The Wonder Boy or The All American Boy?

Everyone's talking about who will go #1 in the draft, or more aptly, who will be the 1st QB taken - Jamarcus Russell or Brady Quinn?

So I'll throw in my two cents, for whatever it's worth to anyone who reads this...

I'll admit, I want to see Brady Quinn fail as much as the next guy. Mostly because of the hype and his success, but yet no success (drawing comparisons to Peyton Manning --and it doesn't help that I can't stand Peyton).

On the other hand, I am amazed by a guy who is 6'6", 260 pounds and can throw the football 80-85 yards with only moderate effort (Russell...for those of you who aren't following).

Still, I read an article in last weeks Sports Illustrated discussing the two and their comparative differences and it got me thinking - is Brady Quinn really as bad as I want him to be? Apparently, he was able to rep at the NFL combine recently. Which, for me, is really impressive considering he only weighs about 225! Plus I think the LB with the most reps only got 26 (I THINK?). Then there's the fact that he's had to answer questions non-stop from the media about his draft stock and viability as an NFL quarterback, which I think he's handled admirably (as pointed out by Browns GM Phil Savage..perhaps a hint as to his destination?).

However, bench pressing and likability do not an all-pro necessarily make. Quinn still has questions about making the tough throws, making the LONG throws and most importantly winning the big game (although if he goes to Cleveland, he'll have it made because they don't know what winning the big game is like either).

Conversely, Russell is (was) only a junior at LSU and took his team to a Sugar Bowl title over the elder and at-the-time more highly touted Quinn. As mentioned, his arm strength is good, and his pocket presence is second to none. He seems to have good accuracy, a good attitude (or so it seems - sidenote: Russell as a Sophomore in High School drove across the whole county just to be a water boy at the Elite 11 QB camp held during the summer in California), and enough athletic ability to be an NFL success.

But, let's not forget the other QB from that Manning draft back in 1998...who was it you ask? None other than Ryan Leaf! So only time will tell, but for now, I'm torn.

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