can improvise when needed and is an effective runner, but his real claim to fame is his arm strength. I haven't seen anyone with a stronger arm than Russell. Russell is big and is able to locate his receivers. His athletic ability allows him to move around the pocket and run when the play breaks down. Once he's running, he's very hard to bring down. He doesn't look fast, but he's a long strider and Bama's Wallace Gilberry was surprised at just how fast he is on the field. But Russell prefers to stay in the pocket where he can show off his big arm. He has the strength to throw it the length of the field if needed. He displays a nice touch on the deep balls and can take some of the heat off the shorter passes. He gets the ball where it needs to go and his accuracy has improved dramatically in his junior season. He sets up well and shows solid footwork. Russell is also a leader on the team. He's not a rah-rah guy, but he's a leader by example and the team rallies around him. He's good in the classroom and active in the community--the type of good citizen that is needed in the NFL.

Russell is relatively raw as a passer and will need to work on his technique and throwing mechanics. Mechanically, he's a bit stiff, looking like he's shotputting the ball at times. Still needs to improve his decision-making. Has made great strides in the accuracy department but there is still room for improvement. His delivery is slowish as well. Far too often he's throwing the ball off his back foot.He'll try to make throws that he shouldn't at times. It generally gets where it's going, but that's not a good trait to carry to the NFL where the players are faster and smarter. Timed speed is solid but not special. Numbers were inflated by the system he played in. Has minor durability concerns.

Even though he is not yet a finished product this could be the type of guy you can build a team around if he fulfills his vast potential. High bust factor?


2. Brady Quinn, QB, 6036, 232, 4.73, Notre Dame


Brady Quinn took a quantum leap under the guidance of Coach Weis. His junior year was the best statistical year for a quarterback in the history of the school. He has broken every meaningful school record, and his third place finish in the Heisman voting solidified him as one of the best quarterbacks in school history. Brady is a hard worker and a leader with elite intangibles. Smart and does not make many mistakes with the ball. Knows how to read a defense and has been well schooled in a pro-style offense by a noted quarterback guru. Brady is mechanically and technically sound. He hides the ball well. He has a nice blend of accuracy and arm strength. He has touch on the deep ball, and he can throw a fastball to the sideline. Brady throws a catchable ball, and is accurate enough to lead his receivers away from big hits. His footwork on his drops is solid, and he also has excellent footwork in the pocket. He has good pocket awareness, sidestepping the rush to buy more time. A good athlete who can move in the pocket and scramble a bit. Very strong and does not go down easily. Is very tough and durable and has never missed any action despite taking quite a beating at times during his career. A clutch player who has come through big in tough situations and plays his best when the game is on the line. Has a lot of experience against top-notch competition and is accustomed to the spotlight.

He holds on to the ball too long after his progressions break down. He will force some throws at times rather than taking a sack or waiting for the next down. His accuracy tends to get spotty at times. He tries to keep the play alive too long, and takes big sacks occasionally. He isn't a great improviser. He struggles when the play breaks down. His internal clock is a little too long. Some are concerned he may be a product of Weis' system since he didn't really emerge until his junior year

He has become an excellent leader, and that may be his best attribute. He is a well liked player by his teammates, and he earns their respect with his toughness. He has the best intangibles for a quarterback in this draft. The total package who has everything you look for in a signal caller

After fielding questions at the Combine about his perceived drop, Quinn silenced critics with a strong performance during Notre Dame's March 4 workout. More than 65 coaches and scouts were in attendance, including representatives from Detroit, Cleveland, Minnesota and Miami -- teams drafting in the top ten thought to be entertaining adding a quarterback in the first round. Quinn, who took most of his snaps out of the shotgun with the Irish, showed good footwork and the strong, accurate right arm that had scouts buzzing as they left the workout.