http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3682035.html Houston, with No. 1 draft pick, is the place for him INDIANAPOLIS - Reggie Bush realizes there are a number of teams he could join once draft day rolls around, but there is only one city he is focused on: Houston. "I'm visualizing it," Bush said on his first day at the NFL scouting combine on Thursday. "Houston has the No. 1 pick right now, and that's where I want to be. I've heard plenty of good things about them." The former Southern Cal running back didn't hesitate when asked about his favorite part of Houston. "No state tax," he said, flashing a big smile. "I think that's a pretty good one." So began Bush's first public push to become the No. 1 pick in the April draft. Unlike the NFL's other most touted prospects — USC quarterback Matt Leinart and Texas quarterback Vince Young — Bush has kept a low profile since the Longhorns defeated the Trojans in the national championship game last month. Bush will not work out at the combine, instead choosing to work out at USC's pro day on April 2. Bush, Leinart and Young will only interview with teams at the combine. Bush took center stage Thursday as talent evaluators pondered how to best utilize the 5-11, 201-pound playmaker, whom some consider too small to be an every-down back. Less could be more "With Reggie Bush, more may be less and less could be more," Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "Whichever team takes Reggie at the top of the draft, if they utilize him in the right way he can still be a Heisman Trophy winner at the pro level, even if he's only touching the ball 10 or 15 times a game. "I think when you get in a situation at his size, 200 pounds or so, when you're carrying it 20 or 25 times a game for 16 games, I think that's almost an impossibility for somebody with the way the game is played right now." No team has used a No. 1 pick to draft a running back since Ki-Jana Carter was taken in the top spot in 1995. The Texans aren't shying away from the possibility, despite the so-called durability concerns. "I don't think that's a real issue because he's the kind of player that can break a game open on any play," Texans owner Bob McNair said. "If he can touch the ball 10 times — and score 10 touchdowns — that would be satisfactory." Bush intends to tell teams during his private interviews that he wants to be an every-down back. Although he doesn't weigh 220 pounds, he believes he can carry the load and be a difference-maker. "If I were to go to Houston, they already have a great quarterback and a great receiver, maybe it's just the little piece to the puzzle that they're missing," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to help them out a lot and help them win some more games. I'm not saying we're going to go to a Super Bowl right away, but hopefully we can work toward that." Ready for challenge Bush stopped just short of saying the No. 1 pick was his to lose, but it's evident he is ready for the two-month competition ahead. "I guess you could say that it is mine to lose if I were to not take the proper steps in presenting myself to be the No. 1 draft pick," Bush said. "But, like I said, I'm competing every day. I'm competing right now, right here, to be the No. 1 draft pick."
Well there's one interesting comment by a GM- Reggie Bush if "utilized in the right way" will probably end up being a situational player, touching the ball on avg. 12.5 times a game and still be an all-pro running back. (that is exactly what this GM is implying) Now would someone look up how many all- pro running backs in the history of the NFL did that. In other words- Reggie will be the first. NFL GM's have the amazing ability to evaluate a player, then expand evaluation and potential in their own minds to suit themselves. In other words they can just about make any player what they want them to be, instead of seeing them for what they are. This happens especially in the first round where players move all over the place on draft day and most of the time GM's are wrong. That is exactly why Emmitt Smith slipped and Ki Jana Carter's happened.
Does Reggie think he should only be a 10 to 15 touch guy? I really like his attitude and competitive fire, but that seems to be a key question to me. Yes, if he can score on all 10 touches, you take him, but nobody can do that? I mean Tiki has rushed an average of 18.5 times a game in years where he started over 10 games. Last 2 years closer to 21.5. LT's career average rushing is 21.5 times, with another 4.5 receptions a game average. Why can't Bush do the same? He needs to put on a little more weight, granted, to match LT, but Tiki is only about 200 lbs, too??
10-15 touches for Bush, 10-15 touches for Davis. Then get Bush out in the slot and make him a true dual-threat.
I think he can handle it as much as LT. Great thing about Bush is his elusiveness and quickness simliar to Barry's. That means, you don't really get a huge square hit on the guy like you would Jerome Bettis. Hopefully his ability to escape defenders prolongs his career and his body.
I don't know why people questions his durability and size when he is as JayZ said basically the same size as Tiki Barber and no one questions him right now. They probably said the same things to him when he came out but he is doing just fine i think. Bush is 6 foot 200 Barber 5'10 200
That's fine..then drop him down to 5' 10" It's still all about what he does on the field....im sure Barry Sanders, Tiki, and a slew of other good backs were talked about bad....they just need to prove it on the field....that's what i want to see.
Finally a draft article in the Chronicle thats not about Vince Young. I was starting to think he was the only player in the draft this year.
