[Official] Reggie Bush or Someone else -- Vince Young out of running

Bush article...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3777824.html

Running back Reggie Bush stood in front of a backdrop covered with the Texans' logo. Even though he stood there for only a brief news conference, it was easy for anyone — even Bush — to forget he is not yet part of the team.

With the draft still three weeks away, Bush received his first introduction Thursday to what his life might be like if the Texans do indeed select him with the No. 1 pick April 29. He was introduced to many of the Texans' players and visited the coaching staff and owner Bob McNair.

"They didn't really tell me anything directly, other than the fact that they're excited for this upcoming draft and excited for me to be a Texan," Bush said.

Although it seems obvious the Texans are leaning toward using their No. 1 overall pick on Bush, Madison High graduate Vince Young will plead his case today as he meets with Texans officials and goes through an on-field workout.

Bush did not participate in a workout because NFL rules do not allow teams to work out prospects away from home. Young can go can through a workout today because this is his hometown.

Despite knowing about Young's visit, Bush left Reliant Stadium confident he would be returning soon for a much longer stay. If that winds up being the case, he will become the fifth Heisman Trophy winner to call Houston his pro home.

Bush is regarded as one of the best prospects in draft history. His elusiveness and speed have him often being compared to Hall of Fame running backs Barry Sanders and Gale Sayers, as well as St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk.

Standing 5-11 and 202 pounds, Bush most resembles Sayers (6-0, 198 pounds). The legendary back was able to baffle defenders with his speed, spins and quick cuts. Bush, who has demonstrated similar abilities, has watched footage of Sayers' career with the Chicago Bears (1965-71).

"I know he was a great running back and a lot of people have compared me to him," Bush said. "I've seen numerous tapes of him, and he was a great running back. He was a great player, and he was before his time. For me to be compared to somebody like that is an honor and big shoes to fill at the same time."

Those shoes get even bigger when Sanders and Faulk are thrown into the mix. Bush is taller than Sanders (5-8, 203 pounds), but the two have similar elusiveness and explosive speed. The versatility of Faulk (5-10, 211 pounds) as a running back, receiver and return specialist also is an often-made comparison.

While Bush grew up admiring players such as Sanders, Faulk, Emmitt Smith and Ricky Watters, he isn't exactly comfortable with the comparisons.

"I don't like being compared to guys like that, especially guys like Barry Sanders and Marshall Faulk, because they've already set tons of records," Bush said. "Barry Sanders is one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game. So I feel like, for me, it's just something that I don't like to do, but at time same time, I can see the comparisons."

The Texans can see the comparisons, too, which makes bypassing Bush difficult.

"He had the wow factor at USC," McNair said. "His performance was phenomenal. He's got great speed, explosion and agility. He's very powerful. He's not small, either. It's obvious from talking with him that he really loves to play the game. You know, he wants to be known as a running back, but he's a great receiver, too."

There are a number of teams around the league that wish they were in the Texans' position. Even if a team doesn't have a particular need at running back, Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick said a player like Bush is too good to ignore.

"You never pass up dynamic talent," Billick said at the league meetings last month. "Is he all you need? No. But I'll take it."

The Texans aren't ready to profess their intentions. They likely will make a decision before the draft, however, and start working on a contract. Since they have the No. 1 pick, they can start negotiating with one or more players. Bush's agent, Joel Segal, said no such negotiations began Thursday.

Those talks aren't likely far away, though.

"I think now it's just about the draft, really," Bush said. "It's about the NFL draft, and making this whole thing happen."

 

oooh we just hit 3000. well now 3001. i'm sure everyone has changed everyone's mind by now.

 

I honestly dont know why this is a sticky anymore..might as well replace it with a Texans draft or Texans offseason thread.

 

Are you the Thread police hear at ClutchFans?

 

I was actually at the press conference yesterday and what's been reported is not entirely accurate. A few things:

1) Reggie said he has not been here before and had not yet begun looking for homes. He also said he was flying back to LA after the press conference.

2) He loved Houston and wants to play for us but understands this is a business and a huge deal could come in (his exact words).

3) He was 99% sure he was going to be the #1 pick.

4) He talked to all the players briefly (Carr and him just exchanged hellos) and he mainly spoke with the coaches about how he would be used next season. He said he would be the primary back but would spilt out at WR and return kicks and punts.

5) He said they had not begun talking contract.

It was interesting though that the press conference was so guarded. Reggie also slipped a lot of times by saying "I think we will do this next year" and things of that nature. The Texans got him in and out real quickly and didn't allow a lot of questions. He was immediately taken to another room after the presser to do a radio interview (only even having the chance to shake a few hands).

He did speak a little on the VY situation and said that he understands and if the roles were reversed (VY was in his home state it would be the same). He hopes the fans will embrace him but it's ultimately the organizations pick and not the fans. Super nice kid

 

Why does every running back have to be 6'0" for all of you that argue about his height?

There is a certain running back in San Diego that is 5'11" as well and LT is a pretty good back. Bush trains with LT so I think he would pick up things on how to be great. He is going to be a really good running back in this league. Even if he doesn't get the ball, he would be a great decoy in the slot.

 

Nah, just being obnoxious on a dead Friday with a hangover.

 

I for one would still prefer vince over bush mainly because other than his toughness carr hasn't impressed me... but I have no doubt that bush will be a great player in the league.

Too bad those preposterous trade suggestors like Rich Lord can't be right and the Texans can't Trade away Carr and picks for this years #1 & 2 so they can pick them both.

I know it could never happen but I wonder... Would we all be happy then?

