With news that Reggie Bush had microfracture surgery on his knee I thought this would be a good time to revisit the 2006 NFL Draft. The reason being is I said back then I would give it three years before I made firm commitments on the five major players from that draft. There has been much debate over Reggie Bush, Mario Williams, Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler so it is time to put some things to rest.
1- Mario Williams
I thought the Texans made a huge mistake not drafting Reggie Bush and taking Williams who I figured would be a decent, but not dominating defensive end. Williams has turned out to be a dominating player worthy of his #1 Pick status, but the Texans though haven't been very successful on the field. The question begs would they have been a better team with Bush than Williams? Probably not, so in hindsight from a pure performance issue it was the right pick even if it hasn't translated to playoff appearances.
2- Jay Cutler
I was on record saying that he would be a colossal bust and would be the worst out of the three main quarterbacks taken. A couple of things are obvious now. First he is the best out of the three. He still has a lot of flaws, but you can see the potential of a franchise Quarterback. He isn't there yet, but he is on the right path. The next coach that Denver selects will be critical in his development. At worst he becomes a Boomer Esiason type at best a Jim Kelly. Either way it was an excellent choice for the Broncos.
3- Reggie Bush
I have given him the benefit of the doubt for three years, but one thing especially after watching this year's crop of rookie running backs has become obvious. It doesn't matter if you are drafted #2 or #222 if you can run the football in the NFL it shows up immediately. Reggie Bush will never been a great pure running in the NFL. It is obvious it just isn't happening. He also can't seem to stay healthy and the worst thing that can happen to an elusive back is to have chronic knee issues which he is having. I don't label him a bust because when he is on the field he has made plays be it receiving; punt returns or the occasional long run. But when the hype doesn't match up with the production you can see where the criticisms would come from. In retrospect he was not worthy of his #2 pick status. With that being said he does have a hot girlfriend to make him feel better.
4- Vince Young
I always thought VY had the greatest boom or bust value in the draft. I also thought the worst thing that ever happened to Vince Young was him taking the Titans to the playoffs his first two years. The reason being is he didn't play that great. He made clutch plays from time to time, but in a lot of cases they were winning in spite of his performance as oppose to because of it. I consistently beat the drum that he would have to improve dramatically as a passer to be a successful quarterback.
Not to go all Ron Jaworski on you, but I don't care who you are but unless you have the ability to sit in the pocket, read defenses, correctly identify the open man downfield and throw with anticipation you cannot be an effective quarterback over the long term no matter how athletically gifted you are. I had heard rumblings going even back in Young's days at Texas that he was a bit of a baby and not as dedicated as he needed to be, but I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. This season proved that Young unless there are some major changes will never achieve the level of success everyone hoped for him after leaving Texas. The one shining light for Young is he will get a second chance to prove himself as oppose to.
4- Matt Leinart
Why is Matt Leinart a super bust? When Reggie Bush is on the field he is a playmaker. Mario Williams is a two time pro bowler. Jay Cutler broke the Broncos single season passing record this year. Even with all of Vince Young's faults he has lead a team to the playoffs twice. What has Leinart done?
Absolutely nothing and to think I thought he was the "safest" pick in the draft. Here is why I know without question there is no saving Leinart. He plays for the Arizona Cardinals. If you can't be a successful quarterback with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston on your team I highly doubt you will be successful anywhere else in the NFL.
So Leinart gets the trophy for "Super Bust", but at least it didn't hurt him with the co-eds.
*crying*
It's not my fault I peaked in my junior year of college.
Texans are 8-8 not bad at all
don't talk about my man
The Texans haven't sniff the playoffs in almost a decade of exisitance. Not even one winning record.
one word on the picture:
Jesus, fellas i'm hating
I hit all those coeds on a post route
Of course I have chronic knee problems, just look at how much ass I have to lift on a daily basis.
35. When were you the saddest in your whole life?