[Gotham Dark Knight]

The Houston Texans passed on Reggie Bush today...Bush went 2nd overall all to the Saints. Texans took a DE...

Frank Coyle: The Texans shocked NFL fans by signing DE Mario Williams on Friday to a six-year contract. He is an awesome athletic package that ranks him with the top defensive ends over the past decade - like Julius Peppers. He has the talent to become a premier defender in the NFL.

Pros: He is the ideal physical package with exceptionally long arms and a tremendous wingspan. Williams has added solid bulk to his frame over his career, including increased strength that translates well to the playing field. He has fine natural athleticism and shows very good natural ability to rush the QB. At times, he will make plays that only the rare athletic defenders can make. He has fine movement skills and very good speed, especially for his size, and will make tackles down the line and at the opposite sideline.
Cons:: One glaring knock against him is not giving 100 percent at times. Sometimes he will battle with the tackle at the line rather than just take an edge, get low, and go. At just 21, he is still learning the nuances of hand usage and ways to separate quicker from blockers. Needs further lower body strength to handle plays at the point of attack.
Numbers: At the Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.73 seconds with a 40.5 inch vertical jump, 10-foot broad jump and did 35 reps in the 225-pound bench press. During 2005 season, started 12 games, recording 62 total tackles with 24 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 15 hurries, a safety and a blocked kick.

Anyone surprised?...Did Bush's legal trouble play a part?

[legend]

Bush's legal problems are small potatoes compared to your average NFL murderer or drug addicted player. The Texans have made a huge mistake, and doomed poor Bush to the purgatory of the NFL, the Saints. If it was a track meet, perhaps I would choose the fellow with the best combine numbers, but like I say in college football, take Army if it's a war, but not a football game.

[Lefty Noob]

Everything seems to come back to the money. He apparently just wanted too much for Houston's taste. Shame to see that its come down to this, where the guy with the most physical talent in the draft doesn't go #1 overall not because of position or need, or even off the field problems, but because of money. Not saying the Texans are at fault here -- Bush could've easily come down a bit and made more in a few years than any of us will see in our lifetimes -- but it is sad that the financial structure is this out of whack. The NFL needs a rookie salary cap.