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Why the Texans Shouldn't Draft Bush

So now that the football season's over, the sports world turns its attention to the NFL draft.  In this year's draft, The Houston Texan's own the crown jewel; the first overall pick.  Football experts and publications across the country have made it all but a forgone conclusion that the Texan's will select USC running back Reggie Bush with that selection, and why not?  Reggie Bush is the current Heisman Trophy winner, owns a championship ring and may be the most explosive offensive talent the league has seen since Barry Sanders.  So taking Reggie Bush is a no brainer right?  WRONG!!!

 The Texan's are a franchise going through a major transition period.  The team has just brought in Gary Kubiak as their new head coach, hired Dan Reeves as a “Special Consultant” and after much thought, retained General Manager Charlie Casserly.  Houston is coming off a season where they went 2-14.  In their four year history, they have compiled a record of 18 wins and 46 losses, and to say the team has many needs would be a major understatement.  While Reggie Bush may be the best available player in this years draft, to pick him would not improve their team.  Here's why:

Point 1:  While the Texan's do have a lot of needs, running back is not one of them.  The Texan's have one of the most underrated running backs in the league in the form of Domanick Davis.  Davis burst on the scene in 2003 with a 1,000 yard season.  He followed that up with 1,188 yards in 2004 and scored 14 total touchdowns.  Last season, he gained 976 yards while only playing in 11 games due to injury. 

Throughout his three-year career he has averaged 4.1 yards per carried and played behind the worst offensive line in the league.  Could you imagine if Davis had the benefit of a strong offensive line?  (More on that later).  While some have concerns about Davis being injured, he will be 100 percent healthy by training camp and a healthy Davis is a pro bowl caliber running back.  The Texans do not need a running back.

Point 2:  Some will argue that Reggie Bush is a great return man and his abilities on special teams alone can change your squad:  I won't argue that Bush is a great returner.  Just turn on the highlight reel and you can see Reggie make one tremendous move after another.  Sound good?  It should, he is great, however, there is only one problem.  THE TEXANS DON'T NEED A RETURN MAN! 

 Currently the Texans showcase Jerome Mathis, who set records for return men this year.  Mathis made his first pro bowl this past season and is an absolute demon on special teams.  Amidst the dreadful 2-14 season, Jerome Mathis was one of the few bright spots for the Texans.  To replace him would be a major mistake.  Once again, this is not a need area for Houston.

So if you don't take Bush, who do you take?  There are three prize gems in this years draft according to the so-called experts:  Bush, Matt Leinart and Vince Young.  Now, there will be pressure from the public relations team for the Texans to select Young.  After all, Young is a Texas native and has just won a National Championship.  Like Bush, Young would not be wise pick for the Texans.  Four years ago, the Texans selected David Carr and while Carr has have some rough times, he is still the face of the franchise and the Texans have not lost faith in him.  To prove my point, the Texans just gave Carr a three-year contract extension.  They did this after “Special Consultant” Dan Reeves gave Carr his seal of approval.  The Texans also did this with the prospect of Drew Brees hitting the free agent market on March 3rd and Young and Leinart ripe for the taking.  Make no mistake about it, Carr has had his moments where he has shown flashes of brilliance.  Davis Carr has been the victim of a bad offensive line throughout his tenure in Houston.  Just look at the stats, Carr has been sacked over 200 times in his four years in the league.  If he is given a better offensive line, he can lead the Texans to be one of the best offenses in the league.

 Besides Carr and Davis, The Texans have Andre Johnson as their top wideout.  Johnson was healthy in 2004 and put up pro bowl like numbers.  (79 catches for 1,142 yards).  Carr, Davis and Johnson provide the Texans with talented skill players but they still need help.  THEY NEED AN IMPROVED OFFENSIVE LINE. If they improve their O-line, their team will make strides towards the playoffs.  So they need a plan, and here it is:

Take the fist pick in the draft and dangle it in front of the Saints, Titans and Jets who own the second, third and fourth picks respectively.  The Saints have their hearts set on drafting Matt Leinart.  Leinart is a Heisman Trophy winner and could become the face of a New Orleans franchise that needs to make major strides under first year coach and offensive guru Sean Payton.  The Saints would trade up to protect their interests.

 Next, the Titans have their sights set on Vince Young.  Young makes sense in Tennessee.  He has a relationship with Steve McNair and he has been compared to a hybrid version of Daunte Culpepper and Michael Vick.  The Titans desperately want to protect their interest and would give up a draft pick to the Texans to secure Young.

 Finally, we come to the Jets.  New York would salivate over the idea of getting a talent like Reggie Bush.  They would clearly give up a second round pick and a defensive starter to go along with the fourth overall pick.  If this move is made, the Texans could select D'Brickashaw Ferguson who is the monster offensive tackle from Virginia.  Ferguson is one of the best offensive line prospects since Orlando Pace came out of Ohio State.  The Texans would still have their second round pick and a player like Ohio State product Donte Whitner will be there for the taking.  Whitner is a safety the Texans could use to build up their defense.  With the extra pick in the second round, they could select a pass catching Tight End such as Anthony Fasano or Marcedes Lewis who can spread the field for Carr.

 This draft is a critical point in the history of the Texans.  D'Brickashaw Ferguson could be the first step to the Texans having a solid offensive line.  Ferguson is a talent that comes around once in a great while and the Texans would regret not taking him.  If they trade down and take Ferguson, they will address their number one need and with the other players and picks they get from the trade, they can rebuild their franchise and become what the people of Houston are praying for,  a contender.  I hope they read this article.