ssmitty

and, rightfully so..................

TEXANS TAKE A SWIPE AT REGGIE?
Posted by Mike Florio on April 28, 2008, 4:45 p.m.
More than two years after making the stunning decision to pass on running back Reggie Bush with the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, the Houston Texans might have provided a hint as to the supposed football reason for leaving him on the board.

Offensive coordinator Kyle “Kevlar Jr.” Shanahan, whose career continues to ascend despite having the initials of Chris Simms tattooed on his leg, mentioned Bush while discussing Steve Slaton, a similarly-sized running back whom the Texans took in round three this year.

“You look at guys around the league like Kevin Faulk, a guy like Reggie Bush; guys who come in and fill a specific role on third downs,” Shanahan said. “I think when a guy is 197 pounds and if you look at the history throughout the NFL there are not too many guys that are first and second down player for long periods of time. When you look at a guy that people are projecting as a third down type guy or a change of pace guy I believe a lot of teams have more important needs that go early in the draft. One exception is Reggie Bush; he is the highest guy that I’ve seen go that is a third-down type player. The third round is when these guys start popping out.”

So, basically, Shanahan thinks Bush is a third-down type player. Which is an accurate assessment of him now.

But no one viewed Bush that way at the time. And that’s another reason why we never know what a great college player is going to do against NFL competition until he is actually pitted against NFL competition.

As to Slaton, a scout told us after eyeballing a West Virginia practice in 2006 that Slaton was in many ways comparable to Bush. In 2006, Slaton’s performance was equivalent to Bush’s college exploits as well.

But something happened to Slaton prior to the 2007 season. Maybe he decided to bulk up to the point that he lost his pop. Or maybe he was hoping not to get Michael Bushed when what once seemed to be a first-round payday was within reach.

If Slaton gets that something back, then he could end up having an even bigger impact that Bush. Two years ago, that really would have been saying something.

B_Dub_Saint

Well I can tell you right now, Reggie is gonna shut a lot of people up this year. This is going to be his year to shine. Mark my words.

CantonLegend

i hope ur right....he has too many fumbles to justify his 2nd overall pick....he has helped make our offense very explosive tho....whenever he is on the field he needs a spy because even at the wideout spot he can still end up carrying the ball....thats a scary kind of player....mario williams has made his point....i think he deserved to be the first pick....i think that reggie can be a great player...i just dont think he has shown that yet

WVSaint

i cant even be a homer on this one, slaton was a good college player. i really dont think he will be a good pro. i dont think he'll even have half the career that bush will have.

CantonLegend

haha.....im just thinking about the comparison....reggie is one of the top 25 players to come out of college of all time....this is another silly post...they are just saying that because they passed on reggie to pick up williams

beauchristopher

bush opened up the entire offense in his rookie season. not too mention he had 2 td's when it mattered most (both playoff games).. he may not be a starting rb which they tried in 2007 when the entire team blew.. but when he is used correctly he is something special. even in the nfl.

QBREES9

I have to believe this is going to be Reggie year.

LongTimeFan

If Deuce is healthy this season you'll see Reggie have a break out season.
The key to Reggie's success depends on if he gets help in the backfield.

MatthewT

My belief is running backs usually start to peak in their 3rd season. Reggie should have a great year if he stays healthy. I think the Saints do know how to best use Reggie, but was unable to fully execute this last season. Since Pierre Thomas looks like he can possibly do the job, I think Reggie is going to be kept in his role no matter how things turn out for Deuce.

CantonLegend

i want reggie to prove he was worth the 2nd overall pick...i agree that reggie is a situation back tho..he has a role....when he had to carry the team last year he kinda fell apart...he does best when the pressure is off of him...when duece can carry the offense and then reggie can be plugged in and out of the offense....is when our offense is most dominating....i loved our offense in '06.....duece, reggie, and stecker all on the field at the same time....thats intimidating