The NFL Draft Day anticipation was eating at everyone. As mock draft
after mock draft blared across the television screens of millions of
people across the nation, football fans waited with bated breath as
Saturday afternoon approached. And finally, zero hour was upon us.
With the first overall pick in the 2007 National Football League Draft,
the Oakland Raiders selected LSU's JaMarcus Russell to be their
quarterback of the future. The Oakland Raiders decided to pass on other
top prospects like Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and Georgia Tech
wide receiver Calvin Johnson, as well as their option to trade the
number one pick. Leading up to the draft, the Raiders considered giving
up the top selection. ESPN's Mel Kiper said before the draft that
Oakland was only 80% sure they would stay pat with their selection. But
it is hard to turn down the leadership that a man like Russell brings to
a football team. He was the 2005 SEC player of the year, a 2006
First-team all SEC selection, and he was the 2007 Most Valuable Player
of the Sugar Bowl in January.
JaMarcus Russell was elated to be taken first overall, but said in the
draft pre-game show that he "wanted to be surprised" before being
selected by any NFL team. Whether or not Russell would go number one
wasn't a lock until Oakland submitted their selection. Numerous analysts
have been quoted in the previous weeks as saying "Anyone who doesn't
take Calvin Johnson in this draft is making a mistake." The Raiders
already have a star wide-receiver in Pro Bowler Randy Moss, and they are
in desperate need of a QB that can throw the ball to him accurately.
Russell now fills that void. JaMarcus can throw the ball over 80 yards
in the air, over 60 yards from his knees, and over 40 yards sitting
down. This type of arm strength will allow the Raiders to stretch the
field on offense next season.
The 6'5'' 250+ lb. behemoth of a man will likely start for the ailing
Raiders squad next season, considering he will be signing an over $60
million contract in the coming weeks. Last year's number one pick, Mario
Williams, a defensive end, signed a deal with the Houston Texans worth
over $62 million, with $26.5 million guaranteed. The number two pick in
2006, USC's running back Reggie Bush, inked a similar deal with only
slightly less guaranteed money. As is the trend with a growing salary
cap in the NFL, this year's first pick will likely get more than
Williams did. In fact, the 2005 number one selection Alex Smith was
signed by the San Francisco 49'ers for only $49.5 million, with only $24
million guaranteed. This means that Russell could get a contract offer
in the upper $60-70 million dollar range, with possibly as much as $30
million guaranteed.
The last quarterback that the Raiders selected in the first round,
Andrew Walter in 2005, has won only two games for the team in his time
spent there. Russell certainly hopes he can be more successful than his
predecessor. The former Louisiana State University quarterback is
relieved that the waiting game is over and he can begin working towards
his ultimate goal- becoming a star in the NFL.
The last quarterback that the Raiders selected in the first round,
Andrew Walter in 2005, has won only two games for the team in his time
spent there. Russell certainly hopes he can be more successful than his
predecessor. The former Louisiana State University quarterback is
relieved that the waiting game is over and he can begin working towards
his ultimate goal- becoming a star in the NFL.