 

I just want to see Carr with a good offense and OL for 1 season before making any deals. If I'm wrong about Carr I'll eat my crow but i have a feeling he's going ot be a good player

 

Best arm in the draft:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt4wgtuXe7k

 

I'm trying to compile the consensus player rankings from draft experts and gurus. Please feel free to add any more you can find. I know the great Skip Bailess mentions Young as #1 prospect in the draft, but I can't find the link.

http://espn.go.com/melkiper/
1. Reggie Bush
5. Vince Young

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/rankedPlayers?draftyear=2006
Scouts Inc.
1. Reggie Bush
5. Vince Young

http://www.gbnreport.com/2006top100.html
1. Reggie Bush
4. Vince Young

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/rankings.html
1. Reggie Bush
9. Vince Young

http://www.draftinsiders.com/3.html
1. Reggie Bush
8. Vince Young

http://www.draftdaddy.com/prospects/bigBoard.cfm
1. Reggie Bush
11. Vince Young

http://2006.ontheclockdraft.com/group_list.php?method=top100
1. Reggie Bush
11. Vince Young

http://www.draftace.com/
1. Reggie Bush
Not in top 10 Vince Young

http://condraft.com/top100.php
1. Reggie Bush
6. Vince Young

http://www.footballsfuture.com/
1. Reggie Bush
12. Vince Young

http://www.draftboardinsider.com/resources/100.html
3. Reggie Bush
8. Vince Young

http://www.nfldraftforecast.com/
1. Reggie Bush
7. Vince Young

http://www.draftstudio.com/valueboard.htm
1. Reggie Bush
7. Vince Young

 

thanks for the link Real. Looks like Reggie was number one in most of those. I didn't expect that. Thanks for making the effort. Must have felt great posting those. Very enlightening. Had no idea that 85% of the people had Reggie #1 and all had him ahead of Vince. Thanks again.


Hey, can you find any articles criticizing Vince at all?

 

I just went to every draft site I could find because I heard that Bush was no longer the consensus BPA in the draft. I wanted to see if this was true.

 

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/060113

You need to be an ESPN Insider to read the whole thing. The caption says, "Vince Young will be the closest thing the NFL has ever had to Michael Jordan. And the Texans would be crazy to take Reggie Bush over him."

Is that it?

Edit: The caption is on this page.

http://sports.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=Skip_Bayless&source=l_navbar&rT=sports

Bayless: The next MJ January 13

 

Oh. I thought you just enjoyed seeing Bush rated so high and Vince so low.

 

I think there right. maybe this whole draft process will have an effect on his carrer like the heisman did on vinces performance in the rose bowl. i just hope wherever he goes next year that he gets a lot of playing time, i cant wait to see him play.

reggie and vince will be compared a lot through there playing days. also throw leinart in there as well.

 

Young thinks he could still end up in Houston


HOUSTON (AP) - Vince Young isn't daunted by recent speculation that the Houston Texans will use the No. 1 pick in the draft on Reggie Bush.

The former Texas quarterback said Friday he still thinks his hometown team is open to drafting him.

"That's why I believe that I came here today," Young said. "You never know what is going on. A lot of people say Reggie is going to be here, but you never know."

Young worked out for Texans officials, toured the facilities and met with coaches and some players Friday. Bush met with the Texans on Thursday.

New coach Gary Kubiak and owner Bob McNair were among more than 100 NFL scouts, coaches and executives who also watched Young work out in Austin last month.

Young said Friday's workout consisted mostly of him throwing to a bevy of different receivers.

"Coach Kub (Kubiak) had some rapid fire, trying to keep me moving around, trying to see whether I'd get tired and things like that," he said. "I'm glad I've been continuing working out and staying in shape and throwing the ball."

Young also has visits to Miami, Minnesota, Cleveland and another visit to Tennessee, the owner of the third pick, in upcoming days.

Agent Major Adams said his client hasn't been worn down by all of his visits and recent travel.

"He knows the nature of the business, and he believes that teams want to know who he is," Adams said.

Young's draft stock skyrocketed after his performance in the Rose Bowl, where he accounted for 467 yards in a 41-38 win over USC and Bush for the national championship. Young announced four days later he was skipping his senior season to turn pro, and many Texans fans began clamoring for Houston to choose Young.

The Texans extended quarterback David Carr's contract for three years in February, making the possibility of Houston drafting Young look less likely.

Young would love to play for the Texans, but said that if they don't choose him it will simply motivate him to succeed wherever he goes.

"I will always love my hometown, and I will always have respect for my team," Young said. "But if it doesn't work out I'll still love my hometown, but when I come home, I'm going to play.

"Just like I said when we were getting ready for the Rose Bowl. I lost the Heisman (Trophy) and I told those guys that we were going to come out there and play and give it all we've got."

Young brushed off the notion that playing in Houston would be too much pressure for him.

"Yes, Texas is home, and I handled that," he said. "I was kind of in the spotlight in high school as well. Yes, I'll be able to handle it. We're going to have fun, but when it's time for Vince Young to handle his business ... I take it very serious."

Although many coaches and scouts have given him glowing reports, Young has had to contend with reports of a poor score on the Wonderlic test and questions about his quirky throwing motion.

"That is motivation for me," he said. "When it's my time to come out and show Vince then you will get the truth. But if you keep going off what somebody else says, I don't believe in that."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5483276

 

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet, but on ESPN radio this morning they said that the Titans are divided on VY. Floyd Reese really wants to get Young, but Fisher and Chow want Leinart. The coaches want Leinart because they want to win ASAP, but Reese thinks VY will be better in the long run. They said if VY and Leinart are both there at #3 it could get real ugly in the War Room.

 

Floyd Reese is a better judge of talent, he should take the guy that he wants.

DD

 

I'm sure it could get tense, but I would bet they already know what they're gonna do by then.