Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin received a congratulatory postdraft phone call from his biggest fan outside of his father, Monte, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator.

Southern California coach Pete Carroll, a former New York Jets and New England Patriots head coach who mentored Kiffin the last six years, praised his protégé for hitting a home run in his initial Oakland Raiders draft.

TABLE: Additions, subtractions in Oakland

Carroll lauded the top overall selection of rocket-armed LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the subsequent acquisition of former Detroit Lions backup Josh McCown, a veteran who can buy time for JaMarcus Russell's development. Carroll also liked the potential fourth-round steal of running back Michael Bush, a Heisman Trophy hopeful before he broke his leg in Louisville's season opener last fall.

"Pete couldn't imagine the draft going any better," Kiffin says from his office.

Kiffin and Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis injected young, productive playmakers into a dysfunctional offense that scored 12 touchdowns last season.

Suddenly the future appears much brighter for a team that has languished with a 15-49 free fall since its Super Bowl XXXVII loss.

The trade of mercurial receiver Randy Moss for a fourth-round pick was further evidence of the team's transition.

"He's very pleased with this draft like the rest of this building," Kiffin says of Davis. "We're ecstatic to get these guys. We wish nothing but the best for Randy. But it was time to make that decision. We're focused on the guys who really want to be here."

JaMarcus Russell, 21, and Kiffin, 31, are the faces of the franchise's fresh start.

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"It was a great weekend," Kiffin says. "We've added 35 new players to our roster. There were a lot of things that needed to change here. These were just some initial steps."

The selection of JaMarcus Russell was a departure from recent drafts when the Oakland Raiders passed on Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler.

"What Al Davis did this draft was rejuvenate that whole franchise," ESPN analyst Floyd Reese says. "Just about the time you think maybe the game has passed Al by, a draft like this comes along to make you realize he's still right in the middle of it.

"The way he handled the weekend was just outstanding."

Davis headed off any chance of Moss undermining his young coach or negatively affecting his prize quarterback.

"Al paid a hefty price to get Randy Moss, and it didn't work out," Reese says. "More importantly, the trade of Moss will affect the image of his young coach.

"All those guys who were looking at coach Kiffin, thinking, 'This is a young guy; is he going to be that powerful presence?' Well, guess what? They just got rid of Randy Moss. All of a sudden, there's a newfound respect for Lane Kiffin inside that building."

JaMarcus Russell is a rare talent who reminded Davis of Hall of Famer John Elway.

"Watching his game film, meeting him in person, putting him on the board, you realize this guy's a great player," Kiffin says.

"People talk about it being a hard choice. It became real easy. JaMarcus Russell is exactly what the Oakland Raiders needed right now."

JaMarcus Russell received the 2006 Manning Award, as judged by the Sugar Bowl committee and awarded to the nation's best collegiate quarterback. The award is named in honor of former New Orleans Saints icon Archie Manning and his sons Cooper, Peyton and Eli. JaMarcus Russell worked the last two summers as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana.

"We're real proud of JaMarcus; he's a good character kid," Archie Manning says. "One thing I really noticed at the Manning Award: JaMarcus was very thoughtful about his family.

"He's a big, old teddy bear-type kid. The campers liked him."

Manning also admires JaMarcus Russell's talents. "His long ball comes out like out of a JUGS machine — that tight spiral with lots of rpms on it," Manning says.

Coincidentally, receiver Jerry Porter used the same analogy after watching JaMarcus Russell's first practice with the team. "It looks like someone hired a JUGS machine and put a jersey on it," Porter says. "Man, he can throw the ball. I see why he's the first overall."

But few know better than Archie Manning that being a highly drafted quarterback on a rebuilding team can be a daunting task.

"Oakland looks like a good place for him," Manning says. "But it's hard for a young quarterback, no matter what the situation."

Especially playing behind an offensive line that surrendered a league-worst 72 sacks last season.

That's why it was crucial to acquire a veteran buffer until JaMarcus Russell is ready. McCown has mobility and a better-than-average arm.

But no matter how well McCown plays, he is keeping the pocket warm for JaMarcus Russell, who reminds Kiffin of another No. 1 pick he coached, former USC Heisman Trophy winner and Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler Carson Palmer.

"There are a number of similarities in their big arms," Kiffin says. "JaMarcus Russell can make all the throws very similar to Carson.

"Both are similar in their leadership style. Carson isn't in your face, either, but guys just follow them."

Quarterback will be an open competition among McCown, JaMarcus Russell and incumbent third-year pro Andrew Walter.

"JaMarcus Russell will play when he's ready to play," Kiffin says.

Amid the Oakland Raiders' nightmarish 2-14 2006, the achievements of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's third-ranked unit went largely unheralded. But it will return mostly intact and could be even better if the offense improves and gives it more rest. The signing of free agent Dominic Rhodes coupled with Kiffin's commitment to establishing a run game should help.

AROUND THE FIELD IN OAKLAND

Quarterback: Josh McCown is a mobile, accurate fit for Greg Knapp's hybrid West Coast/vertical stretch offense. McCown is unselfish and should help JaMarcus Russell develop on and off the field.

But young quarterbacks get better by playing. So figure the second half of the season as an ideal time to turn the keys to the franchise over to JaMarcus Russell.

Incumbent Andrew Walter remains a strong-armed talent who never had a chance behind last year's sieve of a line.

Running back: The Oakland Raiders are suddenly stocked in what was once an area of need. LaMont Jordan averaged 3.8 yards a carry in an injury-plagued season, but the addition of Dominic Rhodes helps Jordan and buys time for the rehabilitation of Michael Bush, who rushed for 1,143 yards and scored an NCAA-leading 23 touchdowns as a junior.