CrazyCowboy
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I was hoping this guy would fall to #18.........:bang2:
The Texans receive visit from a tantalizing talent, who brings to mind the likes of Sayers, Sanders and Faulk
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
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."
The Texans receive visit from a tantalizing talent, who brings to mind the likes of Sayers, Sanders and Faulk
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
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."
