JaMarcus Russell dropped back and fired a pass through tight coverage that hit fellow rookie Johnathan Holland between the 1 and the 8 on his jersey.

The top pick with the rocket arm made an immediate impression on the Oakland Raiders in his first practice Friday at Alameda, Calif.

"I think that kid, 18, is in there getting a rubdown," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "Caught that square-in, I bet he's got some markings on his chest. If nothing else, we're going to learn to catch with our hands or somebody's going to the hospital for some trauma. That kid's got a live arm so let's have some fun with it."

Russell's first day of practice showed off the inconsistencies that almost all rookies have when they make the transition to the NFL. He was able to drill spirals through tight coverage, but also fumbled two snaps from center, overthrew Jerry Porter on a deep pass down the sideline and missed the target on some shorter throws.

Russell admitted to a few nerves before his first day as a pro.

"At first, man, just getting out there, it felt strange, just to be able to get back in ball again and to be out there with those guys," Russell said. "I calmed down a lot."

Even though he didn't get a chance to heave the ball 80 yards like he supposedly is able, Russell's strong arm was the talk of the day among his new teammates.

"It looks like someone hired a JUGS machine and put a jersey on it," Porter said. "Man, he can throw the ball. I see why he's the first overall."

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Russell's arrival, the Raiders are planning to bring him along gradually and they had him working behind Andrew Walter and Josh McCown in most drills. Coach Lane Kiffin said the three quarterbacks all got equal time and the rotation would stay that way for now.

Kiffin said he was pleased with the rookie's performance despite a few first-day jitters.

"He had a lot going through his mind obviously," Kiffin said. "We installed 82 plays this morning for him. He did well, handled himself well. He's not winning the Super Bowl today. He's coming out here and trying to get a snap, take five steps back and throw it. So we're excited."

BROWNS

ALL EYES ON QB QUINN

Satellite TV trucks were stacked up side-by-side and there were more media members watching from the sideline than players on the field.

The Cleveland Browns never had a rookie mini-camp look like this.

With Brady Quinn around, nothing may ever be the same again.

Wearing his familiar No. 10, and a shiny orange helmet he had dreamed of buckling on since he was a kid, Quinn practiced for the first time as a pro quarterback as the Browns began a three-day camp for their draft picks and free agents at Berea, Ohio.

When the 1 1/2-hour workout ended, Quinn wanted more.

"I had too much fun out there," he said. "I think the practice was too short for me. I've been waiting so long for this opportunity, and now it's come."

Quinn, who wound up with the Browns after being passed over by several other teams in the first round of the NFL draft last Saturday, showed some offseason rust during passing drills. It was the first time he had worked out in a team environment since Notre Dame's appearance in the Sugar Bowl in January.

The 6-foot-3, 232-pounder made some crisp, short throws. He also had a few wobblers, one bad one that caught in the wind and flattened.

"It's been awhile," he said. "There's always room for improvement."

Quinn is also aware that every pass he throws from now until September will be dissected for its speed and precision.

"That's fine," Quinn said of the added attention.

ELSEWHERE

Falcons: Kicker Billy Cundiff signed a one-year contract with Atlanta after playing six games with New Orleans last season.

The Falcons open minicamp Friday, and Cundiff will compete with Aaron Elling for the kicking job. The Falcons tried punter Michael Koenen and veteran Morten Andersen at kicker last season.

Cundiff missed his only attempt last season with New Orleans and was used primarily on kickoffs. He made 60 of 82 field-goal attempts with Dallas from 2002-05.