Today's LA Times story on Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell touches on the question: Is it better to be the favorite or the underdog? Better to be the #1 draft pick or not?
It's a question of psychology as being the favorite doesn't actually make you better. Short answer is that it most likely depends. In sports, in individual games the favored team usually wins. Russell, the 1st draft pick in the 2007 NFL draft, hasn't been impressive in his first two seasons. The story talks about the pressure on Russell going into this season.
It's hard to argue with the salary and guarantees a #1 pick gets. It's also hard to argue with the added pressure that brings. Some seem to respond, some don't. In Russell's case, if he performs well, we'll never know if the pressure helped or hindered. If he responded well to the pressure or if had the talent all along, needed time to develop it and simply endured the pressure. On the hand, if he fails, we'll never know if it was the pressure that did him or if he didn't have what it takes for the NFL. What is likely is that some mythology around JaMarcus Russell and pressure will be created.
The QB position is especially interesting. It's probably the most difficult and demanding position in sports. The skill required is extraordinary. So is the confidence. Lose your confidence as a QB and you are close to being finished.
So, if you were an NFL QB prospect, would you want to be the #1 draft pick or would you prefer to be somewhere in the Top 10?
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