Russell is a great kid who has everything that you want in a QB. Most importantly he has character. Earlier this year when I was in Boston I read a great article on him that was in USA Today. I was already a huge fan but easily became a bigger fan. I remember sitting on the LSU sideline for the National Championship game watching him with the other players. It was the first time I had the chance to get some perspective on just how big this guy is. I couldn't wait to see him get his shot on the field. It would be great to see him stick around for one more year. Several people got down on the kid, but I can't remember watching someone develop the way he has over the last few years. He struggled a little with the mental pieces of the game and the maturity of realizing it's not 100% skill. His abilities have occasionally influenced him into making bad decisions, but he has done nothing but improve. I like the positive posts on his behalf it's a refreshing change from earlier in the year.
It looked to me like JR really took a step around mid year. His mistake level (fumbles and int's) dropped. We lost to 2 top 10 teams early, then beat 2 top 10 teams late with a lot fewer mistakes. I said a couple of years ago, you don't get to be a Sr. QB in less than 4 years. I say he is still on course. If he comes back next year, he will be a Heisman candidate, and LSU can contend for the MNC.
An OL told me that in that game, for the INT, Russell was experiencing such a terrible concussion that he barely knew where he was. He was dropping practice snaps and such. I'm assuming he got over it after the INT, because from then on he was lights out. :thumb:
It would be great for him to stay another year, but he has a great shot at going in the first round of the NFL draft, and he can't really be blamed for not passing that opportunity up.
