Mel Kiper on Jamarcus Russell

I don't understand why people insist on pointing this out. How well did Brady Quinn or Troy Smith do against great defenses? Oh wait, they never played any - so all of their stats come from porous defenses, and yet JaMarcus' QB rating is better.

I definitely noticed this last year and the year before, but he's gotten better about it every year. Also, I think you may be giving other QBs too much credit for accuracy. Brees' touchdown pass to Devery Henderson last week was not perfectly accurate, and neither are a hundred other throws by great QBs made in both college and the NFL.

JaMarcus has improved by leaps and bounds every year, I see no reason to believe that would suddenly stop. Also, we very well may have an entirely different offensive staff next season so it is tough to say they won't be able to make him more successful at this point.

 

I understand, but even still - Fisher has helped Jamarcus improve drastically every year. I see no reason to believe that would suddenly stop.

Bowe & Davis are very good WRs, but rarely did I see them make incredible catches that I would not expect from any other good WR. I don't think they made him look better than he is, rather, Bowe has made him look worse throughout his career many times - even this year.

 

Bowe, Davis, and even Early dont have to make incredible catches to be considered great receivers. They are great receivers because they run great routes. Catching isnt everything. They know how to get open. This helps JR out a lot.

 

Both Bowe and Davis' route running is what really helps JR. They run the correct routes and then when they see JR get in trouble they find a way to get open. I dont they get enough credit for their route running ability because JR is overthrowing or underthrowing them a lot. And speaking of spectacular catches, I can remember a few that Davis had to make in the Bama game last year (05) that were misguided by JR.

 

Bowe has made him look worse throughout his career many times - even this year.

I've seen it, although not this year. That being said, I stated on another thread recently that after watching a video of Bowe's highlights this year, he showed an incredible ability to gain YAC. You can't do that when the throws are off target. Last year, and especially in '04, Bowe dropped several passes that hit him between the nimbers, then later in the game, he would make the big catch to keep a drive alive or win the game. Both of these players have exceptional ability, and are both fearless in the clutch.

 

95% of the complainrs about JR are being pulled out of the recycle bin. The guys has shown vast improvement in every area of his game and the results speak for themselves. You cannot be in the top of all of the categories JR is ranked high in if you are having the problems people are pinning on Russell. He is near the top of the list in in yarsds per attempt, completion percentage, TD%, etc.

LSU is ranked 29th in the country in sacks allowed, with many of the teams ranked above us not be prone to throw to often, although we supposedly have a QB who is immobile and holds on to the ball too long. We're ranked 8th in the country in 3rd down conversion % and 3rd in fourth down conversions although our QB supposedly makes bad decisions, we have 3 receivers ranked in the top 10 in the SEC even though we supposedly have a QB that stares down one receiver all the time.

JR's detractors need to go dig up some new dirt to throw at him, not the same ole crap that he has proven not to be true.

 

I think JaMarcus has like 3 interceptions this year that all went off the hands of Bowe.