EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third part of a nine-part series previewing the 72nd annual National Football League draft of college players. Today, the quarterbacks are previewed.

FOXBORO - Aren't you glad that this debate isn't raging in New England?

In Oakland, Detroit, Cleveland and possibly a few other cities, NFL scouts are throwing around the names of Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell and trying to determine which of these two collegiate quarterbacks would be the best to revive their franchises.

Not since 1993, when the Patriots had to toss around the merits of Drew Bledsoe and Rick Mirer, has this sort of debate consumed the time and energy of their coaching and scouting staffs. But as was proven by their decision, the right decision can have a positive effect upon the franchise's fortunes for years to come.

Shortly after noon on Saturday, when the 72nd annual NFL Dracft begins, the Raiders will make a decision to select either Quinn, the Notre Dame signal-caller, or Russell, the former LSU quarterback. After that, all eyes will be upon the team that selects the second choice to see who's made the smartest decision. It's not a question that will be answered immediately, and both quarterbacks will need a lot of help at other positions in order to succeed. Both seem to have the tools.

Quinn (6-3¾, 232; 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash) combines the best elements of a drop-back passer with the mobility needed to elude today's athletic pass-rushers. He's a true leader and scores high on the character scale, and has the added bonus of being NFL-ready under the tutelage of former Patriots' offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

Russell (6-5½, 265; 4.8) is a player whose stock has been rising steadily. Strong-armed and surprisingly mobile for someone his size, he sometimes makes things happen even when his mechanics break down under pressure because he's just so athletic.

But for a team that has a three-time Super Bowl winner under center, they could both be from the planet Krypton for all the Patriots care. They have the "proven" Brady, the one named Tom, and their interest in quarterbacks in this draft is solely for depth.

The Patriots have 10 selections in the draft, but a huge gap between their second first-rounder (No. 28) and their next pick (91st, third round). Any thought to a quarterback to replace Vinny Testaverde as the third-stringer, and possibly to compete with Matt Cassel as Brady's backup, probably won't be given until a four-pick bonanza in the sixth round (Nos. 180, 202, 208 and 209).

Ohio State's Troy Smith (6-0, 225; 4.61), a consistently capable if unspectacular athlete, is likely to be off the board before the Patriots would be interested. So would Brigham Young's John Beck (6-2, 215; 4.77), Michigan State's Drew Stanton (6-3, 226; 4.79) and Stanford's Trent Edwards (6-4, 231; 4.81).

The best of the second-day selections are Boise State's Jared Zabransky (6-2, 219; 4.57), whom the Ourlads Scouting Service likened to "a young Jeff Garcia," and Houston's Kevin Kolb (6-3, 218; 4.85), a strong system quarterback who needs to work on his release. Both appear to be fourth- or fifth-round possibilities.

Beyond that, it's tough to say if there's a Tom Brady (sixth round in 2000) in the bunch. All seem to have shortcomings that may be able to be worked out over a couple of seasons as a third-stringer or on practice squads.

Florida's Chris Leak (5-11¾, 209; 4.79), Nevada's Jeff Rowe (6-5¼, 226; 4.95), Pittsburgh's Tyler Palko (6-1¼, 215; 4.85) and UTEP's Jordan Palmer (6-5½, 231; 4.99) are diverse athletes with their own unique qualities to offer interested teams looking for a specific type of backup, and should all be available in the sixth or seventh rounds.

Priority free agents could include Nebraska's Zac Taylor, Akron's Luke Getty, Idaho State's Matt Gutierrez, Maryland's Sam Hollenbach, Washington's Isaiah Stanback and Oklahoma's Paul Thompson, who also worked out as a wide receiver at the Indianapolis scouting combine. MONDAY: Defensive line.