Bush doing his best to rescue draft stock
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Louisville RB Michael Bush is making a last-minute push to rescue his previously sinking draft stock.
Bush was unable to participate at Louisville's pro day after undergoing a second surgical procedure on his broken right leg. Bush suffered the injury in the 2006 opener versus Kentucky. The most recent surgery was expected to take at least two months of rehabilitation before he could put it to the test. Apparently, Bush has decided to expedite the doctor's initial timeline due to the magnitude of the upcoming NFL draft.
On Thursday, I received a package from Bush's agent, Todd France, who sent a similar package to all 32 NFL teams this week. Enclosed was a DVD of Bush working out three days earlier (Monday). The taped workout includes Bush running 100-yard dashes, performing ladder agility drills and 225-pound squats, jumping rope and box jumping.
It's important to keep perspective when evaluating the film of this isolated workout. For starters, Bush is nowhere near 100 percent and he's understandably a bit heavy and sluggish. It's also important to note that the design of the workout is different than what is seen at the combine or at a pro day. With that said, the DVD does prove to NFL teams that Bush is taking the rehabilitation process seriously and healing faster than expected.
Also helping to confirm Bush's progress was an enclosed independent letter of medical evaluation written by Dr. James Andrews, who is known in the business as the premier surgeon to professional and collegiate athletes.
Andrews' letter (written April 18, 2007) begins by stating, "We have been closely associated with the follow-up and recovery of Michael Bush who is entering the NFL draft this year as a running back."
Andrews continues by explaining, "He has made remarkable improvement in the healing of the delayed union since that reaming and re-rodding. I reviewed an X-ray today and it looks like it is 99 percent healed. … I also have reviewed a workout where he has been running 100-yard dashes and gassers and is completely asymptomatic with cutting and running and doing some of the field drill activities." Andrews finishes with his assessment of Bush's progress: "I would estimate that Michael Bush will pick up in the NFL where he left off in college."
Prior to the injury, Bush was considered a potential first-round prospect in the 2007 class. Since then, the second surgery and concerns regarding Bush's eating discipline had many teams dropping him out of the first day. Now, with all the aforementioned information available, Bush's best-case scenario is likely to come off the board in Round 3.
As of Thursday, no NFL team has contacted Bush regarding a private workout, which isn't all that surprising considering his limited mobility. Some teams that could be in the market for his services include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New England, Cleveland and Indianapolis. Also, do not rule out a reunion between Bush and his college head coach, Bobby Petrino, in Atlanta. The Falcons could target Bush with the 11th pick in the third round (No. 75 overall).
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