I think it might be more beneficial for him to start next year for us to win more games over his 4 year career but in year 1, I don't think it matters who starts.
And I don't understand why you think starting jim next year instead of redshirting him would be better in the long run. If Mullen keeps recruiting well, I'd think you'd want Russell around to reap the benefits of it.
Do you want to go into 2010 with only Relf having game experience?? Or would you rather have 2 QB's with some experience??
If Croom were still here, I'd want to redshirt him because I know Croom couldn't recruit another QB of his caliber. But with Mullen recruiting QB's, I'm for playing him because I know we'll go into 2010 with 2 freshmen and quite possibly 1 juco QB (Newton), that aren't on the team this year.