2006 NFL Draft: The Ins and Outs
With the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans passed up Reggie Bush and the hometown fan favorite, Vince Young, for defensive end Mario Williams out of North Carolina State. Although Williams, without question, has many physical gifts, I think the Texans may be seeing more in this kid than what is actually there. Not to go along with popular opinion, but when you have an opportunity to take an exceptional talent like Reggie Bush, you have to jump on it. The Texans felt that Williams fills more of a need in that they needed to improve their defensive pass rush. But if they really wanted to fulfill needs they should have been looking to improve their offensive line which likes to throw lookout blocks for David Carr. When you have the #1 overall pick, you need to go with the best overall player in most cases, which to me, is Reggie Bush, and this was definitely one of those cases. Williams’ big knock is that he has been known to take plays off. This is another reason why I wouldn’t have grabbed him if I was Houston. He also is not a refined fundamental football player. He has gotten by on ability, which leads Houston to believe that with some instruction he can be exceptional. If the Texans were worried at all about the recent off-the-field issues surrounding Reggie Bush and his family, they shouldn’t have been. They should have been more worried about Mario Williams’ work ethic, which could keep him from fulfilling his potential. With the Houston Texans passing over Reggie Bush, it allowed the New Orleans Saints to grab him as the #2 overall pick. Bush was a no-brainer for the Saints, and I expect the Texans to be kicking themselves with every highlight reel he makes. I don’t think his road in New Orleans will be smooth sailing, but we will definitely see some glimpses of greatness this season. I would say he was heading into a dead end road, but the addition of Drew Brees to fill a major void at the QB position makes things look a little bit brighter for the Saints. Many question Bush’s ability to be a 20+ carry a game guy. They don’t think he has the durability. I think this guy will prove to be tougher than he has been given credit for. Experts were comparing Bush to Gale Sayers this past season, but to bring things a little more up to speed, I see him playing like a Marshall Faulk, especially along side Brees who is great at throwing short touch passes and screens. These guys could be one of the great backfields in the making. Many experts thought Vince Young’s draft position would drop because he isn’t the prototypical NFL quarterback. Neither was Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb or Steve “Air” McNair for that matter. Leinart was actually projected to be the first QB taken in this year’s draft, but it’s about time some of these NFL teams were able to see past the end of their noses. The former Houston Oilers got a Houston kid in Vince Young that they should be ecstatic about. Sure there are questions about his throwing mechanics, but you have to love his 6’6’’ frame, great speed and mobility. He might benefit from some technical coaching on his throwing mechanics, but I don’t think Tennessee should try to totally change this kid before seeing him in action. He silenced all those who doubted his passing ability last season with a 63.9% completion rate and 2.769 yards threw the air. In my opinion he has the ability to be better than a prototypical QB because he is more than a QB; he’s a playmaker. And perhaps his most impressive attribute is that he is a proven winner. I’m a little bit surprised the Jets didn’t go with Leinart. He could have fit the mold of the former New York Jet Broadway Joe. Leinart’s swagger is a little bit more reserved, but he is equally as confident and already accustomed to playing in a big market. The Jets did get better with their draft selection however. D’Brickashaw Ferguson is just as his name states a brick wall. He could emerge as one of the premier tackles in the game. I’m not sure he is to the same point as Orlando Pace when he came out of Ohio State, but I think this kid could be the best offensive lineup to come out since Pace. At just 265 pounds, he will need to get bigger, especially in his legs as drive blocking for the run is probably his biggest weakness right now. He is already very adept in pass blocking as he is exceptional at picking up blitzers. Look for Ferguson to jump right in and start at left tackle or the Jets could move him inside to use his speed as a pulling guard. Perhaps he wasn’t the popular choice, but a very solid pick up for the Jets. The Packers appear to be getting a good one in A.J. Hawk. I may have thought about taking Chad Greenway from Iowa with this pick as Greenway is better in pass coverage and seems to have better big play making ability (he reminds me a little bit more of Brian Urlacher), but Hawk is as consistent a tackler as you’ll see and ultimately the Packers felt a linebacker more suited to the run would be the better choice playing in the Black and Blue division. I’ll be excited to see Hawk and Greenway play against each other when the Vikings come to Lambeau. Many linebackers in the league are faster than Hawk, but I think you’ll find that his 4.65 forty that he ran at the combine is not an indicator of his ability to chase down the football. He takes great angles and he’s faster than a 4.65 on the field in pursuit. Green Bay is getting a warrior in A.J. Hawk.
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