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Jamarcus Russell: A New
Chapter in LSU's QB Legacy
Chapter in LSU's QB Legacy
| JaMarcus Russell's position as a top rated quarterback out of college ranks him with former LSU QB's such as Y.A. Title and Bert Jones |
JaMarcus Russell's status as an upcoming first round
NFL Draft selection has placed a high-beam spotlight
on him that few LSU quarterbacks have seen.
Russell's large frame, poise and cannon-arm have NFL
personnel labeling him as a franchise quarterback.
Although Russell's NFL arrival will be received with
great fanfare, it will take years of award-winning
success before he stakes his claim to a lofty position
on LSU's quarterbacking legacy list. Previous LSU
quarterbacks have won NFL MVP honors, a feat that
many NFL scouts think Russell will be capable of.
LSU's strong legacy includes:
Y.A. Tittle
While other LSU quarterbacks have played in the NFL, Y.A. Tittle
and Bert Jones have set the Tigers' standard for award-winning
passing excellence.
After leading LSU to an 9-1 record and #8 ranking in 1947, Tittle
began his pro football career with the Baltimore Colts. Stints with
the San Francisco 49ers and NY Giants would follow in his
17-year career that saw him become the first NFL quarterback to
throw for 30 touchdowns or more in consecutive seasons. He did
so in the twilight of his career as the NY Giant tossed 33
touchdowns in 1962 and 36 in 1963.
Tittle not only amassed amazing passing records, but was
recognized as one of the game's great competitors as well. The
highlight of his awards, was being a 1971 inductee into the Pro
Football Hall of Fame. Tittle was a natural selection after having
been named to the NFL Pro Bowl seven times and fore being
selected as the league's MVP in 1961 and 1963.
Although Tittle had many individual highlights, he found gaining
an NFL championship to be an elusive goal. After being
pressured out of San Francisco by the emerging John Brodie in
1961, Tittle arrived in New York to play for a strong Giants team.
Although he led New York to division title in 1961, 1962 and 1963,
Tittle's Giants never tasted championship glory.
When Tittle's pro career ended following the 1964 season, he
had amassed 33,070 yards and 242 touchdowns. His record of
36 touchdown passes in one season stood until Dan Marino
broke the record in 1984.
Bert Jones
Another important piece of LSU's quarterback legacy was put
together by a strong armed passer from Ruston, LA. Although he
only started two games prior to the end of his junior year, Jones
left LSU as the university's all-time leader in passing yards and
touchdowns.
As a starter, Jones led LSU to a 12-2-1 record. During his senior
year (1972), LSU went 9-2-1 and spent most of the season
ranked in the top 10. Jones also finished 4th in the Heisman
Trophy voting and was voted the National Collegiate Player of the
Year by the Cleveland Touchdown Club.
Needing a franchise quarterback, the Baltimore Colts selected
Jones in the first round (2nd overall) in the 1973 NFL Draft.
Jones quickly delivered Colts fans were seeking as he guided the
squad to three consecutive AFC East Division Titles (1973-1975).
Based on his excellent 1976 season that saw Jones surpass
3,000 yards passing and 24 touchdowns, the former LSU Tiger
was named the NFL's MVP. Jones also became one of three
quarterbacks to have a 100+ passer rating in the 1970s. The list
also included Roger Staubach and Ken Stabler.
Injures adversely affected Jones' career and he was forced to
retire in 1982 due to chronic back troubles.
NFL Draft selection has placed a high-beam spotlight
on him that few LSU quarterbacks have seen.
Russell's large frame, poise and cannon-arm have NFL
personnel labeling him as a franchise quarterback.
Although Russell's NFL arrival will be received with
great fanfare, it will take years of award-winning
success before he stakes his claim to a lofty position
on LSU's quarterbacking legacy list. Previous LSU
quarterbacks have won NFL MVP honors, a feat that
many NFL scouts think Russell will be capable of.
LSU's strong legacy includes:
Y.A. Tittle
While other LSU quarterbacks have played in the NFL, Y.A. Tittle
and Bert Jones have set the Tigers' standard for award-winning
passing excellence.
After leading LSU to an 9-1 record and #8 ranking in 1947, Tittle
began his pro football career with the Baltimore Colts. Stints with
the San Francisco 49ers and NY Giants would follow in his
17-year career that saw him become the first NFL quarterback to
throw for 30 touchdowns or more in consecutive seasons. He did
so in the twilight of his career as the NY Giant tossed 33
touchdowns in 1962 and 36 in 1963.
Tittle not only amassed amazing passing records, but was
recognized as one of the game's great competitors as well. The
highlight of his awards, was being a 1971 inductee into the Pro
Football Hall of Fame. Tittle was a natural selection after having
been named to the NFL Pro Bowl seven times and fore being
selected as the league's MVP in 1961 and 1963.
Although Tittle had many individual highlights, he found gaining
an NFL championship to be an elusive goal. After being
pressured out of San Francisco by the emerging John Brodie in
1961, Tittle arrived in New York to play for a strong Giants team.
Although he led New York to division title in 1961, 1962 and 1963,
Tittle's Giants never tasted championship glory.
When Tittle's pro career ended following the 1964 season, he
had amassed 33,070 yards and 242 touchdowns. His record of
36 touchdown passes in one season stood until Dan Marino
broke the record in 1984.
Bert Jones
Another important piece of LSU's quarterback legacy was put
together by a strong armed passer from Ruston, LA. Although he
only started two games prior to the end of his junior year, Jones
left LSU as the university's all-time leader in passing yards and
touchdowns.
As a starter, Jones led LSU to a 12-2-1 record. During his senior
year (1972), LSU went 9-2-1 and spent most of the season
ranked in the top 10. Jones also finished 4th in the Heisman
Trophy voting and was voted the National Collegiate Player of the
Year by the Cleveland Touchdown Club.
Needing a franchise quarterback, the Baltimore Colts selected
Jones in the first round (2nd overall) in the 1973 NFL Draft.
Jones quickly delivered Colts fans were seeking as he guided the
squad to three consecutive AFC East Division Titles (1973-1975).
Based on his excellent 1976 season that saw Jones surpass
3,000 yards passing and 24 touchdowns, the former LSU Tiger
was named the NFL's MVP. Jones also became one of three
quarterbacks to have a 100+ passer rating in the 1970s. The list
also included Roger Staubach and Ken Stabler.
Injures adversely affected Jones' career and he was forced to
retire in 1982 due to chronic back troubles.
| Y.A. Tittle displays his winning form for the New York Giants |
| One of the most famous photos in sports history features a bloodied,exhausted and injured Tittle in his last season |
| Bert Jones left LSU as the Tigers' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns |
| JaMarcus Russell Jerseys, JaMarcus Russell Pictures, JaMarcus Russell Biography, JaMarcus Russell Stats |