ESPN is reporting that the Houston Texans will pass on Reggie Bush and that they have agreed to a contract with Mario Williams. Naturally, this will shake things up for everyone’s draft board in the top 5.
I never thought Bush deserved to be the top pick in the draft. It will be interesting to see why Houston passed on him. Was it an issue of money, or did they finally determine that Bush isn’t an every down player?
One of the more compelling storylines every year at draft time seems to be how New York Jets fans will react when their team makes a selection. Most of the time, the home crowd is left with disappointment and the Jets front office personal is pelted with boos.
So what circus act awaits Jets fans this year? The overall consensus out of New York is that the fans are quickly falling in love with Matt Leinart. The pick seemingly would make a lot of sense considering current quarterback Chad Pennington’s injury woes and the uncertainty surrounding newly acquired Patrick Ramsey from Washington.
But who does the Jets brass like? Well, of course, not Leinart, but Virginia offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
Leinart and Ferguson are the two most compelling linchpins at the top part of this draft for the Jets. The Jets love Ferguson and he fills an immediate need.
The question is this: How much do the Jets like Leinart?
The word on the NFL streets is that the Jets are not planning to spend the No. 4 pick on a QB and they’re not smitten with Leinart.
From the outset, both Leinart and Ferguson and highly rated and either one should do very well in New York. But these are the New York Jets and it is almost draft day, so everything is a possibility and nothing is a guarantee.
Although one guarantee might come tonight, when the Jets fans will have their annual nightmare of when their J.E.T.S, JETS! JETS! JETS! drafted Browning Nagle.
ESPN.com’s John Clayton is reporting in his First and 10 column that surprises might await the highly touted quarterback prospects in tomorrows draft.
It appears that the Titans are leaning toward Vince Young, because as Clayton is reporting, they feel he could become a better quarterback than Matt Leinart. Apparently, the Jets are not interested in drafting a quarterback and are rumored to be after Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
What this means for Leinart and Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler is a potential fall out of the top 10. Although it’s doubtful that Leinart would fall past Oakland at No.7, if the Lions and Cardinals pass on Cutler, it could be a potential repeat of last year when California QB Aaron Rodgers fell all the way to the bottom half of the first round
The Raiders would take Young at No. 7 but there is no guarantee they would take Leinart over safety Michael Huff. The longest fall for Leinart could be to No. 13 in Baltimore. And what about Cutler? If Detroit at No. 9, Arizona at No. 10 and St. Louis at No. 11 pass on him, Cutler could drop to the Vikings at No. 17.
Other interesting notes out of Clayton’s rumor bin is the absolute lack of highly ranked wide receivers as well as what possible trades may occur once the top 10 are selected.
On a side note: Join me, Anthony Stalter right here at www.scoresreport.com tomorrow April 29th and Sunday April 30th for a full two days of NFL draft coverage. I’ll be providing updates on selections, trades and all things draft. So, feel free to post your opinions, comments or any questions you have for me relating to the draft. See you this weekend!
ESPN writers John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli conducted an online mock draft of the first round. Here’s how they projected the first few picks to go:
1. Texans – Reggie Bush, RB
When you have the chance to get a once-in-a-generation player, and add him to one of the league’s worst offenses, money shouldn’t be the overriding factor. The Texans will take Bush.2. Saints – Mario Williams, DE
Saints would prefer to move down and take someone like Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, but aren’t getting many offers. Even with two former first-round ends on the roster, Williams is too good to pass up.3. Titans – Vince Young, QB
Lots of intrigue in the Titans war room, with battle lines drawn between the Young and Matt Leinart supporters. The last time we looked, Bud Adams was still signing the paychecks, and the Titans’ owner is believed to favor Young.4. Jets – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT
The fans might want Leinart, but it doesn’t matter who the quarterback is if you can’t protect him. Ferguson is one of the safest picks in the draft and he’ll help solidify a shaky line.5. Packers – A.J. Hawk, LB
Hawk has been the main Packers target the entire offseason. He’ll add skill and leadership to their defense. While Hawk is the likely pick, don’t be surprised if general manager switches off to give Brett Favre tight end Vernon Davis.6. 49ers – Vernon Davis, TE
The 49ers are fine whether they get Davis or Hawk. Figuring they would probably end up with Davis, the 49ers traded up with Denver to get the 22nd pick in the first round and be in position to get a defensive back or a linebacker. The 49ers just need starters.7. Raiders – Matt Leinart, QB
Aaron Brooks was signed as a one-year fix at quarterback, so the Raiders can’t turn down a franchise quarterback, whether it’s Leinart or Young. Al Davis isn’t the biggest fan of left-handed quarterbacks, despite the success of Ken Stabler, but Leinart is too talented to pass up.
It’s interesting that Pasquarelli believes that the Titans will take Young over Leinart. Many think that Tennessee’s “internal dispute” over the two QBs is just a smokescreen to keep other teams from trading up to the #2 spot to grab Leinart. Teams would less likely to try to trade up if they believed there was a chance that the Titans would pass on Leinart. I’m guessing that Leinart will go to Tennessee and that Young will be the QB that will fall to Oakland.
Also, if the Jets do pass on Leinart (or Young for that matter), expect a lot of “boos” from the NY Jets faithful, who will no doubt be out in force at the draft.
The NBA playoffs continue this weekend, with a total of 11 games on four different networks. The NFL Draft starts Saturday and continues on Sunday, with coverage provided by ESPN and ESPN2. NBC has two NHL playoff games – one on Saturday and one on Sunday. There is only one nationally televised MLB game, the Texas/Cleveland tilt on ESPN Sunday night.
NBA
Fri, 8 PM: Cleveland @ Washington – ESPN
Fri, 10 PM: San Antonio @ Sacramento – ESPN 2
Fri, 10:30 PM: Phoenix @ LA Lakers – ESPN
Sat, 3 PM: New Jersey @ Indiana – TNT
Sat, 5:30 PM: Dallas @ Memphis – TNT
Sat, 8 PM: Detroit @ Milwaukee – ESPN
Sat, 10:30 PM: LA Clippers @ Denver – ESPN
Sun, 1 PM: Miami @ Chicago – ABC
Sun, 3:30 PM: Phoenix @ LA Lakers – ABC
Sun, 7:30 PM: Cleveland @ Washington – TNT
Sun, 10 PM: San Antonio @ San Antonio – TNT
NFL
Sat, 12 PM – 8 PM: NFL Draft – ESPN
Sat, 8 PM – 10 PM: NFL Draft – ESPN2
Sun, 11 AM – 6 PM: NFL Draft – ESPN
MLB
Sun, 8:05 PM: Texas @ Cleveland – ESPN
NHL
Sat, 3 PM: NY Rangers @ NJ Devils – NBC
Sun, 2 PM: Philadelphia @ Buffalo – NBC
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