This NY Times article from over the weekend discusses the ups and downs that prospects endure in the run-up for the annual National Football League draft, but even that did not prepare me for this:
For the first time, there is legitimate reason to think that USC running back Reggie Bush is not going to be wind up in Houston, the city that currently holds the No. 1 overall pick.
This does not come from one source or from one team. This comes from multiple sources, from across the league, without any agenda to push.
The mounting evidence includes this:
As of Monday, the Texans had not had any contract discussions with Bush and his representatives. None.
Yet the Texans have approached North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, trying to see if he would be receptive to discussing a deal.
But the evidence goes beyond contracts. When Bush was in Houston, a certain segment of the organization never introduced itself to the running back. This might not be unusual, but if the organization was convinced it was taking a certain player, it should be rolling out the welcome mat with everyone trying to make the player feel as at home as possible. This, according to those who know Bush, did not happen.
Then there is the simple and significant matter of need. Within the past year, the Texans signed running back Domanick Davis to a long-term extension. They also drafted wide receiver Jerome Mathis, the return man who went to the Pro Bowl during his rookie season. The Texans know they have a dependable running back and return man, the two spots Bush fills.
Houston’s greater need is at defensive end, and, just as much, at left tackle, a position that could be filled by Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who is expected to go in the top four picks.
Yet whether Houston winds up with Williams or Ferguson is unknown. What is known is that Bush no longer is a lock for Houston.
As a person in the Bush camp said Monday, “Do I have a feeling that Reggie is going to Houston? No, I have a feeling that he’s not.”
If that is the route that the Texans plan on taking it will be extremely unpopular among the fanbase, despite it most likely being the best way to handle the draft.
There’s too much time between the end of the college football season and the draft, hence articles like this (replete with editing/grammatical errors) to fill up the dead space and dead time. The notion that Davis is “dependable” is about as far as you need to read to figure out this is nonsense.
The Texans will take Reggie Bush unless they get a trade offer that they simply cannot turn down.
Maybe Bush’s entourage didn’t meet some members of the organization because those members are going to be outta here after the draft. I imagine some of Casserly’s support personnel may well follow him to the league office or go to other teams. And since Casserly’s house is on the market (250k below a recent appraisal!), we know he’s outta here soon.
Drafting anybody not named Vince Young will be extremely unpopluar with the fanbase.
Sports Illustrated writer Michael Savage has a great piece on why VY should be the #1:
ìIf that is the route that the Texans plan on taking it will be extremely unpopular among the fanbase…î
ìDrafting anybody not named Vince Young will be extremely unpopluar with the fanbase.î
Baloney! The fans ultimately only care about winning. Everything else is forgiven if the Texans dramatically improve in the standings.