How exactly does a human body make the kind of cut that USC running back Reggie Bush is making in the picture on the left?
Although the Texas Longhorns must find a way to stop Bush in the Rose Bowl, the Houston Texans and their supporters are just hoping that Bush comes out of the game in one piece so that he will be available for the Texans to select with their first round draft choice in the 2006 NFL Draft (at least Texans GM Charlie Casserly didn’t give that draft choice up in the Philip Buchanon deal). Inasmuch as the current Texans team is nearly unwatchable, take a moment to review this slick USC promotional video for Bush’s Heisman Trophy candidacy and the video that is included with this New York Times article of Bush’s exploits while playing high school ball in San Diego. This young man is really something special.
Houston's Clear Thinkers
Longtime Houston attorney Tom Kirkendall's observations on developments in law, business, medicine, culture, sports, and other matters of general interest to the Houston business, professional, and academic communities.
I think I’ve watched the USC video 5 times now. Wow. Thanks for the links, I’d have missed them.
I’m afraid, however, that the Texans are going to draft Vince Young. He’s the hometown hero, after all.
Here’s a question from a non-Texans fan: Domanick Davis is an above average RB in the NFL. He’s certainly capable of rushing for 1200 yds easy with a decent OL, he’s an excellent pass receiver and a solid blocker. He also seems durable enough.
So, do you draft Reggie Bush? He seems like a once in a lifetime talent, a Marshall Faulk like talent. Do you draft him even though RB is certainly not one of their pressing needs?
TP, you are too young to remember this, but Ronnie Coleman was a similarly competent RB for the Oilers back in 1977. The Oilers drafted Earl Campbell — a different but similarly gifted talent to Bush — and the Oilers proceeded to become one of the NFL’s best teams. Coleman continued to contribute in a backup role.
The bottom line — the Texans should not use the first draft choice to draft merely the best running back of that particular season. But they should use it to draft a potential once-in-a-lifetime talent such as Bush.
I would agree with those who say that Reggie Bush is like the second coming of Gale Sayers. However, Bush’s style will not be nearly as dominant in the modern NFL; those playground moves of his won’t work against professional defenders, many of whom are physically gifted enough to play running back themselves.
Bush is a lightening-fast, but undersized running back whose considerable talents I compare to Warrick Dunn’s. I don’t like the fact that he has yet to have a season at USC where he carries the ball like a true feature back, 20 to 30 times a game.
Dominick Davis is a four-year pro coming into his own. The Texans have many needs, but running back isn’t one of them. Drafting Reggie Bush would be a mistake.
I agree that Reggie Bush may be a once-in-a-generation talent. He will have the opportunity to electrify the fans of whichever team drafts him running, catching, and returning kicks.
The best solution for the hapless Texans might be to draft Bush, and then trade Davis for an O-lineman or two who have shown that they can block at least half-a-lick…..
jrb
Bush or Davis, Houston will be garbage until they get an O-LINE. Keep DOm Davis who puts up great numbers despite the line and the fact he is the only offensive weapon. Trade the pick to the Jets or Packers and get yourself a whole bunch of nice picks and SELECT OFFENSIVE LINEMEN so that your QB can actually pass the ball and not get sacked. David Carr doesn’t suck, he just runs for his life all the time. Houston has the worst front office in Football right now… So they will again draft unneeded players instead of their real needs.
And for the Earl Campbell person, Campbell had a decent line. Bush does not.
There were no All-Pros on the Oilers line when Earl Campbell arrived. The likes of Carl Maulk, John Schuhmacher, Connie Hayman, Morris Towns, and George Reihner did not exactly have NFL defenses quaking in their boots.
Similarly, Oilers QB Pastorini’s first four seasons or so in the NFL were equally as brutal as Carr’s. Campbell made that mediocre Oilers line better and the running threat represented by Campbell allowed the Oilers to incorporate a devastating play action passing game utilizing WR’s Kenny Burrough and Mike Renfro and TE Mike Barber. The combination of those elements turned the Oilers into a championship contender.
My sense is that the Texans OL is a good tackle away from being a decent unit. That unit will look even better with a talent such as Bush extending opposing defenses.
Hello my name is Kevin Reihner, father George Reihner, and Tom, you have no idea what you are talking about. Earl Campbell offense line was not decent, but extremely good. Is it not true that they set the record for giving up the least sacks in a season of all time? And that was when Pittsburgh and the Steel Curtain were in their division. Although Earl was one of the greatest running backs of all time, his line was not the bunch of push-overs you make them out to be.
Kevin, you are certainly correct that I don’t know what I’m talking about, something that my teenage girls remind me of constantly. ;^)
Certainly the Oilers unit on which your son played was far superior to the current mess of a Texans line. But the fact of the matter is that Leon Gray was the only Pro-Bowler on that Oilers’ O-Line, and Campbell made that Oilers O-Line immediately more effective. My sense is that Bush would do the same with the Texans, although I also think the Texans need at least one more OT to become a consistently competitive offense.
Thanks for reading Clear Thinkers.
Thank you Tom for your revision. I agree that Earl Campbell immediately improved the line, but what line would Earl not improve? I do agree that Bush is a needed playermaker and we should draft him. But I believe we should then trade our early 2 and/or 3 round picks to get some solid, proven veterans blocking for the rookie.
GO TEXANS!
Kevin, I agree with you regarding trading those picks for some hosses up front. But interestingly, it’s definitely a seller’s market for good NFL offensive linemen. The Texans have been trying to upgrade the offensive line through trades or free agent acquisitions each year (before this past season, the target was Orlando Pace). Each time that they have closed in on a target, however, the team that held the free agent’s rights has either demanded a ridiculous price or outbid the Texans for the services of the OLineman. So, I’m not sure that the Texans will get all that much for their 2nd and 3rd round draft choices, although I’m sure that they are actively exploring that market.
Too bad your son isn’t playing now — his contract price would dwarf that of what even Campbell made back in the late 1970’s!