Why did Bush go #2?

[Guiness]

I've seen very little (ok, nothing!) written to say why Bush ended up in the #2 spot. Closest thing I saw was that Leigh S. must be quietly chuckling, because Bush fired him shortly before the draft.

Everyone knew Houston was talking to Mario, but most assumed it was a ploy to get leverage with Bush and his agent.

So why did Mario go #1? Did Houston actually feel he was a better player? Did they want their choice signed before the draft, and couldn't come to terms with Bush?

Did they make a 'need' pick. You just don't do that with the #1.

[oregonpackfan]

I can't help but feel Houston believed Bush might be carrying some baggage about his parents' house allegedly being financed by a sports agent.


Oregonpackfan

[RashanGary]

Bush and his family were involved with convicted felons. They were accepting money and gifts with the intetion that Bush would sign with them. When Bush told them "no" that he will not sign with them, they went public with everything that has gone down as to drag Bush with them.

Let's face it. Reggie Bush was not the brightest person to get involved in that crap. Also, he was asking for sick amounts of money that even he would have a hard time living up to.

I'm sure it was a little bit of everything but I'm sure his relationship with the convicted felon and his accepting of funds against NCAA rules didn't help.

[Tarlam!]

I think it was a combination of what I read.

1. Bush was "me first", Mario "team first"
2. Bush was compared to a fairy tale, Mario to Reggie White
3. RB last less longer than DE overall
4. Money.
5. Was the o-line ever really gonna be good enough for Reggie to flourish?
6. Intangibles.

If Mario busts, they will look like idiots, but I doubt that will be the case.

[KYPack]

There was one other point made by members of the Texans. They have a ton of firepower, but had a hard time holding late game leads. A pass rushing end might have made a huge difference in the Houston record last season.

They would pay MW less money and improve their team by a greater margin. It might be justification on the part of the Texans, but it does make sense.

The other factor is that Bush is basically a spot player. He needs to be used in match-ups, rather than every down. Houston would've had to pay a ton of their available cap for a situation guy.

When you add these points to Tar's list, the Williams pick makes some sense.

[Partial]

Mario Williams is a once every 5-10 year prospect who plays a much more impactful position than running back.

I think he's overrated. I question whether he made the two other linemen going in the first, or if all three of them combined made Mario look better than he is.

With that said, I think their were a slew of reasons with the first and foremost being money.

Here is my list
1. Money - he wanted too much guaranteed
2. Mario rated higher - even if Mario was higher, they'd still have gotten reggie because he will sell jerseys and fill seats.
3. Dominick Davis - best young backs in league
4. Scandal

[MJZiggy]

Bush will sell seats in the short run, but if he gets flattened every play because he has no line, the sales will taper off. If they build a team that starts winning, the stadium will sell out. When I got to Tampa, getting seats was a simple matter. By the time I left when they were winning, they would sell out the first day they were on sale.

[Partial]

Reliant Stadium is one of the harder stadiums to play in as I recall. I believe they're selling out every game regardless, and they are evidentally very rowdy and loud.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Why do some people on here think Bush is a "me first" guy? That's far from what he's shown. He split carries at USC with White. Unlike White, this didn't seem to bother him. He said during the season that--unlike Eli Manning--he'd play for any team. When asked during the draft if he was going to play for New Orleans, he said "of course I will, why wouldn't I?" This guy is getting a bad reputation among some in here, but he's not a bad kid at all. In fact, reading about him I feel like he has very good character. It's probably part of the reason the Packers made inquiries about trading up to get him.

[Tony Oday]

because the TExans saw how well Jamal Reynolds did for the Packers so they thought they would draft a DE in the first round. They forgot that his actual name is.....

SAM BOWIE!!!!!!


Yup the same guy that wwas picked ahead of Jordan...

[Scott Campbell]

Why do some people on here think Bush is a "me first" guy? That's far from what he's shown. He split carries at USC with White. Unlike White, this didn't seem to bother him. He said during the season that--unlike Eli Manning--he'd play for any team. When asked during the draft if he was going to play for New Orleans, he said "of course I will, why wouldn't I?" This guy is getting a bad reputation among some in here, but he's not a bad kid at all. In fact, reading about him I feel like he has very good character. It's probably part of the reason the Packers made inquiries about trading up to get him.

It's beginning to look like he and/or his family may have broken some NCAA rules, and USC's 04 national title may be in jeapordy. But I'm with you - I think he's basically a good kid. There's a big difference between breaking NCAA rules, and breaking the law.

[Guiness]

Interesting post mortem. I didn't know that those casino guys were felons. I wonder if that was his doing, or his parents not wanting to wait until he graduated to get their new house?

I didn't hear much about his contract demands - just that Mario got ~10% more than Smith, which seems like a hefty enough raise. I thought it was generally close to 4% every year. He thought he deserved a bigger jump, or more guaranteed?

[Scott Campbell]

Interesting post mortem. I didn't know that those casino guys were felons. I wonder if that was his doing, or his parents not wanting to wait until he graduated to get their new house?

I didn't hear much about his contract demands - just that Mario got ~10% more than Smith, which seems like a hefty enough raise. I thought it was generally close to 4% every year. He thought he deserved a bigger jump, or more guaranteed?

There's a new CBA this year which should account for much of the increase year over year in the rookie contracts.

[Guiness]

There's a new CBA this year which should account for much of the increase year over year in the rookie contracts.

Right. I meant to mention that.

The next step, of course, will be RB arguing that he shouldn't be slotted below MW because he was the 'real' #1, and trying to get a deal for more than Mario.

NO has a starting back, so this will of course last well into training camp, after the #3 is signed. Eventually, he gets slotted between them, Heisman or no damn Heisman.

[Guiness]

The other half of this question, did Houston actually have a #1 rank for MW?

I.E. did they want him enough to stay in the #1 spot, knowing NO would probably take him at #2 if they moved? You have to think there was a team out there willing to give them decent value to move to #1 for Bush, and give them value for it.