Maybe it was the LSU coaching. Maybe it was the hard work spent in the unbearable heat of summer days. Maybe it was the Mississippi River tap water. Whatever it was that enabled four former LSU players to be drafted in the first round, it worked. More players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft from LSU than from any other university, highlighted with the Oakland Raiders nabbing JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 overall pick. LaRon Landry was selected by the Washington Redskins at No. 6, while two former Tiger receivers were taken in the latter portion of the first round: Dwayne Bowe was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 23, while Craig Davis caught the eye of the San Diego Chargers at No. 30. NFL Draft analyst Mike Detillier said the way in which NFL teams pounced on the former Tigers so early in the draft will have great ramifications for LSU football. “It’s almost subliminal, but for all these teenage kids and high school guys to see that and [to see] all those guys wearing that purple and gold, I think it really, really helps the program out,” Detillier said. Russell, the first Tiger taken No. 1 overall since Billy Cannon was drafted first in 1960 by the then-Los Angeles Rams, is being called upon to help save the once-storied Oakland Raiders franchise. NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper said during an ESPN broadcast that Russell can help right the Raiders’ ship within the next few years. “With the quarterback situation the way it is right now, JaMarcus Russell is going to immediately energize that Raider nation, that fan base, that football team on the practice field and in that locker room,” Kiper said. “Three years from now we could be looking at a guy that is certainly one of the elite, top-five quarterbacks in this league … Obviously he’ll need a little time, but you’re talking about a two- to three-year period once he’s under center. Look out, because the skill level he has is certainly John Elway-like.” Landry was the next Tiger taken in the draft, and he is set to join Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who was drafted No. 5 overall by Washington in the 2004 NFL Draft. Kiper said the four-year LSU starter will complement the former University of Miami safety. “[Landry’s] real strength is in the box as a safety around the line of scrimmage,” Kiper said. “Sean Taylor will be able to be the center fielder in that defense. LaRon Landry will be the guy getting up in that box and making plays. As I said, there’s not a more sure tackler in the country.” Landry said in an ESPN interview that he is pleased with what happened Saturday. “I had no idea that I was going to go to the Redskins,” Landry said. “I was just waiting to get picked, and I’m just happy to be a Redskin right now.” Kansas City chose Bowe at No. 23, and he will team up with former LSU standout Eddie Kennison, who played with the Tigers from 1993 – 1995. Davis rounded out LSU’s first-round picks as he went No. 30 to the Chargers. Bowe and Davis are just two of seven Tigers in LSU history to amass 2,000 yards or more receiving. The first-round selections of Russell, Bowe and Davis mark the first time in NFL Draft history that a quarterback and two receivers from the same school were taken in the first round. The 2007 draft also marks the first time in LSU history that four Tigers have been selected in round one. Of the first 32 picks, 11 of those selected played in the Southeastern Conference. Also, 15 of the first 44 players drafted hail from SEC schools. Detillier said this slew of SEC players leaving the draft boards early says something about the conference itself. “You had better put your jock strap on tight when you play SEC football,” Detillier said. “You are playing some top-notch talent each and every week. You are well-prepared for pro football when you get in there, and nothing really actually prepares you [for the NFL], but you play about as close to NFL football as you can play from a speed standpoint, a physical standpoint.” Detillier said the biggest surprise of day one came with the late selection of former University of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Projected as high as No. 2 by some draft analysts, Quinn fell to the Cleveland Browns at No. 22. The Browns traded with the Dallas Cowboys to move up to the No. 22 spot to pick the Columbus, Ohio, native. Another notable draft-day trade occurred when the New England Patriots sent their first fourth-round draft pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for wide receiver Randy Moss. The Raiders drafted University of Cincinnati cornerback John Bowie with that fourth-round pick. Detillier was also puzzled with the Miami Dolphins’ No. 9 selection of Ted Ginn Jr., former Ohio State University wide receiver. “[The first-round pick of] Miami is perplexing to me,” Detillier said. “I think from a value standpoint, they got absolutely no value with Ginn at [No. 9].” After Russell was chosen No. 1 overall by the Oakland Raiders, the Detroit Lions selected Calvin Johnson, wide receiver from Georgia Tech University. The Cleveland Browns chose University of Wisconsin-Madison offensive tackle Joe Thomas in the third spot. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Clemson University defensive end Gaines Adams No. 4 overall, while the Arizona Cardinals claimed offensive tackle Levi Brown of Penn State University in the No. 5 spot. Three teams Detillier thought helped themselves the most were the Carolina Panthers, the San Diego Chargers and the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers picked linebacker Jon Beason of Miami and two University of Southern California standouts: wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and center Ryan Kalil. LSU defensive end Chase Pittman was the only other former Tiger selected in the draft, going to Cleveland with pick No. 213 (seventh round).
—–Contact Jonathan Finney atjfinney@lsureveille.com