Just going by what I read on the AU board. Most seem to think Cox is better than Russell, some feel he is behind Leak, but I hear all the time that they "wouldn't trade Cox for anybody". I think that going by last years stats, they have a point. All three QB's are tightly clustered at the top of the SEC, so I was surprised to see Cox so low on the ESPN list and I know they won't be happy about it in Auburn.
It's an interesting discussion because I gather that most SEC fans wonder about Leak: (a) Has he not reached his true potential and if not, is it because Meyer has been unable to adapt his offesive system to Leaks talents? .... or (b) was Leak simply over-hyped coming out of HS and never really as good as portrayed? Based on his early performances, I'd be inclined to believe "b". When it comes to Russell, IMO there's no arguing his athleticism or talent, but only his consistency. It appears to me that Russell has always had a challenge in playing within what the defense would allow, mebbe letting his emotion/ego get him into poor-percentage situations. It's just speculation on my part, but I'm guessing that having to watch Flynn's considerable success at the end of last season will do far more to mature Russell's approach to the game than anything else that CJF could've designed. Flynn was magnificent. Not really more pressure for Russell, because I think the pressure has always been there for him (Randall) , but maybe a breakthrough on the maturity front nonetheless.
Randall was only given starts because of Russell's failure to do the work necessary according to CNS. He wasn't talented enough to consistently perform well at QB in the SEC. He constantly struggled with making simple throws and committing terrible turnovers.
Leak is a good quarterback. He's consistent, can read defenses, and puts up very nice numbers. However, he is seriously lacking leadership abilities, and I think he was basically as good as he'll ever be his freshmen year at UF. He hasn't shown much improvement since then. Leak is not the "heisman contender" so many writers like to claim every year - he's not even a great quarterback. Cox is a Flynn type QB, in the sense that he knows how to manage a game and read a defense, but he isn't the type of QB to put the team on his back and carry them. I look forward to seeing what kind of progress he makes coming into the season. With JaMarcus, it's about abilities & potential. Everyone knows that he's a giant with a beast of an arm. NFL scouts will love that, but unfortunately it doesn't mean a whole lot right now. Some fans think he's stupid and can't read a defense or make a throw, but I think they are wrong. JaMarcus is a good leader, and a clutch performer. The game hasn't come as easy to him as it does for some due to the highschool offense he came from, but what I see in him is growth. Every year he looks better & better. The best is yet to come from him.
4. Pat White, West Virginia, SO, 6-2, 191 6. Chad Henne, Michigan, JR, 6-2, 222 7. Kyle Wright, Miami, JR, 6-4, 217 10. Drew Weatherford, Florida State, SO, 6-3, 218 I don't understand these picks at all. These guys are better than Leak, Tate, and JaMarcus!? No way.
weatherford at #10 is a joke. The kid playing only average with all that talent around him is just pathetic.
So much for my Brandon Cox and Pat White predictions. FSU QB's for the past decade or so have been in every top 10 Pre season QB list in magazines and seem to make the top 10 most disappointing performers 6 months later every year.
