Do the Saints regret decision to draft Reggie Bush?
The news about Reggie Bush's microfracture surgery on his left knee got me thinking back to the 2006 draft, when Bush was taken second by New Orleans.
Everyone knew at the time that Bush wasn't likely to become an every-down back, but few thought he'd struggle as mightily as he has. The former USC star's career high in rushing yards is 581 and he has averaged less than four yards per carry each of his three seasons. He's broken 1,000 yards combined rushing and receiving just once (his rookie year), and his career high in touchdowns is nine (2006 & 2008).
These are, of course, a far cry from his numbers at USC (maybe he's spending too much time with his girlfriend). So it begs the question: Do the Saints regret taking Bush with the No. 2 pick?
Well, they were 22nd in sacks this season, so trading up for a pass-rusher like Mario Williams, now a Pro Bowler, could have been beneficial.
The Saints probably aren't crying over missing out on Vince Young and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the No. 3 and 4 picks, respectively. But look at the other running backs taken in '06...
In the first round, New England picked Laurence Maroney 21st, and Indy took Joseph Addai 30th. Both guys struggled with injuries this season but were productive their first two years (Addai went over 1,000 yards in '06 and '07).
However, the steal of the first round may have been DeAngelo Williams (taken 27th by Carolina), who rushed for 1,515 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 18 TDs this season. Williams had staggering numbers at Memphis (albeit against lesser competition than Bush), and showed his durability with 310+ carries his junior and senior seasons. It's easy to play Monday Morning Quarterback on decisions like this, but how good would the Saints have been with Williams there complementing their potent passing offense?
Here's the entire list of running backs taken in the '06 draft, including three guys drafted in the second round or later with more career rushing yards than Bush (1,550) — former teammate LenDale White, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Jerious Norwood. Leon Washington is 99 yards short, but has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his career (he has 19 total TDs to Bush's 24).
Just sayin...
What do you guys think?
(AP Photo)
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Comments (6)
I'm glad the NYJ has D'Brick and TJ and LW. Kudos to
Houston for having canolies and not listening to the press.
Here is Kipers Mock from 06.
1. Houston -- *Reggie Bush, RB, USC
2. New Orleans -- Matt Leinart, QB, USC
3. Tennessee -- *Vince Young, QB, Texas
4. New York Jets -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
5. Green Bay -- *Mario Williams, DE, NC State
6. Oakland -- A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
7. San Francisco -- DeMeco Ryans, LB, Alabama
8. Buffalo -- *Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
9. Detroit -- Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
10. Arizona -- DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
I think Bush's fine taste in woman makes him a bona-fried number one pick regardless of the numbers he puts up on the field.
Why do you think Islander fans put up with Mike Comrie?
Mike Comrie?
Didn't Sean Avery partake of MC's "S.S.'s"??? :-)
Bite your tongue BnG...
That was Dion Phaneuf, after Mike Komisarek.
Avery never got within a sloppy cab ride of Maxim's current cover girl:
http://www.yousaytoo.com/orion/hilary-duff-on-maxim-magazine-january-2009/21699
RBs are tough to count on, healthwise.
Should have used him as a David Meggett, not given him so many touches. Especially with big men on the field.
And man, his gf is hot. Gotta love a hot woman who you can't play xylaphone on her ribs with. Nice pic.
did you guys actually click that pic of kim k? whoa, mama!