When news broke out Friday that the Houston Texans had agreed to terms with N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams instead of University of Southern California all-purpose back Reggie Bush, the New Orleans Saints couldn’t have been happier. It was obvious that the Texans drafted for need instead of best overall talent.
Williams wasn’t even the “best” N.C. State player until after he put up impressive combine numbers. That distinction went to defensive end/linebacker Manny Lawson, who was picked 21 spots later. Yes, the Texans defense gave up the most points last year. And yes, “Super Mario” showed rare athletic ability for a big man that hasn’t been seen by a defensive end since Julius Peppers, who if you recall, the Texans passed up for quarterback David Carr; but where was the collegiate production? Williams finished with 14.5 sacks this year, but 13.5 came in the first four games.
Some questioned Reggie Bush’s size, but no one was questioning his athleticism, collegiate stats, or highlight reel after highlight reel play he made. There is a recent scandal involving Bush and his parents receiving monetary and housing benefits from a marketing firm that never got off the ground, but none of that should have affected his draft status. Because the draft is such a crapshoot, the decision to take Williams over Bush may turn out to be a moot point in a few years. Who knows, Williams may turn out to be the next Reggie White, and Bush could end up being the next Ki-Jana Carter.
Quick Draft Points
The biggest shock that actually happened on draft day, though, was probably the Buffalo Bills selecting Ohio State safety Donte Whitner eighth overall. Most predictions had Whitner going late first to second round. Bills fans can’t be happy with this one.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected former Colorado wide receiver/return specialist and Olympic mogul gold medalist Jeremy Bloom in the fifth round. Bloom hasn’t played football in two years since being ruled ineligible by the NCAA because he received endorsement benefits from his skiing career.
A bunch of teams seem to be looking for the next Antwaan Randle-El. Randle-El was a former quarterback but projected as a wide receiver for the NFL. Similar athletic college quarterbacks drafted that will probably have to switch include Penn State’s Michael Robinson, Virginia’s Marques Hagans, Iowa’s Brad Smith, Texas A&M’s Reggie McNeal, and Georgia’s D.J. Shockley.
Former Virgina Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, the equally athletically gifted younger brother of Atlanta Falcon’s star Michael Vick, was surprisingly not drafted. I’m no expert, but maybe it was the fact he was caught stomping on an opposing lineman’s leg during the Gator bowl. Or maybe because he flicked off West Virginia fans taunting him. Or maybe teams didn’t like his driving—he was charged with reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Or was it the time he pulled a gun at McDonalds—I hear because he didn’t get a toy with his happy meal. Or maybe it was because he provided alcohol to underage girls, something that no greek at RPI would ever do. Or, maybe teams didn’t want another Ricky Williams, seeing how Vick has been known to light up a doobie.
